Smokeless Stove: Simona Tomás Yax

Simona has lived in her house for 50 years now. “I was married in this house, and all of my children, they were born here. It’s only me in the house now. Three of my sons and their families live here on the same land,” says Simona, her husband passed away 10 years ago.

When asked about her favorite thing to cook she says, “everything, but I love to cook my atol” a traditional hot beverage, on the new stove. Previous to her Habitat stove, “I had a stove similar to this one, it was much bigger, but there was nowhere for the smoke to leave the house. When there was air, the smoke would leave through the window but when there was not air coming inside, the smoke stayed inside with me,” says Simona.

Simona remembers well group of volunteers. “they were kind, very friendly and smiling. There were 6 or 7 of them here in my house, and another part of the group worked on the stove for my daughter-in-law next door!”

She smiles, remembering how she and the group tried to communicate. Despite the language barrier she says, “the experience was a good one. I am very grateful because we talked and chatted and got along well. There was one of the group members who knew some Spanish and did a good job to translate for us. This made the interaction very nice between us.”

To the whole group she sends this message, “thanks for coming to help here, and for everything. I hope that God will bless you and your work wherever you are.”