or many years, the people of Central America have been using various types of wood cooking stoves. Many are nothing more than three stones placed on the dirt floor of their hut. These cooking methods are very inefficient and  place entire families at risk. Many of their homes are completely blackened on the inside walls and ceilings due to use of non-vented modes of cooking. Upper respiratory infection is the number one killer of women in Guatemala.  Living in a smoke-free environment increases life expectancy by ten to fifteen years.  Also, burn injuries are caused [particularly to children] due to the fact that they cook on the floor.  Burns are the leading cause of death in Central America in children under the age of 5!    

            But…..we have a solution!  Just a few years ago, retired engineer and HELPS volunteer, Donald G. O’Neal, designed a simple, vented stove, which not only saves lives (particularly of women and children) but operates very efficiently.  It uses nearly 70% less wood than their old cooking methods, thereby easing the difficult task of gathering the wood (they have no means for transporting wood), and, of course, preserving forestation.  The continual cutting of trees for firewood is endangering vital watersheds in Guatemala. 

             Mr. O’Neal has granted us permission to promote his wonderful invention.  It was named “Onil” by the Mayan women.  This is their pronunciation of his last name, and it is now the actual name of this life-saving stove.