14 de abril del 2011
Over 100 people from 15 communities in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende attended the Encuentro Campesino organized by CEDESA in the community of Los Torres on April 14, 2011.
The communities that participated included Cruz del Palmar, Corralejos de Abajo, Palmita II, Montecillo de Nieto, San Lorenzo, Villa Guadalupe, Tierra Blanca, Capaderillo, Guerrero, VIvienda Urbana, Juan Gonzales, La Tinaja, Presita Santa Rosa, Cienaga de Juana Ruiz and of course Los Torres, which hosted the event. Two communities that are part of the Rural Citizens Council on Water did not attend, Vivienda de Arriba and Cinco Señores.
The event started with audio-visuals – a power-point presentation called “Tierra” that gave a general overview of the situation of climate change from a global perspective; a power-point presentation called “El Pueblo del Maiz” that dealt with that emblematic plant that is basic to the history, culture and economy of Mexico in terms of origins, bio-technology, and food sovereignty; and finally, a drawing made by children of Tierra Blanca illustrating that community’s territory, including ejido, other milpas, church, ancient burial sites and homes.
The women of Los Torres provided a delicious lunch, served for the most part on non-disposable plates (and plates that the participants brought) to avoid the contamination of paper- & Styrofoam plates and cups that have in recent years accompanied most community fiestas but that we are consciously trying to eliminate from our collective practice.
After lunch, the assembly was divided into six groups; three of people under 35 and three of people over 35. In these groups, the presentations were discussed and solutions proposed; representatives of each group presented their groups’ conclusions.
Regarding climate change, the groups’ conclusions included curtailing non-ecological practices such as the burning of fields to clear them and cutting of trees for firewood; and in place of those practices, planting trees, especially on the banks of rivers and using crop rotation and combinations to enrich the soil.
Regarding food sovereignty, the groups discussed how to avoid bio-engineered plants (exchange of seeds, seed banks) and dependence on the food industry (growing one’s own food in gardens, exchanging products).
Regarding territory, representatives of the groups mentioned the problems of immigration, to the cities and to the North, and purchase of land by foreigners and agribusiness; solutions proposed were to develop self-sufficient family economies through improved farming practices, family enterprises and campaigns against selling of land.
The participants in this first Encuentro Campesino were enthusiastic about meeting again in order to learn some practical ways to improve their self-sufficiency in ecologically sound ways. CEDESA proposed five mini-workshops to take place on May 25, 2011 in the community of Capaderillo, including terracing of fields to retain rainwater that would otherwise be run-off; bio-intensive gardening, using compost and plants germinated in seedbeds; the cultivation of nopal in “tunnels” (homemade greenhouses) for production of tender pads for eating and fruits; backyard design, including permaculture concepts of placement of elements such as pathways, vegetable gardens, herb gardens, fruit trees, animals, and eco-technologies such as gray-water filtering, drip-irrigation; and medicinal plants, including common species that can be gathered in the wild or cultivated and techniques for preparing teas, infusions and salves.
It was announced at this meeting that the board of directors of the Rural Citizens Council on Water will be meeting with Mayor Lucy Nuñez on Monday, May 2. The board agreed to meet in Montecillo de Nieto on April 27 to plan that meeting, and all participants were encouraged to bring their concerns to the board via their Council representatives, to be dealt with at the meeting with the Mayor.
The rainwater-harvesting system pilot project was confirmed for the communities of Juan Gonzales, San Lorenzo and Cinco Señores, to start on April 25. Though financing by the Fondo Verde has been approved for the 14 cisterns to be built in the latter two communities, the funds have not yet been released.
Two communities, Presita Santa Rosa and Guerrero, asked CEDESA for organizational help in calling assemblies to resolve problems of lack of participation and refusal by the delegado to sign the nomination documents for the Council and applications for dry toilets. We have called an assembly in Presita Santa Rosa for April 27 at 11 a.m. and in Guerrero on April 29 at 12 noon.
SAPASMA, the municipal water utility, has committed $435,000 pesos for the construction of 53 rain-harvesting systems in the communities of Villa de Guadalupe and Cienaga de Juana Ruiz. The pilot projects for those two projects, (during which the participating families will be trained in the construction cisterns), will begin on May 2 & May 9 respectively. There will be an assembly in Villa de Guadalupe on April 29 to finalize their planning for the pilot and also to update the community with regard to the issues with the well; and a planning assembly in Cienaga de Juana Ruiz on May 4 to plan their pilot.
These minutes respectfully submitted by Holly Yasui (Cedesa).
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
1st Mtg Cienega Juana Ruiz
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
Where: Salon de Lectura
When: Wed 13.4.11 3.40pm (we were late) – 5pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly + Audelia (Cedesa), Laura, (Rotary), + 20 adults (incl 2 men) from Community of Cienega.
Purpose: 1st planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Villa de Guadalupe) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 26 family cisterns in Cienega + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
The attendance roll was read out.
Chela explained that representatives of this community had been regularly attending assemblies in other communities to ask for assistance in receiving materials & training to build cisterns, as they have no safe drinking water here.
Chela asked everyone in the circle to introduce themselves.
She then gave a little of the history of the projects to date, Saul explained that today’s meeting was as a result of the Consejo deciding that Cienega were to be next in line to receive resources, hence they were receiving resources from Sapasma for 26 cisterns in this community, as well as $$ from Bellingham Rotary club to pay for the pilot training cistern.
Chela said so we’re here today to begin planning but also to get to know eachother better.
It is very important for the sake of future projects that this project be successful, as it is essentially a pilot project for Sapasma, to learn how to do more of these in other communities, they will be treating this as a model & also learning in Villa de Guadalupe.
The community mentioned they had 5 or 6 meetings on the topic of water already, “we were very united while we had the project to build this building (the salon we were sitting in) & we are keen to unite to achieve safe drinking water for our community as the next project”
We proposed that the pilot be 9/5 – community agreed this would be a good time as later they would have to be working planting in the fields as the rains are the only way to water their crops & they need to plant in readiness.
Saul asked if everyone is aware of the work process of this project.
Saul asked someone to describe what working in groups meant, one of the older guys responded that that’s how they built their corrals, we work together, & each family provides food. This community has also been working together for years to grow medicinal herbs which they sell in various locations including the market in SMA.
Amelia (the delegada’s wife) explained that it is not her responsibility to advise people about the meeting times, if people are interested they need to come to her, or write it down from the last meeting.
Saul responded – for us this is good, if you are organized & harmonious it’s good for us & also very good for Sapasma, since this is a pilot project, & will encourage more projects of this type in the future. So, if you are harmonious congratulations! & it will be much easier for all of us.
Saul began to describe the process: we begin in a public location that will benefit everyone, & build a pilot cistern there, during the construction of that cistern – approx. 4.5 days, everyone will learn the process of building a cistern & connecting it to your roof, so you can build your own in family groups.
Current water situation
The question of contamination arose - & the community informed they have damaged teeth, they dig shallow wells by the river to get their water, but at the end of the dry season hard to find.
