The Problem
Most of the poor of the world continue to cook their meals over an indoor fire pit located on the floor inside their unventilated homes. Investigations proved that this system of cooking is the cause of many burns, and the smoke from these indoor fires is the major cause of respiratory illness. Specifically the investigation found that:
- The high instances of burns is due to the open flames on the floor of homes
- Excessive smoke in homes results in respiratory problems that, according to the World Health Organization, are the leading cause of death in Central American children under the age of 5. Testing of carbon monoxide, a deadly toxin, found readings in the homes to be as much as twice the level considered to be dangerous.
- The inefficient burning of fuel wood in the traditional open fires requires large amounts of wood causing massive deforestation.
- As deforestation occurs, more time and energy is being spent, primarily the women, in obtaining fuel wood for cooking. In addition, the carrying of heavy loads of wood is a major cause of hernias.
The Solution
After an exhaustive investigation of the cultural and technological factors surrounding open fires, many new stoves were developed. The Ecocina stove from StoveTeam International is the newest of these models.
The Ecocina has the following attributes:
- The space between the combustion chamber and the outer skin is filled with pumice rock which has great insulation properties. The exterior of the stove is cold to the touch thus preventing burns
- The fire is off the floor and can be placed on a few bricks or small table at a convenient cooking height
- The stove is portable.
- The “rocket elbow” combustion chamber results in less smoke and deadly carbon monoxide in the home
- Combustion within the stove is so complete that no chimney is required
- Very little training is required for using the stove. The user only needs to use dry corncobs or small trash wood
- The stove is affordable as families pay only $20.00 in four monthly payments. The remainder of the cost of the stove is paid by donations.
- The stove is not “given away” creating a hand-out mentality among the poor
- The 50% reduction in wood consumption is a long-term benefit to the environment and contributes to a better quality of life for all.
Contact us today. You can change the lives of children and families in Central America by joining a stove team or contributing to StoveTeam International.