Las Monjas, Hato Rey

Las Monjas, Hato Rey - one of the eight communities bordering El Caño Martín Peña, a  polluted channel of water situated in the heart of San Juan

 The name Las Monjas has a historical explanation; the zone was ruled  by a nunnery on the 19^th century and that’s why is  still  called Las Monjas, Hato Rey. What’s  interesting of this community is that is situated right next to the banking area named the Golden Mile (area of international banks, the FBI building, Banco Popular of Puerto Rico and the main financial institution of the island and other big companies) making a big contrast of the rich and the poor.

 Las Monjas is part of the G-8 Inc., a community organization established by community leaders of the eight communities bordering El Caño Martín Peña. This organization works everyday on the administration of their lands and on finding solutions to make their quality of life better. To ensure their permanence they design a new model of collective ownership of the land. They are empowered, administrate and develop strategies with an active participation of all the residents who are the principal actors of their future.

Two weeks ago the United Nations Awarded the collective ownership model of El Fideicomiso de la Tierra (Community Landtrust) with the Habitat Award.

Pictured Bárbara Cardenales Torres in the neigborhood of Las Monjas

http://www.worldhabitatawards.org/- Website of the Award

http://www.aguamala.org/home.html- This is a documentary made about the communities

http://cano3punto7.org/nuevo/index.html-  Main website of Proyecto Enlace for the Restructuration of El Caño Martín Peña