Today Elena, Ana and I returned from the Communidad Nueva Alianza. We left Wednesday morning for the community, 12 miles and a speedy (yeah right) 4 hour bus ride away. We checked up on the ancient eco-hotel stove (circa 100 years old) that we remodeled with the mini-tecotour from the University of Southern California 2 weeks ago. Elena is an AIDG intern and Ana is an official friend of AIDG who has been working on other stove projects in the region and has teamed up with our organization. We met with the women’s group (Junta Directiva de Mujeres) for the second time to iron out details of an expanded stove program for the community of 40 families.

The basic plan is to bring weekend workgroups (mini-tecotours) to the community’s eco-hotel, and have them help fund and actually construct the stoves. The women seem eager to be involved, and have uncharacteristically (according a volunteer living in the community) raised numerous questions and comments regarding the project. The plan is to have the TecoTour from Weston High School (in Boston, MA region) build two stoves in the community July 17-20, with assistance from the families where the stoves are being built, and a XelaTeco stove expert.

Pictured above is Elena and Ana giving a “charla” (talk) about how the stove is to be used and maintained.

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