Inaugural Celebration at Las Magueyes and La Palma 19.4.13

It was a beautiful day out in the country today. With the completion of 16 water harvesting systems, we gathered to celebrate the success and hard work of the community work teams that made this happen. There were 38 persons in attendance plus some extra children coming and going. Octavo Perez, the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Sapasma attended and spoke briefly and eloquently about the importance of bringing water to those communities without water or, worse, water contaminated with harmful chemicals that cannot o be filtered out. Octavio emphasized that Sapasma (local semi-governmental water agency) needs to be a player in bringing safe and potable drinking water to all those living in rural San Miguel. Octavio, we are going to hold you to that promise! Although we completed two previous water projects with the previous directors of Sapasma, we are hoping to be able to do a Sapasma funded cistern project with the new administration soon in the community of Juan Gonzalez.

Also we were pleased to be joined by Mauricio Sanchez, Presidente de la Red de Comunicación y Cultura del Agua del Noreste de Guanajuato (President of the Northeast Guanajuato Network for Water Culture and Comunication) y Vice Presidente de Educación y Comunicación del Observatorio Ciudadano de Agua y Saneamiento (VP for Education and Communication for the Citizens Monitoring Group on Water and Sanitation). It is good that we are beginning to form more formal partnerships as we work to resolve water and sanitation issues in the San Miguel villages.

Fellow Rotarians Layla, Ivar, Denis, Alejandro and I went to enjoy the day and the completion of this project that will provide safe, clean and potable drinking water to 120 people protecting them from the harmful effects of excessive fluoride in the water. We had visitors, Pat, Fran and Kelly from La Joya, California that were also interested in these projects and who we hope will join forces with us in a future project. Pat is the president elect of the La Joya Rotary Club. Adriana Felix, a new comer to San Miguel joined us to learn more about the rainwater collection systems. We were also joined by David Burton of the United Universalist Church (The UUs). He came to see a water project and decide whether they want to join with us in another project down the road.

First, we all piled into all of the available vehicles and went to visit three of the cisterns built in La Palma. Ivar Schacke, President of Rotary San Miguel Midday cut the ribbon to officially mark the successful completion of the La Palma part of the project. After returning to Las Magueyes, Lilia guided a short meeting where everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves. Holly and Saul of Cedesa spoke briefly about the importance of these projects and the importance of participating in the Regional Water Council (Cocira).

It is a bittersweet day for all of us involved with Cedesa. Only two days ago, we suddenly lost Maria de Teresa Martinez Delgado, a founder of Cedesa. Tere labored for more than 50 years in helping develop the communities surrounding San Miguel and Dolores Hidalgo. We will Tere miss terribly. She worked with great passion and dedication in helping the communities and the people living there. Today, in addition to celebrating the completion of this project, I choose to think that we also celebrated the life of Tere and the incredible things that she and her sister, Chela, have accomplished over the previous 50 years. Vaya con dios, Tere.

Next, after a quick tour of the Las Magueyes cisterns and the final ribbon cutting ceremony, we arrived in the best part of the day: lunch prepared by the 16 families to welcome us and thank us for the resources we provided in this great team project. We are grateful to have been able to serve in this way. Finally, we know that we are only a part of the wheel. Real work is also done by the family work teams, by our partner Cedesa, and by the work of the Regional Citizen's Council (COCIRA). I believe that the families in Las Magueyes will continue to conduct community meetings and seek solutions to other problems that they identify in their community. I know they will continue as members of Cocira. They see now that the work invested brought them such a great return; a permanent and sustainable water source free of the injurious chemicals arsenic and fluoride.

This is an especially touching project for me as Lilia, the community representative, came to our English speaking Rotary Club two years ago after she heard on the radio that the Midday Rotary was helping construct cisterns in our communities in San Miguel. After sitting patiently through our meeting, she made her plea for help to several of us. We advised her to contact Cedesa and begin to organize her community. Soon thereafter they were actively participating in Cocira. They earned they way up the waiting list, and now, two years later, her community has its completed their phase project. The finish the full circle, Lilia will be speaking on the radio next week to inform the public about the rainwater harvesting program that Rotary has been supporting since Laura Stewart undertook the first project in November of 2007. I take off my hat to you, Lilia!

It has been lovely working with these two communities. Perhaps I may not be visiting soon on Rotarian business, but I know that I will go there shortly as a friend, and particularly, to enjoy Dona Beatriz’ gorditas and updates from the wonderful Lilia.

Submitted by Lee Carter 

Los Magueyes & La Palma Sunday, April 14, 2013

Today I went to visit the 16 completed cisterns and document their completion via photographs. 

Lilia and her husband, Antonio, took me from house to house and it was a pleasure to spend the morning with them.

