Where: Los Torres Kindergarten.
When: 24th February 2009 1.30pm – 3pm
Who: Benigno (Cedesa), David Gillis (Videographer for CEDESA), Laura (Rotary). George & Anne Stewart (Laura’s dad & Stepmum) & approx 25 men & women & 10 kids.
Purpose: Today is the 2nd day of the demonstration of the building of a 12,000 litre cistern by CEDESA (Funded by SMCF Grant). This will enable the community to build their own cisterns when the large Rotary Project is initiated.
The community had previously divided into 4 groups of 11 with a commitment that at least 2 people from each group should attend each of the 4 day sessions, to learn the entire process of building a cistern & the roof & piping system that supports the collection & storage of rainwater.
Summary of the day
The day had started at 10am as planned & they had made huge progress by the time we got there.
Since yesterday,
the cistern pad had been poured
the cistern wire cylinder was in place
the plywood form was “chocked” to the inside of the cylinder.
they had begun cementing the 1st outside layer
While we were there we observed (& photographed)
women helping mixing the concrete & carting it to the men to “slap” up
men slapping the concrete onto the wire form
women serving drinks & food to the workers (& kids)
we interviewed on camera several of the men & women, my Spanish is not good but we asked them to talk a little about the project & scarcity of water etc.
We left around 3pm
NB we were not able to attend the 3rd & 4th demo days.
At the next meeting I attended I took additional photos of the project now that it had been completed.
The roof had been rimmed with bricks, with a concrete moulding on the inside angle to remove the sharp 90degree angle where the brick meets the roof (for ease of cleaning)
The roof had been coated with a natural impermeable substance.
The pipes had been attached both sides of the roof, feeding back to the cistern.
The cistern had been completed, with lid, overflow pipe, fully lined, low gauge with tap for cleaning purposes, tap around ½ mtr from bottom (to reduce sediment), & external clear tube to monitor the depth of the water contained. (see additional photos).
Photo album available at the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/LosTorresPilotProjectDay1?feat=directlink
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
21st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
21st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres Kindergarten.
When: 23rd February 2009 10.30am – 12.30pm
Who: Holly Yasui & Benigno (Cedesa), David Gillis (Videographer for CEDESA), Laura (Rotary) & 6 men (no-one from group 3)
Purpose: Today is the first day of the demonstration of the building of a 12,000 litre cistern by CEDESA (Funded by SMCF Grant). This will enable the community to build their own cisterns when the large Rotary Project is initiated.
The community had previously divided into 4 groups of 11 with a commitment that at least 2 people from each group should attend each of the 4 day sessions, to learn the entire process of building a cistern & the roof & piping system that supports the collection & storage of rainwater.
Summary of the day
There was an unexpected community meeting in Cruz del Palmar which all of the women were called to attend, hence there were only men at the beginning of the day.
The women came to help after the meeting, & finished the task they had been set – ie to “weave” the wire chicken mesh together with the more sturdy wire mesh enclosed - ½ day earlier than planned.
Leova’s husband came to represent her group.
Step 1 was to lay out the chicken wire, 2 strips side by side.
Step 2 weave the chicken wire together along one side, using wire hook “gancho”s
Step 3 lay maya (sturdy wire mesh) on top of the chicken wire.
Step 4 fold another layer of chicken wire on top of the wire mesh, & then fold the remaining section of the chicken wire over, completely enclosing the wire mesh.
Step 5 weave or crochet the chicken wire from each side together using the gancho’s. (nb this is the time consuming bit, each little diamond of wire has to be en-meshed together & is ideally suited to women’s fine motor skills!!!)
We left before the “weaving” was finished.
See photo album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/LosTorresPilotProjectDay1?feat=directlink
21st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres Kindergarten.
When: 23rd February 2009 10.30am – 12.30pm
Who: Holly Yasui & Benigno (Cedesa), David Gillis (Videographer for CEDESA), Laura (Rotary) & 6 men (no-one from group 3)
Purpose: Today is the first day of the demonstration of the building of a 12,000 litre cistern by CEDESA (Funded by SMCF Grant). This will enable the community to build their own cisterns when the large Rotary Project is initiated.
