Build energy efficient stoves for communities and learn Spanish in Guatemala

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to Guatemala, a remarkable country packed with Mayan culture, ancient ruins and active volcanoes, to address a major issue facing millions of people worldwide. Indoor air pollution kills an estimated 1.6 million people every year, more than either malaria or AIDS.

You will build an energy efficient stove for a family that will improve living conditions and literally add decades onto the life expectancy of an entire household.

This project is run by our in-country partner, Phoenix. Phoenix has been working with two indigenous communities since 2003 providing free education and energy-efficient stoves, projects that have been approved by leaders of both communities.

Life on the Program

Your time on the project will be split between Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the partner community. Two days will be spent in Spanish classes with three days spent assisting the local mason in building your stove in one of two communities close to Antigua.

While a short term project, a reasonable level of fitness is required. Houses in the community can be quite far apart and you have to be able to lift materials, mix cement and other similar tasks involved in constructing your stove.

You will live with a local host family in Antigua in a basic but comfortable setting, giving you the unrivalled opportunity to practice your Spanish. Antigua is a small but vibrant town, with access to shops, restaurants, phones and internet.

Program Details

Phoenix currently works with the two indigenous communities of San Andres Itzapa and Santa Maria de Jesus, with the main aim first and foremost to improve the standard of living of hundreds of indigenous families, who often live in extreme poverty, by reducing in-house smoke pollution.

It is our goal to ensure that the families of all 600 children who attend Phoenix schools in Guatemala are equipped with an energy efficient stove.

Volunteer Testimonials

Santa Maria is a little village in the hills that surround cobble stoned Antigua, Guatemala. The people are friendly, the dogs stray and the chickens free. I went to Santa Maria for 2 weeks to...

Tina Thorburn, Australia

Santa Maria is a little village in the hills that surround cobble stoned Antigua, Guatemala. The people are friendly, the dogs stray and the chickens free. I went to Santa Maria for 2 weeks to build stoves. Little did I know I would leave having found new friends, learnt new skills and rediscovered my compassion. With the help of a local masonry man I built four stoves for four families. We would set off from the GVI school in the morning to mix cement, cut steel wire and lay bricks. It was hard work, but the smiles of the mothers and giggles from the children were all the fuel I needed. A stove takes two days, the first day is tougher. The design is simple, two hot plates, more fuel efficient, complete with a chimney. When we first arrive at a house we are shown the room where the stove is to be built, often black charred walls with little light. The World Health Organisation states that 1.5 million women and children die a year due to respiratory problems induced by cooking smoke. With this in mind I would set off to work to the backdrop of chickens chucking, following instructions in a foreign language. At the end of the day I would return to dine with my host family in Antigua and exchange stories. The bond I formed with the villagers, with my host family and with Guatemala will stay with me forever.

Antigua itself is a beautiful town and I fell in love with the scenery, cobblestoned streets, fountains, ruined churches, wrought iron window grills and volcanoes on the horizon. Then there is the...

Sharon Taylor, Australia

Antigua itself is a beautiful town and I fell in love with the scenery, cobblestoned streets, fountains, ruined churches, wrought iron window grills and volcanoes on the horizon. Then there is the fabulous organisation, the welcoming team, the lovely host family, like minded volunteers from all over the world. But the best thing, the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from making something, with very basic materials alongside the families themselves.

The families I built stoves for showed me the greatest hospitality and warmth I have ever encountered. Each family actually made me something to say thanks. I can see all these treasures around my...

Tina Thorburn, Australia

The families I built stoves for showed me the greatest hospitality and warmth I have ever encountered. Each family actually made me something to say thanks. I can see all these treasures around my room right now! The Spanish school was tough at times, but so rewarding. If I had to narrow it down, the best part of my trip was the two hours toward the end of completing a stove, hearing the family chatter about the endless culinary possibilities with the new appliance, and the excitement in the mothers’ voices as they brought neighbours around to see the stove.