September 2021 – Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala

On September 7th, the second International Day for Clean Air was held, with a focus on healthy air and highlighting the negative impacts of air pollution on our health. In Guatemala, 86% of the population use firewood or charcoal as means for cooking in their homes, increasing the rates of indoor air pollution and the risk for burns and other health concerns such as respiratory illnesses (Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social -MSPAS-, 2012). In 2010, indoor air pollution was the second leading cause of years of life lost due to ill health, in addition to being a high contributor to outdoor pollution (Pan American Health Organization -PAHO-, 2016). Household air pollution, disproportionately affects the health of women and children, who spend most of their time inside their homes.

To account these issues, Habitat for Humanity Guatemala designed a smokeless stove to eliminate diseases caused by indoor smoke and reduce the risk of burns caused by cooking over an open flame. The design takes into consideration cultural, social, environmental, and spatial aspects that fit the needs of the families. Since 2010, Habitat Guatemala has worked with families to build more than 43,700 smokeless stoves all over the country, benefiting about 262,000 individuals.

This year Habitat Guatemala , in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and families in 12 communities of Quiché, Totonicapán and San Marcos, implemented a project to build 2,500 smokeless stoves and deliver Healthy Homes, Disaster Reduction, and Nutrition capacity building activities to families.. The project aims to benefit more than 9,000 individuals by the end of the year!

There is still work to do, but with your contribution, we are able to reach more families in Guatemala and positively impact their health and quality of life.

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Sources:

Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social. (2012, March). Diagnóstico nacional de salud. https://www.mspas.gob.gt/images/files/cuentasnacionales/publicaciones/11MSPAS(2012)Diagnostico-Salud-marzo.pdf

Pan American Health Organization. (2016, March 9). Household air pollution – Guatemala country profile. https://www.paho.org/en/documents/household-air-pollution-guatemala-country-profile

Hello! My name is Ximena and I like to think I am an extremely adventurous person. I grew up in Alta Verapaz, more specifically in Cobán, Guatemala, but I moved to Norway when I was 16 to get my International Baccalaureate. When I was in Norway, I lived with 105 people from all over the world, got to discover some of the prettiest landscapes I have ever seen in my life, and I even saw Northern lights! (almost every night in October). After Norway, I moved to Florida to complete my Public Health degree.

Why Habitat Guatemala?

I am passionate about Public Health and helping communities to be empowered and improve their quality of life. Habitat Guatemala does so by giving families an opportunity to adequate housing and improving their living conditions.

What do you like the most about your position?

One of the things I like about my position is the opportunity to see projects from scratch and to work with a multidisciplinary team which gives me a chance to learn from all the areas of the field.

A message to the Habitat community

I am happy to be part of the Habitat Guatemala community and I look forward to working with you all!

International Day for Clean Air

#Myhabitatexperience – Ximena Wellmann

Why Habitat Guatemala?

What do you like the most about your position?

A message to the Habitat community

National Office

Global Village Office