Report of Regional Meeting & Inauguration Cruz del Palmar

Where: Casa of Cata in Cruz del Palmar (& 3 other family casas)

When: March 29 2012 11am – 4.20pm

Who: Chela, Holly, Saul (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary), + more than 158 people.

Purpose:

1. Regular Regional meeting of the now 22 communities part of the Consejo – Cocira formed as a result of the Water Cistern Project.
2. Inauguration of the 41 cistern project part of the Global Grant 25437 funded by Calgary RC & Alberta CIP & combined with Direct grants from Tallahassee RC, Port Lavaca RC & private donations, as well as excess funds from previous water cistern projects.

Holly & I arrived a little late at 11.40 & the meeting was in full process. There was a huge gathering of people seated & standing & participating in the discussions.

The roll had already been “called” & a list of communities & numbers of representatives was already made. Attendance was listed as follows:-

Corralejo 5, Pena Blanca 18, Capaderillo 3, La Tinaja 16, Tierra Blanca 3, Artesanos 3, Juan Gonzalez 17, Palmita II 14, Vivienda de Arriba 4, Villa de Guadalupe 8, Vivienda Urbana 5, Guerrero 2, Magueyes 2, Presita de Santa Rosa 10, Los Torres 3, San Lorenzo 3, Cienega 5, Cruz del Palmar 31, Montecillo de Nieto 4, La Joya 1, Banda 1. (there were more late arrivals but these were not recorded by community).

The Co-ordinator had been chosen – Roberto & record takers were taking notes for each community as well as for the Consejo.

The agenda had been decided & listed:

1. Presentation & Introduction
2. Programing of regional meetings, micro regional meetings & community direct attention assemblies.
3. Sanitarios secos update re resources
4. Cistern project – inaugurations/ next project with Sapasma
5. Pipa Communitario
6. Diplomado de turismo Rural
7. Report re Codecin
8. Inauguration of 41 cisterns at Cruz del Palmar

Item 1:This had already taken place (hence the list of attendees above)

Item 2: Programming of regional meetings, micro regional meetings & community direct attention assemblies.

After some discussion it was agreed that micro regional meetings were ideal to discuss issues closer to each community & with smaller more productive groups enabled. The list of micro regions was drawn up, & each decided when they would next meet, they will meet on a 2 monthly basis.

Regional meetings will be held every 3 mths (ie qtrly) unless there is a special meeting called.

Community direct attention/organisation assemblies will be every month with Saul or Chela attending each one.

Traspatios (backyard production) & health workshops will continue in each of the communities that wishes them, with other Cedesa “specialist” promoters, ie Juana for health, & Benigno for backyard production.

The special training workshops will also continue at Cedesa, with the next one being on alternative construction techniques, this one is aimed at the young men, many of whom are currently unemployed, to teach them inexpensive alternatives to the normal brick construction. They will learn rammed earth techniques as well as adobe. The idea being as a team they can assist eachother to construct housing for themselves. Traditionally young men in this state go to the USA to accumulate enough money to begin to build themselves (& their new families) a house. We know how fraught this tradition is & in attempt to offer alternatives this new workshop is being offered.

Micro region 1 – close to the Presa. Next Meeting 18/4 10am at Vivienda Urbana

Capaderillo, Guerrero, Vivienda Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa

Micro region 2 – Next Meeting 16/5 10am Montecillo de Nieto

Montecillo de Nieto, Los Torres, Cruz del Palmar, Banda, Artesano, Magueyes

Micro region 3 – Next Meeting 25/4 Juan Gonzalez 10am

Vivienda de Arriba, Tierra Blanca, Juan Gonzalez, San Lorenzo, Villa de Guadalupe, Cienega, La Joya

Micro region 4 – Next Meeting 23/5 10am La Tinaja

Corralejo, Cinco Senores, La Tinaja, Palmita II, Pena Blanca

General Assemblies, or Regional meetings will be every 3 mths, the next one June 28/6 at Guerrero 11am.

Item 3: Sanitarios Secos

The work continues on this project, the funding has been promised but they are still working through all the requisites to receive the $$ & begin the actual project.

Item 4:

Cistern Project Inaugurations:

Cruz del Palmar today, La Tinaja Tues 24/4 at 11am, Guerrero Sat 28/4 at 11am (3 Esquinas to be advised).

A commission from Cocira will attend the inauguration in Guerrero in solidarity.

Sapasma next project:

Holly advised Waldo has said a next Sapasma project is likely within the next 2 months. Sapasma currently has a policy of providing cisterns only to communities without water, not to communities with Contaminated water, Cocira would like to discuss this with Sapasma, ie to see whether this can be changed, as it is essential that people with contaminated water have access to safe drinking water, even if they have well water for domestic use.

A list of priority communities was created, but depends on the existing policy of Sapasma & whether that can be changed.

Action: water tests need to be done at the following communities – ie not yet tested

La Joya, Corralejo, La Tinaja, Palmita II, Vivienda Urbana. The cost to the communities for these tests is $300 pesos, $150 for arsenic test & $150 for Fluoride test. These costs are to cover the consumables for the Cedesa Lab ie bottle, testing strips, chemicals etc. Chela asked that each community ask families to contribute even 5pesos each, to cover these costs.

