The Guatemala Stove Project is getting closer to a major milestone, with a Perth-based group hoping to reach 10,000 cooking stoves for families in Guatemala.
The project was started 27 years ago by Perth resident Tom Clark after he travelled to Guatemala and saw families cooking over open fires inside small homes.
Phillip Brackenbury has been involved for 18 years, first travelling to Guatemala with his daughter Paige when she was 12.
He says the simple stoves reduce smoke inside homes, use about half as much firewood and can also help reduce deforestation.
The project has now provided 8,675 family stoves, along with more than 62 school stoves and support for more than 120 young women through bursaries.
The group also offers small loans to Indigenous women for things such as livestock, seeds and other needs.
Local support remains an important part of the effort.
The Guatemala Stove Project is holding a fundraiser Oct. 3 at the Civitan Hall in Perth, featuring local band Open Road, a silent auction and dancing.
Tickets are $25, with doors opening at 7 p.m.
