Report of 6th visit to Guerrero

Indigenous dancer at Guerrero Inauguration

Where: Guerrero

When:  28^th April 2012 11-2

Who Saul & Chela (Cedesa) many community members + members from other communities

Lisette & Miguel (personally attended ) a visitor from Codemac (human rights organization) (& member of the Water coalition)

Purpose:   Inauguration/celebration of the completion of 20 cisterns in this community

I was unable to attend this inauguration as I was in Mexico City, Chela related the following to me

There were representatives from 8 communities including Guerrero.

People attended from Pena Blanca, Palmita II, Juan Gonzalez, Vivienda Urbana, Capaderillo, Presita de Santa Rosa & Cruz del Palmar. These people were there to support & strengthen Guerrero as they have had (& continue to have) issues with land rights.

The format for the day was essentially the same as La Tinaja, with introductions, reflection of the greater project, then specific retelling of this project by members of the community.

The dancers at this event were indigenous dancers with plumes on their heads & indigenous costumes etc, this community is the first to include indigenous culture (which is largely lost in this region).

Ribbons were cut on various cisterns during a walking tour.

Confetti!!

There were many balloons & streamers decorating the community & the cisterns, & of course the celebration concluded with a banquet of the usual delectable delights.

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.

Report of 5th visit to Guerrero

Mixing the nopal with Cal to create a natural Sealant

to paint onto the cistern & roof.

Working on the inside & out...

Where: Guerrero Primary school – (past Capaderillo, before La Aurora & Don Juan)

When: 9 Feb 2012 10am-10.45am

Who Laura (Rotary), (Guest Suzanne), Saul (Cedesa) 22 adults at least ½ men, + 3 kids

Purpose: To visit on the 4^th day of the Pilot/training session in this community.

There had been unseasonal rain this last week & so the access road was particularly muddy, & this has impacted the work pace of the project as well, ie unable to mix & form concrete in the rain. Ultimately this caused the pilot to be extended an additional day of training.

When we arrived the cistern was in place, cement was being applied inside & out to the standing cistern. The top/cone was yet to be attached & cemented.

The cistern was positioned behind a brand new building being constructed by the architect/builders working for the Education department, Saul informed me the women in charge of the project had said the tubing was not to be connected to the roof of this new building until they had had the inauguration of this building at the end of the month. We agreed this was pretty ridiculous as we would miss out on the opportunity to collect at least some rain from this unseasonal rainfall we are having. Saul was going to attempt to meet with her & change her mind.

We watched the women mixing the nopal with the lime to make the natural sealer product with which the roof & the outside of the cistern would be painted.

Everyone was in fine form & working hard.

We congratulated the team & bid them goodbye.

The wire & metal materials for the first phase of the cistern construction for each of the 19 families has been delivered & they have begun work on their cisterns after the training session each day.

The cement is due to be delivered a little later as we don’t want to risk issues with the rain.

Report of 4th visit to Guerrero 24.1.12

Where: Guerrero Chapel – (past Capaderillo, before La Aurora & Don Juan

When: 24.1.12 12.40pm

Who Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 22 adults (including 2 men), 14kids, 4 dogs

Purpose: To prepare for the water cistern project being funded by Rotary GG 25437.

We arrived late as Chela was stuck behind a “pilgrimage” with 1000’s of people blocking the road, & only 1 lane occasionally opened to traffic…

We arrived seating in the shade & began the assembly.

We remembered the last planning meeting was held in September, & the roll was called. 20 people were present on the list with 3 people absent.

The format differed from usual, ie we did not appoint a co-ordinator or record taker or set agenda as it was very windy & dusty, so was to be a brief meeting.

We had a brief review of the previous meeting, with the roots of this community being discussed, the length of time & number of generations who have lived here, defending their rights to live on the land & remain productive.

The Guerrero Community participants had since attended a workshop on curative plants & nopal tunnels, & soil regeneration. They have wild nopal but many are old & have not been tended so produce less.

Chela asked “are the groups you formed complete? Or do we need to adjust the quantity?”

It was mentioned that one person had left & another participant has taken her place.

Chela suggested we revise the work groups – she asked provokingly “do you need cisterns or not?”

The answer was almost shouted, yes, we have a very high need!

Group 1 participants were Irene, Graciela, Benancia, Leticia, Salud, Berta, Elvia, Mercedes (With new member Gabriela).5 were missing & Chela asked why not – no-one was certain but they thought they were working & could not attend. Chela reiterated how much work is expected of the participants & attendance & participation is mandatory.

Group 2 & 3 participants were reviewed & the groups were shuffled around to end up with total of 19 participants & 1 pilot = 20 cisterns (down from 24 previously).

We spent some time reiterating how important this project is ie that they are unofficial community (despite 6 generations) & hence not eligible for govt. funding, that this is likely their only chance to receive assistance & participate in a cistern project.