Item 5: Pipa Communitaria

It had previously been proposed by Sapasma that a plan for the Consejo to operate their own Pipa (water truck) for deliveries of water to their own communities could be put into place. This has been discussed at great length in previous assembly & each representative has spoken with their communities. Each of the communities were asked to comment & vote on the proposal, there were many comments, “the purpose of cisterns is to collect rain water, which is pure water, it makes no sense to fill the cisterns with other water & will be very complicated to administer” “we don’t know the exact costs but we know it is likely to be expensive & it will be very complicated” “we just want rain water or people will not value it & will waste water” “it will be too complicated, we are many communities & it will be difficult to administer & control” “I don’t think it is viable with all the issues that could pop up, like a broken pump, no electricity, lots of potential expenses” “lots of responsibility & a lot of work” “difficult to prioritise deliveries, we could have lots of people wanting water at the same time & this would mean competing against eachother, & risking solidarity”

The vote was unanimously “NO”.

A commission will go to Sapasma to explain the reasons for “NO” vote & make alternative suggestions for resolving the issues - & work hard on getting existing Pozos(wells) functioning – in Los Torres, Cienega & Montecillo de Nieto – this will cut down the number of families without water significantly.

Also, extra pipa deliveries need to be asked for for the communities without water in Villa de Guadalupe for example.

At this point an additional item was added – discussion on ethics & values. Chela worked with the crowd to discuss the value of working hard to improve your community & your region, working with good heart & good conscience.

Item 6: Diplomado de Turismo Rural

Cedesa is hosting another rural diploma similar to the water one held 2008/09. It is described as follows:

Diploma course on Sustainable Rural Tourism, taught by Dr. Felipe Macias, University of Guanajuato (Social Science and Humanities)

Module 1 – social organization

Module 2 – sustainable energy in the rural environment

Module 3 – Territory and natural resources

Module 4 – Gender, environment and sustainable development

Module 5 – Landscape and special aspects of the countryside

Module 6 – Reception, services and goods to offer to visitors

Northern Guanajuato is diverse, not only because of its people and the natural reosuces, but also because of the ecology that provides food, medicine, fuel, rest, tranquility and recreation for its inhabitants. Without a doubt, rural areas have much to offer the urban population, including goods and services and the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. Campesinos are the ones who protect, maintain and take care of natural ecosystems, especially the water, soil, flora and fauna and cultural heritage. Rural tourism includes actions that teach/confirm respect for the environment and natural resources as well as an opportunity for campesinos to improve their socio-economic situation.

Item 7: Codecin – Coalition of the Cuenca

Cedesa & representatives from Cocira are part of a coalition of the Cuenca (the region that includes the 7 municipalities sharing the same aquifer). They are working on various issues including maintaining conservation & defence of the aquifer & defence of the native seeds. This coalition is made up of many national organisations & is beyond just San Miguel.

At this point the assembly concluded & the Inauguration began.

Cata described the agenda which included first a banquet & rest & relaxation (after the long meeting), we then headed off to visit 3 cisterns nearby.

The 41 cisterns in this community were completed in record time, 3 wks to construct all the cisterns, which is an average of 2 cisterns per group per week.

The participants receiving the cisterns spoke their thanks at each of the houses. A huge thanks was extended to Rotary both local San Miguel & the international clubs who have made this project & continuing process possible. The speakers spoke with love about their cisterns & the difference it will make to their lives.

Two of the cisterns had been amazingly decorated. The first one had a very cute cobbled path around the circumference of the cistern, with another width of garden defined by large jagged rocks. The garden was filled with lillies & the cobbled path included specially selected rocks found in the dry river bed nearby. They had even created a little bridge going over the space where the water from the discharge would flow when they clean the cisterns out…There was also a little stone carved deity which they had found while excavating dirt to make the tepetate bricks in the area, he was placed looking over the tap. It was topped off with a full glass bottle of coke, & the woman joked that when her children & grandchildren come to visit they will be very happy to drink fresh water instead of the unreachable coke.

The last cistern was also incredibly decorated, this one had coach lanterns placed evenly around the top rim of the cistern, it was surrounded by a ledge of cement with little stone carvings placed evenly watching, it was topped off with a very ornate metal cross with a plastic baby doll attached, & with a terracotta bird watching on.

There were streamers & balloons & a ribbon strung across a metal arch way… Chela asked me to say a few words, I was choked up & could barely get any out but managed to congratulate the large crowd on their accomplishments in the last 3.5 yrs, beyond just the water cisterns, to have organised themselves to continue to have council meetings of this size & continue to work on their issues is a mammoth achievement.

Chela spoke & explained this is likely my last project since I am moving to Mexico City with my family. I invited them to visit us in Mexico City & couldn’t get any more words out with tears streaming. Flashing past were many memories of where this all started, all the zillions of emails & huge support from Bill Webb in Tallahassee & the many other clubs, Districts, Foundation & organisations that have supported these communities. How these communities continue to have faith that their work will be rewarded & how it has been.

The ribbon was cut & confetti was tossed. Cheers went up, & Holly & I made our excuses & raced off.

I really wish that Bill, Norman, Skip & all the members from all the other clubs that have been involved in this project from the start could have been there with us, but actually in a huge way you all were!!

Love

Laura

(As an addendum, 3 of the women from Los Torres were at the assembly, they bought with them a list of 12 more families who would like to receive cisterns, this will bring the total to 82 out of 91 families, & will be the last phase – we have decided to include them in this final project, bringing the project full circle – Los Torres is where we started & will be where we finish this final project – ay carray!)

Update re Global Grant 25437 Calgary Water Cistern Project (with Direct grant combined)

4 Communities led the first phase – La Tinaja, 3 Esquinas, Cruz del Palmar & Guerrero. Following is the update of these communities:-

La Tinaja 22 (21 family + 1 pilot) cisterns, pilot began on 23^rd Jan. Cisterns are almost all completed & they will announce their inauguration on the 29^th March.

3 Esquinas 24 (23 family + 1 pilot) cisterns, pilot began on 30^th Jan. Cisterns are completed, they are yet to announce their inauguration date.

