24th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

Record of Event pg 1 of 2
24th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

Where: Los Torres Kindergarten.
When: 4th April 2009 12:30 – 3:30
Who: Chella, Holly Yasui, Quika & Benigno (Cedesa), John & Sharon Doherty, Gary & Marilyn Peterson, Steve & Laura & Abe & Ella Mae, David Bossman, Enrique Orvañanos (Rotary), Suzanne Ludekins (Atencion Newspaper), Jose Miguel & Ma Jesus (delegados), many members of the LT community.
Apologies: Enrique Nuñez (Presidencia), Donna Foudray (San Miguel Community Foundation).
Purpose: To celebrate the completion of the 12,000 litre cistern, by the Community assisted by CEDESA (& Funded by SMCF Grant) for the Kinder.

Summary of the day
We arrived at 12.30 to find the Kinder decorated with balloons & streamers. Everything was in place for a big feast & singing & dancing.

We first went into the kinder where CEDESA presented a power point slide show on the topic of water.

The show was set in 2070 & demonstrated the drastic situation that will exist if we don´t begin to treasure & conserve our water supplies.

It showed the dire health effects of not having sufficient water to drink & the effects on the environment. It was a very thought provoking display & the whole audience sat mesmerised (including young children).

Chela explained a little about the local situation, where the rivers (or should I say river beds) are & used her hat as a prop to explain the rapidly reducing aquifer & the resulting increasing concentration of fluoride.

This was followed by a presentation by 2 different speakers. One on the topic of genetically modified corn seed – there is currently a move by some of the large seed producers to introduce a new strain of corn that is genetically designed germinate only once.

This corn is patented & is being given to the people for free or for very low cost. The problem is you are not able to grow future crops with the seed from this strand of corn & the people will therefore have to purchase all future seed from these suppliers.

The other issue is even if you do not choose to grow this strand, it is likely to cross pollinate from neighbours & could cause your corn to not germinate in future.

It was impressed upon the Community, they should look very seriously at any corn seed before they buy it or accept it & do their utmost to protect the heritage of the seed they currently grow.

The other speaker spoke on the topic of nutritional health & wellbeing. She explained some of the issues relating to eating “junk” food, ie instant lunches & cheetos (which are predominant in the rural communities). She listed the benefits of growing food in backyard gardens & the link to general health & wellbeing. She stated that it was important for children to develop the habit & taste for good food.

At least 50 adults & 30 children had crammed into the small kinder to listen to these speakers & all of the information was well received.


Record of Event pg 2 of 2
24th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee

The Community then moved outside to the Cistern. The kinder children were given small spikes from a cactus & loved popping the balloons skirting the cistern.

The delegada cut the ribbon, thank you´s were exchanged & the feast began!

We were treated to homemade tortillas, nopal, rice, & beans. With many cups of agua fresca. With a plate of fruit & cake for desert.

We staggered (with our full tummies) to sit & watch, first a song performed by Chela & the team from Cedesa & then a dance by the young children.

A fun day was had by all, & everyone left feeling uplifted by what we had experienced.

Photos abound – please see the links below.

Suzanne Ludekins from our local Newspaper attended & plans to do an article on the 24th April. I will forward this when we receive it.


photo albums:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/LosTorresPilotProjectDay1?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.ca/sharondoherty008/LosTorresWaterHarvestingInaugeration?feat=directlink