We had the privilege of installing our first smokeless stove as part of the Stoves for Life Project.
In Guatemala, the #1 killer is smoke inhalation and respiratory deaths related to smoke.
To get a better understanding of the install here is a 2-minute video with a timelapse of the installation.
We went to a small village called San Antonio, which is about 45 minutes from Guazacapan. This is a remote village with literally nothing around it. The main town has a small store the size of a normal garage with mostly drinks & snacks. The geographic location is about 35 minutes from the ocean so it’s very dry and very hot 33 degrees on the day we went.
the floor area and getting it levelled
The family was composed of a father (52), mother, (35), daughter (16), daughter (9), daughter (7), son (4). This was by far not the poorest home we went too….but by our standards, they had very little. They did have a block-building home with 1 room (no doors, or windows) and everyone slept in the same room. It was furnished by another ministry called Power at Work (bunkers and tables). They did have a few acres of land, which apparently was given to them because they had to relocate from a more remote area that was hit by floods.
On their property, they had some agriculture and animals including chickens, hens and several cows (rare to see cows). They were growing corn, mangoes, and a few other vegetables.
One of the sad things is that the 16-year-old has a grade 5 education and no longer goes to school. Given the location, it’s very difficult to go to school, and they are too poor to be able to afford to send her to school. The father is also 52 and has a 4-year-old, so hopefully he has the energy to be able to raise his family.
Outwardly looking in you could wonder how could anyone live like this. However they live a very simple life. We observed lots of joy and smiles. Erin and the kids played games like spot it with their kids and we were able to spend time with them in their own home.
They all slept in the same room…all 6 of them. However they all seemed very content with what they have. They were thankful for all they had.
All in all it took about a half a day to do the install and spend some time with the family. The hardest job was actually taking out the old stove which is one of the requirements of getting a new stove is that the family will actually use it…so they are required decommission their old stove, so they will no longer cook using unsafe methods. They also agree to maintaining the stove and also not to sell it.
Fe Vivía works with local pastors in small villages all over the area to assess the needs and who qualifies and needs a stove. (Some people dont want to agree to take their old stove away or sign they will take care of it).
All in all our family had a great experience and look forward to doing many more of these. It was also a blessing to have Granpa Wayne and Grandma Val there to experience this as a family!
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