The community had previously divided into 4 groups of 11 with a commitment that at least 2 people from each group should attend each of the 4 day sessions, to learn the entire process of building a cistern & the roof & piping system that supports the collection & storage of rainwater.
Summary of the day
There was an unexpected community meeting in Cruz del Palmar which all of the women were called to attend, hence there were only men at the beginning of the day.
The women came to help after the meeting, & finished the task they had been set – ie to “weave” the wire chicken mesh together with the more sturdy wire mesh enclosed - ½ day earlier than planned.
Leova’s husband came to represent her group.
Step 1 was to lay out the chicken wire, 2 strips side by side.
Step 2 weave the chicken wire together along one side, using wire hook “gancho”s
Step 3 lay maya (sturdy wire mesh) on top of the chicken wire.
Step 4 fold another layer of chicken wire on top of the wire mesh, & then fold the remaining section of the chicken wire over, completely enclosing the wire mesh.
Step 5 weave or crochet the chicken wire from each side together using the gancho’s. (nb this is the time consuming bit, each little diamond of wire has to be en-meshed together & is ideally suited to women’s fine motor skills!!!)
We left before the “weaving” was finished.
See photo album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/LosTorresPilotProjectDay1?feat=directlink
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
20th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Record of Meeting pg 1 of 2
20th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres School kitchen.
When: 4th February 2009 12 – 2.30
Who: Jose Miguel – Delegado , Ma Jesus (delegada), total of 43 people including 7 men. Holly Yasui, Chela & Benigno (Cedesa), Tom & Anne Pinfold (Sechelt Rotary – Partners), Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Following is the summary email sent as an update of the 4.2.09 meeting in Los Torres.
Hi Guys
I just wanted to give a quick summary of today,
It was great to have Tom Pinfold (Sechelt Rotary President) & his wife Anne with us to see things up close & personal.
We left at 11am, met with Chela, Benigno & Holly at El Cortijo & headed off together to Los Torres.
The community slowly gathered & we started the meeting about 12.30.
There were 45 people attending (very close to a quorum for an assembly, since there are 94 families - according to the delegado).
There was the usual discussion at the beginning about what constitutes a meeting v an assembly. Then there was more discussion regarding the fluoride test level by Ecology.
All the people there were there because they wish to participate in the project.
1. The dates were set for the demonstration construction of the 1st ferro cement cistern at the Kindergarten.
4 days, 23.24,25,&26th February.
2. Chela asked for people to:
• manage the delivery of the materials, (cement, rebar, mesh etc) make sure they were secure (Maria Soria, & Guillermina Barranca - can contact by cell phone via Maria Jesus)
• get the best price & arrange for the delivery of sand & gravel (Jose Miguel - Delegado)
• manage 4 teams of workers for the training days (Jose Miguel Cruz, Juan Alvarado, Primo Barranco, Leova Barranca)
• split into each of the 4 teams (there were 11 + the leader in each team) (I have a list of names of each of the people in each team)
• Each of the managers needs to ensure at least 2 people attend all of the days so they learn the complete process from beginning to end.
3. The list of tools required were:
Cortaporno (wire/metal cutter) x 1
Tijera para lamina (tin cutter) x 1
Palos (poles) x2
Caretilla (wheelbarrow) x 1
Cuchara (trowel) x 1
Llana per person (not sure what this is!)
The community said they have all the tools required already.
4. There was a huge ferocious dogfight for a long 3 or 4 minutes then someone threw a rock at them & they took it elsewhere!! (only in Mexico!)
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
20th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
5. The hours of work were set 10am to 5pm each day. With comida likely around 11am.
6. At least 3 people from each group should attend each day, with (as mentioned earlier) 2 of those attending everyday for consistency.
The people of the community asked when we would have the answer about the big project, ie that the funding would be definite. I gave a commitment of the end of March.