Cruz del Palmar 41 (39 family + 2 pilots) cisterns, pilot began on 30^th Jan. Cisterns are completed, Inauguration to be on 29^th March.

Guerrero 20 (19 family + 1 pilot) cisterns. pilot began on 6^th Feb. Interruptions on 7^th March re land dispute, but almost completed as at 17.3.12.

The next phase includes communities of Corralejo, Vivienda de Arriba & Tierra Blanca.

Corralejo 15 (13 family + 1 pilot+ 1 community proj) cisterns, they began their pilot on 12^th March. This was a difficult pilot as most of the men are absent from this community in the USA, Filiberto & Saul (our tech assistants) admitted to having to work extremely hard with the women in this community, since there were no men to help out.

Vivienda de Arriba(10) & Tierra Blanca(9) are beginning work on their cisterns on the weekend of 17^th March. They will proceed without a pilot training session, as this is phase II in each of these communities & the previous cistern recipients have volunteered to work with these participants.

Once funds are received from Port Lavaca & converted to Pesos, we will have a firm number of the next cistern/materials to be available & will begin on this final phase.

Report of progress Water project Global Grant 25437

Where: Communities of La Tinaja, Cruz del Palmar & Guerrero

When: 15 Feb 2012 during Team meeting at Cedesa.

Who Laura, Holly, Saul, Chela

Purpose: During our usual Water Cistern Project team planning meeting Saul gave an update of the progress in the communities who are part of the Calgary Global Grant.

All Pilots have now been completed & all communities are working on their individual family cisterns.

Saul reported the following:

La Tinaja (22 cisterns) – they are working well, not slow or fast, but steady. Was difficult initially as this community did not have any access to tools, borrowed or otherwise, thanks to the agreement by Walla Walla & Tallahassee RC’s to use approx. US$300 excess from a previous direct grant on purchase of tools, they no longer have to use machete’s & rocks to cut the wire & malla.

There is one group with a lot of men working in it, & they are progressing faster than the other 2 groups. There has been no problems from a human relations perspective, no gossip issues etc, all are working in harmony & with respect.

They have also begun thinking about organisation of their backyards, cistern, garden, animals, dry toilet etc, they hadn’t previously considered this.

Someone (who had given up her spot as she had not yet built her house) asked about a 2^nd phase in La Tinaja & Chela explained it is difficult to predict.

We discussed the possibility of doing a “cob” adobe workshop to teach the young people how to construct housing using the rammed earth method (essentially using the dirt they excavate to level their property to construct the house). There is a big issue with lack of skills & employment opportunities in this community, & a very large number of young people.

Cruz del Palmar – 41 Cisterns

This community is also progressing well, this is a 2^nd phase community, one young woman Dometila is particularly well involved & helpful. The various groups are all working well & at different stages, some at malla weaving stage others at cement stage. The president of the Consejo is a member of the project & is very active & organised.

Guerrero – 20 cisterns

The pilot training session took longer than expected with delays caused by the rain as well as an “Oportunidades” govt training day, which if they didn’t attend they miss out on.

The pilot cistern is not connected since the classroom is brand new & the boss of the construction of the classroom did not want any piping attached until they have held their inauguration (education department).

There is one group which everyone is good-naturedly joking about as they are the oldest, many older women in it, but ironically they are advancing the fastest.

There was an issue where one of the women did not want to be in the original group she was assigned to but couldn’t change so she felt kind of “left out”. Saul organised a meeting with the group & the woman & they worked on their agreements & compromises/promises & she is now included. He essentially told her you need to work this out together & sort it out or give up your place/materials, this was enough motivation for her to work on the issue & she is now fully integrated.

Subsequent to this meeting, there was an issue re possible delivery problems in Guerrero as a man claiming to own the land of some of the members of the project (they dispute this & have been on the land as many as 6 generations in some cases), attempted to have Sapasma stop the project (he thought it was Sapasma funded). Deliveries went ahead unobstructed & they continue to work on their cisterns.

Assembly at Cruz del Palmar

January 18, 2012

Chela, Saul and Holly met in the main square of the community with approximately 48 adults and a number of children. Of the families in mutual-aid groups, all were represented except three, who were excused for having advised Cata Melendez, the community coordinator (and president of COCIRA) that they would be unable to attend, but were ready to start the cistern project.

It was confirmed that there will be 39 families, one rotoplas and 2 pilot projects – one in the VIBA (Video Bachelerato – tele high school) and the other in the secundaria (secondary school). The pilots will take place January 30-Februry 3, starting at 9 a.m.

The person responsible for delivery of materials to the VIBA is Angela Ramírez

The person responsible for delivery of materials to the secundaria is Audelia García

The community contact is Cata Melendez, 415 105-7994

There are six presta-fuerza groups, as indicated in the list sent by Saul.

In confirming the presta-fuerza groups, we emphasized the need to make a serious commitment to work together and complete the project within the time-frame defined by the grant budget (three months from training to inauguration of the finished cisterns). Etapa I of Cruz was one of the projects that did not finish properly, it took months for the last cistern to get built because the family withdrew from its presta-fuerza group and tried to do it all on their own. We emphasized that these funds are not for individuals or single families working alone; participation in the presta-fuerza groups is a requirement of this project.

Saul explained what would take place during the training and discussed the materials and tools that would be needed for the pilot and the family cisterns. It appears that unlike La Tinaja, all the presta-fuerza groups have professional albañiles who can loan their tools as needed.

Global Grant Approved!!! #25437

On 21st October 2010 Norman Myden from Chinook Rotary Club emailed me to see what we could get going re a water project - I told him he'd come to the right place, & we immediately set to work... In December we applied to the Alberta's Govt Community Initiatives Program (CIP) for funding which we hoped to match with Rotary Club & District & the Foundation to achieve a large grant of US$65,300.....

