Doña Leonor starts her day at 4 a.m. Before receiving her Justa Stove, that meant waking up early to build a smoky open fire. The smoke filled her home, blackened her walls, and made cooking slow and difficult. But everything changed after a conversation with Doña Paty, a stove recipient who loves her stove. Doña Paty told her about the stove project, and within days, Doña Leonor had a Justa Stove in her kitchen. Now, she can breathe easier, cook faster, use less firewood, and has more time in her day. With the time she used to spend tending the fire, Doña Leonor now washes clothes in the mornings to earn extra income for her family. In the afternoons, she attends church. Her kitchen is cleaner. Her meals are easier. And her stove is helping her support her household in new ways. When you support StoveTeam, you’re helping families like Doña Leonor’s access clean cookstoves that improve health, save money, and create opportunities. (fb)

Today, we hear from Doña Aurora—a proud mother, grandmother, and Justa stove recipient living in Retalhuleu, Guatemala. Since receiving her stove in 2024, it has become an essential part of her daily life. Doña Aurora shares that one of the biggest benefits of the Justa Stove is how little firewood it uses. Even after she finishes cooking at midday, the remaining embers continue to keep food warm until dinnertime. She also appreciates that the stove no longer fills her home with smoke or blackens the roof with soot—common problems with the traditional “poyetón” open fire. Every day, she uses the stove to make coffee, prepare tortillas, and cook meals for her family. Unlike before, when the open fire consumed large amounts of firewood and damaged her home, the Justa Stove has brought lasting improvements. Her family buys firewood, and every few days, her grandchildren help chop it into small pieces. Thanks to the stove’s efficiency, they now purchase firewood less often. With the extra time and savings, they’re even able to gather wood from the mountains, helping reduce household costs even further. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of families throughout rural Central America. One Justa Stove can transform a home and change the day-to-day life of a family. Join us in honoring women like Doña Aurora by helping us bring more stoves to the homes that need them most. https://www.stoveteam.org/donate (fb)