The next assembly date was set for March 4th at 12pm
The meeting ended at 2.30.
Conclusion:
Although the initial survey done by the women in both the upper & lower community determined that every family (except 3 maybes) were interested in participating in the building of the cisterns - ie they all wanted them, since then the Sapasma well has been drilled & some of the community are confused by the opposing information they are receiving about the contamination of the water. The mayor told them that the water is pure. He could not have known this at the time as the test results had not been received.
If we hold up the project & give a workshop on water quality, the reducing aquifer, etc we will not achieve the completion of the project in time for the rainy season.
It seems likely that given the facts & after the demonstration of the ease of building their own cisterns, that other families will change their minds & "jump back on board".
The "early adopters" are very keen, & they say they are always the ones that get things going in the community, but that the others will want it when they take the time to know more about the project & see that it is for real & not just a series of meetings (as it has been).
If we change the MG project now, we risk not getting the funding on time & missing the boat.
If we leave the MG as it stands we have the possibility of the other families joining later or - if they choose not to - then, downsizing the project & refunding the monies.
Certainly the feeling at the presidencia meeting was that this is a very worthwhile project & will be a good model for other communities. We will invite the members of the Montecillo de Nieto (neighbouring) community to attend the demonstration cistern building days.
A question was raised "if there are members of the LT community that choose not to participate are we able to offer their cisterns to the people in the Montecillo de Nieto community that would like to be involved?". This community has an active group of women leaders that have been vocal at the 2 presidencia meetings & look to be very pro-active.
Any comments? maybe we should meet before the next scheduled CPC meeting to discuss these points.
Tom we'd appreciate your thoughts from the partner club viewpoint, also you have a lot more background now, do you think there is any additional information we should provide to the other partners at this point?
Love
Laura
(PS Bill could you tell Judy that Maria de Jesus was asking after her today, she misses talking to her - I told her that the break was a bad one & that she is still recuperating)
20th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres School kitchen.
When: 4th February 2009 12 – 2.30
Who: Jose Miguel – Delegado , Ma Jesus (delegada), total of 43 people including 7 men. Holly Yasui, Chela & Benigno (Cedesa), Tom & Anne Pinfold (Sechelt Rotary – Partners), Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Following is the summary email sent as an update of the 4.2.09 meeting in Los Torres.
Hi Guys
I just wanted to give a quick summary of today,
It was great to have Tom Pinfold (Sechelt Rotary President) & his wife Anne with us to see things up close & personal.
We left at 11am, met with Chela, Benigno & Holly at El Cortijo & headed off together to Los Torres.
The community slowly gathered & we started the meeting about 12.30.
There were 45 people attending (very close to a quorum for an assembly, since there are 94 families - according to the delegado).
There was the usual discussion at the beginning about what constitutes a meeting v an assembly. Then there was more discussion regarding the fluoride test level by Ecology.
All the people there were there because they wish to participate in the project.
1. The dates were set for the demonstration construction of the 1st ferro cement cistern at the Kindergarten.
4 days, 23.24,25,&26th February.
2. Chela asked for people to:
• manage the delivery of the materials, (cement, rebar, mesh etc) make sure they were secure (Maria Soria, & Guillermina Barranca - can contact by cell phone via Maria Jesus)
• get the best price & arrange for the delivery of sand & gravel (Jose Miguel - Delegado)
• manage 4 teams of workers for the training days (Jose Miguel Cruz, Juan Alvarado, Primo Barranco, Leova Barranca)
• split into each of the 4 teams (there were 11 + the leader in each team) (I have a list of names of each of the people in each team)
• Each of the managers needs to ensure at least 2 people attend all of the days so they learn the complete process from beginning to end.
3. The list of tools required were:
Cortaporno (wire/metal cutter) x 1
Tijera para lamina (tin cutter) x 1
Palos (poles) x2
Caretilla (wheelbarrow) x 1
Cuchara (trowel) x 1
Llana per person (not sure what this is!)