Well, I am very happy to announce that a year later on Oct 25th we received a very happy email from Ashley at The Rotary Foundation informing us our application had been successful & we are to receive the funding!!

District 5360 (located in Canada and includes all of the Rotary clubs in Alberta from Ponoka south and also clubs in the south-west region of Saskatchewan) is providing US$10,000, Chinook RC is providing $10,000 + Alberta Govt $20,000, SMA Midday is providing US$200 (& lots of blood, sweat & tears!) & this is all being matched by The Rotary Foundation with US$25,100.

For a grand total of US$65,300 & a planned cistern count of 108 cisterns in 4 communities decided by the Consejo (citizen's council) of 18 communities.

We are working through the small details now, opening bank accounts, transferring $$ & are expecting to be able to begin the project early December!!

The communities will be
Guerrero
La Tinaja
Cruz del Palmar
& 3 Esquinas (near Palencia)

Record of Event 10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Where: Cruz del Palmar Community - courtyard of chapel
When: Wed 19.10.11
Who: Chela, Saul & Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 54 adults incl 8 men, + 13kids, 2 dogs,

Purpose: General Community assembly & pre-planning meeting re forthcoming water & dry toilet projects being administered by Rotary, Cedesa & the Consejo (in different
combinations)

We arrived at 12.30 thinking the meeting was to begin at 12, running a little late, but were advised some thought the meeting was to start at 11am, so apologies were made to these people for waiting so long…

The attendance roll was called, 10 were present for Sanitarios Secos only, 22 were present for cisterns only & 12 were present for both, 5 were absent from cisterns list.
(39 on the list but 5 absent – a govt program was also scheduled for today, re the elderly, possibly some were at this event.

Chela asked if there were any in the crowd that didn’t know us (the water project team), a couple of people raised their hands so we gave introductions of ourselves & Holly explained if she & I were talking it was because she was translating for me.

Chela introduced herself & gave a brief history of the project including a little re the separate roles & also about the Consejo (citizen’s council).

In the first phase we were working in the close region, as the projects have continued we have extended to more communities in this region & formed a citizen’s council, Cata – a member of Cruz del Palmar community – is president of this Consejo & has been reporting back to all of you - correct? “si!!”

“Let’s go ahead & create the agenda for today’s meeting”
Saul explained each meeting we have in communities follows the same basic format, elect a co-ordinator & record taker, he explained the roles of each & the need to have a specific “minutes” book as an archive of each meeting & agreements made.

“It’s important for the people n the community to not be afraid & step up to take the roles, who do you propose?”

No-one immediately responded, Saul laughed & said this was the easy bit, ie to propose someone – this elicited a response with 3 people proposed. Juana will be co-ordinator & Letty records taker.

“what is the role of the co-ordinator?” To keep order, the way to do this - ask people to raise their hands & be appointed to speak, for the respect of all & to create a harmonious meeting, everyone is encouraged to speak in turn to increase the “rain of ideas”.

The record taker records all agreements made & details we might need to refer to in future.
We need to suggest points for discussion & work for today’s agenda

Agenda
Cisterns
Dry Toilets
Introduction re Cisterns & Dry toilets
Backyard production
Doubts & questions
The Consejo, purpose & function

1. Introduction – why do you want cisterns? Dry toilets?
“almost no water” “contaminated water” “upper part of community have no water” “we don’t have water & are looking for a form of obtaining water” “water is life” “the contaminated water is damaging to the health of our kids”
Discussion ensued, who has toilets, some people do, but mostly latrines (just holes). What are the contaminants of the water in this region “fluoride, arsenic & manganese”.
Bacterial contaminants are a different question & are very easy to remove (using www.Sodis.ch) but the chemical/minerals are not easy to remove – for this reason we are using rainwater as our alternative – storing in cisterns.

Who has a cistern & can explain the function?
“principally for drinking & cooking & use the other water sources – if there are any – for domestic use”. The objective of cisterns is to capture rain water in tanks from the roof for drinking & cooking.

Dry toilets – primary objective – to have a method of disposing of excreta without use of water because a) there is a shortage of water b) the drainage of sewage is majorly polluting, c) to provide excellent fertilizer for production of plants.

One woman explained the use of dry toilets as a relative has one, & Chela asked if everyone was now clear on the purpose of cisterns & dry toilets – to which the response was “SI…”

2. Cisterns :
Saul explained that the cisterns projects were the beginning of the organisation process, as a result of the many communities working on cistern projects, they joined together to form a Consejo (citizen’s council) to work on common issues. It has involved many meetings, working on common issues, writing solicituds to the govt. informing Rotary of our priorities.

Holly – who knows how the cisterns are made?
“all of us build them, we form groups & construct together”
“we first learn during the pilots & hands on training, then build the cisterns together”

Saul – It is much more than just building a cistern or a dry toilet, there is a lot of participation involved, the value of organisation & co-operation is learned. The value of learning you have the ability to resolve your own issues by working in solidarity to achieve & accomplish your goals, it’s not a gift, you are organising & working hard to achieve this , including learning what the purpose of the Consejo is & how it functions. For me it is important you understand the whole process & purpose of organisation, not just to obtain cisterns.

3. Dry Toilets
The Consejo & Cedesa (apart from Rotary) have been working to obtain funds to provide dry toilets to those who have continued participating to achieve them. Chela explained the process of obtaining the resources for the dry toilets so far… starting from the 1st meeting of the Consejo with the Presidencia at Cedecom approx. 1 year ago, to the point where they were awarded $4,250,000 pesos for the solicitud, which came with unfavourable conditions. It involves a bid process, ie has to be paid to outside contractors & can not be done by mutual aid groups, the price of one toilet has been quoted at mxn$32,000 which will mean far fewer than the 400+ toilets can be awarded. & toilets can only be awarded to those on the list who have NO form of toilet (functioning or not)…Work continues on this project.

