Wednesday, August 11, 2010

7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project (& mini planning meeting following)

Record of Event pg 1 of 4

7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project (& mini planning meeting following)

Where: Capaderillo “meeting tree, beside the church”
When: Wed 11th August 2010 2.40- 4.30
Who: Chela, Saul (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), more than 80 adults (including 8 men) (too many kids to count)
Purpose: To plan the next step of the project, & to visit with other community representatives enquiring about water projects.

We arrived early (supposed to start at 3pm) as we needed to leave early for another planning meeting after this assembly).

We parked under the meeting tree & within 10 mins there was a very large group gathered. More than 80 people!

The people meeting were from the current work phase I, of the Capaderillo project, as well as people wishing to be part of the Phase II project (in planning), & there were 7 other communities represented!!!

We spoke with the visitors first:

Presita de Santa Rosa
• (previously attended Vivienda de Arriba Assembly in July)
• On the “Palenque” road – straight on past on that road.
• 5 representatives attended today’s meeting
• Approx. 40 families in their community
• In Rancho Nuevo they have a Pozo, but it is fluoride contaminated.
• Contact Jose Luz Ramirez Vazquez 415 155 9453 / Roselia Ramirez 415 149 3920
• Action: speak with Saul about details, & come to next assembly with a list of who would like to participate/commit.

Vivienda de Abajo – additional representatives
• 2 new women attended from this community (some from Vd Abajo are already on phase II list)
• Approx. 60 families (not sure)
• They have only family wells – fluoride contaminated
• Contact – Erica Sanchez Vasquez 415 107 0236
• Action: come to the next meeting & see how we can begin with the rest of the people in this region

Rincon de Canal
• (in front of Los Frailes, on the road to Celaya)
• No water, no pozos (nada!!)
• Approx. 20-25 families, with around 10 families interested in participating
• Contact Jose Angelo Alvarado 415 119 0072

Don Juan
• (Close to Guerrero & La Aurora)
• This was their 3rd visit, we had canceled planned visit there after the fair when Chela was sick & the road was too muddy.
• Approx. 20 families
• Contact Manuel Cazares Rodriguez 415 117 9675 & Elvira Argote 415 119 1300
• (Manuel is a worm farmer, he sells worms & fertilizer (through a group re a govt program)








Record of Event pg 2 of 4

Guerrero
• (close to Don Juan & La Aurora)
• Approx. 45 families
• Has the highest measured level of fluoride
• 6 representatives attending today’s meeting
• Contact Gloria Ramirez 415 111 0721, Maria Angelica Ramirez, Peru Silvia (no phone)
• They are here again showing their interest & we will meet next month with more info re planning
San Gerardo
• Approx. 4 families
• Contact Guadalupe Hernandez 415 8420

La Aurora
• Visiting again (we cancelled planned visit re Chela sick)
• Approx. 10 families
• Contact Olivia Juarez, Angela 415 114 3024

All visitors were thanked for showing their initiative & representing their communities & invited to return to the next assembly, where we will discuss further the plan to advance the projects in all of these communities.

At this point many of the people stayed & moved to other trees nearby, to have mini meetings, they “branched out”… Chela moved to the other meetings & discussed more details about the water project with them.

Capaderillo phase II planning
The roll was called of the Phase II list. (a copy of that list was given to Laura)
It was explained that priority must be given to people who have houses & live here full time.

10 new people were added to the list. (now 45 people on this list). It was explained funding still being worked on (re the Future Vision “challenge”) but their continued participation & motivation to resolve their own issues was assisting the process of securing funding. They will need to be patient.

Capaderillo Phase I revision
The roll was called, everyone was represented.
In group 5 2 cisterns are already completed.
In Group 2 2 cisterns are already completed
The 2 cisterns at the school have been completed.

A question was asked about glue, & it was explained that glue is only needed at the school as it is more likely to be knocked, & is easy to re-attach & relocate in private house situation.

