Breathe Easy

By Ines Delgado, Migrant Education Program, Chester County Intermediate Unit, and Yareli Lara, Kennett High School Social Worker

In the highlands of Totonicapán, Guatemala, we met with a group of dedicated community leaders who are proving that local innovation can create lasting opportunities. Led by Geovany, Vicente, and Alfredo, AJPU is building fuel-efficient stoves, helping families improve their health while creating sustainable employment within their own communities.

AJPU began nearly 20 years ago with a community water filter initiative supported by Canadian partners. As they listened to families, they recognized another critical need—safe, efficient cookstoves that could reduce smoke exposure while meeting the unique needs of each household. Rather than offering a single design, the team began engineering and adapting stoves specifically for the families they serve, making them more practical, accessible, and efficient. Their tag line for the stoves is “respira tranquilo” or “breathe easy” with your fuel-efficient stove.

Today, the project has grown into much more than stove production. It is creating dignified employment for local men, including those returning from migration, and providing an opportunity to remain with their families instead of seeking work elsewhere. As demand has increased, AJPU has expanded production and is beginning to create jobs for others in the community.

This growth would not have been possible without the support of all of you out there who support this partnership and have “bought” stoves for the women of the Association. Also, funds from PC(USA) via CEDEPCA last year enabled AJPU to purchase essential tools, machinery, and protective safety equipment. With new equipment—including a compressor and metal cutter—the team has significantly increased its production capacity while providing a safer work environment. They continue to innovate by designing their own tools and developing new machinery to make production even more efficient.

AJPU’s vision extends beyond producing stoves. Their goal is to build a sustainable community enterprise capable of producing hundreds of efficient stoves each year, improving the health of families, strengthening local livelihoods, and reducing the economic pressures that often force migration. Every stove represents more than a product—it represents cleaner air for a family, meaningful work for a craftsman, and hope that opportunity can be created at home.

After a few hours in the stove workshop, we journeyed to a nearby mountain that is managed by the men of AJPU and other families in the community. Parque Ecológico Kyaq K’ix began with something truly magical—a beautiful song sung by Vicente in K’iche’, one he has known since childhood. The song encourages community members to visit the mountains, breathe in the fresh air, and release the stress they carry. Before we had even started hiking, we were reminded that this place is more than a forest; it is a space for healing, reflection, and connection.

When we arrived at the park entrance, a few of us decided to tackle the steep climb to the top. The hike was challenging, but Vicente made every step worthwhile by sharing his knowledge of the land. Along the trail, he pointed out several native plants and explained their medicinal uses. One plant’s leaves, for example, can be used as a natural bandage—a reminder of how deeply intertwined the local community is with the natural world around them.

After making our way up the mountain, we reunited with the rest of our group and continued to the mirador. The panoramic view overlooking the surrounding mountains was breathtaking—in every sense of the word. Between the stunning scenery and the high altitude, we all found ourselves pausing to catch our breath. (Ok, the breathing wasn’t all that easy at this stage.)

As we admired the view, Vicente shared the story behind Parque Ecológico Kyaq K’ix. Today, the park exists to protect the forest while allowing visitors to experience its beauty, but creating this space required years of collaboration, trust, and perseverance.

For generations, the surrounding community protected these mountains by limiting outside access. The forest contains sacred spaces, including eight Mayan ceremonial altars, and community members feared that visitors might damage the land or remove its natural resources.

Over time, community leaders came together to discuss the future of the forest. The elder members realized the younger generations had the ability to support and Younger generations recognized that conservation and carefully managed tourism could coexist. With support from local organizations and outside partners, the community began restoring the land, clearing trails, and developing the park with a vision of sustainable ecotourism.

However, the work was far from easy. Some areas of the forest had lost much of their tree cover, and early reforestation efforts were challenging because trees brought from other regions struggled to survive in the park’s unique elevation and climate. Funding was limited, and maintaining the trails demanded countless hours of labor. Even today, preparing the paths for visitors requires ongoing effort.

Perhaps the greatest challenge has been building community consensus. Every visit requires the support and permission of community authorities, and there have been times when tours had to be canceled because approval was not granted. Some residents worried that tourism would primarily benefit outsiders or only a few individuals. Progress came slowly, beginning with small projects that demonstrated how ecotourism could benefit the entire community.

Today, Parque Ecológico Kyaq K’ix stands as an example of community-led conservation. Entrance fees help support the continued care of the forest, while visitors provide meaningful economic opportunities for local residents. The park has also become a place where both ecological preservation and Mayan cultural traditions are honored, with sacred ceremonies continuing to take place within the mountains.

Walking through the forest, it became clear that every trail represents years of dedication from people who believe this land is worth protecting. Visiting Parque Ecológico Kyaq K’ix wasn’t simply a hike—it was an opportunity to witness how culture, community, and conservation can come together to preserve a place for generations to come.

As we made our way back down the mountain, I kept thinking about the song Vicente sang before our hike. What began as a beautiful welcome became something much more meaningful. His words invited us to come to the mountains, breathe deeply, and release the stress we carry. By the end of the day, I realized I had done exactly that.

The mountain itself felt healing in every sense. From the medicinal plants growing along the trail to the fresh mountain air, the breathtaking views, and the stories of resilience shared by the community, every part of the experience offered restoration. It reminded me of how resilient this community is, how resilient our students are, and even of my own resilience for making it to the top. I left feeling lighter, carrying with me the reminder that sometimes healing begins with nature, community, and a deep breath.