The community said they have all the tools required already.
4. There was a huge ferocious dogfight for a long 3 or 4 minutes then someone threw a rock at them & they took it elsewhere!! (only in Mexico!)
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
20th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
5. The hours of work were set 10am to 5pm each day. With comida likely around 11am.
6. At least 3 people from each group should attend each day, with (as mentioned earlier) 2 of those attending everyday for consistency.
The people of the community asked when we would have the answer about the big project, ie that the funding would be definite. I gave a commitment of the end of March.
The next assembly date was set for March 4th at 12pm
The meeting ended at 2.30.
Conclusion:
Although the initial survey done by the women in both the upper & lower community determined that every family (except 3 maybes) were interested in participating in the building of the cisterns - ie they all wanted them, since then the Sapasma well has been drilled & some of the community are confused by the opposing information they are receiving about the contamination of the water. The mayor told them that the water is pure. He could not have known this at the time as the test results had not been received.
If we hold up the project & give a workshop on water quality, the reducing aquifer, etc we will not achieve the completion of the project in time for the rainy season.
It seems likely that given the facts & after the demonstration of the ease of building their own cisterns, that other families will change their minds & "jump back on board".
The "early adopters" are very keen, & they say they are always the ones that get things going in the community, but that the others will want it when they take the time to know more about the project & see that it is for real & not just a series of meetings (as it has been).
If we change the MG project now, we risk not getting the funding on time & missing the boat.
If we leave the MG as it stands we have the possibility of the other families joining later or - if they choose not to - then, downsizing the project & refunding the monies.
Certainly the feeling at the presidencia meeting was that this is a very worthwhile project & will be a good model for other communities. We will invite the members of the Montecillo de Nieto (neighbouring) community to attend the demonstration cistern building days.
A question was raised "if there are members of the LT community that choose not to participate are we able to offer their cisterns to the people in the Montecillo de Nieto community that would like to be involved?". This community has an active group of women leaders that have been vocal at the 2 presidencia meetings & look to be very pro-active.
Any comments? maybe we should meet before the next scheduled CPC meeting to discuss these points.
Tom we'd appreciate your thoughts from the partner club viewpoint, also you have a lot more background now, do you think there is any additional information we should provide to the other partners at this point?
Love
Laura
(PS Bill could you tell Judy that Maria de Jesus was asking after her today, she misses talking to her - I told her that the break was a bad one & that she is still recuperating)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Record of Meeting pg 1 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: El Presidencia at the Municipal Buildings on the road to Queretaro.
When: 28th January 2009 11.30 – 2.30
Who: Enrique Nunez (director), Don Patterson & Julio (ecology dept), Rafael (brother of Jose Miguel – Delegado Los Torres Community), The delegado & 3 women from Montecillo de Nieto Community. Miguel Ramirez (Desarrollo Social), Holly Yasui (Cedesa), Enrique Orvananos & Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Purpose of the meeting: to follow up on the previous meeting held 19th Nov 2008 – to discuss community issues including the supply of safe drinking water.
Ecology reported that the Sapasma well had been drilled to a level of 180mtrs.
Ecology dept has carried out preliminary water testing & discovered that the water from the new well contains 2.0mg/l (the allowable level is 1.5mg/l) of fluoride.
The tests are not exact yet as the water is too turbid. Don Patterson is planning to carry out further testing in 3 months when the water has settled.
Testing has also been carried out in the past on the shallow well that is approx 1 hr’s walk from LT. It is also high in fluoride.
Don explained the implications of high fluoride levels to the communities. The damage it does to the teeth & skeletal system as well as other symptoms. They had not heard of this before (except Rafael as LT had previously been advised of the fluoride contamination in their family wells.
Enrique N. spoke to the communities to tell them of the many programs available to them from the various govt departments. Including:
• Reforestation project – members of the community are eligible to receive the average daily wage plus free trees, for the planting in their area. They need to contact Don at Ecology re this program.
