BENEFITS OF THE WOOD-SAVING STOVES CHISPA HOGAR

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• It has a strong environmental impact by saving firewood. That is important because a large number of the cut trees in Guatemala are used for cooking, creating rampant deforestation that adds to the devastating effects of rural poverty.

• With Chispa 99% of the smoke comes out of the chimney which improves the health of the family, especially of women and young children who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Air pollution in homes causes more than 5,000 premature deaths in Guatemala per year, especially for young children and women. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to air pollution in the home almost doubles the risk of childhood pneumonia and is responsible for 45% of all pneumonia deaths in children under 5 years of age.​

• Here in Guatemala, domestic firewood collection is traditionally carried out by women in some regions and by men in other regions. Since the need for firewood is cut in half, it reduces the workload. Thus men and women can take advantage of free time to share more with their sons and daughters, care for the sick and elderly, earn money outside the home, share in their community and social activities, participate in training and even to have a well-deserved rest. 

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BENEFITS OF THE WATER FILTERS ECOFILTRO

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• A municipal water supply doesn't exist in many communities, particularly in rural areas. Therefore investments in water infrastructure are essential.​

• In Guatemala, diarrheal diseases accounted for 7% of the deaths of children under the age of five. The prevalence of diarrhea is alarming in Guatemala, with approximately 30% of Guatemalan children suffering from diarrhea, approximately 35% in rural areas. Diarrheal diseases and also respiratory infections in children are often related to the poor quality of drinking water.​

• Having good quality drinking water at home improves the whole nutritional situation. It is an important consideration since in rural Guatemala, chronic malnutrition of young children is a frequent phenomenon.​

• A water filter also has a positive economic impact for families. In fact, an average rural Guatemalan family who boils their water spends up to Q 120 a month ($ 16.30 / € 14.60) on firewood only for this purpose if they cannot collect the firewood themselves.

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