The Pop Wuj Stove project was started in 1993 in order to fight the many smoke-related illnesses, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) and ARI (acute respiratory illness), that present themselves in the developing world as a result of constant interaction with open fires. These illnesses are the leading cause of death among children in Guatemala. The addition of stoves to one-room homes also make them much safer places for children to be and minimize the frequent accidents that happen around an open fire. By keeping harmful smoke out of the house, families are able to climb out of poverty more easily without having to dedicate time and resources to caring for chronically ill loved ones.

Over the years the stove design has been reviewed and modified numerous times. One of the founding members of Pop Wuj is the author of the current design (one that he has happily shared with other nonprofit organizations worldwide as they seek to eliminate the same problems on other continents). Its popularity results from its durability, ease to build, and accessible materials.

The materials and transportation costs for our culturally-appropriate stove are $160 US. In harmony with our ongoing effort to make lasting, long-term change in Guatemala, we opt to spend a little more on each stove so that our efforts last throughout the years.

With the demand so high in rural communities for this specific design, there is a great need for funds. The easy design also allows the volunteers and community members to work side by side in their construction.

This project also supports our Environmental Program by offering communities a more fuel efficient way to prepare their food. In this way the reforestation efforts that we undertake are more effective, as these stoves consume less than half of the wood than an open fire does for the same effect.




Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Stove Materials Buying and Distribution for La Victoria, June 7, 2013













The second of two days of materials purchase and distribution was for La Victoria. On June 7th, we had several volunteers and members of the participant families working together to delivery the building materials.  Just as in Llanos del Pinal, we stopped to pick up the cooktops, chimney tubes, and sombreros (hats). Up next was about 600 lbs. of barro (clay), 880 bricks, and finally eight 100-pound bags of cement. La Victoria is about 45 minutes northwest of Xela (Quetzaltenango).  We met the cinder block truck, which was loaded with 240 blocks, just outside of Esperanza.












The distribution day for La Victoria was a little different compared to our normal distribution methodology in which we go house-to-house to deliver the materials.  Because the area is very hilly and some of the homes are not accessible by vehicle, we made three drops for the eight families. One main drop was for six families at a central location; from there the families distributed the materials to their respective homes. All the families were on hand to unload the materials. Blocks and bricks were piled neatly with their planchas and chimneys by their sides, awaiting their final destinations. Happy faces were made happier with a snack and atol (a hot corn-based drink) from the local women. Once the break was over we finished our deliveries to the other two families. It's time to build some stoves!