Dear Friends of StoveTeam International,
I am thrilled to announce that StoveTeam’s very first cookbook, "SMOKE: The Flavor of Guatemala" is ready for you to enjoy. This cookbook was conceived with a powerful purpose to shed light on the devastating global issue of open-fire cooking as well as to showcase the abundance and beauty of Guatemala and its remarkable people.
Cookbooks are not just recipe guides; they are windows into the heart and soul of a culture, a region, or a cause. Through these pages, you'll find a captivating collection of recipes and stories that reflect the heart and soul of Guatemala, a land filled with rich traditions and flavors. In it, we also tell the story of StoveTeam International and the many dedicated volunteers and individuals who invested their time and energy to bring clean cooking solutions to families in Latin America. While we gathered a treasure trove of stories from supporters, cooks, farmers, and staff during its long production, we couldn't include them all. Over the next months, we'll be sharing some of these remarkable stories and recipes with you.
With "SMOKE," we hope to grab your attention and we hope that you'll join us in spreading the word to others about StoveTeam’s work. By purchasing this cookbook, you are not only treating yourself to a delightful culinary adventure but also contributing to StoveTeam International's life-saving work. Through your support, we are saving lives, creating jobs, and protecting the environment, one cookstove at a time.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey. Your support is invaluable, and we are immensely grateful for it.
Sincerely,
Shelby Kardas Executive Director, StoveTeam International
Interview With Elvis Estuardo Godínez Pérez, Farmer & Natural Science Teacher In Guatemala
Hello, my name is Elvis Estuardo Godínez Pérez. I am a proud Guatemalan Farmer and teacher. I was born in San Antonio Aguas Calientes and I have lived my whole life in this municipality. My family is part of a mayan kaqchikel community and since I was very young I saw my father and my grandfather work hard to allow me to attend school. This is how I studied and became a teacher at the elementary school. Afterwards, I obtained my college degree which allowed me to teach natural sciences for middle school students. After working as a teacher for 3 years, I gained experience that gave me a much wider perspective on the world around me and from these experiences I developed even bigger dreams and goals. At that time, I set out to find a way to help people in the agricultural sector. This is why I went back to college to study agricultural engineering with a specialization in farming production. I am currently in my last semester and I am very interested in the idea of developing cooperatives with farmers. The idea behind the cooperative is to provide decent jobs for farmers, for them to be able to pay for their medical expenses and provide their children with an excellent education.
Can you talk about what you grow?
Since I was little I have worked in the coffee fields, helping my grandfather with his lots. Currently, I’ve gained experience growing various plants, but mainly broccoli, pumpkins, maze and beans.
What’s it like being a farmer? What are the challenges?
Being a country person in Guatemala is very hard. Farmers wake up at 5:00am and work all day until very late at night. You work under the hot sun, you use a mattock for digging and chopping, and a machete. It is basically a very physically demanding job. One of the biggest challenges that one faces is the uncontrollable weather, since the lots are not irrigated, you must wait for the rainy season to be able to grow vegetables. You live everyday hoping that the rainy season will be long enough to fulfill the crops’ needs and that it will not be so stormy so it doesn’t kill the plants.
What do you need to make a good crop?
To make a good crop you need good seeds, that are resistant to droughts, plagues and diseases. In Guatemala, the volcanoes and the rain are key ingredients to making a good crop. The volcanoes’ ashes provide nutrients and help conserve the humidity within the soil, which increases the plants’ growth. It is a delicate balance though because if there is too much ash, it will kill the vegetables. The rain, on the other hand, is vital for crops so they can produce healthy vegetables and grains. Farmers need a very good climate, sun, and rain, or they must install an irrigation system that keeps the plants alive.
What do you like to grow?
I love growing vegetables so my family can cook as many meals as possible. For example, we grow carrots, squash, and tomatoes. The volcanic soil in this area is so rich that it provides many nutrients for the crops. This allows the roots of the plants to grow deep and strong, which is great for agriculture. I am very connected to the soil, to nature, the countryside, and the fresh air that it offers. However, I am also very conscious that my experience is different than other farmers since I did have the opportunity to study and receive a college education. I decided to come back to the land. Others don’t have the choice. They farm to survive.
What’s your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is my grandmother's pepián. See the recipe below for pepián de pollo.
Any other interesting facts you’d like to share?
Life in the countryside can be very beautiful, but, unfortunately, farmers in Guatemala are not well paid for the difficult and important job that they do. It takes approximately three months to produce vegetables and by the time produce arrives at the market, customers are always negotiating for the cheapest prices, even though the starting price is already extremely low.
–Elvis Estuardo Godínez Pérez, Farmer and Teacher in Natural Sciences
