Proud to be a Stove Guy

My name is Evens Jean Baptiste and I am an economist and actor by trade.  Before the earthquake I worked in my community but I didn't have the opportunity to live and to understand the situation of the poorest people.  

Evans and ILF Director of Program Development Hoi Trinh

with one of the stove monitors in Issa Tabar Camp

Right after the earthquake I began working with ILF on May 1st, 2010.  The ILF project has changed my attitude, my mind and my life and I have had the chance to meet some incredible people like Vahid J.  VJ taught me first and some other fantastic guys along the way, including my country director Elizabeth Sipple, Calito, all the monitors, Mr D. Wolf, Debora, Moushine, Sebastian, Sam, James, Brian, Jody R, Landers, Becky and Esther.  Big thanks to all of you, even if you're in Africa or around the world let's make it together, ILF forever.

VJ demonstrating how to use an institutional stove 

This project has changed my life because I finally understand that the most important thing in life isn't money but Nature.  We go everywhere in Haiti and talk to the people about life and nature and give them at least one STOVE because with a fuel-efficient stove the poorest people can save at least 50% on expensive fuel, like charcoal or wood.  Because if a family spends $2 to cook a meal, now they spend less than $1 with the STOVE.  

Cooking demonstration at the ILF office

We can give a better life to the Haitian people and right now that is one of the most important things in my life.  Instead of being an economist or an actor I'm proud because I'm a STOVE guy; I can be nearer to my Haitian people and I can build a stove and give my little boy a chance to have a better life. 

Evans and other members of the Haiti and Washington teams at

the UNDP briquette factory in Port-au-Prince 

Evens Jean Baptiste

Procurement Officer 

Port-au-Prince, Haiti