Smoke-Free Homes

Bringing together young and innovative minds to provide families in rural Guatemala with efficient and safer alternatives to cooking on open fire pits.

The open-fire stoves are usually located inside the homes of Guatemalan families; with no proper gas escape, they breathe toxic gases daily, causing respiratory issues even in young children. In Guatemala, acute infection of the lower respiratory tract is one of the leading causes of childhood mortality, and open-fire stoves worsen this issue. Not only is using these stoves harmful to the environment and human health, but it is also not economical for these families that might earn not much more than US$1 a day.

Engineers without Borders UBC Chapter will fund the purchase of ecological stoves that will be sold (at 20-30% of the cost) to families in a rural community in Guatemala. The cost of the stoves is not completely covered because it has been observed that families appreciate being able to contribute economically and value the stove they are receiving. EWB members will be able to travel to Guatemala to help build the stoves as well as immerse themselves culturally in another country. This project addresses health, social, economic, and ecological issues.