Re the big Pozo (well), there is still a problem with the concession of this well, the concession holder has gone to the States & needs to sign over paperwork to someone else to be able to connect & use the pozo. There were pipes laid years ago, but it has not been resolved since then & therefore these pipes are now in a state of dis-repair. The community paid for these pipes, by individual family contribution.
They have been working approx. 7 years on this, & by their admission worked a bit backwards, ie they put in the piping first & still have not had it connected so they need to spend more money on repairs & need to work out how & who to charge for this… it is 3 yrs since they put in the pipes.
Position for pilot cistern
Apparently they already have a cistern at the kinder so decided to build the pilot a the health clinic instead.
Pilot start date 9/5.
Laura to have materials paid & delivered by 6/5 in readiness for 9/5.
Next meeting (Sapasma also invited) 4/5/11 at 4pm at the Salon de Lectura
Meeting adjourned & we were taken to the Community kitchen, & offered tostadas with lettuce & soya “meat”, tomato, avocado & cilantro…
While we were there we noticed they had a number of treadle sewing machines, apparently it was part of a govt. program, but the training was too condensed & no-one remembers, Laura undertook to see if she could find some “sewing experts” to give lessons.
Where: Salon de Lectura
When: Wed 13.4.11 3.40pm (we were late) – 5pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly + Audelia (Cedesa), Laura, (Rotary), + 20 adults (incl 2 men) from Community of Cienega.
Purpose: 1st planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Villa de Guadalupe) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 26 family cisterns in Cienega + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
The attendance roll was read out.
Chela explained that representatives of this community had been regularly attending assemblies in other communities to ask for assistance in receiving materials & training to build cisterns, as they have no safe drinking water here.
Chela asked everyone in the circle to introduce themselves.
She then gave a little of the history of the projects to date, Saul explained that today’s meeting was as a result of the Consejo deciding that Cienega were to be next in line to receive resources, hence they were receiving resources from Sapasma for 26 cisterns in this community, as well as $$ from Bellingham Rotary club to pay for the pilot training cistern.
Chela said so we’re here today to begin planning but also to get to know eachother better.
It is very important for the sake of future projects that this project be successful, as it is essentially a pilot project for Sapasma, to learn how to do more of these in other communities, they will be treating this as a model & also learning in Villa de Guadalupe.
The community mentioned they had 5 or 6 meetings on the topic of water already, “we were very united while we had the project to build this building (the salon we were sitting in) & we are keen to unite to achieve safe drinking water for our community as the next project”
We proposed that the pilot be 9/5 – community agreed this would be a good time as later they would have to be working planting in the fields as the rains are the only way to water their crops & they need to plant in readiness.
Saul asked if everyone is aware of the work process of this project.
Saul asked someone to describe what working in groups meant, one of the older guys responded that that’s how they built their corrals, we work together, & each family provides food. This community has also been working together for years to grow medicinal herbs which they sell in various locations including the market in SMA.
Amelia (the delegada’s wife) explained that it is not her responsibility to advise people about the meeting times, if people are interested they need to come to her, or write it down from the last meeting.
Saul responded – for us this is good, if you are organized & harmonious it’s good for us & also very good for Sapasma, since this is a pilot project, & will encourage more projects of this type in the future. So, if you are harmonious congratulations! & it will be much easier for all of us.
Saul began to describe the process: we begin in a public location that will benefit everyone, & build a pilot cistern there, during the construction of that cistern – approx. 4.5 days, everyone will learn the process of building a cistern & connecting it to your roof, so you can build your own in family groups.
Current water situation
The question of contamination arose - & the community informed they have damaged teeth, they dig shallow wells by the river to get their water, but at the end of the dry season hard to find.
Re the big Pozo (well), there is still a problem with the concession of this well, the concession holder has gone to the States & needs to sign over paperwork to someone else to be able to connect & use the pozo. There were pipes laid years ago, but it has not been resolved since then & therefore these pipes are now in a state of dis-repair. The community paid for these pipes, by individual family contribution.
They have been working approx. 7 years on this, & by their admission worked a bit backwards, ie they put in the piping first & still have not had it connected so they need to spend more money on repairs & need to work out how & who to charge for this… it is 3 yrs since they put in the pipes.
Position for pilot cistern
Apparently they already have a cistern at the kinder so decided to build the pilot a the health clinic instead.
Pilot start date 9/5.
Laura to have materials paid & delivered by 6/5 in readiness for 9/5.
Next meeting (Sapasma also invited) 4/5/11 at 4pm at the Salon de Lectura
Meeting adjourned & we were taken to the Community kitchen, & offered tostadas with lettuce & soya “meat”, tomato, avocado & cilantro…
While we were there we noticed they had a number of treadle sewing machines, apparently it was part of a govt. program, but the training was too condensed & no-one remembers, Laura undertook to see if she could find some “sewing experts” to give lessons.
2nd Meeting Villa de Guadalupe
Where: Church courtyard
When: Wed 13.4.11 11am - 1.25pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura, Enrique (Rotary), 9 promoters from Sapasma, Community of Villa de G. 43 adults (incl 9 men) + 3 kids.
Purpose: 1st planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Cienega Juana Ruiz) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 27 family cisterns in Villa de Guadalupe + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
Before everyone assembled we had a brief discussion re the history of VdG, it started only in 1983, with people from La Palmita II receiving ejido land here. Because of lack of water it was very difficult & of the 40-50 people who settled originally only 7 families stayed, & others move away (some to SMA, 1 of these came back later).
Chela began – 1st we need to ask permission to take photos & video to record the process. We have explained previously the reason we take photos is for us to be able to explain the need & ideally source more funds for more projects in the communities in need. The community all agreed.
Next the roll was called, at the early part of the meeting 11 off the list of previous attendees were missing. Many arrived late.
Introductions around the circle:
Chela gave a little history of our collaboration, Enrique added that Sapasma were here to learn the process alongside all of us.
Chela explained the roll of all parties, Sapasma will provide funding, Rotary will co-ordinate (& administer funds – as it was discovered 1 wk later), Cedesa will provide training & co-ordination skills, & the community will participate, learn the process, & do the work to construct the cisterns… All this hopefully before the rains come!
Chela described a little about the region/Consejo – how the work has developed & how the communities are now collaborating.
The “region” of 18 communities is divided into micro regions…
Micro region 1 – Cinco Senores, Juan Gonzalez, San Lorenzo, Corralejo de Abajo, Palmita II, Cienega, La Tinaja & Villa de Guadalupe.
Micro region 2 – Capaderillo (40 cisterns) , La Aurora, Guerrero, Vivienda Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa.
Micro region 3 – Tierra Blanca (42) , Los Torres (52), Cruz del Palmar (27), Vivienda de Arriba (17), Montecillo de Nieto (30),
& Palencia, nth of Dolores Hidalgo (21)
The region have prioritized the communities regarding order to receive cisterns, & Sapasma is responding by providing funding for 2 communities.
Objective To provide safe drinking water for generations to come, ie without fluoride or arsenic , because fluoride causes many problems, not just in the teeth, but all the major organs of the body.
We started these projects in Los Torres, we know they have high levels of fluoride, UNAM have done a study beginning in 1998 which discovered the fluoride contamination issue in this region, & have been working to communicate the drastic effects of fluoride.
