Sustainable infrastructure is essential when the goal is improving the health and well-being of communities. In regions like Peru, Ecuador, and Guatemala, families have long relied on open fires in their homes for cooking, exposing themselves to health risks and contributing to environmental harm. MEDLIFE’s fuel-efficient stove project aims to combat this, offering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable alternative that addresses both health and environmental challenges.
In Alotenango, Guatemala, we met Mrs. Theresa, a mother of five. She had spent years cooking over an open fire in her home, and as a result, two of her sons suffered from severe respiratory illnesses. The dangers of secondhand smoke health risks were all too real in her household. With the help of our amazing MEDLIFE volunteers, Mrs. Theresa was able to receive a fuel-efficient stove in her home. This simple change transformed her family’s health and future. The new stove reduced the smoke in her home, improving air quality and reducing the respiratory risks she and her children had faced.
For millions of families worldwide, cooking over an open fire is a daily routine that looks innocuous on the outside, but poses serious long-term health risks. Without proper stoves and ventilation, homes fill with secondhand smoke, which can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, burns, and other life-threatening conditions. The environmental impact is also devastating, as these fires contribute to deforestation and pollution. The need for sustainable infrastructure in the form of safer cooking options is crucial in addressing these widespread issues.
These new stoves use 80% less wood, significantly reducing deforestation and lowering the need for families to gather large quantities of wood. They also emit 80% less smoke and pollution, making it a healthier option not only for the families living in these homes, but for the environment as a whole.
Families like Theresa’s now have the opportunity to cook in a safer environment, reducing health risks and improving their overall quality of life. This initiative is a perfect example of MEDLIFE’s sustainable infrastructure projects. Solutions that not only protect the health of families but also promote environmental sustainability.
This is how we aim to make a difference in the lives of the people in our partner communities: through sustainable solutions that tackle multiple problems at once and are long-lasting. Improving health, protecting the environment, and empowering families to thrive, this is the essence of the MEDLIFE mission.
Join us in bringing sustainable infrastructure to more families in need. Learn how you can join a MEDLIFE Service Learning Trip today and directly support our initiatives to improve lives and protect the environment. To get started today fill out the interest form below, download our free brochure, or check out some of our upcoming trips.