We had a busy summer! Join us in reviewing some of our best moments.
A new Video: A firsthand look at our programs, and the power of $13
This new video provides an intimate look at our solution to the worldwide problem of open-fire cooking, with all-new footage taken this year!
“Two numbers that can change the world”
It's not until more people know about the issue of open-fire cooking that we can truly tackle it on the scale the world deserves. The most powerful thing you can do may be to share these simple statistics with someone:
4 billion people lack access to safe cooking, according to the World Bank.
4 million people die every year as a result of cooking over open fires, mostly women and children, according to the World Health Org (WHO).
a road trip to Honduras
After 30 hours on the road, and no air conditioning, the team reached the headquarters of ADHESA, an organization that is using an innovative approach to empower local stove builders in Honduras.
StoveTeam's Guatemala Country Director Alex Eaton said,
"We came away with a valuable new perspective on how to empower our local team. This was the first time outside Guatemala for all four local team members, and I think it helped all of us set new goals, and realize the power of this amazing project!"
What this work means: Meet Doña Francisca Balan Gamez
Doña Francisca had just finished cooking breakfast on her Justa stove when we arrived. She lifted her little girl into her lap and told us how she has stopped using her open fire.
“Before I had my Justa stove it was really difficult. I would come in from doing my chores to prepare food, but my children were always running in and out of the kitchen, too close to the open fire. I had to keep my children outside until lunch was ready. Now that I have my Justa stove they can be in the kitchen, and I don't have to worry so much.”
Visiting our project in Guatemala
StoveTeam's Executive Director, Shelby Kardas, visited our project in Guatemala. Here is an excerpt from her recent blog post:
The men are sometimes surprised when we show up with women stove builders at their house. Yesterday we built a stove in a home where we met the father, mother, and 21 year old daughter of the house. As Eva and Bety set up to build the stove, the father said to Chato, “The women are going to build?” Chato said, “Yes, and Bety is my supervisor.” This came as a big surprise.
During the entire process of building, the daughter sat on a chair and watched Eva and Bety work. I kept thinking that she must be inspired to see these two strong women working together outside a traditional role.
Remembering Larry Winiarski
All of us at StoveTeam were saddened by the loss of Dr. Lawrence Winiarski, one of the original inventors of the rocket elbow used in countless stove designs for the developing world. Larry’s designs continue to benefit the lives of millions of people around the world.
StoveTeam’s Program Director, Mike Hatfield, said, "I think Larry was a rare type of inquisitive individual that had the ability to look at problems both from the side of an expert as well as with the openness of the beginner's mind. His desire was to not only understand the physics behind stoves but to intimately understand the cook's perspective. It is not hyperbole to say that without Larry none of the millions of rocket stoves that have been built throughout the world would exist."
Returning to our roots
In the photo above: StoveTeam’s founders Nancy Hughes (center), Don Steely (left) and Gerry Reicher (right), at Nancy’s home in September 2021. Nancy, Don and Gerry were part of the core team that founded StoveTeam and developed the Ecocina cookstove. Nancy says she provided the passion, Don developed the original stove molds, and Gerry was the brains that made the whole operation work.
Catching up with our partner projects
As always, Elida Olivas of Nicaragua is working hard in the midst of political and COVID-related turmoil. Through tireless effort, she has managed to continue providing cookstoves for families in need.’
In El Salvador, factory owner Gustavo Peña is launching a new pilot project to provide Justa cookstoves for the region of Santa Emilia, El Salvador! Last week, he hosted an event to demonstrate the stove.
In Honduras, Rosanna Berganza is preparing a proposal to produce Ecocina cookstoves to replace those donated to families near Copán Ruinas, Honduras over 10 years ago.
A new upgrade for our stoves in Guatemala
This year, hundreds of families in Guatemala gave us their thoughts about our stoves. Some raved about what they loved, and some made requests - but in all cases, we listened. Many requested one upgrade in particular: Burners.
As a result, we have now begun production of stoves with removable rings that allow cooks to place pots directly against the flame, while continuing to make tortillas or other dishes at the rear of the stove!
In Central America, COVID-19 isn't going away anytime soon
In a recent post about COVID in developing countries, the United Nations wrote:
What has emerged as a health crisis in the short term may well have far reaching impacts on education, human rights, food security and economic development in the long term. It is critical that the international community not neglect the fundamental responsibility to support those vulnerable members of the global family who have the least capacity to respond.
In Nicaragua, partner factory owner Elida Olivas told us:
“We are in a difficult stage... we hope that the contagion will decrease, but many people have died and sales have dropped due to the situation.”
Now more than ever, we're proud that together we're supporting all of our partner projects through the challenges of COVID, environmental disruptions, and economic and political turmoil. Thank you for making this support possible.