C$3,050Trip costs qualify for a tax receipt in US and Canada
Nov 1, 2025 Nov 8, 2025
San Miguel Duenas, Guatemala
Adult & Family Trip
Community Building
About the ProjectThe little stove with a lot of impact
Globally, nearly three billion people rely on inefficient and polluting stoves or open fires to cook their meals. In Guatemala, over half of the families still depend on these dangerous cooking methods, leading to harmful smoke that fills homes and causes severe health issues. Additionally, each person uses approximately one ton of firewood annually for cooking and heating, a task that consumes time, energy, and money.
The need for firewood is a major contributor to deforestation in Guatemala, with the country losing up to 2,460 hectares of tree cover every year. This deforestation leads to soil erosion, loss of animal habitats, and a decrease in oxygen-producing trees, further exacerbating environmental challenges. As forests become scarcer, villagers must travel even farther to collect wood, intensifying the hardship.
DWC’s Light Up Guatemala program offers a solution by installing eco-stoves in homes, helping to eliminate the harmful impacts of traditional cooking fires. These vented stoves are more environmentally friendly and can prevent long-term health issues. However, many families still cannot afford this life-changing technology.
By volunteering with us, you can directly support this important initiative and help bring eco-stoves to those in need. Join us in making a lasting impact on both the environment and the health of communities in Guatemala.
To learn more about the benefits of eco-stoves, click here.
MAKE AN IMPACT
In Guatemala
In Guatemala
• Years of smoke exposure can cause pneumonia, cancer, stroke, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Respiratory infections are among the leading causes of death in Guatemala, particularly for women and children who spend a lot of time around the fires
• An eco stove vents outside and firewood burns 70% more efficiently than open fires.
Volunteer to Make a DifferenceA Typical Workday in Guatemala
About San Miguel Duenas
Nestled just 15 kilometers from the historic city of Antigua, San Miguel Duenas is a picturesque agricultural community of around 12,000 people. While the community is close to Guatemala’s tourism hub, many families here struggle to make ends meet. DWC’s partner organization, The Open Windows Foundation is a dynamic organization committed to improving the lives of those in San Miguel and neighboring low-income communities through sustainable initiatives, including their eco-stove program.
Your Role as a Volunteer
On this transformative volunteer trip, you’ll be working alongside like-minded volunteers as part of a team dedicated to installing eco-friendly stoves in homes that need them most. These stoves, which are environmentally friendly and improve indoor air quality, are an essential tool for families in the region.
Each eco-stove installation takes approximately a couple of hours, giving you the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the families you help. By the end of the week, you will leave with a profound sense of fulfillment, knowing that you’ve contributed to a cleaner, healthier environment and enhanced the well-being of countless households in San Miguel Duenas.
What to Expect
- Hands-On Impact: Install eco-stoves directly in homes, helping to eliminate the harmful effects of traditional cooking fires.
- Community Connection: Engage with local families, learn about their culture, and experience life in a rural Guatemalan village.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Work side-by-side with fellow volunteers from around the world, building lasting friendships while supporting a worthy cause.
Join us for a rewarding and meaningful experience where your efforts will have a lasting impact on both the community and the environment.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Pack your bags and your passion—your volunteer trip with the Open Windows Foundation awaits. Come help us build a brighter, cleaner future!
It's Not All WorkExplore the UNESCO Heritage city of Antigua
Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a charming colonial city surrounded by volcanoes. With its cobblestone streets, vibrant culture, and rich history, Antigua offers a variety of activities for all travelers.
Top Things to Do in Antigua:
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Explore Colonial Architecture
Admire the iconic La Merced Church, Antigua Cathedral, and other historical buildings throughout the city. -
Hike Pacaya Volcano
For adventure lovers, hike to the summit of this active volcano for stunning views and the chance to see flowing lava. -
Visit Local Markets
Shop for handmade textiles, pottery, and crafts at the Mercado de Artesanías, a perfect place to pick up souvenirs. -
Take a Coffee Tour
Learn about and taste Guatemala’s famous coffee at local farms and factories. -
Relax in Parque Central
The heart of Antigua, where you can relax, enjoy the atmosphere, and take in views of the surrounding architecture and mountains. -
Day Trip to Lake Atitlán
Just a short drive from Antigua, visit the breathtaking Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and charming villages.
Trip Details
Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:
Doug Wittal
Grampa Doug was born in 1908. Doug’s first experience leading a DWC trip was the Kilimanjaro Challenge where he almost died. Little Dougy has decided to give it another go and lead a Light Up Guatemala team .
On a more serious note, Doug has been everywhere there is to go with DWC, from building homes in the jungles of Cambodia, to improving schools in the barrios of Peru, to building medical clinics on the plains of East Africa.
Doug is passionate about the mission of DWC and the size of his heart is only matched by his generosity, time and service. Doug is extremely dedicated to helping improve the lives of the Guatemalan families. This stove project is especially close to his heart as, it provides environment free from smoke that children can call home.
When not volunteering he is the founder and president of DW Builders, a custom construction company in Kamloops, BC.
Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Joy
Volunteer Program Manager