Group 6 mentioned they were missing 2 doors but before the end of the meeting Erik (the door manufacturer) drove up with the doors & distributed them.

Group 4, 1 person is missing the length of transparent hose (they will sort this)

Cement is being ordered as required (note the cement has since all been delivered).
They have the PVC order to place – Saul will give the info to Laura. (note the PVC has since been delivered – on Friday 13th).

How are the groups working together?
Group 1 – all working well
Group 2 – mostly all working, but 2 not co-operating fully – Chela reiterated that it was a requirement for all to work in groups, or they could return their materials & buy their own if they choose to work individually.
Group 3 – all working well
Group 4 – all working well
Group 5 – all working well
Group 6 – problem, not working as a group

Record of Event pg 3 of 4

Discussion continued with Group 6 as to how to resolve the issues, apparently there had been confusion as to start & finish times, & some people not showing up, or showing up at the wrong time.

Chela – When there are problems with a group, you need to meet as a group to resolve the issues, & you can resolve them together. It is essential you work in a group, if you don’t wish to participate, no problem , just detach from the group, return the materials & go your own way.

There was continued discussion as to how to resolve the issue of 3 people not pulling their weight… others said they were all working hard so the “splitters” need to work hard to. One woman was in trouble from the group as although she was working & prepared to continue doing so, her husband (an abanile/mason) was working on a job & not able to work in the group. Laura pointed out it was up to the group to resolve this, as it was not the fault of the woman that the group didn’t have an abanile. We talked about Vivienda de Arriba, where they got together to pay an abanile since there wasn’t one in their group.

It was agreed Group 6 would need to meet to resolve this themselves.
Group 2 also had an issue with someone who had not worked enough, it was suggested this guy could make up for it by helping group 6.

At this point the Teacher spoke.
He was angry at what he described as a lack of respect from the people building the cisterns for the school. He talked of missing buckets, a broken window & missing peaches off the tree & toilets were dirty.

One woman spoke back & said it would have been nice to be congratulated for the hard work many had put in to construct the 2 cisterns.
He angrily responded that the cisterns were for the kids not for him.

Chela pointed out that all of the kids at the school would benefit from the cistern, not just the kids of the parents who built it, & maybe the other parents could contribute.

Saul asked who would replace the buckets, 5 people volunteered.
Saul said he would measure the glass that needed replacing (we viewed it later, & a support put in place to hold the piping while the glue was drying had fallen sideways & broken the window (an accident!).

A parent volunteered to bring a rose plant, but all steadfastly stayed silent when volunteers to clean the toilet were called for. I am sure they thought the toilets were dirty to begin with & were refusing out of principal.

This was unusual, as all of the other teachers we have encountered have been very positive & supportive. This teacher also appeared so, but must have had a bad day.

Meeting concluded at 4.30
Next Capaderillo meeting 8th Sept at 3pm

Mini meeting at Cienegita Mariscos Stand
Who: Holly, Chela, Saul, Laura
When: 5pm – 6.30
Purpose: to discuss plans for expansion of the project, how, who, funding…

We immediately decided to schedule a ½ day planning session at Cedesa, with Jesus, Chela, Holly, Saul & myself.

We discussed how to expand the Project into new communities at the same time as continuing the “process” in the communities we are currently engaged with.

Chela suggested, if we had community promoters in place, they could continue to work within their communities & we could cut back meeting with them to 2 monthly…


Record of Event pg 4 of 4

At each of the communities, the young leaders have been obvious.
Anamaria Torres & Humberto Ramirez in Vivienda de Arriba
Concha & Juan in Los Torres
Eva & Enedina in Montecillo de Nieto
Saul in Capaderillo
Veronica & Maribel in Tierra Blanca

The issue is how to retain this leadership as there is no funding for general community development, & people like Juan for example, have found jobs in other places (Juan at the new golf course)

It would be ideal to be able to offer a stipend for these young people to work in other communities, if they commit to working in their own communities for free.