4. Consejo –
A brief summary was given, this Consejo was originally formed in Oct 2010 with representatives elected from each of the communities who joined. For example Cata & Letty are reps. From Cruz del Palmar, as are Adelina (husband attending for her today) & Josefina (absent).

There is a board, made up of some reps the communities, President Cata, Secretary Roberto & 5 other “directors”
All are working/meeting on common issues like dry toilets & cisterns.
It is to give the communities a bigger voice.
For example, the Consejo insisted the design used for the dry toilets be one with 2 chambers…

On 26th Nov 11am – in Juan Gonzalez there will be an Encuentro & anniversary Fiesta of the Consejo – everyone is invited.

5. Workshop at Cedesa – 19th Nov 9am-5pm
A workshop at Cedesa will be held on the 19th, 3 people are invited to attend from each community, there will be 3 separate “work tables” 1 on Nopal tunnel construction, 1 on backyard production & 1 on medicinal plants.

The crops this year are particularly bad, since there has been insufficient rain, this year we need to come up with alternatives to just beans & maize, we need to start producing in our backyard, for example tomatoes & onions, 1 of the work tables will teach this.

Each of the representatives is expected to then teach the assembly in their own communities – to spread the information – train the trainer style.
Some people mentioned they were interested but lack water to grow a garden – this is obviously a major issue!

The meeting finished at 3.15 pm, & we were treated to a banquet of tortillas, rice, beans & chicheron casserole.

Water Project Stats to date Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

Here's an update of where we're at, we essentially began the first water project in Nov 2008, the first funding came through in March 2009, so am counting it from 1st Jan 2009 to now...

We now have 330 Families asking for help with drinking water in this region.
They are in 18 different communities that we are now engaged with, from the initial project in Los Torres. All of these communities have come to us, they have seen the results proven & want to be part of the solution.

Following are the statistics:

Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Los torres 52 $21,700 + 12,200 + smcf 1 $2468 smcf 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 $16700
Vivienda de Arriba 17
Cruz del Palmar 28 combined $24700
Capaderillo 40 $21850
Palencia 21 $7k (+ balance of excess from other projects)
Total 188 cisterns

More than 1500 people have safe drinking water now & for generations to come!!!

funding
Rotary$81,800
SMCF$4,703
Eco Verde$21,850
Skymed $500
total funding = USD $108,853

A BIG THANK YOU to all the hardworking men & women belonging to the Rotary Clubs & Districts who have been part of this solution:
Tallahassee RC
Trail BC RC
Sechelt BC RC
Tyron RC
Ann Arbor RC
Paso Robles RC
West U RC TX
Richmond RC TX
San Miguel Midday RC Mexico
Districts 4160, 6940, 7670

Current upcoming water projects
Capaderillo II approx $14k (Rotary funding secured)
to commence end of January.

Pipeline projects
Global Grant for $33,500 (Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District(s)
Pending approval from TRF.

Quantified Need:
Current applications in hand from Families in need 309 from 18 different communities.(excluding the upcoming project of 21 cisterns)

Interested in helping fund the simple solution to this need, please email me... Lauramex@gmail.com

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!









Photos can be on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink

or
WWW.02h2o.blogspot.com

8th Cruz del Palmar community meeting, 14 de julio del 2010

8th Cruz del Palmar community meeting, 14 de julio del 2010

Where: Cruz del Palmar, casa de Domitilia
When: Wed, July 14, 11 a.m.
Who: Chela and Holly and Saul Juarez (Cedesa), 36 people including a number of children. 20 people from the first phase, 5 from the 7 families added in June, 5 new people (see list at end of this report).

Mere Banca was designated as coordinator of the assembly, Ana Laura took roll and added new people to the roll. Saul was introduced as a new promoter in the region. Chela asked the new people why they came to the meeting. Josefina said they want to cisterns in order to have clean water to drink and for cooking; Angela said they don’t want to have to buy water in garrafones. Holly mentioned that there is also a social objective, to work in presta-fuerza groups, to encourage community development and values. Ismael said he thought the idea was to have a good environment to work in, to help each other and his wife Catalina said that she wanted to participate but she was pregnant with the small baby she held – she participated in the training at the school but couldn’t continue.

Chela asked if the people in the meeting knew each other, and people said that now they know each other by sight if not by name. All but a few are from the upper part of Cruz [where there are more problems with the supply of water]. Chela noted that in large communities (comunidades, often translated “villages”) like Cruz there is less convivencia, less personal relationships between neighbors, like in cities.

Ana Laura and her aunt said that the people in Cruz are more friendly than in cities (they are from Irapuato). Mere said her daughters-in-law are from other communities (villages) and they consider Cruz to be a city (it is the second largest town in the municipality of San Miguel).

Chela explained how Yolanda, Lucia and Tere visited assemblies at Los Torres for several months before we started visiting Cruz del Palmar, and she asked Holly to explain how the Rotary grant was made. Holly explained that 50 cisterns had been approved for a Rotary project in a suburb of the city of San Miguel at the beginning of this year, but the people there were unable to make the commitment to work in mutual-aid groups, so the funds for the 50 cisterns got divided between Cruz del Palmar and Vivienda de Arriba. Saul explained the process at Capaderillo; how he first visited assemblies at Los Torres, then Vivienda de Arriba and how CEDESA and Rotary applied for a grant from the Fondo Verde, which was approved in May but the money was not available until a week ago. They are planning to have the training next week and start construction on family cisterns the week after. Holly emphasized that the fund-raising process takes several months, that the Rotary deadline for Nov-Dec projects is already past, that people who want to participate in a possible Phase II will need to help us to put together applications to other sources, such as Desarrollo Social (municipal department of Social Development) or SAPASMA (San Miguel water utility).