The fluoride issue is part of a wider study undertaken on the area to understand the water situation in this region. They now know that the aquifer in this region services not just SMA but 6 other municipalities. The water we are drinking today is 1000’s of years old & is not recharging, but rather the aquifer is reducing at an average rate of 1mtr per year.
A diplomado was held at Cedesa in 2008/09 during which the information about the aquifer & water in general was shared with up to 80 communities with up to 120 attendees every 2nd Saturday for 10 mths. They looked at options for preventing contamination/providing safe water, they did many tests & discovered only really 2 options, 1. To distill the water using solar distillation, 2. To catch the rainwater. Cisterns are the least expensive, least maintenance & most productive option.
For this reason – we are here – now let’s begin planning this project!!
Chela asked who will co-ordinate & take records for this meeting? She explained this is part of the process of every meeting, ie to appoint someone to keep order & someone to record decisions, actions & attendance.
With a different co-ordinator each meeting, more people learn the process.
There were then votes for 2 proposed people, Poli & Martin.
Martin was selected.
Margarita was voted to take notes.
We also pass the list (take the roll) at all meetings, this is to see who has attended most consistently, it was with this information that the micro regions were able to determine the priority communities, so again today, we will take the roll… (for the 2nd time since many turned up late).
There are 23 here so we are missing 4 from the proposed recipients list.
Saul pointed out that it is important for everyone to know what they are getting themselves into with this project, it is not easy & now is the time to make the firm commitment.
Chela explained re the work groups they need to form, that it is important for these to be formed with good feeling & harmony, for them to work effectively & without issue. She asked “what happens if you are not in harmony or good relations?” they answered – we will not work well.
Points for today’s agenda were called for:
• Subterranean cisterns
• Work groups
• Date of pilot
• Place of pilot
• Pozo/Corralejo water sharing discussion
Subterranean Cisterns
Martin asked why we do not make cisterns below ground/subterranean?
There was much discussion about this, & the reasons were explained –
• the ground is very hard therefore difficult to excavate,
• the method of construction would have to be different in each case,
• so not easy to teach,
• the cistern would need a pump or buckets to be lowered to collect the water – the pump is expensive & the buckets introduce bacteria/dirt & require a lot of energy,
• with the above ground model we don’t require engineering expertise in each case,
• kids can fall into below ground cisterns
Work groups
After much discussion the following work groups were established. It was explained ideal to have min 2 abaniles in each group. C = co-ordinator, A = Abanile
Chela asked people to raise their hands if they were abaniles, 4 raised their hands so 1 was appointed to each group. Chela explained that if there are not enough abaniles the group can contribute to pay someone to assist them.
Other forms of assistance are to provide food & drink.
Saul mentioned the abaniles could work on the weekends with the women doing the rest of the work.
Absences were discussed, Chela asked if they are not attending today are they interested or not?
The crowd responded “not”.
One young woman was not able to make it but instead provided a very large container of drink & cups for everyone, she is definitely interested but could not attend, her mother in law was here & reported this. She has attended all previous meetings.
A new person was proposed, she was very active in previous meetings too, this person was proposed & accepted. Martin volunteered to give up his spot on the list since he has only recently moved here & does not have much space, this was good as we had more people wanting cisterns than we had $$ for & it made the numbers balance…There will be some people deferring to stage II (by choice).
Co-ordinators for each group were appointed, with their roles explained, & also a co-ordinator for the whole community Margarita/Adriana Ramirez Gonzalez was chosen since she was willing & had a phone…ph 415 119 4246
There was a call for doubts & questions but there were none.
Date & Place of Pilot
All voted for the kinder – 16 children attend the kinder.
Pilot to start on 2/5 (since JG/SL & 5S pilot is starting on the 25/4)
The established start time was 9am, with finish time depending on how fast they work.
Laura to order materials to arrive for the pilot on 29/4 in time for the pilot. Family materials to be ordered to arrive approx. 9/5/11.
Food is bought to the site, those not working can bring food to those who are…
There was more discussion about the forms of work, how they will work together, the timing of deliveries of materials so all can advance at the same rate, it’s easy for a change of mind to happen, ie when someone is finished theirs to drop out of the group, & we want to avoid that happening…
Working together is difficult & hard work bua as soon as you drink the 1st glass of water when the rains arrive you will see how worth it it all has been!
One young woman asked when the 2nd stage will begin as her house is not constructed yet, she (Eulelia) was appointed the task of keeping the list of the 2nd stage participants.
Discussion re the tools needed: ladders, wheelbarrows, shovels, sieves, grinder to make the hooks etc.
Planning meeting ended at 1.25pm
We adjourned for the usual delicious lunch – freshly made tortillas, red rice, beans, garbanzos, greens.
Pozo/Well discussion
Next was a meeting about the lack of water in VdG, ie the possibility of sharing the Corralejo Pozo, or having their own. This community has been without water forever. They have made several contributions to pozos, but all they have to show for it is piping & a large reservoir that has never had water in it. There has been ongoing (12 yrs) conflict with neighbouring community Corralejo, who did successfully achieve a pozo, & were initially supposed to have shared with VdG, but for errors on both sides this has not happened.
Martin led the discussion on this, he had a lot of official paperwork & was representing an organization (I didn’t catch the name) that works on legal issues…There were only 29 heads of households there so not an official assembly, ie not a majority, it was therefore suggested that the information be collated - including payments made to date, secret well, possibility of legalization of this, the representatives agreed to make a presentation to the Presidencia at the next Consejo meeting.
Next meeting date is date of 1st day of Pilot 2/5/11 at 9am at Kinder
When: Wed 13.4.11 11am - 1.25pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura, Enrique (Rotary), 9 promoters from Sapasma, Community of Villa de G. 43 adults (incl 9 men) + 3 kids.
Purpose: 1st planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Cienega Juana Ruiz) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 27 family cisterns in Villa de Guadalupe + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
Before everyone assembled we had a brief discussion re the history of VdG, it started only in 1983, with people from La Palmita II receiving ejido land here. Because of lack of water it was very difficult & of the 40-50 people who settled originally only 7 families stayed, & others move away (some to SMA, 1 of these came back later).
Chela began – 1st we need to ask permission to take photos & video to record the process. We have explained previously the reason we take photos is for us to be able to explain the need & ideally source more funds for more projects in the communities in need. The community all agreed.
Next the roll was called, at the early part of the meeting 11 off the list of previous attendees were missing. Many arrived late.
Introductions around the circle:
Chela gave a little history of our collaboration, Enrique added that Sapasma were here to learn the process alongside all of us.
Chela explained the roll of all parties, Sapasma will provide funding, Rotary will co-ordinate (& administer funds – as it was discovered 1 wk later), Cedesa will provide training & co-ordination skills, & the community will participate, learn the process, & do the work to construct the cisterns… All this hopefully before the rains come!
Chela described a little about the region/Consejo – how the work has developed & how the communities are now collaborating.
The “region” of 18 communities is divided into micro regions…
Micro region 1 – Cinco Senores, Juan Gonzalez, San Lorenzo, Corralejo de Abajo, Palmita II, Cienega, La Tinaja & Villa de Guadalupe.