To reduce the number of visits to communities & maintain the links & quality of information transfer, Chela suggested the Traspatio (back yard production) courses could be offered as 3 separate intensive workshops, instead of monthly meetings (with sporadic attendance).

Work teams were discussed, ie dividing up the region, as there are clusters of communities interested.

The subject of excess funds re the water projects was raised, if we don’t use them for the beneficiary communities the funds must be returned to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). There was discussion about using this funding as seed funding for the eco stove project which we would like to roll out in these communities. (after a pilot, needs analysis, etc)… It has since been decided (& authorized by TRF) to spend these funds ($7k)to put together with a generous direct grant from Tallahassee Club of $7k, to build 21 cisterns in a community with the highest level of fluoride & arsenic in the area.

Mini Meeting concluded at 6.30 (next meeting planning session 17.8.10)
Next Capaderillo meeting 8th Sept at 3pm

9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Record of Event pg 1 of 4

9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Where: Cruz del Palmar Community - Domitila’s Casa (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 11.08.10 11.15 – 2pm
Who: Chela, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 33 adults incl 3 men, + 11kids, 4 dogs,

Purpose: Review construction of individual cisterns

There were 2 new people here today & 3 who had only attended 1 previous meeting, so we introduced ourselves.

I apologised for not speaking Spanish well, they all joked & said next month’s meeting will be in English…

Chela asked the women to describe for me what had taken place at the previous meeting (I did not attend as I was in NZ).

Last month they talked about
• back yard gardens, why it was better to grow your own food than buy it, including cheaper, more healthy, fewer chemicals, beneficial bacteria, medicinal plants, plants for human & animal food.
• Maintenance of cisterns
• Review of cisterns progress

Domitila was elected as co-ordinator
Analaura records taker.

Agenda points were called for:
• The next stage/Phase II?
• Review of cisterns progress
• Traspatios/back yard gardens

It was noted there is a govt. Oportunidades Program mtg on at the same time which is why some people are not here today.

Re (possible) Phase II Planning
There are currently 11 people on the list, including one woman who came to earlier meetings but was unable to attend re small children, so dropped out, she wants to be re-included. Elizabeth was voted able to go on the list.

There was an old woman (Euphemia), who works very hard & lives alone & was unable to attend previous meetings, she would like to be considered for a tinaco (plastic tank), she has one daughter who comes to visit her. Her only source of water is the river, which is often dry, or dirty with kitchen scraps.

The women at the assembly were asked for their opinions
Tere “ a plastic tank would be a good idea for her”
Wenseslada agreed since it would be hard for her to build a cistern & cisterns should be kept for families.
A plastic tank is less work, but she still needs to help other people & other people will need to help her, like in other communities, come together to help the older people (Tere).




Record of Event pg 2 of 4

Another older woman – mother of Maria Banca (new) has not attended other meetings as they were on too early for her, right when she was working, if they were later in the day she would be able to attend. She is here representing her daughter Maria, who has 2 children.

In the end the Phase II list was amended
17 cisterns, including 2 tinacos, & 1 for pilot at the church. Ie 14 family cisterns, 2 tinacos (plastic tanks) & 1 for the church.

Analaura has the complete list in the records book.

There was some discussion as to whether to close the list or not, & I pointed out since funding has not been secured yet, it is fine to keep it open, as long as the additional people on the list are aware of the commitment & continue to participate in planning meetings in the interim.

Domitila mentioned a representative from the community of El Cortijo (near Montecillo de Nieto) had asked her about joining the project – there are approx. 12 families there, without water, (only delivered irregularly by pipa – water truck), a representative will need to attend an assembly to make contact with us.

Chela mentioned there have been many requests for assistance by many communities & there is the possibility of an extension of this project with the Presidencia.

