Universidad de Cloro and Mini "Honey Wagon"

 

Prof Goyo teaches the class

Universidad de Cloro , con Prof. Goyo

Last year, when the water crew in Pueblo Nuevo found out that Ipeti had their own machine to make chlorine… well, they were jealous and wanted their own. Today they got it. I found a nice compact unit that they could afford ($50). It will take them about 30 minutes to make a gallon of chlorine solution from salt and water, but that’s way better than going into Panama City to buy it. So, after a brief

Paulo takes a turn while Ligorio and Benildo supervise

explanation and demonstration from Prof. Goyo, the boys took over and were proud to produce their first test batch. Paulo and Benildo did fine, but Ligorio had a bad electrical shock as a child and would't touch it. They also learned how to test it and test the tap water.  That gallon will treat their water supply for about a week. I can’t tell you how proud they are that their water will be potable right from the tap, just like in the City !!  Of course, they will also be doing their regular tank cleaning/disinfection and

Paulo finishes the water test with excellent results

system disinfection. And with the sand filters that we re-habbed last year, they are good to go.

Mini Honey Wagon

The small hand pump that I found in Panama City will serve as a mini pump-out unt for those septic tanks in Pueblo Nuevo that have

Ligorio uses the small hand pump to clear a backed-up tank

backed up. The long term solution is to make secondary drain fields, like they (mostly) have in Piriati. Another helpful technique will be to plant trees near the drain fields to transpire even more effluent. They should grow like crazy, with the added fertilizer.  I met with the village presidente today and arranged to have a meeting for all the families that have the new casitas to educate about the drain fields and about good septic tank maintenance in general. This is the essence of what I do – finding workable, practical solutions to community problems that can be implemented by the locals. I love my “job”.

Goyo Slaw

On a totally different note, I made my first batch of Goyo Slaw this year. In Peru, it was Ensalada de Col and I had to add cilantro to get anyone to eat it. Here, it is Ensalada Repollo, with cilantro hard to find. But, cloeslaw by any other name tastes just as sweet.