Overview
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 million women and children in developing countries die prematurely each year as the result of smoke inhalation from primitive cooking methods. In Peru, the prevalence of public health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, asthma and bronchitis continue to be incredibly alarming as low income Peruvian communities continue to facilitate the use of archaic indoor cooking stoves.
The smoke from dirty stoves or open flames fueled by fossil fuels, dungs and agricultural waste produce toxic fumes that exceed over 200 times more than what the US Environmental Protection Agency consider to be safe. In poorly ventilated homes, these fumes can be deadly and significantly increase the likelihood of family members contracting lung cancer, pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, asthma, cataracts and bronchitis.
Fortunately since 2003, the ProPeru arm of the ProWorld Service Corps has been providing vital assistance to combat this alarming public health concern through the implementation of their Clean Burning Stoves Project.
The majority of rural Peruvian families still continue to use traditional wood burning stoves in houses that are poorly ventilated and often lack of chimneys. As a result the smoke lingers in the kitchen and has a deteriorating effect on the health of mothers, grandmothers and children, whom are constantly in the kitchen.
Each new clean burning stove design has considered the amount of wood saved while cooking, the amount of smoke inside the home, and the accessible cost. With these factors taken into consideration the project has evolved to maximize each dynamic with past models consisting of metal parts and metal chimneys. The current model placed into rural homes is made entirely of locally produced ceramic pieces, including a ceramic chimney.
To date, with the help of community partners, volunteers and various funds, ProPeru has installed 2,700 stoves; 950 metal stoves and 1750 completely ceramic stoves. ProPeru has placed these stoves in over 47 communities, in the provinces of Urubamba, Calca, La Convencion, Paruro, Acomayo, Cusco and Anta. The stoves have impacted the lives of about 2,700 families directly and over 16, 200 people.
The GoAbroad Foundation hopes to further its support to the people of Peru by providing fundraising support to ProWorld and helping to raise awareness about the importance of clean burning stoves.
How You Can Help
For as little as $35 US Dollars, you can provide a new clean burning stove for a family living in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Write a check addressed to “The Goabroad Foundation” and attach it to a completed Peru Donation Form (.doc | .pdf ) and mail to:-
Send the completed form and check to:
GoAbroad Foundation
324 East Oak Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
U.S.A.
