A Visit to GIRA in Patzcuaro, Mexico

Dean Still May 2004

Jeremy Foster and I spent a fascinating week with the NGO GIRA learning about their new version of the Lorena stove called the Patsari. GIRA, with support from Shell Foundation, trains stove builders in small villages who build the Patsari for women who pay $20 for the sand and clay stove. The Patsari is completely enclosed with a chimney protecting the indoor air quality. It has a large comal for making tortillas and two steel planchas for boiling pots of food. The attached photos show various folks and the Patsari…

Jeremy and I spent time with Omar Masera, Rodolfo Diaz and Victor Berrueta who help direct different operations at GIRA. Victor was kind enough to spend a few days with us playing with stoves at the GIRA research facility in Santa Ana. I was impressed with the Patsari concept. Here is a large multi-pot stove that can be built inexpensively and meets the needs of women while protecting their health with a chimney.

We also spent time with Rene Mendeola at his brick yard where he is experimenting with GIRA to create insulating ceramic parts for the Patsari. Rene is like the GIRA crew, amazingly inventive, bold, creative, full of Mexican vitality. Rene has been experimenting with sawdust and clay mixes and is making beautifully detailed heat resistant ceramic combustion chambers, etc.

Patscuaro is a magical, old colonial city. It has the charm of Rome without the traffic! Beautiful parks, outdoor cafes, a huge lake all at 7,000 feet elevation. It’s the warmth of the tropics with oaks and pines! The GIRA folks are wonderful hosts. I would love to visit again.

Best,

Dean

	Jeremy	Kiln Loading
	Omar Victor Dean Rodolfo

Link: GIRA Grupo Interdisciplinario de Tecnologia Rural Apropiada A.C