I was surprised to find several cisterns had been specially decorated to recognize the important role of Rotary, Cedesa (our community development partner) and Cocira (the regional citizen's council that has been formed by the 22 communities that now have rainwater harvesting projects + 2 other communities). 

This project has been very enjoyable thus far, but to have an opportunity to talk with each individual family about the process and their experience, really drove home to me the way these projects can change lives and change communities. 

Every family was rightfully proud of the work they had done and there were many jokes about which of the three work teams was the best. On Friday, April 19, many members of our club and their guests will attend the community sponsored inaugural celebration.

Here is one of the cleverest “thank you” designs I encountered painted on a cistern yesterday:

Submitted by Lee Carter

Middletown goes to Magueyes

Our visit started at the home of Senora Lilia, whose initiative led to the current project at Los Magueyes and La Palma. 

Our group consisted of Rotarians from San Miguel and Connecticut in the US, as well as Unitarian-Universalists from San Miguel.  We were warmly greeted, in spite of the fact that we were interrupting an active phase of the cistern construction at Senora Lilia’s house.  

One work group was busy putting concrete on the inner and outer walls of the cistern there, while another group was doing the same around the corner.  Nearby we saw a cistern which was completed except for the final sealing with a mixture of lime and nopal extract, an extremely effective and low cost method we learned.

Saul and Holly from CEDESA, along with Senora Lilia, gave us a very comprehensive summary of the process of a water harvesting project, from the initial community meetings to the maintenance carried out by the families in the years following construction.  

We were very impressed by the central role played by the local residents themselves, who are responsible for every key decision along the way, for the construction itself, and for the ongoing maintenance.  

The pride of ownership and the certainty of sustainability were very evident. 

What was also evident was that this was likely to be just one step in a much larger process of this community working together to better itself.  

The first part of our visit ended with a delicious meal prepared by Senora Lilia and her helpers, and enjoyed by everybody, including those of us visiting and the adults and children of the families involved in this incredibly worthwhile project.

After lunch we crossed the highway to visit the completed pilot cistern at the home of Dona Beatriz.  There we learned a lot more about the water problems in the state of Guanajuato, where the depletion of the aquifer has led to increased concentrations of fluoride and other harmful chemicals.  We learned about the potential health effects of these chemical concentrations, especially for children, and we saw in Senora Lilia how increased awareness is being translated into community action.  

The cistern at Dona Beatriz’s house was ready to be filled by the summer rains, which we learned will support a family of 14 until the next rainy season.  

As we left we could not help but to be amazed by how much good will come from such a modest level of financial support.

Howard Reid, Rotary Club of Middletown CT. Saturday, March 16, 2013

Howard  & Melanie (Middletown Rotary), Senora Lilia & Lee (SMA Midday Rotary)

Pilot Cistern – Los Magueyes – Day 3

We arrived around 8:30 this morning and I was surprised by how much work had been accomplished in just a few days. 

Yesterday, the first layer of concrete was put on the "wall" of the cistern. 

Today about 15 persons arrived sharply at 9 am, the technical representative from Cedesa and 14 workers, most women. 

watched as they sift sand and start dumping wheelbarrows of sand on the ground. Next they carried over 5 bags of cement and dumped that on top of the sand. That was mixed up and formed into a small volcano. Buckets of water started arriving & were poured into the volcano. 

We were mystified to know how they knew just when the right amount of water was deposited. They, (about four women with shovels), mixed it up and they were exactly right … no extra water had to be added.

Meanwhile the plywood sheets were removed from the inside of the cistern cylinder … concrete was passed over the top to the workers inside and then began a flurry of activity both inside and out. 

Final result: two new layers of concrete and a finished cylinder. Tomorrow the cone shaped roof will go on and the pilot cistern is on schedule and will be finished on Friday.

Each work group intends to immediately begin on the fifteen more cisterns. Materials are expected to be delivered to each family’s home on Friday.

Lee Carter

Los Magueyes Pilot day 1

“A lot of enthusiasm on the first day. The wire was unrolled and the foreman Miguel quickly had the volunteers stitching the layers together. I was impressed at how many men turned up. While the large group composed of men and women worked on the wire, 3 men dug out the space for the cement slab. The gravel was delivered for the base as well as the sand for the concrete. Next a truck arrived and transferred sufficient water for mixing the concrete. Three women busied themselves in Beatrizes house getting lunch ready and preparing cool drinks for the workers. I would say they are all very enthusiastic and committed. If the 3ply arrives...today as promised, it will have been a very successful first day on the pilot cistern.... Harvesting water is fun and very rewarding..“ Denis Beaudry, Rotary San Miguel Midday.18 February 2013