• The local govt. is planning to build a road through the back way from LT/Montecillo de Nieto to SMA – if the communities work together to create a committee they can represent themselves to the govt & will be favourably received.
• Montecillo Sports teams are now winning (thanks to assistance) & Enrique N wants the same for LT.
• They need to work together as there are funds available for work & materials, especially provided in programs by the govt. to assist men returning from the USA without work.
Montecillo community members raised the issue of rubbish being thrown into their river by weekend ‘tourists’ that come for the free hotsprings. They have approached them many times to take their rubbish with them but no one is listening.
Action Ecology pledged to send inspectors for 4 weekends & also to deputise the women of the community so that they can be ‘community inspectors’
Miguel Ramirez of Desarollo urbano (urban development) has been visiting the communities in the region, to ask them their priorities regarding issues they have.
Following are a sample of the issues he has discovered:
• no toilets
• contamination from lack of sanitation
• lack of water
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
He said that Ecology had made some promises about building dry toilets for some of these communities but that had not happened yet. Ecology said they don’t have the budget for it right now.
Miguel is gathering statistics on requirements & will then present a needs analysis.
One of the communities he visited is collecting plastics & batteries & other recyclables for recycling. All communities could be doing this. They will receive a small amount in compensation from the recycling program on Libramiento Dolores.
To summarise:
The various govt. departments have many programs available to the people, but first the communities must mobilise themselves.
A good website that lists these programs is www.sedesol.gob.mx
Contact numbers:
Enrique Núñez Martínez
Secretario Técnico
Circuito Escolar S/N
Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán
CP 04510 México D.F.
014611335221
ID 52*270690*2
enrique_nunezm@yahoo.com.mx
His phone number at the Presidencia is: 152-9600 ext 147
Miguel Angel Ramirez Desarollo Social & Urbano
Tel 415 112 62221/ oficina 120 4330 & 4331
Rafael Los Torres Community representative Cel 415 100 9482
Next meeting scheduled for 25 Feb 11am.
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: El Presidencia at the Municipal Buildings on the road to Queretaro.
When: 28th January 2009 11.30 – 2.30
Who: Enrique Nunez (director), Don Patterson & Julio (ecology dept), Rafael (brother of Jose Miguel – Delegado Los Torres Community), The delegado & 3 women from Montecillo de Nieto Community. Miguel Ramirez (Desarrollo Social), Holly Yasui (Cedesa), Enrique Orvananos & Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Purpose of the meeting: to follow up on the previous meeting held 19th Nov 2008 – to discuss community issues including the supply of safe drinking water.
Ecology reported that the Sapasma well had been drilled to a level of 180mtrs.
Ecology dept has carried out preliminary water testing & discovered that the water from the new well contains 2.0mg/l (the allowable level is 1.5mg/l) of fluoride.
The tests are not exact yet as the water is too turbid. Don Patterson is planning to carry out further testing in 3 months when the water has settled.
Testing has also been carried out in the past on the shallow well that is approx 1 hr’s walk from LT. It is also high in fluoride.
Don explained the implications of high fluoride levels to the communities. The damage it does to the teeth & skeletal system as well as other symptoms. They had not heard of this before (except Rafael as LT had previously been advised of the fluoride contamination in their family wells.
Enrique N. spoke to the communities to tell them of the many programs available to them from the various govt departments. Including:
• Reforestation project – members of the community are eligible to receive the average daily wage plus free trees, for the planting in their area. They need to contact Don at Ecology re this program.
• The local govt. is planning to build a road through the back way from LT/Montecillo de Nieto to SMA – if the communities work together to create a committee they can represent themselves to the govt & will be favourably received.
• Montecillo Sports teams are now winning (thanks to assistance) & Enrique N wants the same for LT.
• They need to work together as there are funds available for work & materials, especially provided in programs by the govt. to assist men returning from the USA without work.
Montecillo community members raised the issue of rubbish being thrown into their river by weekend ‘tourists’ that come for the free hotsprings. They have approached them many times to take their rubbish with them but no one is listening.