Micro region 2 – Capaderillo (40 cisterns) , La Aurora, Guerrero, Vivienda Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa.
Micro region 3 – Tierra Blanca (42) , Los Torres (52), Cruz del Palmar (27), Vivienda de Arriba (17), Montecillo de Nieto (30),
& Palencia, nth of Dolores Hidalgo (21)
The region have prioritized the communities regarding order to receive cisterns, & Sapasma is responding by providing funding for 2 communities.
Objective To provide safe drinking water for generations to come, ie without fluoride or arsenic , because fluoride causes many problems, not just in the teeth, but all the major organs of the body.
We started these projects in Los Torres, we know they have high levels of fluoride, UNAM have done a study beginning in 1998 which discovered the fluoride contamination issue in this region, & have been working to communicate the drastic effects of fluoride.
The fluoride issue is part of a wider study undertaken on the area to understand the water situation in this region. They now know that the aquifer in this region services not just SMA but 6 other municipalities. The water we are drinking today is 1000’s of years old & is not recharging, but rather the aquifer is reducing at an average rate of 1mtr per year.
A diplomado was held at Cedesa in 2008/09 during which the information about the aquifer & water in general was shared with up to 80 communities with up to 120 attendees every 2nd Saturday for 10 mths. They looked at options for preventing contamination/providing safe water, they did many tests & discovered only really 2 options, 1. To distill the water using solar distillation, 2. To catch the rainwater. Cisterns are the least expensive, least maintenance & most productive option.
For this reason – we are here – now let’s begin planning this project!!
Chela asked who will co-ordinate & take records for this meeting? She explained this is part of the process of every meeting, ie to appoint someone to keep order & someone to record decisions, actions & attendance.
With a different co-ordinator each meeting, more people learn the process.
There were then votes for 2 proposed people, Poli & Martin.
Martin was selected.
Margarita was voted to take notes.
We also pass the list (take the roll) at all meetings, this is to see who has attended most consistently, it was with this information that the micro regions were able to determine the priority communities, so again today, we will take the roll… (for the 2nd time since many turned up late).
There are 23 here so we are missing 4 from the proposed recipients list.
Saul pointed out that it is important for everyone to know what they are getting themselves into with this project, it is not easy & now is the time to make the firm commitment.
Chela explained re the work groups they need to form, that it is important for these to be formed with good feeling & harmony, for them to work effectively & without issue. She asked “what happens if you are not in harmony or good relations?” they answered – we will not work well.
Points for today’s agenda were called for:
• Subterranean cisterns
• Work groups
• Date of pilot
• Place of pilot
• Pozo/Corralejo water sharing discussion
Subterranean Cisterns
Martin asked why we do not make cisterns below ground/subterranean?
There was much discussion about this, & the reasons were explained –
• the ground is very hard therefore difficult to excavate,
• the method of construction would have to be different in each case,
• so not easy to teach,
• the cistern would need a pump or buckets to be lowered to collect the water – the pump is expensive & the buckets introduce bacteria/dirt & require a lot of energy,
• with the above ground model we don’t require engineering expertise in each case,
• kids can fall into below ground cisterns
Work groups
After much discussion the following work groups were established. It was explained ideal to have min 2 abaniles in each group. C = co-ordinator, A = Abanile
Chela asked people to raise their hands if they were abaniles, 4 raised their hands so 1 was appointed to each group. Chela explained that if there are not enough abaniles the group can contribute to pay someone to assist them.
Other forms of assistance are to provide food & drink.
Saul mentioned the abaniles could work on the weekends with the women doing the rest of the work.
Absences were discussed, Chela asked if they are not attending today are they interested or not?
The crowd responded “not”.
One young woman was not able to make it but instead provided a very large container of drink & cups for everyone, she is definitely interested but could not attend, her mother in law was here & reported this. She has attended all previous meetings.
A new person was proposed, she was very active in previous meetings too, this person was proposed & accepted. Martin volunteered to give up his spot on the list since he has only recently moved here & does not have much space, this was good as we had more people wanting cisterns than we had $$ for & it made the numbers balance…There will be some people deferring to stage II (by choice).
Co-ordinators for each group were appointed, with their roles explained, & also a co-ordinator for the whole community Margarita/Adriana Ramirez Gonzalez was chosen since she was willing & had a phone…ph 415 119 4246
There was a call for doubts & questions but there were none.
Date & Place of Pilot
All voted for the kinder – 16 children attend the kinder.
Pilot to start on 2/5 (since JG/SL & 5S pilot is starting on the 25/4)
The established start time was 9am, with finish time depending on how fast they work.
Laura to order materials to arrive for the pilot on 29/4 in time for the pilot. Family materials to be ordered to arrive approx. 9/5/11.
Food is bought to the site, those not working can bring food to those who are…
There was more discussion about the forms of work, how they will work together, the timing of deliveries of materials so all can advance at the same rate, it’s easy for a change of mind to happen, ie when someone is finished theirs to drop out of the group, & we want to avoid that happening…
Working together is difficult & hard work bua as soon as you drink the 1st glass of water when the rains arrive you will see how worth it it all has been!
One young woman asked when the 2nd stage will begin as her house is not constructed yet, she (Eulelia) was appointed the task of keeping the list of the 2nd stage participants.
Discussion re the tools needed: ladders, wheelbarrows, shovels, sieves, grinder to make the hooks etc.
Planning meeting ended at 1.25pm
We adjourned for the usual delicious lunch – freshly made tortillas, red rice, beans, garbanzos, greens.
Pozo/Well discussion
Next was a meeting about the lack of water in VdG, ie the possibility of sharing the Corralejo Pozo, or having their own. This community has been without water forever. They have made several contributions to pozos, but all they have to show for it is piping & a large reservoir that has never had water in it. There has been ongoing (12 yrs) conflict with neighbouring community Corralejo, who did successfully achieve a pozo, & were initially supposed to have shared with VdG, but for errors on both sides this has not happened.
Martin led the discussion on this, he had a lot of official paperwork & was representing an organization (I didn’t catch the name) that works on legal issues…There were only 29 heads of households there so not an official assembly, ie not a majority, it was therefore suggested that the information be collated - including payments made to date, secret well, possibility of legalization of this, the representatives agreed to make a presentation to the Presidencia at the next Consejo meeting.
Next meeting date is date of 1st day of Pilot 2/5/11 at 9am at Kinder
Monday, April 11, 2011
Cemex joins with Rotary to provide Cisterns
For sometime we have been attempting to find a less expensive source for cement, a major cost in the materials to build the cisterns.
Rotary SMA Midday member Ivar Schacke (& his wife Patricia) made contact with a very kind Sr Fernando Fuentes at Cemex in Leon who in turn has arranged that a local hardware supplier - Construrama (on the road to Qto) - Sr Apolinar Lugo Rodriquez, will provide cement for the water projects at a 10% discount on retail rate...
This is excellent & will enable us to stretch the $$ further...
Thank you Ivar, Patricia, Cemex & Construrama & team!
