ROTARY CLUB of PERTH
"Service Above Self"
International: Four Avenues of Service
International Service-
Chris Hale, Director

In late 2003 Perth Rotary sent the first monies down to Guatemala to build
masonry stoves for indigenous Mayans.  In all the club raised $32,000 to
build some 250 stoves, and the Cataraqui/Kingston club partnered with us.
The final installment of funds, nearly $10,000 in grant money from CIDA
became available in Jan. 05.

The Mayans in Guatemala are desperately poor and have been driven from their
traditional lands into the mountains in the north of the country.  Families
cook on three-rock fires inside their modest homes and the health problems
which result include severe respiratory conditions, blindness in the women
aged as young as 30 and terrible burns to the toddlers.

The masonry stoves use much less fuel wood, so cut down on deforestation and
of course remove the wood smoke from inside the homes.  In 2004 a Rotarian
from each of the two clubs traveled to Guatemala to help build stoves and
monitor our project.  They were pleased to see that within a month of
receiving a stove, the families' health improved dramatically.

Once freed from having to squat on the dirt floor feeding a fire all day,
the women of the households also gained the time for other pursuits.  They
found they had the time to teach their children, work in vegetable gardens
and work to earn income.

Before the Rotarians flew down, they made an appeal to the Perth and
Kingston communities for donations of school supplies, grooming items such
as toothbrushes and medical supplies.  The generosity of people from both
areas was astounding.

A Perth Rotarian donated the use of six hockey bags all of which were filled
with supplies.  It was quite an undertaking, but all the supplies arrived
safely in Guatemala, and parents and teachers of the two villages where the
stoves were built were most grateful for the great stock of humanitarian
items.  The two schools there were well stocked for a whole year.

As the stove project winds up in Feb. 05, a similar appeal has gone out for
school supplies.  A Perth Rotarian will take down donated items and deliver
them into the hands of those who most need them.

This humanitarian project was greatly enhanced by the generosity and work of
many groups coming together.  CRCID (CIDA), The Rotary Foundation, and
Rotary District 7040 all donated grant money.  The Rotary Club of Guatemala
del Este also contributed.  And most importantly the dedicated volunteers
from The Guatemala Stove Project begun by Perth Area people Ali Ross and Tom
Clarke provided contacts, guidance and inspiration.

The Rotary Club of Perth plans to continue our direct contact with the
Mayans of Guatemala to improve their health and the education of their
children.