StoveTeam International

Our work in Nuevo Palmar, Guatemala, continues with the delivery of stove kits to 10 families in the Monte Margarita community. Supported by our Rotary partnerships, these efforts contribute to sustainable community development and lasting improvements for local families. This project was made possible through the generous support of the Hillsboro Rotary Club of District 5100, bringing safer, more efficient cooking solutions to households in need. Hillsboro Rotary Club DG Susanne Holmberg, Rotary District 5100 Rotary International

This season, there are many ways to support StoveTeam International and help us continue growing our impact in Totonicapán, Guatemala.

This week, Jonatan and Waleska visited stove recipients in Totonicapán to complete follow-up surveys and learn more about their experience with their Justa Stove. These conversations are an important part of our work, helping us understand how our programs are supporting families, improving health, reducing indoor air pollution, and making daily life easier for families.

We are determined to help more families in Totonicapán receive Justa Stoves, but we need your help. There are several ways you can help us expand our work in the region this summer.

🔥Donate today to help us expand our programs in Totonicapán and reach more families. https://www.stoveteam.org/donate

🔥Join our Embership program with a recurring monthly gift. Consistent support helps us plan for the future and invest in long-term, sustainable growth. https://www.stoveteam.org/embership

🔥Join our Legacy Society by leaving a gift in your estate plans. Legacy gifts help ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from clean cooking solutions and community-driven development. https://www.stoveteam.org/legacy-society

No matter how you choose to give, your support helps create healthier homes, stronger communities, and lasting change in the communities that need it most.

Recently, Waleska and Jose completed a trip to Nebaj, where they visited the stoves installed in 2024 through a Rotary project led by the Palo Alto Rotary Club in California.

During their visit, they were welcomed by Manuela, who generously agreed to serve as their translator throughout the trip. Many of the families in the communities they visited primarily speak Ixil, making Manuela’s support essential in helping foster meaningful conversations and connections.

Throughout the visit, Waleska had the privilege of hearing Manuela’s story and learning more about her community through her perspective. Manuela is a single mother who works tirelessly each day to provide for her son. From Monday through Friday, she wakes up at 4 a.m. to begin preparing meals for more than 100 children at a local school before continuing with the many responsibilities of her day.

Even while helping during her days off, Manuela never complained about the long hours, the intense heat, or the nearly 10 kilometers walked each day between communities. Instead, she met every challenge with positivity, strength, and generosity. Her commitment to her community and her willingness to help others made this trip possible and reminded us that the true impact of this work comes from the people who walk alongside us.

We are excited to share more stories from this trip in the coming days. The families Waleska and Jose visited expressed deep gratitude for their stoves and shared that they continue to use them every day. Hearing their stories and seeing the lasting impact of these projects firsthand was a powerful reminder of why our work matters and how transformative a new stove can be for a family.

Doña Ceferina Agustina Yáx Yáx, 85, from Chiyax, Totonicapán, has spent her life cooking over an open fire.

In 2024, with support from EcoLogic Development Fund, StoveTeam International installed an improved Justa cookstove in her home. Today, it is used every day and is clearly well-loved.

After years of use, her stove now needs minor repairs. Through StoveTeam’s Enhanced Monitoring & Restoration program, we can restore it and extend its impact for years to come.

For Ceferina, this stove means dignity, comfort, and a healthier home. Your donation this month will help us continue this important work—building stoves for families in Totonicapán and restoring the beloved stoves that have become essential to everyday life. https://www.stoveteam.org/donate