The conversation then turned to other projects that can be implemented without the outside funds, such as traspatio design (backyard gardens). Chela asked how many people grow nopal in their yards, and nearly all said they have nopal but not all of them use it for food. Chela emphasized the importance of growing your own food, especially native plants like nopal which is very healthy. She asked how many people had vegetable gardens, and a few raised their hands; and one family has a farmacia viva (medicinal plants). Chela talked about rescuing the knowledge of our grandmothers, how to cure ourselves and not get sick, as opposed to depending on the clinic and doctors and expensive packaged medicine. She said people in the country are fortunate to have space in which to grow food all year round, and not eat food like Maruchan (instant noodles), which is full of artificial flavors and preservatives.

Wenceslada said that she used to grow vegetables, but her children wouldn’t eat them, they like junk food. Yolanda agreed, her children don’t like vegetables. Saul said it is important to get kids accustomed to eating vegetables from a young age, his 2-year old son likes fruit and vegetables and he doesn’t let him eat junk food. Chela said that if kids see their parents eating well and drinking fresh juice instead of refrescos (bottled sodas), we can escape the trap of eating and drinking what they sell to us instead of what we produce. Also now people are growing dependent upon government programs that provide cash to buy food, but what will happen when there is no more government money? People in rural communities have the possibility of growing their own food instead of buying it, so can be less dependent and more autonomous. That is what we call food sovereignty.

Chela said that CEDESA is teaching traspatio design (how to make plant beds, use less water) in Los Torres and Montecillo, and if Cruz is interested, can start a workshop here. Many people said they are interested in learning how to grow vegetables and medicinal plants in their yards, also nopal all year round.

Moving to the subject of the cisterns, we then reviewed the progress of the mutual-aid groups.

Group 1 – all the cisterns are finished and connected, and all but one of them is filling up with rainwater (there are problems with the connections)

Group 2 – three are done and collecting water, but one lacks the tubing.

Group 3 – ten are more-or-less working; one lacks the “cap” and several lack waterproofing paint and tubes.

Group 4 – five are done and collecting water, two need to be connected to the roof.

Group 5 – (split off from group 2) – two are done and working

In total, 22 are done and 5 are to be finished and/or connected. Mere said that the tubes are too small for the amount of rain that is falling on the laminas, the water doesn’t enter. Others agreed that the water is backing up and only a small part of it enters the cistern. Chela said that they need to contact their asesor (consultant – Rafael Cruz) to solve these problems.

The list of families that want cisterns in Phase II are:
1. Hermelinda Ramirez (rotoplas?)
2. Maria Dolores Ramirez Botello
3. Teresa Salazar
4. Adriana Patlan
5. Laura Ramirez Enfante
6. Catalina Melendez
7. Angeles Ramirez
8. Ismael Mendez
9. Josefina Ramirez
10. Emma Susana Orduña
11. Amada for Ana Olivia Torres
The first six people have attended a previous community meeting; the last five are attending for the first time. Chela emphasized that it is necessary that people participate in the meetings as a condition for receiving a cistern.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 11 at 11 a.m.

7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Record of Event pg 1 of 4

7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project


Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed June 09.06.10 11.40 – 2pm
Who: Chela, (Cedesa), Elena & Laura (Rotary), 27 adults incl 7 men, + 11kids, 1 dog,

Purpose: Review construction of individual cisterns

There were some new people here today so we introduced ourselves.

Chela called for proposed Co-ordinator for the day.
Analaura was proposed.
Analaura called the roll.

The 4 new people at today’s meeting are
Catalina (was at 1st meeting)
Hermelinda Ramirez
Maria Dolores
Theresa Salazar
(2 are from the other side of the river & 2 in Centro)
1 woman attended first meeting but then had to go to GTO, she is interested though.)

Elena said a few words in personal prayer before we began, about protecting the environment & being open to receive good words…

Chela asked why are you involved?
They all said they were interested in this project.
Chela reiterated that participation in meetings is compulsory to plan the process, discuss issues eg, not letting cats onto the roofs to keep them clean.

The problem of cats on roofs was discussed, apparently it is common for neighbours cats to go on roofs & poo. I suggested a slingshot, or a water bottle with vinegar in! They all laughed.

Elena suggested a sandbox, & educating them to use it.
They all agreed Amigos de los Animales would be welcome to neuter the animals.
Elena knows the organisation & mentioned getting in touch with them.

This is an important item to discuss as keeping the roofs clean is a very important part of the maintenance of the system. If you have a plague of cats & dogs maybe you need to take control & responsibility for this, they can not be allowed to breed randomly. Dog & cat faeces are very polluting & contaminating.

Action: Elena asked for the name & contact of Imelda Ramirez Ignatio Allende #70, ph 415 119 4016, as her dog has a problem with “sarne” (mange) & Elena offered to contact her vet to see what can be done.

There is no vet available near Cruz del Palmar – a mobile vet clinic could be a good idea!

“often no Doctor here, let alone a vet!”





Record of Event pg 2 of 4

Review of Project
The first 12 cisterns are all completed.
Materials for the rest of the cisterns have been received (as of yesterday – cement delivered).
All the wires are woven & cylinders have been created, so only cement needs to be applied.