Action Ecology pledged to send inspectors for 4 weekends & also to deputise the women of the community so that they can be ‘community inspectors’
Miguel Ramirez of Desarollo urbano (urban development) has been visiting the communities in the region, to ask them their priorities regarding issues they have.
Following are a sample of the issues he has discovered:
• no toilets
• contamination from lack of sanitation
• lack of water
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
He said that Ecology had made some promises about building dry toilets for some of these communities but that had not happened yet. Ecology said they don’t have the budget for it right now.
Miguel is gathering statistics on requirements & will then present a needs analysis.
One of the communities he visited is collecting plastics & batteries & other recyclables for recycling. All communities could be doing this. They will receive a small amount in compensation from the recycling program on Libramiento Dolores.
To summarise:
The various govt. departments have many programs available to the people, but first the communities must mobilise themselves.
A good website that lists these programs is www.sedesol.gob.mx
Contact numbers:
Enrique Núñez Martínez
Secretario Técnico
Circuito Escolar S/N
Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán
CP 04510 México D.F.
014611335221
ID 52*270690*2
enrique_nunezm@yahoo.com.mx
His phone number at the Presidencia is: 152-9600 ext 147
Miguel Angel Ramirez Desarollo Social & Urbano
Tel 415 112 62221/ oficina 120 4330 & 4331
Rafael Los Torres Community representative Cel 415 100 9482
Next meeting scheduled for 25 Feb 11am.
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Record of Meeting pg 1 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: El Presidencia at the Municipal Buildings on the road to Queretaro.
When: 28th January 2009 11.30 – 2.30
Who: Enrique Nunez (director), Don Patterson & Julio (ecology dept), Rafael (brother of Jose Miguel – Delegado Los Torres Community), The delegado & 3 women from Montecillo de Nieto Community. Miguel Ramirez (Desarrollo Social), Holly Yasui (Cedesa), Enrique Orvananos & Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Purpose of the meeting: to follow up on the previous meeting held 19th Nov 2008 – to discuss community issues including the supply of safe drinking water.
Ecology reported that the Sapasma well had been drilled to a level of 180mtrs.
Ecology dept has carried out preliminary water testing & discovered that the water from the new well contains 2.0mg/l (the allowable level is 1.5mg/l) of fluoride.
The tests are not exact yet as the water is too turbid. Don Patterson is planning to carry out further testing in 3 months when the water has settled.
Testing has also been carried out in the past on the shallow well that is approx 1 hr’s walk from LT. It is also high in fluoride.
Don explained the implications of high fluoride levels to the communities. The damage it does to the teeth & skeletal system as well as other symptoms. They had not heard of this before (except Rafael as LT had previously been advised of the fluoride contamination in their family wells.
Enrique N. spoke to the communities to tell them of the many programs available to them from the various govt departments. Including:
• Reforestation project – members of the community are eligible to receive the average daily wage plus free trees, for the planting in their area. They need to contact Don at Ecology re this program.
• The local govt. is planning to build a road through the back way from LT/Montecillo de Nieto to SMA – if the communities work together to create a committee they can represent themselves to the govt & will be favourably received.
• Montecillo Sports teams are now winning (thanks to assistance) & Enrique N wants the same for LT.
• They need to work together as there are funds available for work & materials, especially provided in programs by the govt. to assist men returning from the USA without work.
Montecillo community members raised the issue of rubbish being thrown into their river by weekend ‘tourists’ that come for the free hotsprings. They have approached them many times to take their rubbish with them but no one is listening.
Action Ecology pledged to send inspectors for 4 weekends & also to deputise the women of the community so that they can be ‘community inspectors’
Miguel Ramirez of Desarollo urbano (urban development) has been visiting the communities in the region, to ask them their priorities regarding issues they have.
Following are a sample of the issues he has discovered:
• no toilets
• contamination from lack of sanitation
• lack of water
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
He said that Ecology had made some promises about building dry toilets for some of these communities but that had not happened yet. Ecology said they don’t have the budget for it right now.
