StoveTeam International

Nancy Hughes, founder of StoveTeam International was the speaker at today’s meeting. Nancy had just returned from a month long trip to Central America where she’s overseeing the expansion of the StoveTeam project to include El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. With the help of an International Matching Grant sponsored by the Irvine Spectrum Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Santa Ana Heroica, El Salvador, the factory in Sonsonate, El Salvador will produce over 1,400 stoves.

While working with the Cascade Medical Team in Guatemala, Nancy Hughes was moved after hearing an 18-year old indigenous woman's story. The woman had fallen into a kitchen fire at age two and was burned so badly she lost the use of her hands. For 16 years she prayed for a miracle. The medical team provided that miracle and restored the use of her hands.

The Problem

In the late 1980’s, medical teams reported an alarming number of children being treated for burns and respiratory problems.  A number of concerned volunteers found the problem emanated from the way people cooked.

Most of the poor continue to cook over indoor fires located on the floors of unventilated homes. These fires cause debilitating burns, skin and eye problems. 

Excessive smoke in homes results in respiratory problems that, according to the World Health Organization, are the leading cause of death in Central American children under the age of five. Testing of carbon monoxide, a deadly toxin, found readings in the homes to be as much as twice the level considered dangerous.

These inefficient open fires also result in massive deforestation.

The Solution

After an exhaustive investigation of the cultural and technological factors surrounding open fires, the new, fuel-efficient Ecocina stove was developed by StoveTeam International. It is economical to build and operate, saving up to 60% of the wood currently used while also reducing particulate matter and carbon output by 70%.