There was a discussion about piping/pvc, they are missing
Codos 45 3” x 2 (from first delivery)
Tees 3” x 21 (2nd delivery)
Codos 45 3” x 10 (2nd delivery)
Tapones incercion 3” x 8 (2nd delivery)

Laura checked invoices & discovered that although the correct amount was ordered, for some reason the invoice was for less than was ordered. An additional order was since paid & will be collected on 15th June.

Some of the cisterns are “crooked”
There was a discussion as some of the cisterns are not perfectly straight. This is because they did not adhere to the training exactly.

After much discussion, & because it is only aesthetic it was decided it is not a problem, & to call them “rustic” or “organic” examples.

Co-incidentally Jose Miguel Cruz (one of the Los Torres team of experts) was visiting the clinic across the road so Elena went to see him to ask him to come & chat with the meeting.

5 cisterns are slightly crooked. It was decided the groups would benefit from an additional 2 day’s training/consultation by Rafa, 1 to visit the extra 7 people in group 4, & 1 for any other doubts.

Ana from Group 4 will call Rafa & co-ordinate with the other groups.

Chela explained it is important for them to do their best on construction as these examples are seen by the rest of the community(s).

Jose Miguel arrived with Chucha & explained the process required to ensure the cisterns are straight & not on a lean.
Including
• Place the top on carefully
• Measure the distance from the centre to the edge with a piece of string & make sure it is the same all round (this will centre it)
• Don’t bend or lean on the wire form because it is bendable, & you don’t want this.
Everyone was asked if they are clear on what they need to do now, & all agreed.

Question – will it affect the water – no – it’s purely aesthetic.

Miguel gave Ana Rafa’s contact details for the extra 2 days work agreed.







Record of Event pg 3 of 4

Group co-operation
There was discussion about working in groups, many are not co-operating. Chela talked about Montecillo de Nieto, & how well they were working in harmony.

Chela - You need to decide on the hours that will work for all of you & then stick to that commitment. You need to respect this & it’s in your hands to decide between yourselves. It affects you all, when you don’t want to work in groups it wont work, it’s a principal point of this project, to learn to work co-operatively in groups & respect arrangements/agreements.

Chela – from my perspective if you can’t respect agreements we don’t or can’t continue to work in CdP.

There is a lack of respect & you need to work on this.

Group 4 in particular needs to get together to get things organised, if you agree an hour to begin, then be there.

In some groups they are each house that they work on is providing food & drink for the ones working, so they are all naturally taking turns at catering.

Doubts & questions
One of the women mentioned that Los Torres cisterns get called “balls” but a woman asked her the other day
“what are all those Monos blancos (white monkeys!) popping up in Cruz del Palmar!)
Everyone thought this was pretty funny.

What is the next time for a visit, & what will we cover?
Next visit will be 14th July, covering maintenance & function of the cisterns when the rains arrive.

There was a brief discussion re the water alternatives eg, solar distillation, for example this would be useful on years when it is dry & there is no rainwater. Chela explained that Cedesa has workshops on these & it would be worthwhile for a few to attend.

Brief discussion re toilets, some have septic systems.

Discussion about possibility of Phase II in Cruz del Palmar
It is interesting to note that there are waves of interest in a community, we have now worked in enough to see a pattern.
1st lots of interest in case they miss out, then fewer return when they realise they have to do the work & are not receiving a hand out, then there is a bit of a delay while the project gets underway & construction begins, & then once the first few are finished, a new wave of interest is created as the later adopters finally “get it” & see what we were talking about!

There are 4 extra people today but Chela invited them to start a list of 2nd Phase people, knowing that money will take a while & they need to work to achieve this.
There are a couple of newly weds interested, but they thought they had to have a family first before they qualified, we explained no, just willing to do the work & participate.






Record of Event pg 4 of 4

Chela – Cisterns are not a “fashion item” they are a resolution to a grave problem…

There was more discussion about people wanting them but not being prepared to work for them, one woman pointed out to these people that it is well worth it, since it is there for the future for their family, “yes it’s a lot of work & commitment & effort, but then the solution is in place from then on…”

With this safe drinking water the health of your family will improve & there will be fewer visits to the clinic, & health will be back in your hands.

“If people have problem attending the meetings then they’re going to have more problems to construct their cistern”

Chela - really it’s a small investment of time compared with the solution it provides, investment in the cistern, but also investment in your community to grow together, valuable learning time, as well as the cistern/water solution for life.

Chela – we came here today because we know the issue & wish to resolve it, we are here to help, a few days of your life in return for healthy drinking water for future generations! It’s a bargain!

Some people have been working from 6pm to Midnight, it’s cooler then – we joked that this might be why some are crooked, they’ve been falling asleep while they work…

People were invited to attend the next assembly if they are interested in phase II.

Next Assembly Cruz del Palmar July 14 at 11am

PS Forgot to add at the end of the Cruz assembly we were approached by a young woman with a daughter of about 5 needing medical check up of a skull operation she had had, we contacted Patro Nato Pro Ninos (the medical NGO here) & made the referral.

We were also asked for assistance for uniforms for a girls soccer team, Yolande's daughters are in a team.

Elena caught up with some others from the team in Los Torres, & asked them to get pricing for us... we intend to add this to the list for our mini-committee of hands on/more immediate projects.

We then left & went to the house of Jesus, (one of the group of 7 extra cisterns) he had invited us to stay for Comida.
His house was amazing, full of inherited furniture from his grandmother & we were treated to a very elegant lunch (he used to be a caterer), spaghetti alfredo, chicken with capsicum cheese & mushrooms with fresh fruit desert, we then were toured his animals, horse, turkeys, about 7 million chickens, 1 peacock, 2 pheasants, & a blue bird I didn’t recognise, we also got to see the feathers off the chicken we had just eaten for lunch as proof of the freshness!! Ahhh Mexico – full of surprises.

