Uk’u’x já Project – The Chávez Family

Doña Martha lives with her husband and their four children, Juan (10), Ana (7), Kevin (5) and Nelson (7 months) in the community of Pasojoc I, Zacualpa, in the department of El Quiché. Martha takes care of the home, while her husband works in the field.

Before partnering up with Habitat Guatemala to receive a Smokeless Stove, Martha used to cook over an open flame on the floor, which is called a “poyo” in Spanish. “The old stove was in poor conditions, and it consumed much more wood, I cooked on it for seven years,” says Martha. Cooking like this, caused her to suffer from different respiratory diseases and red eyes due to the smoke, which is very common problem with women, as most of them take care of the house chores.

She feels satisfied with her new stove; “I feel happy with my new stove! Now, when I prepare my tortillas I do not have to be on my knees, I can just stand up by the stove, without my knees or back hurting.”

Martha sends a message to the donors: “Tiox! Thanks to all the institutions involved in this project. Thank you for providing us with this stove.”

(pictured, Martha’s old, or “poyo”)