Miguel is gathering statistics on requirements & will then present a needs analysis.
One of the communities he visited is collecting plastics & batteries & other recyclables for recycling. All communities could be doing this. They will receive a small amount in compensation from the recycling program on Libramiento Dolores.
To summarise:
The various govt. departments have many programs available to the people, but first the communities must mobilise themselves.
A good website that lists these programs is www.sedesol.gob.mx
Contact numbers:
Enrique Núñez Martínez
Secretario Técnico
Circuito Escolar S/N
Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán
CP 04510 México D.F.
014611335221
ID 52*270690*2
enrique_nunezm@yahoo.com.mx
His phone number at the Presidencia is: 152-9600 ext 147
Miguel Angel Ramirez Desarollo Social & Urbano
Tel 415 112 62221/ oficina 120 4330 & 4331
Rafael Los Torres Community representative Cel 415 100 9482
Next meeting scheduled for 25 Feb 11am.
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: El Presidencia at the Municipal Buildings on the road to Queretaro.
When: 28th January 2009 11.30 – 2.30
Who: Enrique Nunez (director), Don Patterson & Julio (ecology dept), Rafael (brother of Jose Miguel – Delegado Los Torres Community), The delegado & 3 women from Montecillo de Nieto Community. Miguel Ramirez (Desarrollo Social), Holly Yasui (Cedesa), Enrique Orvananos & Laura Stewart (San Miguel Midday Rotary Club),
Purpose of the meeting: to follow up on the previous meeting held 19th Nov 2008 – to discuss community issues including the supply of safe drinking water.
Ecology reported that the Sapasma well had been drilled to a level of 180mtrs.
Ecology dept has carried out preliminary water testing & discovered that the water from the new well contains 2.0mg/l (the allowable level is 1.5mg/l) of fluoride.
The tests are not exact yet as the water is too turbid. Don Patterson is planning to carry out further testing in 3 months when the water has settled.
Testing has also been carried out in the past on the shallow well that is approx 1 hr’s walk from LT. It is also high in fluoride.
Don explained the implications of high fluoride levels to the communities. The damage it does to the teeth & skeletal system as well as other symptoms. They had not heard of this before (except Rafael as LT had previously been advised of the fluoride contamination in their family wells.
Enrique N. spoke to the communities to tell them of the many programs available to them from the various govt departments. Including:
• Reforestation project – members of the community are eligible to receive the average daily wage plus free trees, for the planting in their area. They need to contact Don at Ecology re this program.
• The local govt. is planning to build a road through the back way from LT/Montecillo de Nieto to SMA – if the communities work together to create a committee they can represent themselves to the govt & will be favourably received.
• Montecillo Sports teams are now winning (thanks to assistance) & Enrique N wants the same for LT.
• They need to work together as there are funds available for work & materials, especially provided in programs by the govt. to assist men returning from the USA without work.
Montecillo community members raised the issue of rubbish being thrown into their river by weekend ‘tourists’ that come for the free hotsprings. They have approached them many times to take their rubbish with them but no one is listening.
Action Ecology pledged to send inspectors for 4 weekends & also to deputise the women of the community so that they can be ‘community inspectors’
Miguel Ramirez of Desarollo urbano (urban development) has been visiting the communities in the region, to ask them their priorities regarding issues they have.
Following are a sample of the issues he has discovered:
• no toilets
• contamination from lack of sanitation
• lack of water
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
19th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
He said that Ecology had made some promises about building dry toilets for some of these communities but that had not happened yet. Ecology said they don’t have the budget for it right now.
Miguel is gathering statistics on requirements & will then present a needs analysis.
One of the communities he visited is collecting plastics & batteries & other recyclables for recycling. All communities could be doing this. They will receive a small amount in compensation from the recycling program on Libramiento Dolores.
To summarise:
The various govt. departments have many programs available to the people, but first the communities must mobilise themselves.