Rotary SMA Midday member Ivar Schacke (& his wife Patricia) made contact with a very kind Sr Fernando Fuentes at Cemex in Leon who in turn has arranged that a local hardware supplier - Construrama (on the road to Qto) - Sr Apolinar Lugo Rodriquez, will provide cement for the water projects at a 10% discount on retail rate...
This is excellent & will enable us to stretch the $$ further...
Thank you Ivar, Patricia, Cemex & Construrama & team!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
5th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda Urbana Water Project (part of Micro Region 2)
Where: House near football field.
When: Saturday 9.4.11 11am-2pm
Who: Saul (Cedesa), Gary & Marilyn, Lee D, Walter, Laura (Rotary), members of the community of Vivienda Urbana.
Purpose: Inauguration of this water project 25 cisterns + 1 tinaco, now completed.
This project is now completed, the people participating have constructed 25 cisterns & implemented 1 tinaco (plastic tank for a small family).
The project went very well, with the participants reporting that the process went smoothly.
My son & I had come on Tuesday evening to photograph each of the cisterns, with the families standing in front of them, we printed these photos & they were now proudly displayed on a board above the food tables.
A tarpaulin had been strung across an area, now decorated with balloons & festive table cloths, the sound system was playing banda music & chairs were placed waiting for the people to arrive. We arrived right on time & others slowly made their way there…
The speeches began, with an mc introducing each person & their topic, the speeches were in thanks & giving testimony to the process & how they found the experience. Many re-iterated that this was just the beginning, & they were now moving on to other things, like dry toilets & back yard gardens. They emphasized how much they enjoyed working in groups & how much easier it was to achieve.
I gave the speech on behalf of Bill & the Tallahassee club & Pedrito & the Walla Walla Club, we were then taken to cut the ribbon on 3 cisterns nearby, all of which were decorated with balloons & streamers, & one of which was even sporting a drawing of Jesus on the cross…
After our ribbon cutting & speeches we were seated & feasted upon rice, beans, tortillas, chicheron, garbanzo beans, washed down with delicious watermelon juice.
A great day was had by all, & now all we have to do is wait for the rain!!
Thank you Tallahassee Club & District & Walla Walla Rotary club !!!
When: Saturday 9.4.11 11am-2pm
Who: Saul (Cedesa), Gary & Marilyn, Lee D, Walter, Laura (Rotary), members of the community of Vivienda Urbana.
Purpose: Inauguration of this water project 25 cisterns + 1 tinaco, now completed.
This project is now completed, the people participating have constructed 25 cisterns & implemented 1 tinaco (plastic tank for a small family).
The project went very well, with the participants reporting that the process went smoothly.
My son & I had come on Tuesday evening to photograph each of the cisterns, with the families standing in front of them, we printed these photos & they were now proudly displayed on a board above the food tables.
A tarpaulin had been strung across an area, now decorated with balloons & festive table cloths, the sound system was playing banda music & chairs were placed waiting for the people to arrive. We arrived right on time & others slowly made their way there…
The speeches began, with an mc introducing each person & their topic, the speeches were in thanks & giving testimony to the process & how they found the experience. Many re-iterated that this was just the beginning, & they were now moving on to other things, like dry toilets & back yard gardens. They emphasized how much they enjoyed working in groups & how much easier it was to achieve.
I gave the speech on behalf of Bill & the Tallahassee club & Pedrito & the Walla Walla Club, we were then taken to cut the ribbon on 3 cisterns nearby, all of which were decorated with balloons & streamers, & one of which was even sporting a drawing of Jesus on the cross…
After our ribbon cutting & speeches we were seated & feasted upon rice, beans, tortillas, chicheron, garbanzo beans, washed down with delicious watermelon juice.
A great day was had by all, & now all we have to do is wait for the rain!!
Thank you Tallahassee Club & District & Walla Walla Rotary club !!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Report of 11th Event Re Tierra Blanca
Where: Primary School Tierra Blanca Abajo & Secondaria Tierra Blanca Arriba
When: April 7h 9.30-11am
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary) Gary Reid (Rotary Volunteer)
Purpose: Visit the 4th day of training re the 2 cisterns being constructed as Pilots in Tierra Blanca.
Gary & I arrived at the Primary school to find people working on the final stages of the cistern. The internal concrete plastering was being completed, & the cone shaped top of the cistern had been constructed & was to be attached to the concreted cylinder.
We took some photos had a bit of a joke with people & then Saul took us to the other cistern, being completed at the Secondary school up the top of Tierra Blanca.
When we arrived at the Secondary school, they were in full swing. The secondary school is very new, the grounds have not been established, & there are 2 portable classrooms above the permanent classroom. This had been the more difficult place to build, all the materials had to be wheelbarrowed across rough ground up a steep slope to the location of the 2nd cistern.
We took some more photos & then headed off.
The materials for the individual family cisterns are being delivered in the next few days, so the construction of the 40 family cisterns will begin soon.
When: April 7h 9.30-11am
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary) Gary Reid (Rotary Volunteer)
Purpose: Visit the 4th day of training re the 2 cisterns being constructed as Pilots in Tierra Blanca.
Gary & I arrived at the Primary school to find people working on the final stages of the cistern. The internal concrete plastering was being completed, & the cone shaped top of the cistern had been constructed & was to be attached to the concreted cylinder.
We took some photos had a bit of a joke with people & then Saul took us to the other cistern, being completed at the Secondary school up the top of Tierra Blanca.
When we arrived at the Secondary school, they were in full swing. The secondary school is very new, the grounds have not been established, & there are 2 portable classrooms above the permanent classroom. This had been the more difficult place to build, all the materials had to be wheelbarrowed across rough ground up a steep slope to the location of the 2nd cistern.
We took some more photos & then headed off.
The materials for the individual family cisterns are being delivered in the next few days, so the construction of the 40 family cisterns will begin soon.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Record of Event - 1st Mtg Villa de Guadalupe
Where: Primary school at Villa de Guadalupe
When: Wed 6.4.11 3pm-4.20
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), community of Villa de Guadalupe (41 adults, incl 7 men, + 8 kids)
Purpose: The first meeting re the planning meeting re the implementation of the Project for 27 cisterns (+1 pilot) to be funded by Sapasma matching grant, in a collaborative project between, the water team (Rotary, Cedesa & the community) & Sapasma.
Meeting began with introductions all round, everyone said their names.
Chela asked me to explain the process of the water project, eg from Pilot to splitting into groups, to constructing the individual family cisterns. The materials & training normally paid for by Rotary funding will in this case be funded by Sapasma.
This project is very important as it is the first one with Sapasma, & important to ensure it succeeds.
This project is not a program or handout, it involves full participation, commitment & learning.
Saul described more about the actual work with wire & cement etc & the fact that it is essential for all to attend the 4 days of the pilot training sessions to know every part of the process.
Working in groups is compulsory, it’s not like you say “I’ve finished my cistern – bye – you have to work with your whole group to complete all the cisterns”.
There is sufficient funding for 53 cisterns with the US$35k pledged by Sapasma.
Rotary also has a donation cheque for $1500 received from Bellingham Rotary Club, this donation will be used to fund the 2 cisterns for the pilots, leaving the 53 cisterns available for families.
27 cisterns will be available for Villa de Guadalupe & 26 for the community of Cienega.
