Guatemala Stove and Water Project Trip

THE GUATEMALA STOVE AND WATER FILTER PROJECT TRAVEL DATES ARE MARCH 23-31, 2019

THE PROJECT INVOLVES TRAVELING TO PANAJACHEL, SOLOLA, GUATEMALA AND ASSISTING WITH THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 200 STOVES AND WATER FILTERS IN HOMES AND IN THE SCHOOL.  THE RURAL VILLAGE OF PANAJACHEL IS ON THE NORTHEAST SHORE OF LAKE ATTITLAN.  THE PROJECT IS DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NUEVA ROTARY CLUB IN GUATEMALA, WHICH IS THE HOST CLUB FOR THE GLOBAL GRANT.

THE INITIAL COST ESTIMATE FOR AIRFARE AND HOTEL IS $1,200-$1,500 PER PERSON.  

WHY WE ARE GOING:  Many Guatemalans face health risks every day, in their own homes and schools. The open fires traditionally used for cooking inside homes lead to devastating  respiratory problems and severe burns. At especially high risk are children under age 5, for whom acute respiratory infection is the leading cause of death. Meanwhile, with sixty percent of disease in Guatemala waterborne, millions lack access to clean drinking water.  In addition, the open fires are inefficient and contribute to the rapid deforestation in the region, which will have global environmental remifications.

We will be installing ONIL stoves and water filters in the rural homes in Panajachel, Guatemala.  The ONIL cookstove is a safe alternative to open fires, removing smoke from the home and reducing firewood usage by 70%. The ONIL water filter achieves 100% removal of parasites and 99.99% removal of pathogenic bacteria.

The stoves and water filters will dramatically reducing the incidence of respiratory illness and other health problems and cutting the time  the families spend collecting firewood. That means more time in school and earning income, especially for women and girls. 

For more information, contact District Governor Steve Sager: ssager@sagerlegal.com