Date established: 2007

Partners: Alternative Gifts International (AGI), Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)

Types of stoves built: Rocket

Program history: Decades of political and economic instability have forced the Haitian people—poorest in the Western Hemisphere—to severely over-use their natural resources in order to eke out a living. As a result, only 1% of Haiti's once-lush tropical forest remains. Charcoal-fueled cooking stoves are a primary culprit in this deforestation, and desertification and dropping water tables are just some of the consequences of this devastation.

AGI began spearheading an effort to help restore Haiti's forests, and asked TWP to become part of the effort. In partnership with AMURT, TWP is introducing the more fuel-efficient Rocket stove to Haiti in 2007 and 2008. Dr. Larry Winiarski from the Aprovecho Research Center is working with TWP to modify to the wood-burning Rocket used in Central America to run on charcoal.

TWP anticipates receiving funding from AGI by July 2008 to expand the program in Haiti. In the meantime, TWP and AMURT are beginning to build Rocket stoves in the Anse Rouge area of northwestern Haiti. AMURT has successfully trained several local community groups to use and promote the stoves, with very positive results.