Salud – a woman who was involved in the Capaderillo Project as she was such an excellent participant, explained how she learned during the training all that she needed to know to construct & maintain the cistern & not to be afraid of learning new skills.

Pilot date was set 6/2-10/2

Feb 3^rd materials & mallas to be delivered – Pilot at the Primary School – people will need to be home to receive delivery of the mallas.

Hours of pilot were discussed, debated & decided – to start at 8am.

Tools needed were discussed & people agreed/volunteered to bring what was needed.

Conditions of work were discussed – respect & harmony, to work in solidarity & with the responsibility of future projects resting on their shoulders.

We were treated to a quick taco – rice, beans, tostadas & tortillas with agua fresca & we graciously received & ran, as we had next assembly in Corralejos to attend at 3pm.

Meeting ended at 2.40pm

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)

Report 3 Guerrero Assembly 21.9.11

Report of 3rd visit to Guerrero,
Where: Guerrero – past Capaderillo, before La Aurora & Don Juan
When: 21.9.11 12.40pm
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Waldo & Alva (Sapasma) Laura (Rotary), 18 women (2 men), 10kids, 4 dogs

Purpose: To prepare for the water cistern project to be funded by Sapasma, & co-ordinated & administered by the Team (Laura, Saul, Chela & Holly).

Saul was there when we arrived & “passed the list” (called the roll).
Saul asked the assembled group to introduce themselves, each person in turn said their name. He remembered they have been working for more or less 1 year, & that today was a special day as Sapasma is with us & have confirmed they will provide funds for this project.

Holly, Waldo, Alva & I introduced ourselves.

Saul called for a co-ordinator & record taker, he briefly described the function of each role, & emphasised it was important to take good notes, especially of actions that are decided.

Eduviges was appointed Co-ordinator & Irene – record taker.

Holly asked for exception to be able to speak while others were speaking in case she needs to translate for me…I asked for permission to take photos (& they all immediately began giggling & started to “primp” for the camera)

Points for the agenda were called for.
1. Contaminated water/cisterns
2. Sanitarios secos
3. Forming of groups
4. Training pilot.

Saul stated one of the principle objectives of today’s meeting is to determine how united you are in your “mission” & how to achieve/create the plan of work, what’s involved, how etc.

Re item 1. Contaminated Water/Cisterns
Saul “why do you want this project? What are your water issues?”
Antonia – we know the water is very contaminated
Sylvia – as well our well doesn’t have any water, even now at the end of the rainy season
“we also have to carry water a long way from other sources if we don’t have a well”
“often the wells are shared between families, there are as many as 13 families sharing one hand dug well”
“the river was clean & clear, now it’s not, & our wells have fluoride, & rivers are polluted so no choices”


Page 2 of 2
Salud now has no problem because she has a cistern (she was lucky enough to be part of an earlier project with Capaderillo – neighbouring community).
It’s 2 wks since the pipas (water trucks) have come, when they come they don’t provide much water, 2 tambos (large buckets) per family only, & we haven’t even had that for the last 2 wks.

Saul reiterated that dental fluorosis & the pains in the bones they are having are all symptoms of fluoride contamination. The solution that is most viable & they can be confident in is Cisterns.

Waldo spoke briefly to mention that hearing the issues they are having at present is sad, he is happy they are here today & working to resolve their issues.


Item 2. Sanitarios Secos update – was briefly discussed


Item 3.& 4. Forming of work groups…& pilot training.
Saul said to get this done efficiently let’s talk about the process involved in the construction of cisterns & the general process.

Salud was asked to explain more – since she has already participated in a project, & is now part of the continuing process.

They have decided to do the Pilot training in the primary school & have already confirmed this is ok with the teacher. The kinder has not been constructed yet so it is not an option.
Holly proposed that the date of 17/10 be (tentative) date of the pilot (1st day), it will run for 5 days, & then they will need to be ready to work the following 6 wks to complete all of the cisterns in their groups. By 12/10 we will confirm the pilot date – it is dependent on the money being available from Sapasma in time with the specification of the entire project (including 2 other communities).

Groups were formed…A = abanile, L = leader total 23 family cisterns + 1 pilot = 24 cisterns
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
1. Irene / Luis A
2. Juana
3. Berancia L
4. Leticia L
5. Salud Juarez
6. Berta
7. Elvia / Mario A
8. Mercedes Alejandra L
Rosamaria
Raquel
Maria Conc. L
Antoninia /Margarito A
Cecilia / Javier A
Julieta Carmen
Marisela
Eduviges / Ignacio A
Maria Zeferina
Felicitas
Antonia
Sylvia L / Federico A
Angelica L

Holly mentioned it is important for each of the groups to make agreements within the group of hours they will work, who will provide food etc, & that it is important that each stage of the cistern is the same for each family, ie that they proceed at the same rate.