The attendance was recorded – 19 people on the list were present at previous meetings, there was a long discussion between community members re the previous meetings & who was or wasn’t informed of them. It seems the community is somewhat divided on issues, with people complaining of not being advised of meetings. There was also argument about cost to attend meetings, Saul suggested people should contribute 5 -10 pesos towards gas if others drive to the meetings.
Chela – you guys are in this situation because you are not united as a community & working together to resolve these issues. With the experience of working on the cisterns you will learn to work together, & unfortunately we don’t have much time in advance to work on your agreements/co-operation because the project is about to begin. So now you need to decide who is deserving of the cisterns for the first phase, based on past participation in previous assemblies, from the first 1 in Capaderillo on Nov 2010. The first phase of this project will be for 27 families.
The dates for the next meetings were set:
Villa de Guadalupe 1st planning meeting – 13th April at 11am, (with Sapasma)
Planning meeting re the Pozo, set for 12pm (ie after the cistern planning meeting)
When: Wed 6.4.11 3pm-4.20
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), community of Villa de Guadalupe (41 adults, incl 7 men, + 8 kids)
Purpose: The first meeting re the planning meeting re the implementation of the Project for 27 cisterns (+1 pilot) to be funded by Sapasma matching grant, in a collaborative project between, the water team (Rotary, Cedesa & the community) & Sapasma.
Meeting began with introductions all round, everyone said their names.
Chela asked me to explain the process of the water project, eg from Pilot to splitting into groups, to constructing the individual family cisterns. The materials & training normally paid for by Rotary funding will in this case be funded by Sapasma.
This project is very important as it is the first one with Sapasma, & important to ensure it succeeds.
This project is not a program or handout, it involves full participation, commitment & learning.
Saul described more about the actual work with wire & cement etc & the fact that it is essential for all to attend the 4 days of the pilot training sessions to know every part of the process.
Working in groups is compulsory, it’s not like you say “I’ve finished my cistern – bye – you have to work with your whole group to complete all the cisterns”.
There is sufficient funding for 53 cisterns with the US$35k pledged by Sapasma.
Rotary also has a donation cheque for $1500 received from Bellingham Rotary Club, this donation will be used to fund the 2 cisterns for the pilots, leaving the 53 cisterns available for families.
27 cisterns will be available for Villa de Guadalupe & 26 for the community of Cienega.
The attendance was recorded – 19 people on the list were present at previous meetings, there was a long discussion between community members re the previous meetings & who was or wasn’t informed of them. It seems the community is somewhat divided on issues, with people complaining of not being advised of meetings. There was also argument about cost to attend meetings, Saul suggested people should contribute 5 -10 pesos towards gas if others drive to the meetings.
Chela – you guys are in this situation because you are not united as a community & working together to resolve these issues. With the experience of working on the cisterns you will learn to work together, & unfortunately we don’t have much time in advance to work on your agreements/co-operation because the project is about to begin. So now you need to decide who is deserving of the cisterns for the first phase, based on past participation in previous assemblies, from the first 1 in Capaderillo on Nov 2010. The first phase of this project will be for 27 families.
The dates for the next meetings were set:
Villa de Guadalupe 1st planning meeting – 13th April at 11am, (with Sapasma)
Planning meeting re the Pozo, set for 12pm (ie after the cistern planning meeting)
Report of 1st recorded visit to Corralejo
Where: Corralejo, under big tree in the centre of the community
When: Wed 6th April 2011 11.30
Who: Chela, Holly, Saul (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 33 adults, 10 kids, + 2 puppies & 4 dogs
Purpose: To discuss the issues re sharing of the well the Corralejo community has, which Villa de Guadalupe & Cinco Senores would like to share.
Pre meeting discussion – approx. 50 families in Corralejo, majority of the men are in the USA working, the age of the community is uncertain, approx. 2 generations.
Introductions & points for discussion/today’s agenda
Cinco Senores – 7 people attending,
San Lorenzo – 2 people attending
Corralejo – 15 people attending incl. Juan Bocanegra – delegado
Villa de Guadalupe – 9 people attending
We introduced ourselves, Chela gave a little history of the collaboration of Cedesa & Rotary on the water projects, including the formation of the Consejo (citizen’s council).
Chela asked for proposals for co-ordinator & record taker, a couple of people pointed to eachother, & we all laughed.
Leonila was elected as secretary (because she can write fastest), & Hilda the Corralejo rep. of the Consejo was elected as co-ordinator for today’s meeting.
Hilda asked (on instruction) what is the purpose of today’s meeting?
- To discuss water
- We’re to talk about the possibility of Corralejo sharing their water with us.
- Humberto said”because Chela told us to & Laura gave us a ride” he’s the young man that has begun working with Cedesa, potentially as a promoter.
- “there’s only a few people from Corralejo community who have come to this meeting, & we cant make the decision for the community, there is a water committee but they didn’t want to come”
- Chela”we’re here to see if we can open a dialogue between the Corralejo & the communities that would like to share the well, what is your opinion & what can you suggest? – Sapasma can intervene but we would like to avoid conflict & just discuss this.”
- Chela “we would also like to talk about the technical aspects, like how deep the well is & the quality of the water”
- “we don’t know that, the water committee does”
- Chela asked if they were invited, & apparently they were but have declined to attend.
- We need to present our findings to the next Regional meeting with the presidencia, as this was one of the topics raised to resolve.
- “we never had water, we did a solicitude & got animated, & worked hard, it took a long time, & the other communities got discouraged & gave up, we stayed the distance”
- Corralejo have had this well for 12 years.
- There was much discussion back n forth about VdG’s involvement or not, & awareness of the meetings, & costs. VdG have apparently made several large payments but according to Corralejo none of the money has reached them, & they believe they are entitled to at least some reimbursement for the large cost they paid to have the well installed, & piped.
- Money has been paid to the presidencia & the large tank & some piping was installed at VdG but there was disagreement between the land owner & the pipes going on their land down to Corralejo from VdG… govt wanted much wider space than was necessary.
- Various amounts were quoted including an amount to build a clandestine well as they were desperate.
- A new pump would be needed as VdG is a long way up hill from Corralejo, & Corralejo currently pay a fee each month for the electricity.
- Chela suggested it is a good idea for the communities to come together to make an agreement & then inform the authorities what they have agreed.
- Leonila said there is very little chance of pulling together a meeting in Corralejo with the water committee, they are not interested, & they fight amongst themselves.
- Both communities asked for our presence at their assemblies, they said it would keep things calmer & more productive, as these assemblies are usually pretty contentious.
Cinco Senores described their water situation, they only have water from the river (during summer very shallow & slimy) they can not dig wells because too much hard rock.
Juan Gonzalez also does not have water.
It seems to make sense for Cinco Senores to join with Juan Gonzalez & ask for a well.
Option seems better for VdG to have their own well, & share with San Lorenzo, than to try to resolve the current issue & to have to pump the water such a long way & all up a steep hill.
Maybe there is a concession that could be bought for VdG & legalise the clandestine well?
It was suggested that we (as a team) go to visit the water committee here in Corralejo & ask if they will attend an assembly on the topic of the well.
General discussion – Saul described a little about the sanitarios secos workshop, they met & wrote up the solicitud, then Holly worked for hours to get it sorted to present to the presidencia. Solicitudes are not just a list of names but a cover letter & also signatures of the petitioners.
Enrique (from Cinco Senores) asked about a solicitude for rubbish collection, Chela & Holly suggested recycling & compost would be a better option.
The meeting finished at 1.40pm
We were treated to a meal of rice, nopal, soy & avocado, beans & tortillas with delicious aguas of Strawberry & Jamaica.
Following lunch the team & some of the Corralejo community walked to the houses of some of the water committee reps. One member came to a mini meeting at which we briefly described what we were trying to achieve, ie a meeting with the committee & the Corralejo community to decide what they were prepared to offer with regards sharing the well & what they expected in return, ie what conditions they wanted to impose.
This meeting lasted approx. 25mins. Margarita will see what they can arrange (15th April not possible)
When: Wed 6th April 2011 11.30
Who: Chela, Holly, Saul (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 33 adults, 10 kids, + 2 puppies & 4 dogs
Purpose: To discuss the issues re sharing of the well the Corralejo community has, which Villa de Guadalupe & Cinco Senores would like to share.
Pre meeting discussion – approx. 50 families in Corralejo, majority of the men are in the USA working, the age of the community is uncertain, approx. 2 generations.
Introductions & points for discussion/today’s agenda
Cinco Senores – 7 people attending,
San Lorenzo – 2 people attending
Corralejo – 15 people attending incl. Juan Bocanegra – delegado
Villa de Guadalupe – 9 people attending
We introduced ourselves, Chela gave a little history of the collaboration of Cedesa & Rotary on the water projects, including the formation of the Consejo (citizen’s council).
Chela asked for proposals for co-ordinator & record taker, a couple of people pointed to eachother, & we all laughed.
Leonila was elected as secretary (because she can write fastest), & Hilda the Corralejo rep. of the Consejo was elected as co-ordinator for today’s meeting.
Hilda asked (on instruction) what is the purpose of today’s meeting?
- To discuss water
- We’re to talk about the possibility of Corralejo sharing their water with us.
- Humberto said”because Chela told us to & Laura gave us a ride” he’s the young man that has begun working with Cedesa, potentially as a promoter.
- “there’s only a few people from Corralejo community who have come to this meeting, & we cant make the decision for the community, there is a water committee but they didn’t want to come”
- Chela”we’re here to see if we can open a dialogue between the Corralejo & the communities that would like to share the well, what is your opinion & what can you suggest? – Sapasma can intervene but we would like to avoid conflict & just discuss this.”
- Chela “we would also like to talk about the technical aspects, like how deep the well is & the quality of the water”
- “we don’t know that, the water committee does”
- Chela asked if they were invited, & apparently they were but have declined to attend.
- We need to present our findings to the next Regional meeting with the presidencia, as this was one of the topics raised to resolve.
- “we never had water, we did a solicitude & got animated, & worked hard, it took a long time, & the other communities got discouraged & gave up, we stayed the distance”
- Corralejo have had this well for 12 years.
- There was much discussion back n forth about VdG’s involvement or not, & awareness of the meetings, & costs. VdG have apparently made several large payments but according to Corralejo none of the money has reached them, & they believe they are entitled to at least some reimbursement for the large cost they paid to have the well installed, & piped.
- Money has been paid to the presidencia & the large tank & some piping was installed at VdG but there was disagreement between the land owner & the pipes going on their land down to Corralejo from VdG… govt wanted much wider space than was necessary.
- Various amounts were quoted including an amount to build a clandestine well as they were desperate.
- A new pump would be needed as VdG is a long way up hill from Corralejo, & Corralejo currently pay a fee each month for the electricity.
- Chela suggested it is a good idea for the communities to come together to make an agreement & then inform the authorities what they have agreed.
- Leonila said there is very little chance of pulling together a meeting in Corralejo with the water committee, they are not interested, & they fight amongst themselves.
- Both communities asked for our presence at their assemblies, they said it would keep things calmer & more productive, as these assemblies are usually pretty contentious.
Cinco Senores described their water situation, they only have water from the river (during summer very shallow & slimy) they can not dig wells because too much hard rock.
Juan Gonzalez also does not have water.
It seems to make sense for Cinco Senores to join with Juan Gonzalez & ask for a well.
Option seems better for VdG to have their own well, & share with San Lorenzo, than to try to resolve the current issue & to have to pump the water such a long way & all up a steep hill.
Maybe there is a concession that could be bought for VdG & legalise the clandestine well?
It was suggested that we (as a team) go to visit the water committee here in Corralejo & ask if they will attend an assembly on the topic of the well.
General discussion – Saul described a little about the sanitarios secos workshop, they met & wrote up the solicitud, then Holly worked for hours to get it sorted to present to the presidencia. Solicitudes are not just a list of names but a cover letter & also signatures of the petitioners.
Enrique (from Cinco Senores) asked about a solicitude for rubbish collection, Chela & Holly suggested recycling & compost would be a better option.
The meeting finished at 1.40pm
We were treated to a meal of rice, nopal, soy & avocado, beans & tortillas with delicious aguas of Strawberry & Jamaica.
Following lunch the team & some of the Corralejo community walked to the houses of some of the water committee reps. One member came to a mini meeting at which we briefly described what we were trying to achieve, ie a meeting with the committee & the Corralejo community to decide what they were prepared to offer with regards sharing the well & what they expected in return, ie what conditions they wanted to impose.
This meeting lasted approx. 25mins. Margarita will see what they can arrange (15th April not possible)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Report of 10th Event Re Tierra Blanca
Where: Primary School, Tierra Blanca Abajo
When: April 4th 9.30-2.30
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura, Enrique (Rotary), Waldo Cano + team of promoters (Sapasma) + approx. 50 participants of the project.
Purpose:
1. For Saul to train the 40 families participating in the project in Tierra Blanca – by constructing 2 cisterns (1 at the primary & 1 at the Secondary school)
2. For Sapasma Promoter team to learn the full process of the water projects. Seeing in person the pilot training, & learning more from Saul re the other points.
I arrived approx. 9.40 & training was in full swing. The maya was rolled out on the chicken wire & then more chicken wire placed on top. One of the men was cutting pieces off the maya to grind into hooks for weaving the wire together with the maya in the middle.
The maya lengths are 96 squares long by 16 wide & in each 4” by 4” square, 4 lots of wires are woven.
This full length of wire is then cut into 2 pieces, with the 2nd smaller piece being reserved to make the cone top of the cistern.
Both sets of wires for each pilot was done at the primary school, for Saul to be able to easily train both groups in the same place. Saul was assisted by 2 guys who had completed projects in Vivienda Urbana, great when the trainees become the trainers!! Sharing the expertise.
The kids at the school were buzzing around wondering what was going on.
Everyone was happily participating & concentrating hard to learn the steps.
Please see photos on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com
Enrique arrived with Sapasma approx. 11.30am.
The promoters team came & took photos, & asked questions, to begin to learn the process of this project, they intend to replicate, after the initial Sapasma/Water team projects in Villa de Guadalupe & Cienega.