Photo 1 The Materials arriving on the Pilot Site, home of Dona Beatriz

 Photo2 The Devil is in the details … stitching together the chicken wire and structural wire

Photo3 Things go fast with so many helpers

Photo 4Preparing the pad – 12,000 liters weighs a lot

Photo 5 Step One: tie the chicken wire together

 Photo 6 Jesus Rico has delivered the sand and gravel

Los Magueyes and La Palma Exploratory Meeting – 14 December 2012

Attendance: Saul Juarez and Holly Yasui from Cedesa

Denis Beaudry, Alejandro Guerra and Lee Carter from Rotary San Miguel Midday

Veronica Gonzales and Juan Cervantes, Lilia Luna and Juan Juárez[YUN1] , Anastasia Paolino, Arturo Juarez, Rafael Juarez y Lucina Gonzlaes, Filomeno Juarez, Gloria Martinez, and Beatri Ramirez from the community of Los Magueyes

Maria Juarez, Susana Morales, Ma. Socorro Juarez, Patricia Ramirez, Cristina Ramirez, Ma. Guadalupe Juarez, Norma Zapatero and Ma. Elena Ramirez from the community of La Palma

Not in attendance but represented: Concepción, Estela Munoz and Eulalia Granados

Attending from the communities: 14 women, 4 men and multiple children.

The meeting was called to order at 4:20 pm. The meeting began with an introduction of all persons in attendance. The order of the day was set:

1.       Presentation from CEDESA

2.       Introduction of the project and its importance to the two communities

3.       Introduction of Rotary International and Midday Rotary

4.       Requirements and Commitments required of the project.

Each participant offered their viewpoints of the problems with water for their communities. The important points discussed were lack of water, contaminated water, minerals in the water and taste of the water with chlorine added.

Saul (CEDESA) presented the history of the cistern project in San Miguel that includes 587 cisterns spread out through the area. Saul emphasized that each drop of water is sacred and that water harvested into the cisterns should only be used for drinking and cooking. Twenty-two communities have banded together through the water harvesting and other projects, and they have formed the regional organization, COCIRA (Consejo Ciudadano Rural de Agua – Rural Citizens Council on Water), which brings these communities together as a single voice in analyzing and prioritizing their needs, making plans to resolve problems and presenting their case as a single voice to municipal authorities and other organizations. The participation in COCIRA will lead to further advances for these communities (example: dry toilets, training in food production and processing, health workshops). It is the responsibility of COCIRA which has one representative and one alternate from each community, to manage the community needs and set priorities for the represented communities. (The community development part of this water project is as important as the cistern itself.)

The state of the aquifer underlying the municipality of San Miguel was discussed and it was recognized that this precious resource is rapidly being depleted. Many families and communities have no access to water whatsoever except for erratic deliveries by the municipal government to fill barrels and plastic tubs. For the communities that have a well to provide them water, it is increasingly contaminated by Fluoride and Arsenic. In high concentrations, these minerals cause numerous health problems, most notably dental fluorosis (staining and deterioration of the teeth, general indicators of bone deterioration) and cancer. The most recent test of the well water at La Palma showed that it exceeded limits set by the Mexican government and the World Health Organization. It was pointed out that every year the concentration of these minerals in the aquifer increases as its water continues to be depleted.

The community members at this assembly understood that it is a requirement of this type of project that the cisterns be built in mutual-aid groups, which will decide rules of participation; that the building process requires 4-8 weeks; and that to have a cistern, the family must live full-time in the community and have 25 square meters of roof to capture rain, and a ground space of 3 x 3 meters for the cistern itself.

The members of the community presented their prioritized list of families to receive cisterns: 14 confirmed and 5 on the waiting list. The list was made by considering necessity (no water in Los Magueyes) and participation in the project by attending meetings, helping with the organization and willingness to participate in the work teams. It was explained that funding would be sought for 14 to 19 cisterns.

This is the prioritized list of families to receive cisterns as decided by the group.

Los Magueyes
1- Lilia and Antonio Luna
2- Veronica y Juan Juárez
3- Anastasia Paolino
4- Arturo Juárez
5- Lucina y Rafael Juárez
6- Filemon Juárez
7- Gloria Martínez
8- Beatriz Martínez

La Palma
9- María Suárez
10- Susana Morales
11- Ma. Socorro Juárez
12- Concepción Mojica

13- Ma. Guadalupe Juárez
14- Patricia Ramírez
15- Ma. Elena Ramírez
16- Cristina Ramírez
17- Norma Zapatero
18- Estela Muñoz (not present)
19- Eulalia Granados (not present)

Lilia’s husband was there too, in and out, but I don’t know his name - 

1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Los Magueyes Water Project

Where: Los Magueyes community (across from Los Labradores gated community)
When: 21.9.11 3.15pm – 6.35pm
Who: Saul, Holly, Chela – Cedesa, Waldo & Alva – Sapasma, + 28 adults (incl. 6 men)

Purpose: To know more the situation of the Los Magueyes & La Palma communities with regard to water. To determine if they are to be included in the next Sapasma funded Cedesa/Rotary water project.

