The Full Story
Smokeless Stove Program
A Beacon of Hope
The transformation witnessed in Nicaragua's remote hill communities through the introduction of smokeless stoves is nothing short of remarkable. By mitigating health risks, easing maintenance, improving air quality, and enhancing livelihoods, these stoves have become a catalyst for positive change. As we continue to explore sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow, the impact of smokeless stoves serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that small innovations can lead to significant advancements in the lives of those who need them most.
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Building a Justa stove
The Justa stove is relatively simple in design, can be made easily by local people in a day or less using locally available materials. The new owners of the stove have to contribute materials to the building of the stove and can get involved too. This gives them a personal investment in the stove, making them more likely to take good care of it.
The Need
Open fires are used for cooking by many families in Central America. Many of these families only have access to wood as their fuel source and cannot afford to buy electric or gas stoves - so there is no alternative. There are several problems caused by cooking over open wood fires, two main ones are:
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Respiratory, eye, and other health problems are caused by the smoke.
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The fires are inefficient, which means more fuel is needed, and this leads to deforestation. Deforestation results in increased global CO2 levels which in turn contributes to global warming.
The Impact
The stove uses up to 70% less fuel than the open wood fires and because the design and materials used are simple it can be made locally, using local materials, and adapted to meet local needs. Because it uses less fuel, the Justa stove decreases deforestation - deforestation is a major cause of global warming.