Saul explained what the participants were doing, & talked a little about the construction & placement of the cisterns, dimensions, capacity etc. We then adjourned under a big gum tree to talk more about the whole process, from beginning to end. The Sapasma team all took notes & asked questions.
We programmed our next meeting with Sapasma (ie the first planning meeting with our joint project community – Villa de Guadalupe…)
Sapasma said they would like to come back each day of the pilot to see progress & learn more & asked if this was ok, of course they were welcome…
I left & drove the bone shaking road back to the highway & then back to San Miguel, hot but happy.
When: April 4th 9.30-2.30
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura, Enrique (Rotary), Waldo Cano + team of promoters (Sapasma) + approx. 50 participants of the project.
Purpose:
1. For Saul to train the 40 families participating in the project in Tierra Blanca – by constructing 2 cisterns (1 at the primary & 1 at the Secondary school)
2. For Sapasma Promoter team to learn the full process of the water projects. Seeing in person the pilot training, & learning more from Saul re the other points.
I arrived approx. 9.40 & training was in full swing. The maya was rolled out on the chicken wire & then more chicken wire placed on top. One of the men was cutting pieces off the maya to grind into hooks for weaving the wire together with the maya in the middle.
The maya lengths are 96 squares long by 16 wide & in each 4” by 4” square, 4 lots of wires are woven.
This full length of wire is then cut into 2 pieces, with the 2nd smaller piece being reserved to make the cone top of the cistern.
Both sets of wires for each pilot was done at the primary school, for Saul to be able to easily train both groups in the same place. Saul was assisted by 2 guys who had completed projects in Vivienda Urbana, great when the trainees become the trainers!! Sharing the expertise.
The kids at the school were buzzing around wondering what was going on.
Everyone was happily participating & concentrating hard to learn the steps.
Please see photos on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com
Enrique arrived with Sapasma approx. 11.30am.
The promoters team came & took photos, & asked questions, to begin to learn the process of this project, they intend to replicate, after the initial Sapasma/Water team projects in Villa de Guadalupe & Cienega.
Saul explained what the participants were doing, & talked a little about the construction & placement of the cisterns, dimensions, capacity etc. We then adjourned under a big gum tree to talk more about the whole process, from beginning to end. The Sapasma team all took notes & asked questions.
We programmed our next meeting with Sapasma (ie the first planning meeting with our joint project community – Villa de Guadalupe…)
Sapasma said they would like to come back each day of the pilot to see progress & learn more & asked if this was ok, of course they were welcome…
I left & drove the bone shaking road back to the highway & then back to San Miguel, hot but happy.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Statistics Update 1 April 2011
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - March 2011
Grand Total of 213 cisterns: 8 projects US$125,153
Los torres 52 cisterns - done in several phases.
Phase II Project : $21,200
Direct Grant Rotary Club Partners amount committed:
RC SMA Midday Mexico 200
Tallahassee RC USA (Bill Webb) 4000
RC of Sechelt BC Canada (Tom Pinfold) 5000
Paso Robles RC USA (Robert Lata) 500
Tyron RC (Jerry Atkins) 5000
RC of Ann Arbor (Len Stringer) 6000
US$ Total of Rotary funds committed 20700
Plus! $500 donation from Skymed/Linda Scholey $500
Phase III project: $12,200
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 1000 DDF 2000
Tyron RC 2500 DDF 2500
Ann Arbour 1500
Sechelt 1500
Trail BC 1000 N/A
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 7700 4500
smcf funding grant 1 $2468 smcf funding grant 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 cisterns $16700
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 5000 DDF 11500
Vivienda de Arriba 17 cisterns & Cruz del Palmar 28 cisterns for a combined $24700
SMA Midday $200
RC West U $4500
RC Richmond $3500 District 5890 8,000
RC Tallahassee 2000 DDF 6940 6,500
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 10200 14,500
Capaderillo 40 cisterns $21850
Fondo Verde (Municipal funding)
Palencia 21 cisterns $7k Tallahassee RC(+ balance of excess from other projects)
Vivienda Urbana (Cap II) 25 cisterns $3800 dsg Tallahassee, $6k Tallahassee, $7k Walla Walla
Grand Total of 213 cisterns:
Project to begin 4/4:
Global Grant $33,500 just approved: approx 50 cisterns in Tierra Blanca/Juan Gonzalez
$2k donation from New Braumfels RC in Texas combining with $7k from Port Lavaca RC in Texas, to add another 14 cisterns in Tierra Blanca.
Upcoming projects:
Funding g'teed from Fondo Verde $150k pesos 16 cisterns Cinco Senorez & San Lorenzo.
Sapasma (local water Authority) have agreed to do a US$35k match to our Rotary project. Currently working on the implementation plan.
Fingers crossed projects:
$65k global grant application stage with Chinook RC in Calgary Alberta Canada
$200k pesos promised by Fondo verde since we are matching 2 to 1.
Grand Total of 213 cisterns: 8 projects US$125,153
Los torres 52 cisterns - done in several phases.
Phase II Project : $21,200
Direct Grant Rotary Club Partners amount committed:
RC SMA Midday Mexico 200
Tallahassee RC USA (Bill Webb) 4000
RC of Sechelt BC Canada (Tom Pinfold) 5000
Paso Robles RC USA (Robert Lata) 500
Tyron RC (Jerry Atkins) 5000
RC of Ann Arbor (Len Stringer) 6000
US$ Total of Rotary funds committed 20700
Plus! $500 donation from Skymed/Linda Scholey $500
Phase III project: $12,200
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 1000 DDF 2000
Tyron RC 2500 DDF 2500
Ann Arbour 1500
Sechelt 1500
Trail BC 1000 N/A
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 7700 4500
smcf funding grant 1 $2468 smcf funding grant 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 cisterns $16700
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 5000 DDF 11500
Vivienda de Arriba 17 cisterns & Cruz del Palmar 28 cisterns for a combined $24700
SMA Midday $200
RC West U $4500
RC Richmond $3500 District 5890 8,000
RC Tallahassee 2000 DDF 6940 6,500
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 10200 14,500
Capaderillo 40 cisterns $21850
Fondo Verde (Municipal funding)
Palencia 21 cisterns $7k Tallahassee RC(+ balance of excess from other projects)
Vivienda Urbana (Cap II) 25 cisterns $3800 dsg Tallahassee, $6k Tallahassee, $7k Walla Walla
Grand Total of 213 cisterns:
Project to begin 4/4:
Global Grant $33,500 just approved: approx 50 cisterns in Tierra Blanca/Juan Gonzalez
$2k donation from New Braumfels RC in Texas combining with $7k from Port Lavaca RC in Texas, to add another 14 cisterns in Tierra Blanca.
Upcoming projects:
Funding g'teed from Fondo Verde $150k pesos 16 cisterns Cinco Senorez & San Lorenzo.
Sapasma (local water Authority) have agreed to do a US$35k match to our Rotary project. Currently working on the implementation plan.
Fingers crossed projects:
$65k global grant application stage with Chinook RC in Calgary Alberta Canada
$200k pesos promised by Fondo verde since we are matching 2 to 1.
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