‘Atrapanieblas’ as an innovative solution for all peruvian they can have water
Abel Cruz created this valuable instrument with which you can collect between 200 and 400 liters of water per day, destined for the areas most in need
From a young age, Abel Cruz had to learn the meaning of living without water. In Cusco, his homeland, as in many Peruvian areas, the scarcity of this water resource forced him to carry large buckets of water from a spring to his home. As just a child, this was his daily job for many years so that his mother could wash and cook.
At age 21 he came to Lima to study and work; He moved to the Ancón neighborhood (north of the capital) and, given the insecurity of the place, decided to protect his house by surrounding it with raschel mesh. He never imagined that the results of this protective measure would change his life.
One night, upon returning exhausted after a day of work, Abel found leaks throughout his house, especially in the mesh. Abel threw himself into the task of containing the vital liquid with buckets. In the midst of the chaos, a spark of inspiration appeared in his mind: Could these same networks, which now prevented thieves from entering, could also be used to bring water to those who needed it most? At that moment, Abel Cruz decided that he would not allow others to suffer the same shortages that he had experienced. With determination and passion, he decided to use his knowledge and resources to bring water to the communities most in need, using the same network that once protected him.
One night, upon returning exhausted after a day of work, Abel found leaks throughout his house, especially in the mesh. Abel threw himself into the task of containing the vital liquid with buckets. In the midst of the chaos, a spark of inspiration appeared in his mind: Could these same networks, which now prevented thieves from entering, could also be used to bring water to those who needed it most?
At that moment, Abel Cruz decided that he would not allow others to suffer the same shortages that he had experienced. With determination and passion, he decided to use his knowledge and resources to bring water to the communities most in need, using the same network that once protected him.
Thus, in 2005, the NGO ‘Movimiento Peruano sin Agua’ was born, a non-profit organization that provides access to quality water for vulnerable sectors through innovative and comprehensive solutions under a sustainable model that reduces environmental impact.
Inspired by Abel’s experience and in the hope of reaching families who need it most, they created the ‘ATRAPANIEBLAS’, a mesh made of plastic material with small holes that, ideally placed and in a strategic location, allows the production of up to 400 liters of water per panel per day through the condensation of atmospheric water vapor, without the need to use liquid water or external energy sources.
The water is subsequently captured by a system of pipes and tanks for domestic and production purposes. “The microdroplets become embedded in the mesh, which has a kind of fluff. Then the wind passes and there are 30% of microdroplets that continue their course, but there are another 70% of molecules that remain. This is how we capture water”, explains Abel.
Big challenges
The NGO began installing atrapanieblas collectors in 2006. Since then, Abel Cruz has dedicated his life to this noble cause, carrying with him the memory of his own struggles and the fervent desire to make the world a more just and livable place for everyone.
To date, approximately 3,600 of these innovative products have been placed not only in Peru, but also in Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Mexico. However, they have a very big challenge for this year: placing 2,000 fog collectors on the Pasamayo Serpentine.
Pasamayo is a 22-kilometer highway that connects the district of Ancón to the province of Chancay, unfortunately known for the high number of fatal accidents due to fog and humidity. Abel indicates that it is necessary to place atrapanieblas collectors here because, mainly, they will help to dissipate dense fog and thus drivers will be able to have a better view of the road. “The atrapanieblas collectors will have essential functions such as collecting water for families who have lacked this resource for more than 30 years and reforesting the slopes close to the runways to reduce accidents, as the atrapanieblas collectors become fog cutters”, he details.
More than 30,000 families have benefited directly and indirectly from the NGO’s work, for which atrapanieblas collectors fulfill the function of helping to reforest orchards, biogardens and there are even areas where water collected for human consumption is used.
But the work of the entire team does not end there. Abel and the organization also work to raise awareness among residents about the importance of water on the planet. By installing fog collectors, they empower people in the benefiting area, helping them understand the benefits of working together to improve their quality of life. Furthermore, he is convinced that with his invention he will be able to start planting trees in tall plants and even create ecological floors, in addition to farming with water from the fog.
Do you like the work carried out by the organization ‘Movimiento Peruano Sin Agua’ and want to help?
The NGO keeps its doors open to all people interested in helping families who, to date, do not have water at home. The organization accepts financial donations as well as very specific materials needed to install the atrapanieblas collectors. If you want to contribute, you can contact them through their platforms and find out more about the work they do at:
