Energy Efficient Stove Building in Guatemala

Collaborating with Global Visions International provided a great opportunity for cultural exchange last month. The second PLAY it Forward team built 3 stoves for indigenous Mayan families over the course of 2.5 days. This was the shortest service project GVI had ever done and we pulled it off without a hitch. The purpose of the stoves was not to replace existing methods, but to provide more efficient, healthier ways of cooking. They are built high enough that children cannot reach the burner, wood consumption is reduced by 70%, and each has a chimney directing smoke outside of the home.

Our group was comprised of five women and one young man, two tour guides and a tour leader. The first home we were assigned housed 30+ people. We built two stoves for this extended family and enjoyed the community of women that would congregate each morning to make hundreds of tortillas. They treated us like an extension of their family and their children were not shy to show their affections.

The second home we were assigned housed one family with three daughters. The littlest one, five year old Maria, made for a wonderful assistant. Cesar was our local foreman and everyone raved about their experience working along side him.

The experience proved to be a success not only in providing efficiency in cooking, but also in the cultural exchange experience we ALL got. The families were hospitable and grateful and just as happy to share 2.5 days with us as we were with them. Many tears were shed on the day of our parting.