Carbon Emissions Reduction

LAKE ATITLÁN STOVE PROGRAMME, GUATEMALA

Since 2012 we have been supporting an innovative programme managed by the NGO ‘Tu’ik Ruch Lew’ (‘Helping the Earth’) supplying fuel-efficient stoves to communities around Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. At the last count in April 2015,  684 ‘JLA stoves’ have been delivered and installed in the homes of families around the shores of Lake Atitlán, and there are many more families eagerly awaiting theirs.

Many poor families throughout Latin America cook their meals over a traditional open-fire pit, often the centrepiece of their single-room home. With no way of extracting the smoke from the building, the risks of using these fires are substantial. Acute respiratory Infection, carbon-monoxide poisoning, burns and eye infections are all very real dangers.

Through a local NGO these modern, fuel-efficient stoves are installed, thereby minimising these risks.

The stoves are 70% more efficient at burning wood so they also  have a positive effect on the environment by reducing deforestation.  On average the family is saving 2 days of every week previously spent gathering firewood. This new found time affords the opportunity to engage in other activities to benefit the communities. The project has also created employment as all of the stoves are manufactured locally within Guatemala.

If you are visiting Lake Atitlán on a Journey Latin America holiday and would be interested in visiting the project and families working with the stoves, please speak to one of our expert Travel Consultants.