4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project

Record of Event pg 1 of 1
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project


Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Thurs 25th March 9-10am
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Juan & Guillermo Alvarado (Trainers from Los Torres) & 14 adults (7 men & 7 women),

Purpose: 4th day of the Pilot – construction of cistern & water collection system at the Vivienda de Arriba primary school.

I arrived to find the work in action, some people were on the roof, painting on the natural lime/cactus mixture to seal the roof, some were mixing & sieving the mixture to replenish the sealant supplies for those on the roof, & the rest were finishing off the plastering on both the inside & outside of the cistern.

The cistern was fully formed, top on, & door in place.

The piping & roof edging were all in place.

I was invited onto the roof, but decided to stop at the top of the ladder! They thought that was a joke!

I bought the missing piece of hose that had been short supplied, Juan had called Holly, who in turn called me to collect it from a different hardware store in town.

I talked at length with Anamaria, she was very happy the project had been bought forward. We had previously told them their funding would unlikely be avail until approx oct or Nov this year – if successful - she agreed they were very fortunate the way things had worked out with the other community declining the project.

She advised the volunteers turnout had been good each day, the list of definite people wanting to participate in the project, who had equally proven themselves by participating, was now 16 people – down from 21. I explained this was completely normal, & as soon as people learn they have to actually do the work themselves there is always a drop off... this is still a good result for the number of people in this small community.

The old cowboys were there every day! They were currently the plaster crew, & 2 were inside the cistern while the others were on the outside, with one brave one up on the roof of the class room!

They asked about Cruz del Palmar, I told them I was going there next, but we all agreed they had it easier with a bigger community to pull from!

I paid & thanked Juan & his dad Guillermo for their fine work over the previous 4 days.

I congratulated the community team on their huge efforts, declined their kind lunch invitation & headed to Cruz del Palmar.

Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink

Next assembly Wed April 14th at 3pm at the Church