Then we headed off with full bellies to Capaderillo for the next assembly!

Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart

6th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Record of Event pg 1 of 3
6th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project

Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed May 12.05.10 11am
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 27 adults incl 4 men, 6 kids, 4 dogs, & 1 cat!

Purpose: Review 1st phase of construction of individual cisterns

We paid the door supplier on the way, & placed order for the next lot of doors for 1 of the 4 – soon to be 5 – current projects.

Rafael Cruz (technician for this community as well as Montecillo de Nieto, met us at CdP & I paid him for his tech. assistance days 3+1 prob solving day, for CdP, & 4 days for MdN.

The meeting was held in the local park (not at Yolande’s house) on concrete planters under the large gum trees (could have been in Australia!!)…

The roll was passed, & people signed in.

There is one woman on the waiting list, but she is not ready to begin as is currently constructing a house as part of the casa diferente project by DIF (dept of social welfare equivalent).

There are to be 2 points for discussion
• Revision of the groups
• Revision of materials

Revision of Groups
Group 1.
Chela asked who is in group 1, who are working & where are they up to in their construction.

Ana & Jose Luis not working, & Martin is working with Olivia from Group 2.

4 women are working together, Martin is working on his own & with Olivia from Group 2, & Jose Luis has not managed to hook up with anyone working yet. He is working fulltime & so can not work at the same time as others.

They had all agreed to hire an abanile (experienced carpenter) to work with them, & pay them themselves, since Jose Luis couldn’t work with them.

Chela asked what should be done about the 2 not working then?

“the materials have not arrived for everyone in the group yet, but most people understand they must work with the group & when the 2nd part of the materials arrive work on those too…”

Chela pointed out they need to honour & respect their agreements to work together in groups.

There was a suggestion for the ones not working from each of the groups to form a separate group.

Record of Event pg 2 of 3

I mentioned that I don’t like the idea of a “splitter” group since a large part of the exercise was to learn how to work in a group, & to make that group work. I asked if there was some other form of payback they could come up with to compensate for not working so far, they explained they had already paid abaniles to help them with the bits they couldn’t do, so it was too late for the others to re-join.

Group 2.
This group had had a planning meeting to which some people didn’t come, they argued they didn’t know about the meeting.

Esther, Estella & Olivia were not working with the group.
Esther & Estella had joined group 3. Olivia was now working with Martin (from group 1.

The others have been working together.
Chela suggested maybe there is a problem with human relations & maybe they need to work on “working with eachother”…

Group 3
This group had all been working together, including 2 from group 2, & 1 from the “pending group” who had voluntarily been working.

“When you work with a group, you talk to others working with you, if you work alone you only have the wire to talk to & you get tired & grumpy.”

The harmony of working in a group is great.
Taking lack of husbands working into consideration, it is not just 1 or 2 days work but is actually weeks, but will be worth it.

One of the women mentioned how upset she was because they had all agreed at the assemblies to work in groups, & then when the materials arrived people had split into different groups.

There was a question about the plywood, & pointed out there is one set for each group, apparently initially one of the groups received & used all of the plywood until the other groups went to them to ask for it back.

24 sheets came (should be only 18 sheets) ie 6 per group, & 3 groups in CdP.
They also have 1 set from the pilot to use, someone needs to go to the school to retrieve this set, they suggested the splitter group use this. Then decided since group 3 is the biggest they should retrieve this set.

Group 4 is to form with the “non-co-operating” people & new people.
Marcelina, Cristina, Felix, Amada, Celia, Wenceslada (working with group 3), Jesus
(these are an extra 7 people who were on the waiting list, Laura said after revising the budget it appears we have sufficient $$ to add these people)

They will work with Jose Luis, & Ana from group 1 (who already have cistern materials)

The budget will have to stretch to cover, standard materials, variable materials (pvc), tech assistance, wood, doors, sand.

In total CdP will complete 27 Cisterns (not the previously budgeted 20).

Review of Materials


Record of Event pg 3 of 3

Diana Gonzalez asked about the pvc for the first lost of cisterns, I have been checking with Don Pedro (the supplier) daily, but it is a big order so they are waiting on their supplier. They will keep her informed & she has the number at Don Pedro.

We asked when they would be ready for the materials for the final 8 cisterns (they are currently completing the first 12 ) & now, also for the materials for the new 7 cisterns.

They agreed all for the last week of May (Laura will place the order for additional materials & make payment, & then request delivery of the materials for the total 15 on the last week of May).

Diana asked who will receive the variable materials for the 15 cisterns - & then agreed she would do it again, with help from others, since she is not home every day, she will ask that others spread the word once the materials arrive, & people come to collect them asap.

One woman building a Dif house asked if it’s ok to put the pipes up when they are finished the house, Chela suggested they put the pipes on the old house in the meantime to maximise rain collection, & move them to the new house once it’s completed.

Someone asked about the green slime that shows in the hoses on the outside of the tank, & if it means there is slime inside the tank? Chela explained the slime is a result of the sun, & therefore is only in the transparent hose & not in the tank. Also that it is harmless…

Someone called Chela Senora & got reprimanded, she insists they not call her Donya or Senora, but just Chela (the person, not Chela the beer) & everyone had a good chuckle.

Carmen Noria asked to go on the list, since we have only enough for 7 more (fingers crossed!!), Holly explained if others receiving materials do not co-operate & work in a group they may lose it, in which case she could gain them.

Chela invited people who are interested in receiving materials & not currently on the list to come to the next meeting, attendees at this meeting are to inform others interested, & there may be a 2nd phase to this project.

Next meeting to be 9th June @ 11am (10.30 Puente Cienegita)