GenteGas
Grant
GenteGas' mission is to reduce the cost of clean burning stoves and fuels as well as provide income-generating opportunities to women in Guatemala.
Our mission is to reduce the entry costs of clean burning stoves and fuels as well as provide income generating opportunities to women with the purpose of eradicating toxic cook smoke and the associated disease and death, increasing public awareness about health risks from solid fuel use, alleviating the pressure on local forests, promoting local economic development, and increasing the quality of life for families in Guatemala.
Summary
Approximately two million households in Guatemala use wood to cook their food.
GenteGas’ target market is female heads of households in rural and semi-rural areas that use wood as their primary source of cooking fuel. In the Department of Sacatepéquez, 81% of wood users are women that purchase all or a portion of their wood fuel.
GenteGas has determined through a market study that 76% of wood users would be able to afford monthly stove payments and fuel costs and 90% of wood users would be interested in switching to a gas stove. This would not only improve the environment, but would also prevent deaths from toxic fumes.
GenteGas’s market innovation is through a community entrepreneur distribution channel, an education model, an innovative financing option, and the market introduction of smaller quantities of fuel for purchase.
Social Impact
GenteGas works with manufacturers and suppliers to bundle LPG starter packages. The packages include an LPG stove, tank, regulator and tubing and the option to purchase a pressure cooker.
GenteGas provides income-generating opportunities and training to
women in local communities. GenteGas provides household education and awareness regarding toxic cooking smoke, LPG safety and handling, entrepreneurship training, and loan processing assistance.
In Guatemala, 7.7 million people are affected by household air pollution. Globally, household air pollution is responsable for 4 million deaths each year. Lower respiratory infections are the number one cause of premature death in Guatemala and many of these deaths are associated with solid fuel use. Household air pollution from solid fuels is the second leading risk factor for disease in Guatemala.
Our Impact:- Reduce acute and chronic illnesses and lower the number of deaths associated with household air pollution
- Cost savings associated with healthcare and medicine needed to treat toxic cooking smoke related illnesses
- Increase public awareness of health risks associated with solid fuel use and offer public education on safety and handling of LPG
- Increase financial literacy by providing our women entrepreneurs training and educating families about loan management
- Create economic opportunities at the local level and generate income for women entrepreneurs
- Time saved cooking and the ability to start other income generating activities
- Decrease harmful emissions and pressure on local forests
- Provide access to financial services to under-served families by assisting GenteGas customers during loan application
- Promote local business development
Investment Required
GenteGas is currently seeking $35,000 in grants to support operating costs and salary support. To date, GenteGas has raised $179,313 in grants for the proof of concept start-up.
Major funders include Grand Challenges Canada, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and the Cordes Foundation.
