By Carol Shumway, Trinity Presbyterian Church
After our high altitude hike yesterday to visit a remote group of the Association (28 members) and a visit to the mountainous forest where we saw scores of seedlings having lovingly been planted by each woman of the group, we wound down figuratively and literally as we descended from Xela to Antigua. We stopped en route at AJPU to visit the workshop where the fuel-efficient stoves are manufactured.
We were greeted by Geovany, Vicente and Alfredo, the partners who own AJPU. These three men are experts in their field and are critical to the success of this partnership. We all bring something to the table. Day in and day out, they show up to do the hard, physical labor to create these stoves that keep kids and families safe, save money, and reduce deforestation. Today it was our turn to do our part and support them in this endeavor. Items are much cheaper, more available, and higher quality in the U.S., so we have the easier task of simply bringing down a few supplies.
After hugs, smiles, and introductions, the guys showed off their new steel-toed boots that were a gift from a member of Westminster who heard they needed them. Thank you wonderful person!
Then we presented them with a suitcase full of practical items they need to stay safe (a top priority!) which included heavy duty work/welding gloves, safety goggles, and headphones for ear protection, in addition to another mountain of N-95 masks coming next week (thank you again Mustang Expediting!). Plus custom calendars with the best photos we have of them from last year.
We also brought a brand new laptop for them. You should have seen their old one! Keys missing, track pad worn through, and super slow and outdated. Since they are taking their business to the next level, we thought this would give them a much-needed boost too.
In anticipation of this new upgrade, they even built an office in the corner of their workshop to keep the laptop from getting dusty. Yes, they still sit on a five-gallon bucket for an office chair and use a piece of plywood for a desk, but it is looking more professional every visit!
Several Association Board members and staff met us at the workshop too, as several had not been there before. As we walked around the small, two room building, we got an in-depth tour of their workshop and the process by which the stoves are produced.
We were able to see the modifications of the latest models. Vicente showed us the construction materials and demonstrated how the stove receives the firewood and evenly heats the surface area. He even showed us the special tool for changing the burner rings, thus having low, medium, and high temperature settings.
They were also very proud to show us the new tools they purchased using funds from a Presbyterian Church (USA) Self Development of People grant (think One Great Hour of Sharing). They now have a huge new air compressor, plasma cutter, and circular saw to name a few.
For lunch, we had Pollo Campero delivered (the pinnacle of Guatemalan fast food), so we could continue our visit with a planning meeting with the primary parties involved in this work (the Association, AJPU, and the Guatemala Partnership of New Castle Presbytery).
The Association members expressed their satisfaction with the stoves, and also had a few design suggestions (like stylish tiles to decorate the stoves).
Because of your generosity during Advent, AJPU will be able to construct and install 100 new stoves in 2026 and another 100 in 2027 to women of the Association. On top of this, the Association is planning to resurrect the water filter project, since there has been a renewed demand for that product (this may be our focus for next Advent!). To be able to manufacture two products at the same time, AJPU plans to hire two new employees. They will focus their search on finding candidates who have recently been deported from the United States in hopes of giving them stable work and an opportunity to learn new skills.
The men of AJPU are so humble, hard-working, and dedicated to serving others in the community. They are extremely grateful for your support and we are proud to work in collaboration with them.
We left AJPU excited for their business success and future expansion. Then we climbed into the van to wind our way for a little R & R in Antigua. Cathy and Carrie will pick up the blog for our last day tomorrow.
Thank you all for these communications. So informative and inspiring. And a pleasure to hear different voices and to see your photos which, while different from ours, are also so very familiar. I’m grateful to have been able to “participate” from this distance this week. Thank you for what you do through your partnerships for our Guatemalan sisters and brothers.
Doug Michael
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
It’s so encouraging to see the effort & progress being made at AJPU as they continue to refine their process, the stoves efficiency & esthetic. Thanks for another wonderful post, the entire team & supporters are making a tangible difference, one stove at a time!
Lovely to see my prayer partner!
Not saying which he is…
Well done, y’all! Terry
What a wonderful summary of your recent travels and all that is currently being accomplished. The pictures speak a thousand words! Love and gratitude to all!
Jan Patrick
What a successful trip. Love the steel toe boots and safety equipment encouraging important practices in construction. Both the women and the men must be bursting with pride with the progress they are making. You give them the powerful gift of hope and it shows in their smiles. I imagine the last thing they say to you is “When are you coming back?”.
So happy to see all the support these great men have to work safer , better and more efficiently. I loved visiting their workshop last year. I was fascinated by the technology of both the stoves and water filters and so impressed by their hard work and dedication.