There was a discussion about the lack of abaniles, it was pointed out that much of the work can be carried out by the women, (as in other projects) & if an abanile is needed they can group together to contribute to pay for one, Salud described all of the things the women did, & it was essentially a bit of each process…

Saul discussed the roles of – co-ordinator for the whole community Irene & Juana were elected.
& roles of co-ordinator for each group, these were volunteered & appointed.

Tools required on the day(s) of the pilot
Palas, Picos, Mangueras de Nievel, large cutters, cushions for knees, cucharas, escaleras, cubettas etc.

Water required per cistern is 3000 litres, at the school they have access, but at many houses this will be difficult, there are 7 people who have no access to water, one of the men Mario volunteered to help, he will drive water on his pickup truck.
Pilot will start at 8am, & finish depending on how fast they work each day.

Handshakes all round & we (the team) headed off to the next assembly – in Los Magueyes…

Meeting ended at 2.40pm

Report of 2nd visit to Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan

Record of Event
Report of 2nd visit to Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan
Where: Guerrero – past Capaderillo, before La Aurora & Don Juan
When: 29.09.10 3pm .
Who: Saul, Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 22 women (no men), 12kids, 3 dogs

Purpose: This is the 2nd visit to this “cluster” of communities, we visited La Aurora last time, hence Guerrero’s turn.

We arrived early as we had come straight from Juan Gonzalez/Cinco Senores, & there was just one woman there… then 3 turned up from La Aurora, & eventually as we gathered in the shade in front of the church 22 women arrived.

Chela pointed out that participation & interest in people in their own communities to solve their own issues is crucial, that they can not rely on outsiders for that.

She asked how this community is at attending meetings? They said not very interested, but they all attend the opportunities program meetings!

The women estimated there are approx 32 families in Guerrero (prev estimate has been 45)…

Salud (one of the women) had come to the first meeting in Capaderillo, & has continued to participate & she has a cistern now. She is now attempting to gather interest in Guerrero (her community)

Chela
”are you interested? Knowing that you will have to work, & in groups to achieve these cisterns. It is important to know exactly who is interested, & not just put your name on the list, people need to be “present” ie committed to attend meetings.”

There is a list of 25 names, this needs to be very well refined, & ensure it contains only the names of the definite people wanting to participate.

Chela suggested they pass the attendance list…
3 People are attending from Aurora.
One person is representing the school, the teacher later attended.

Introductions
Chela introduced herself & explained she was not at the previous assembly in Aurora.
Saul & Laura both introduced themselves.
Chela explained the history of the projects, Los Torres, Fluoride etc, & that we have been most recently working in Capaderillo. Some of the people from Guerrero, La Aurora & Don Juan have been attending assemblies there & in Vivienda de Arriba, & invited us to this community to learn more & begin potential collaboration.

The Maestra (teacher) of the primary school arrived at the meeting & Chela took time to explain the history for the teacher.

She talked about fluoride & the damage it causes to all major organs, & for that reason we had begun work in Los Torres in 2008. Los Torres project has been central to the rest of the work we have been doing since. Rotary have funded 4 projects & Ecology department has just funded Capaderillo.

The rainwater is safe to drink, it is without contaminants & we want to work with those interested in resolving their own issues, if there is no interest we will work with other communities. A community needs to be very motivated & interested in co-operating to achieve the results/complete the cisterns.

In reality we would like to gauge the interest at this time, we have no resources currently but are gathering statistics of those interested & will assist people to find resources.

Apparently some people had attended this meeting last week, which was the original date for this meeting, but was changed as it was during the celebrations of independence day/bicentennial.

Chela explained, Rotary does not have the funding for the whole region, so we need to ask the Presidencia for help, Ecology dept. Sapasma, Desarollo Social included, we need to see how we can collaborate resources to resolve this issue for all the communities asking for assistance, we need to involve these other authorities as the demand for this is already large & growing…

Silvia Cardenas (the teacher), had heard about this project from the other Rotary Club, San Miguel Rotary club, who provided playground equipment, Elena had visited during this inauguration. She is very positive about this project as it is very important for the health of the people & she is happy to attend meetings like this.

Chela – Principally important for the kids & that’s why we’re here… Rotary has been funding this from the USA & Canadian funds, but this is essentially a problem of our Govt. one for our country to solve, & we are encouraging them to do this. We’re here for this 1st assembly in Guerrero to explain & gauge interest – what do you think? Talk to me…
“I think it’s important to have clean water to drink”
“I think it’s important to have clean rivers & presa & the river is not clean, but the pozos are clean”
Chela explained – although the pozos seem clean they are not, you can not see, smell or taste fluoride, but it’s why your teeth are damaged.

There are 2 things – the existence of need but also the interest in resolving your issues – do you want to resolve this issue?
They all responded “SI”

It is all voluntary, & so we need to begin to organise, a group/commission can come to the inauguration at Capaderillo on the 22nd October at 11am & present the documents to the govt. representatives attending. You will need to bring food & drink to share.

They will get these to Saul to give to Laura.

Next assembly is essentially the 22.10.10 inauguration/regional meeting at Capaderillo 11am