Last week, Hafsa and I went to Parque El Encuentro with our mentors, Hector and Iris, to talk through our projects in La Casa del Agua. We also walked through the water quality testing process in different areas of the park, and got to see the gardens and greenhouses that Cántaro is looking to rehabilitate.

 

This week, I’m looking forward to starting to work in the lab with flocculating/coagulating agents. My project is focused on comparing alum, a chemical flocculating agent, with plant-based flocculating agents derived from nopal (cactus) and Moringa oleifera (drumstick). The materials Hector and I ordered arrived last Friday, aside from Moringa seeds, which I’ll pick up at El Mercado Viejo (along with some new fruit).

Two weeks ago, Cántaro celebrated its 16th anniversary with a big party in the south of San Cristóbal. It was great to see everyone and hear more about each circle’s projects.

Last week, there was a smaller gathering at the office to celebrate the launch of Radio Cántaro, a new radio station aimed at communicating Cántaro’s work to the local community. Héctor explained that radio is the most common form of media here.

Last, but not least, a fruit update:

Granadilla: Like a passionfruit, but tastes more like a cucumber — I think I need to try a riper one.

Guanabana: Like custard apple, lot of different flavors — I’m a big fan.

Next up: guaya (Spanish lime): I’m excited for this fruit in the soapberry family (related to rambutan and lychee).

By the end of next week, I hope to have an update on the flocculation protocols — until then, here’s a picture of one of the many pieces of street art around San Cristóbal.