The first phase has had the experience & training of building cisterns & co-ordinating meetings & workgroups , these people need to assist the next phase…

Revision of Phase I
25 out of 27 cisterns (20 originally planned) have been completed.
The last 2 are finished but are awaiting connection to the roof of the houses, that are being built as part of the Casa Diferente Program (materials provided, people build their own house).

All cisterns are now ½ or more full (depending on size of the roof catchment area).
Any/all problems have been resolved.

Chela & I asked them to describe the difference the cisterns have caused for their families:

“we’re happy we just have to turn the tap & fresh water that tastes good comes out – there is no need to buy water – the flavour is very good & it’s very fresh & cool” – Domitila

Josefina “ very delicious, we’re very happy, it’s worth the hard work”

Tere gave a gift of water in an empty coke bottle to friends & they couldn’t believe it tasted better than bought water.

Jesus “ very convenient, very reliable & safe to drink, a good solution:”

Domi said “it is clean out of the cistern, or black & yellow if it does arrive, out of the other pipes” (some houses in CdP have water on tap, but the delivery is sporadic & the quality is undrinkable)



Record of Event pg 3 of 4

Chela reminded everyone how important the maintenance (as discussed last meeting) is, you must make sure your roofs are free of dust & other rubbish. Domi said she brushes her roof regularly between the rains now.

The subject of coke came up & Chela mentioned some interesting facts
• More than 12 spoons of sugar in one bottle
• The kidneys can’t filter this much sugar & chemicals so it gets into the pancreas & can lead to diabetes, hypertension/high blood pressure.
• 9 pesos for a small bottle of coke, 23 pesos for 2.5 ltr of coke
• 1 2.5 ltr bottle of coke per day = $8395pesos per year (this amazed people!)
• (many families buy 3 2.5ltr bottles per day!)
• Laura mentioned it takes 2.5 litres of good water to make 1 litre of coke
• Giving it to your kids is the same as giving them “poison”
• No-one personally knows the makers of coke, you are not supporting “friends” by buying it, you are supporting an anonymous corporation.
• The plastic bottles are very hard to dispose of in the countryside.
• It’s damaging to your health, then you have to spend money on doctors & clinics
• Coke is a diuretic

Children are becoming accustomed (essentially addicted) to the taste of coke, Chela suggested making fruit waters. Chela proposed they try a week of just drinking water & fruit juices (home made), & give their kidneys a break. …Most thought this was an amusing suggestion, some thought it was a good idea.


Laura & Chela asked how they would describe the experience of working in groups?

Jesus “workgroups are great, every day is different, lots of harmony & singing & laughing, sharing food & drink – cokes!! Also you begin to know people better & begin a relationship.

One woman responded that Jesus likes it for the free food! Everyone laughed & agreed!

“working in groups means you advance faster”
“each group has different experiences of working in a group, some less effective, some helped with the wire weaving but didn’t help with the concrete work.”

Chela asked the community to identify the experts on cisterns in this community.
In other communities – eg Los Torres, there are now 2 or 3 people who have become expert at the process…

This community agreed many men only helped certain days & could not identify experts, they said mainly women did the work, with the men just coming to do the cement application.

They agreed they would probably still need help with tech assistance for any Phase II people.

The Padre of the church has mentioned to some of the families he would like a cistern, they agreed it would be a good place to do the pilot for phase II.

The roll was called, 6 people missing from Phase I (they are @ the Oportunidades Program). All were present from the Phase II list.



Record of Event pg 4 of 4

Traspatio/Back yard gardens
Chela is going to report back about the possibility of a workshop(s) or regular meetings re this topic, there seems to be interest, but in Los Torres for example, the attendance is sporadic.

We finished at 1.15

Next assembly 8th Sept. 11am (Domitila’s house)

Chela asked Jesus if he had a few eggs he could cook up for snack for us, since we were meeting in Capaderillo next & would have no time for lunch. Jesus has many hens & she knew he would have some eggs. We went to his place & he cooked us some rice, & fried eggs & a calabash casserole!









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or
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