From Poop to Fuel

Tu’ik Ruch’ Lew began working with the David LaMotte School in 2019, first introducing the concept of a biogas digester and obtaining the support of the Board of Directors and then waiting each year for the school to be accredited for Primary School classes. Without these grade school students, TRL could not install the digester. A biogas digester must have the number of students contributing the quantity of nitrogen-containing feces needed to be able to ensure the digester’s success.

Year after year, Melchora Reanda Rujuch, Director of the school, submitted the required documents and every year they were rejected by the Ministerio de Educacion for one reason or another. Melchora was told in June, 2023, after submitting yet another new document, that they would be approved for 2024, with notification to be received in August.

August came and went and still no approval. Melchora went several times in the following months to the offices of the Ministerio de Educacion, where they assured her that the school would be approved--eventually.

“Eventually” wasn’t good enough. December 7th, the representatives of organizations supporting the existence of the school--all of us who are extremely frustrated with the continual delay--sent a joint letter to the Ministerio de Educacion demanding a resolution NOW.

Within two weeks, the letter you see above was received. David La Motte School is finally accredited and will open for primary level classes in January!

Unfortunately, TRL’s window of opportunity for installing the biogas digester in 2023 was missed, as the only time we can disrupt the site for the building process, is in the months of November/December when the students are not occupying the school.

TRL can now proceed to coordinate the education and training of the school staff and parents, make arrangements to bring our Cuban expert, Eng. Cesar Parras and collaborator Edy Omar from Honduras, as well as all the necessary preparations including purchasing materials and organizing the construction crew. We plan on installing in November 2024.

As you can imagine, with inflation having nearly doubled the cost of everything, we have to raise additional funds to cover the increased costs. Our goal now is $15,000.

During these passing years, TRL has looked at other possibilities for installing the pilot biogas digester, but we never found another site with the requirements we have; most importantly the number of users, easy and public access--necessary for promotion of the concept and the enthusiasm of the participants. The school even built a kitchen in anticipation of the gas to be produced from the digester!

Once again, we see that Patience is a Virtue. Thank you, Dear Supporters, for hanging in there with us on this project and continuing to fund it with your contributions even with all of these delays!

Happy Holidays, Candis

Tu'ik Ruch' Lew has just received the news that the Ministry of Education has accepted the documents for accreditation from the David LaMotte School. It appears that the school will be open in January 2024 for primary grade students. Barring any other delays by the Ministry, TRL has decide to go ahead and set in motion the plans for our Demonstration Biogas Digester at the school.

Since we last reported, the school has received a new kitchen, complete with a gas stove, built by visiting college students from the US. The staff at the school uses this facility not only to prepare snacks for the children but also to teach nutrition and cooking classes to mothers. In addition, they provide well-attended classes in cake-baking and other pastries, as an economic development activity. With the addition of the kitchen, necessary for the use of the methane gas produced, we now see a strong, community incentive for ensuring successful gas production.

The lead on the project will be Candelaria Reanda Sosof, TRL’s Social Worker, who also happens to be a resident of the community where the digester will be installed. If anyone knows the strengths and weaknesses of the community of Tzanchaj, it is Candy. With her guidance, we will be able to ensure the success of the project by avoiding cultural pitfalls -- of which an outsider would not be aware. Close collaboration with the parents and staff at the school and their motivation and cooperation will ultimately determine the success or failure of the project.

For example, we will need to be sure the janitor at the school knows not to use chlorine or other harsh chemicals to clean the toilets. Putting such chemicals in the blackwater system, (which is separate from the greywater of the handwashing stations) will kill the micro-organisms responsible for producing the methane gas. The janitor will need to be trained how to use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning.

This is a big project, with many details to be put into motion. Our objective is to organize the community, build the digester in November and be ready for those new grade schoolers by the end of January 2024!

As you know, we’ve been in a holding pattern for a few years since we began our fund-raising for this project. Now that we will be starting to spend the funds we have generated and inflation has greatly increased the cost of materials and labor that will be needed to construct the system, we hope that you will be inspired to continue to donate to help us raise the $5000 that TRL lacks to complete the project.

We’ll be sending you frequent updates as things progress. Your continuing interest and support are greatly appreciated!

Sincerely, Candis