Help end hunger in the poorest part of Mexico

Dear GlobalGivers,

Now that you know all about clean cookstoves and how to build them, from our last report, we wanted to tell you about the impacts you have made possible in Cochoapa, high in the mountains of Mexico.

We have talked to people across the communities of Cochoapa since we taught them how to build clean cookstoves, and helped them build their first stoves. Mothers, grandfathers and kids shared with us that now they use less firewood, that dust and fleas from dogs no longer end up in their food since they are not cooking on the ground anymore, that the stove stays lit during heavy rains, that the height is better for women, the ones who traditionally cook, so they no longer suffer lower back pain, and that their kitchens no longer fill with smoke. When your stove stays hot, doesn’t hurt your back or give you a respitory infection, and makes sure your food is kept far from fleas, you can bet that nutritious eating increases.

“I am happy because my family won’t get sick anymore because we are no longer cooking on the ground.”

“I haven’t gotten sick from breathing smoke since. It doesn’t hurt to breathe anymore.”

These stoves have changed the lives of over 1,000 Mexicans a day, people whose environmental knowledge has increased 78% and who are now agents of change spreading new technology and eco-friendly practices to their friends and neighbors. In fact, the clean cookstoves were the most popular of the eco-techniques we empowered community members with: 78% of people said this was their favorite eco-technique. When they are happy with their stoves, they are more likely to maintain them and ensure the benefits are long lasting.

Thank you for your support! The community has asked for additional workshops on nutrition and hygiene, and we are looking for partners to continue our commitment with the families and change agents of Cochoapa.

With appreciation,

Yo quiero Yo puedo

Dear GlobalGivers, 

We have wrapped up our first phase of work in Cochoapa, and as you have seen in previous reports, the impacts are life changing. Women are no longer breathing in hazardous smoke all day long as they cook over the stove, kids are able to use the bathroom during the summer time because they no longer flood with the rains.

Today we wanted to give you a sense of what the communities in the mountains of Cochoapa el Grande have been learning. So here is a little quiz for you (taken directly from our program evaluation!):

1. The use of ecological stoves prevents respiratory diseases.
2. The use of ecological stoves increases the use of wood.
3. Smoke from open fire can cause respiratory diseases.
4. The stove frame can be removed only 15 days after construction.
5. For the correct construction of an ecological stove, at the end of each row of bricks, the measurements should match those that were initially marked.
6. For the correct construction of an ecological stove, the rows of bricks must always follow the same pattern.

But knowledge isn´t all. That is why our program, and evaluation, also address, and measure, community conflict, ability to overcome obstacles and community involvement.

This was just the first phase, yet there is still much work remaining to empower additional communities in the mountains, for their health and environmentalism. Will you give more today and ask a friend to do the same?

With gratitude,

Yo quiero Yo puedo

(Answers: 2. True, 3. False, it decreases the use of wood by 25%-50%, saving families time and energy and keeping women safe, 4. True, 5. True, 6. True, 7. False, as alternating brick patterns makes the stove sturdier)