Adobe Stove Project: Guatemala
A project of If a Tree Falls...program to reduce smoke related deaths, stem deforestation, cut down on air pollution, and reduce women's workloads

Health, Dignity, Safety, Forest Preservation—where else can you get all this for $81? Cost for a stove: $95 Minus family contribution: $14 widows: ($7) Our share: $81 ($88)

For much of Guatemala’s 36-year long civil war, the people of many indigenous communities were on the run. Hunted by the government, they sought refuge in the mountains, traveling by night, foraging for food, always on the watch for danger. Now that the war has ended, they struggle for a new day without war and poverty.

As with many Guatemalan communities, these communities are in need of many of the basic necessities of life. Also like many of their neighbors, families here use open fires on the floor of their homes to cook their meals. You can imagine the problems this causes. Foremost among them is the regular inhalation of deadly smoke by women and their children—this is the main reason respiratory disease is the leading cause of death among Guatemalan women.

Another destructive consequence of this cooking method is deforestation, as open fires require lots of wood for cooking.

Tom Benevento, former volunteer in Guatemala and a specialist in sustainable living, has been working with his co-worker Dany Sabuk to create and design two new model wood cook stoves for these communities. Tom says, “In my ten years of fuel efficient stove construction and experimentation, this stove design is the best I’ve seen yet. When we constructed the first few stoves, it was a pleasure to see how excited families were to finally be able to be in their kitchens without a dense cloud of wood smoke burning their eyes and lungs, while using less firewood and trees. Community members have expressed many heart-felt words of thanks.”

Each Guatemalan family that receives a stovee works hard to raise $14 (women who are widowed are asked to contribute $7) towards materials, with one stove costing $95. That leaves $81 as our portion of this life-saving, forest-preserving effort.

Whatever amount you can raise, be it from friends, family, church, school or clubs, will be greatly appreciated. With your help, families in many communities will be able to cook efficiently and safely.

Your tax deductible contribution can be sent to the New Community Project (718 Wilder St., Elgin, IL 60123), where 100 percent of your gift will go directly to the stove project.

The New Stove: A Thing of Beauty

This stove was the result and culmination of over ten years of design experimentation and research in consultation with Guatemalan masons, welders and cooks. This new stove integrates Guatemalan custom, culture and beauty, along with recent innovations in stove insulation using pumice rock, higher fuel combustion, and energy efficiency.

The stove reduces wood fuel consumption by nearly 75% compared to the open pit fire most commonly used by rural Guatemalans. This greatly reduces the devastating effects of deforestation and backbreaking work of firewood collection. The stove takes all of the smoke out of the kitchen with a cement chimney and burns at a higher combustion rate reducing air pollution. Smoke from open pit fires cause severe indoor air pollution, making it the leading cause of respiratory disease in the third world. US levels of indoor pollution should not exceed 50ppm for a healthy living environment. Open pit fires cause indoor pollution levels to rise over 2000ppm. The new stove also reduces the risk of fire burns due to its protective edges and contained fire box. Its traditional exterior design is appreciated by local women, giving ample cooking work space and durable easy to clean tile surface. The stove design offers beauty in craftmanship and dignity to those working in the kitchen.

Tom Benevento lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He previously served for six years in Brethren Volunteer Service in Guatemala. Tom has a degree in Sustainable Systems, and works with NCP in its Grounds Keepers program of energy stewardship for congregations.