We all decided to eat first as it was late in the day.

Chela gave a brief introduction re the project history & asked those from Los Magueyes & La Palma to identify themselves, 15 from La Palma raised their hands, & 9 from Los Magueyes raised theres.

Each person in turn introduced themselves & we joked that there were so many “Maria”s, everyone had a good laugh when I introduced myself as Maria too.

Chela described a little about Cedesa, her work for the last 40+ years & the work of Cedesa. She described the history of our work together, ie Rotary & Cedesa since October 2008 & that in May/June 2010 Saul started working with Cedesa after having come to Los Torres during an assembly, as he was doing a temp. job with Desarollo Social at that time, she explained Saul has the sensibility to unite & organize to improve standards of living.

Sapasma have been participating in water projects as a result of the proof of concept provided by the success of the previous projects. They are now working with us to provide resources & learn the process of the water projects.

Chela talked a little on the subject of fluoride & arsenic in this region, & the symptoms/damage it causes to the human body.

She explained we have uncomplicated & good relations with Sapasma & she asked the participants what they know about the projects & why they are here today…
“we don’t have any water, so capturing water is important to us”
“we don’t have potable water & want to learn about capturing water”
“I heard Enrique from Club Rotario, on the radio talking about cisterns, & we always have to pay for petrol to go & collect water from somewhere, I went to see Enrique, we are 7 + 2 families”
“we in La Palma have water so highly chlorinated it’s undrinkable”
“La Palma were invited originally to join in with Los Magueyes as we were told the minimum number for a project was 20 & we are very small – only 9”

Holly asked the history of the 2 communities…
“Los Magueyes families were all from La Palma, 20 years ago we came here, there was nothing here, no electricity, no water etc”
“Los Palma is a ‘bario’ of Rancho Viejo”
“it’s only 600 mtrs from Los Magueyes to the pozo in La Palma, but it is across the highway, so very expensive to pipe the water across”
“La Palma people do not have land or produce food, they all depend on work to buy food”

Chela asked the attendees if they can – from what they know – describe the process…
“attend assemblies”
“have patience re resources”
Chela described the forming of the Consejo (citizen’s council), it was formed to identify issues in common & work together to find solutions, including resources, mutual work commitment, attendance at assemblies & patience. There are many advantages of working together in a Consejo. Organisation is the key to advancing issues. Apparently 3 yrs is the normal amount of time to be working on an issue before achieving a resolution.

It’s a “journey” to lean & grow in general through experiences, talking, working & taking initiative. It’s a way to work together & get to know other communities & be more united in approach to life.

Holly gave an example: Los Torres had a project & inauguration & invited Lucy to come, they decorated, & were all excited & waiting for her to arrive… She didn’t come, in place she sent a representative… Then when the Consejo was formed she has been very responsive & attended almost monthly meetings of the Consejo. She has been very co-operative & supportive & encouraged other departments to be likewise.

“We should continue to meet, there will always be a ‘falling away’ of attendance along the way, but the ones that stay the distance will be the ones to achieve change or objectives.”

“I can imagine there are communities with a much higher need, that are worse off that we are, & for this I imagine we will be lower on the list”

Holly suggested there are other alternatives, if they have to wait, like a ‘tanda’ where people contribute each week & build each cistern as they can, until all are built.

I asked for clarification – if La Palma have water, why do they want to participate in this project?
“because the water is undrinkable, when we turn on the tap, the smell of chlorine is so strong”

Why not tell the water committee person to add less chlorine?
“we did, but we were not at the meeting to vote & so we have no say”
ACTION:
Waldo agreed they will organize a Sapasma rep. to go to La Palma & ensure only the correct dose of chlorine is being added.

So – if the chlorine issue is resolved, will that mean La Palma no longer want a cistern project?
“no, they still want them because sometimes they turn the taps on & no water comes, especially the ones in the upper community”

They are aware this water is only for drinking & cooking. They also know they will be low priority, but that participation changed the priority order, even if the need is high… ie if you don’t participate you lose your spot in the list. Meeting notices are not always advised, (sometimes people can’t get a message the right person) it is important to stay in touch with Saul to keep up to date with when the next meeting is.

INFO, there are approx. 200 families in La Palma.

The meeting finished at 6.35pm, we had a mini tour of the chicken farm, the family sells chicken every Friday.

Next meeting will be Consejo Meeting at La Tinaja on 28.9.11 at 11am