StoveTeam International

10/16/2026

The first stoves have been built in Comalapa, and in a few short days, families will be lighting their stoves for the first time. We are honored to collaborate with Hope for a Healthier Humanity on this project, building stoves for the communities they serve in Chimaltenango.

10/08/2026

An important final step is preparing the stove for its very first lighting! In this photo, Oseas is showing Doña Blanca Ester how to prepare her stove for its first fire.

After reviewing the care and maintenance steps with each stove recipient, our Project Coordinators light the stove and observe how it heats to ensure everything is working properly before handing it over to the family.

But our relationship doesn’t end there! Our community List Makers provide ongoing support as families adjust to cooking with their new Justa stove. Each year, our stove builders also visit every family to conduct follow-up surveys and complete any needed maintenance.

Because of you, families are creating healthier homes, cooking with less firewood, and building a brighter future for their children. And with ongoing care and support, every Justa stove can continue making a difference for years to come!

10/01/2026

Today is Dia de Niño in Guatemala!

We wanted to celebrate the kids behind StoveTeam and the families who inspire our work every day.

Our Field Team works tirelessly not only to provide safer, healthier homes, but also to help create a better future for their own families. We asked our Field Team if they would like to share photos of their kids along with a short reflection, and we love what they shared. Below are just a few photos of the kids of StoveTeam!

"I thank God and StoveTeam for giving me the opportunity of this job, where I do my best and earn what I need to support my daughter." -Sandra / House Manager

"For me, it is a great pleasure and a great joy to be able to work at STI. It is a great help because I can provide for my children and family and give them a good quality of life. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this organization."-Julio / Stove Builder

"My family and I are very grateful for the stove, but also for my job. Thank you, StoveTeam." -Selvin / Stove Builder

"I work with dedication every day because the best gift I can give my children is a better future. Thanks to this job, I can offer my children a secure life and a tomorrow with more possibilities." -Francisco / Stove Builder

"Having stable employment has already helped me with my daughter's academic education, thinking about her future. Thank you for the job opportunity." -Oseas / Field Coordinator

"I am grateful for the opportunity to work in this organization because, thanks to my job, we have been able to get through my son's illnesses and support the education of my older children. This provides for our sustenance and food. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." -Edwin / Stove Builder

09/30/2026

"You never know where your network will lead you.

More than 20 years after graduating from Thunderbird School of Global Management, three fellow T-birds, Heidi Groot, Chris Press, and I, found ourselves together in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, sharing the work of StoveTeam International.

It was a wonderful reminder that the relationships we build throughout our lives can become powerful connections for good. In my latest blog, I share a few reflections from our visit and some thoughts about how we’re creating the next generation of StoveTeam Champions.

Thank you, Heidi Groot, Chris Press, and Michelle Press, for sharing your time, expertise, and families with me and with StoveTeam. I’m so grateful for your friendship and for the many ways you continue to support this work. 🧡 " -Shelby Kardas, Executive Director of StoveTeam International

Read the blog: Sharing What We Care About: A Visit to Retalhuleu https://www.stoveteam.org/blog/sharing-what-we-care-about-a-visit-to-retalhuleu

Executive Director Shelby Kardas shares highlights from a recent visit to Retalhuleu, Guatemala, with StoveTeam’s incoming Board Chair, Heidi Groot, and other new StoveTeam Champions.

09/29/2026

Our team is currently in Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, delivering materials and preparing homes for stove construction. These families are cooking over makeshift open fire stoves that expose their families to dangerous smoke, burns, and other health risks.

Soon, their new Justa Cookstoves will help create safer, healthier homes while also reducing the amount families spend on firewood. We’re excited to be one step closer to bringing these families a safer and more sustainable way to cook.

09/28/2026

Catch up on all the StoveTeam happenings with our September Newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/stoveteam.org/september-newsletter-coming-together-for-a-sustainable-future Don't miss another newsletter; subscribe today! https://www.stoveteam.org/newsletter-signup

09/25/2026

Interested in becoming a sustaining donor of StoveTeam International? When you make a monthly recurring donation, you become part of our Ember Program and provide reliable support that helps us plan for the future, reach more families, and ensure the stoves we build continue to serve families for years to come. https://www.stoveteam.org/embership

A huge thank you to all of our Embers for keeping the work going and helping us create lasting impact!

09/24/2026

We love these moments. These moments of joy, connection, and positive conversations about a solution to an issue that impacts families every day. Our stove demonstrations are a great opportunity to spend time with the community, get to know the families we’ll be working with, and talk about how a Justa stove can make a difference in their homes.

It’s also an important first step in building trust and relationships with families that continue long after the stove is built. Learn more about our work www.stoveteam.org.

09/21/2026

We love Material Distribution Day! It’s always an exciting day to deliver materials to families and help them prepare for the installation of their new Justa cookstove. It’s an important step in the process and the moment when a project really starts to come to life.

These photos are from a few recent Material Distribution Days in Retalhuleu, Guatemala.

You can help us reach even more families in need with a safe, fuel-efficient cookstove. Your support helps provide the materials, training, and labor needed to bring a Justa into a family’s home and create a healthier, safer place to cook. https://www.stoveteam.org/donate

09/17/2026

Our project in Comalapa has officially begun!

Together with Hope for a Healthier Humanity, our team is working to bring safe, fuel-efficient Justa cookstoves to 70 families in need in Comalapa, Guatemala.

Today, Oseas and Waleska kicked off the project by hosting a cookstove demonstration for women from the community. They shared how the Justa works, the benefits of cooking with a fuel-efficient stove, and what families can expect as they begin the process of building their new stoves.

We’re excited to get to know these families and work alongside the community to create healthier homes, safer places to cook, and lasting change.