estufa lorena

We're finally getting moving on the fuel efficient stove. Some of the young guys from the church in Los Higos want to learn how to make the Lorena stoves and use it as a part of their ministry to the community. The idea is that they will make the stoves for people free of charge, but the people themselves will have to get the materials (clay, sand, blocks or brick and some cement). It's possible that SI will chip in on some of the cost, but we want the people to at least cover part of it.

So, we are gathering materials to make our first stove at Melu's house. A few days ago we went and dug clay out of a path near the river. The guys carried it in gunny sacks on their heads or shoulders up to a point where I was later able to pick it up with the truck. The picture above shows the clay outside of Melu's house, where it will need to be dried in the sun and broken up into a powder, from what I understand.

The picture below shows Ruben and I showing off our hands after trying to get the sticky clay out of the bags.