Cusco native develops fog catchers, bringing water and hope to Peru's driest communities

When we arrived, the locals seemed surprised but trusted us. We set up Fog Catchers by fencing off areas with nylon mesh stretched across six-by-four-meter surfaces, supported by wooden or aluminum frames in the high hills. Soon these structures turned fog into a source of water for the community.

Mariela Laksman
2 days ago

September 3, 2024
















CUZCO, Peru — Lima in Peru is one of the driest cities in the world. It sees little rain and many of the slums sit within semi-desert areas. With around a million residents lacking access to clean water, I felt compelled to do something. I came up with a solution to install plastic nets to capture water from the fog which blankets parts of Peru.

My invention, the Fog Catcher, collects droplets of water from the air and channels them through pipes into tanks. In doing so, we provide water to marginalized communities. This life-changing resource not only brings water to people in need, but it also transforms their outlook. Watching these communities gain hope and discover opportunity brings me immense joy.


From the jungles of Cusco, man embarks on a journey of resilience and innovation

I grew up in a small house perched on a mountain at the edge of the jungle near Cusco. My parents worked as farmers, tending the land from sunrise to sunset.
When my mother passed away, my siblings and I took on responsibilities to keep the household running. I started working at seven years old.

One of my responsibilities included fetching water from a spring 600 meters uphill. I enjoyed the task, despite the steep climb. I also prepared our meals, while my siblings gathered firewood and worked the fields. To reach school, we walked seven kilometers along the Yanatile River. We awoke at 4:00 a.m. and left home just before 6:00 as the sun started to rise.

More:
https://orato.world/2024/09/03/cusco-native-develops-fog-catchers-bringing-water-and-hope-to-perus-driest-communities/