Water (hence we began our water projects - see www.02h2o.blogspot.com)
Sanitation (dry toilets are very expensive & were decided to be a lower priority re lack of resources at this stage)
Cooking methods/open &/or fires without flues.
We began to look at different safer & more efficient methods of cooking.
One of Midday's members is a solar expert & he began to explore the solar cooking option - it was decided that solar cooking would require a huge departure from the traditional cooking methods & would be far more complex to introduce a solar option, work is continuing on this option, meanwhile another option was explored...
During the spring of 2010 members of SMA Midday continued to research the need to assist families in surrounding rural communities with an alternative to open fire cooking. It was very apparent there were substantial respiratory problems and burn risks for the families from this form of cooking as well as serious ongoing ecological concerns relating to the deforestation issue in obtaining the necessary fuel for the open fires.
The response was very positive. It was clear that an economical alternative, such as a small stove, was certainly much needed and desired.
One of our Rotary Club members determined through other Rotary Club websites a very fine organization called Stove Team International based in Oregon, USA had been working with many North American Rotary Clubs in introducing the Ecocina Stove, designed by them, throughout various Latin American countries.
After communicating with several Rotary Clubs involved with stove projects & researching the stove, we contacted Stove Team International to begin working to bring the Ecocina Stove to Mexico.
We were on our way!
Stove Team International recommended using a tried & true “factory model” to ensure good quality stoves were produced in San Miguel at a fair price. They determined in other countries a successful small stove building business was essential to ensure sustainability & continued production & distribution of stoves (as opposed to always seeking funding & gifting these stoves to low income communities as had happened in the past).
We needed to find a qualified metal worker & assist him in to set up a stove factory to build and distribute stoves. We were very fortunate to have been introduced to Eric by Saul Juarez & had worked closely on many cistern projects with Senor Eric Ramirez and were delighted when he & Saul agreed to work with Rotary on the Ecocina Stove project.
Eric and his family operate a small Taller (workshop) which does good metal work and his location was ideal for obtaining the necessary materials and supplies for stove making and for distribution of the stoves. Since June of this year we have been working closely with Eric in setting up his new factory. His workshop was extended, specialised equipment was purchased, materials were acquired and training of Eric and his employees was completed with the help of Stove Team International.
Eric and his team became very comfortable with the stove building and so it was time to demonstrate the stoves to the families in surrounding communities.
A key component to the success at this point is the relationship & trust Rotary has established with more than 18+ communities in this region through the ongoing Water cistern Project & our collaboration with Cedesa (a grass roots community development organisation).
Saul Juarez - an outreach worker with Cedesa, has been largely instrumental in the success of this collaboration with both Communities & the Rotary/Cedesa team & at this time we have held several community demonstrations attended on each occasion by some 45 people. The demonstrations are led by
Saul Juarez, who has a passion for serving rural communities. The Ecocina Stoves have been very well received and the price we established, of Pesos$500, has been readily accepted.
To this point in time the factory has made and sold more than 50 Ecocina Stoves with many additional orders on hand. Very fine indeed considering Eric and his team have been operating for just about 60 days.
So the Ecocina Stove is in Mexico, with the first stove factory in Mexico being established here in San Miguel de Allende. Our Rotary Club will work together with Eric and his family over the next 9-12 months. Following which Eric will have in place a small stove producing business providing a much needed economical product.
He will have created employment for several employees and likely will have changed the future for his family.
Most importantly with Rotary’s financial assistance, & expert stewardship, & Stove Team International’s guidance, he will have provided Ecocina Stoves to thousands of families in rural communities.
This is just the beginning for these great little stoves in Mexico. We have already had enquiries and orders from many cities throughout Mexico, including Guadalajara, Veracruz, Colima, and Oaxaca.
We will continue to assist Eric develop his business over the months ahead and will post information and other photographs from time to time.
