23rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

Record of Event pg 1 of 2
23rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Part I
Where: Under a tree at El Cortijo Hotel (at the turn off to Los Torres)
When: 4th March 2009 10.30am- 11.45am
Who: Holly, Chela & Benigno (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary).
Purpose: To discuss the planned topics for today’s community meeting at Los Torres.

Benigno informed us all that the cistern & roofing system were completed on time & under budget. (budget info collated separately).

Today’s community assembly is to
* ask for & give feedback to the community re the process
* discuss attendance of each of the groups, ask for community feedback
* plan inauguration day – celebration of cistern & information about the watershed, fluoride etc
* discuss possibility of training session on “solicitation” to govt. community planning, issues management etc (Chela would like to offer a workshop & wants to see if there is interest).
* Chela would also like to offer the community a workshop on natural health options
* suggest to the community that the first people that receive the cisterns from the big project should be those that have participated so well in the demo build days.

End of Part I

Part II
Where: The Kindergarten at Los Torres
When: 4th March 2009 12.30pm – 3.20pm
Who: Chela & Benigno (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 7 men & 38 women from the community of Los Torres (including Ma, Hilaria, Concha, Leova)

Purpose:
As outlined above.

It should be noted that Holly was not able to attend this meeting so it was all in Spanish with no translation, my Spanish is only rudimentary so this is an outline of what went on.

Chela re-iterated the definition of a community meeting v assembly. She does this each time, so that the community will be able to run their own meetings/assemblies without her assistance in future.

1. Chela called for nominations for a co-ordinator for this meeting, Guillermo & Concha were nomitated. The meeting then voted, & Guillermo was deemed co-ordinator, & Concha to take the records.

2. Benigno gave a review of the building of the ferrocement cistern. Asked for the ingredients, tela, grava, maya, cemento, cal, arena.

Discussed the process of 4 groups, mentioned that it took 1 month for the talking/planning stage, 4 days to build & they will take about 1 hour to review the process.

There was some discussion about Group 3’s lack of attendance/attendees, one of the women in group 3 said they bought refreshments instead, the others pointed out that all the groups provided refreshments but that that wasn’t what got the cistern built. After much back & forth it was decided that group 3 should still be allowed to participate in the big project.



Record of Event pg 2 of 2
23rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee



Each of the groups was asked how they felt about the process, would they feel confident to build one from start to finish. Group 3, needs help. Group 1 are fine, 2 people, group 2 are fine 2 people, group 4 fine 2 people.

Benigno asked that for the next assembly people have the following information
a. where their cistern will be placed
b. how much piping they will need (approximately)
c. what type of roof they have

The community asked when the big project will begin, I explained we are still waiting on approval, but hoped to be able to tell them by the end of April.

They are all very keen to start now!!!

It was mentioned that the kinder teacher is VERY HAPPY that the kids now have safe drinking water, I believe she has been providing it herself in garafons that she brings from San Miguel.

Planning of the inauguration day:
• Date was decided 4.4.09 at 12 for the community & 12.30 start for the invited guests.
• Responsibilities Group 1 – games, Group 2 decorations, Group 3 chairs & tables, Group 4 dancers
• Invitees to include, Enrique Nunez, Don P, Atencion, Rotary, Bill & Judy Fisher, San Miguel Community Foundation, Sapasma

Chela offered the community the chance to attend a workshop covering the topic of “solicitacions & Acta’s”, there was a lot of interest in this, attendees will be Concha, Guillermo, Catalina, Ma, Carmela, Rosa, Ofelia, Hilaria, Leova, Cecilia. It will be held on Thursday 23rd April 12pm at the kinder.

The meeting was closed.

Inauguration Saturday 4th April 12.30 (invited guests), 12.00 community.

Next assembly was set for April 29th at 12pm at the house of Ma Jesus & Jose Miguel.

Workshop April 23rd 12pm at Kindergarten

See photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/LosTorresPilotProject?feat=directlink