RPCVCO Partners with Peace Corps and Trees, Water and People on Clean Cookstove Project in El Salvador

The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Colorado are excited to announce the launch of a Clean Cookstove Project in El Salvador in partnership with Peace Corps and Trees, Water and People.

In a project deemed the first of its kind, RPCVCO has connected a local nonprofit organization (Trees, Water and People) to currently serving volunteers in El Salvador. RPCVCO will be the funding partner, raising money to fully fund this project for one year.

Trees Water & People

Trees, Water & People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 by Stuart Conway (RPCV Guatemala 84-87) focused on helping communities protect, conserve, and manage the natural resources upon which their long-term well-being depends. TWP develops and manages continuing reforestation, watershed protection, renewable energy, appropriate technology, and environmental education programs in Latin America and the American West. www.treeswaterpeople.org

Clean Cookstoves

Since the inception of the fuel-efficient stove program in Latin America, TWP has worked with its partners to develop different models of stoves. This allows TWP to test out new manufacturing methods and new materials; it allows them to continuously refine the efficiency of the stoves; and gives people in program countries choices in stove costs.

The Justa stove, named in honor of co-developer Doña Justa Nunez, is essentially an insulated masonry box. The key to the higher combustion rates and efficiency achieved by this stove is the "Rocket elbow," created by Aprovecho engineer Larry Winiarski. This L-shaped combustion chamber allows wood to burn up to 70% more efficiently. The body of the stove may be constructed from brick or cinder block, and is insulated with wood ash or other locally available material. The stove is topped with a removable metal cooking surface, or plancha. A built-in chimney vents harmful gases and particulates from the kitchen.

Local Training Partner

TWP has a local training partner in El Salvador, Arboles y Agua para El Pueblo, which will be conducting 3 regional training workshops on how to build clean cookstoves in communities in which Peace Corps Volunteers are currently serving. Volunteers will bring one counterpart to the training, and then return to site to organize their own trainings with their local communities.

Much of the material needed to build the stove can be found inexpensively at site, but there will be further funding opportunities through Peace Corps Partnership grants for individual Peace Corps Volunteers wanting to provide additional financial resources to their communities.

Funding

The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Colorado have committed to funding the first year of this training program, with the hopes of continuing beyond the celebration of the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary in 2011. The budget currently stands at approximately $9,000, which will pay for 3 regional workshops a year, with 45 total volunteers trained, and 60 local community leaders trained (105 total). This budget amount will cover the cost of travel and accommodations for the training, as well as materials and supplies for each person to build a stove during the training.

In order to raise money for this project, RPCVCO will be selling two commissioned prints in honor of the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary. The two prints, entitled Hand of Peace, and Tree of Peace are now available for purchase on our website. Order online now. If you would prefer not to order online, you can download a copy of our order form and mail your payment in.

If you would like to support this project by simply making a donation, you can do so through the RPCVCO website by clicking here and selecting the Donate button.

We are very excited to have facilitated this groundbreaking collaboration between a local RPCV group, a nonprofit organization and the Peace Corps. We hope that you will do all you can to support our efforts!