| The First Lady of Mexico, Margarita Zavala de Calderon, a former member of the Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies), has long been dedicated to a public agency called Desarollo Integral de la Familia (DIF), which focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of Mexican families. Her husband, President Felipe Calderon has expressed that one of his main objectives while in office is to address the issue of poverty in Mexico.
Based on her knowledge of HELPS International's integrated programs, Mrs. Calderon invited HELPS to expand its operations into Mexico. On November 16, 2007, HELPS officially opened an office in Mexico City; Mrs. Calderon's continuing support is key to the success of HELPS' programs. We thank her for her time, and tireless efforts.
To address the issues of healthcare, education, and economic development in rural Mexico, HELPS focuses on special projects, for example, the installation of ONIL stoves. In eight million Mexican homes, women are cooking on open flame fires that cause respiratory illness and burns. The ONIL stove is made of concrete and steel, with a galvanized stove pipe, insulated with pumice, and a clay-fired firebox that is inexpensive and easy to install. The ONIL stove virtually eliminates toxic smoke and respiratory illness and the risk of burns, especially to children.
Mr. Stephen W. Miller, President of HELPS International, presented an ONIL stove to President and Mrs. Calderón for their use at Los Pinos, the Mexican "White House." Today, the ONIL stove sits on a green area of Los Pinos, and has been used to make tortillas!
As it does in Guatemala, HELPS is developing supporting partners from the private sector, in order to build stove factories in Mexico for manufacturing ONIL stoves. |