A good website that lists these programs is www.sedesol.gob.mx
Contact numbers:
Enrique Núñez Martínez
Secretario Técnico
Circuito Escolar S/N
Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán
CP 04510 México D.F.
014611335221
ID 52*270690*2
enrique_nunezm@yahoo.com.mx
His phone number at the Presidencia is: 152-9600 ext 147
Miguel Angel Ramirez Desarollo Social & Urbano
Tel 415 112 62221/ oficina 120 4330 & 4331
Rafael Los Torres Community representative Cel 415 100 9482
Next meeting scheduled for 25 Feb 11am.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
18th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Record of Meeting pg 1 of 2
18th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Part I – El Cortijo Hotel at the turnoff & Part II at Los Torres Community –School kitchen
When: 22nd January 2009 10-11am & 12 – 1.45pm
Who: Part I – Holly, Chela & Benigno – CEDESA, Bob & Laura (Rotary).
Part II - Jose Miguel (delegado), Magdalena, Hilaria, Ma (delegada), & other commuinity members. 39 women, 2 men & 7 kids. Following is a summary I created by email on 23.1.09 for the records.
From: Laura
Date: Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Subject: Update re community meeting at Los Torres of 22.1.09
To: Gary
Cc: Bob , Holly
Hi Gary & Bill
Here´s an update, summary of the meeting yesterday.
There were some interesting discoveries.
The meeting was well attended, there were more than 40 people there, but just short of a quorum of 45 (being that there are 91 families).
We thanked them for collecting the survey information about the families, & family groups that wanted cisterns. We explained that the information they gathered enabled us to calculate the size & quantity of cisterns required for each "family group".
They had this information about the Sapasma new well.
• the Major Jesus Correa had visited about 10days ago to celebrate the drilling of the well & that he had told them that the water was pure & perfect for drinking.
• Sapasma has not told them how much they are going to have to pay for the well
• Sapasma will return in approx 15days to begin work on providing water by pipe to each house (they don´t know the cost)
They had not been told the results of the testing by Ecology that the fluoride level is 2.0mg/l
We mentioned this to them, not wanting to discredit what the major had said, but that it was still a high level of contamination & Chela has said that they will carry out further tests at the UNAM lab. at CEDESA when they have access to the well.
Cedesa had bought sampling bottles to take water samples but the well is covered so we were unable to get a sample at this stage.
They were all very happy to be receiving water on tap (who wouldnt be?) & we wanted to clarify if this meant they would no longer be interested in participating in the construction of cisterns since they would now have a source of water (however contaminated).
They all said that that the quality of water was still important to them, & that they would be willing to participate & learn how to build the cisterns, but that there were others (not at the meeting) who may not be interested if they have water on tap.
As a result of this we decided to call another assembly for the 4th Feb at 12pm at which all of the people present will decide to be "in" or "out" of the project, & those that are "in" will commit to teams & begin the demonstation stage.
The meeting with Enrique Nuñez at the Presidencia is scheduled for 28.1.09 at 11am, I am hoping they (Sapasma & Ecology) will clarify for the community the situation regarding the water testing.
So, in summary, after the meeting on the 4th Feb we will have a definite idea of the size of the project. Until then it would be speculation.
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
18th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Bob & Holly, please add any comments/info I may have missed.
Gary, should we advise our Rotarian partners of this update? or wait until after the meeting of the 4th Feb?
18th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Part I – El Cortijo Hotel at the turnoff & Part II at Los Torres Community –School kitchen
When: 22nd January 2009 10-11am & 12 – 1.45pm
Who: Part I – Holly, Chela & Benigno – CEDESA, Bob & Laura (Rotary).
Part II - Jose Miguel (delegado), Magdalena, Hilaria, Ma (delegada), & other commuinity members. 39 women, 2 men & 7 kids. Following is a summary I created by email on 23.1.09 for the records.
From: Laura
Date: Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Subject: Update re community meeting at Los Torres of 22.1.09
To: Gary
Cc: Bob , Holly
Hi Gary & Bill
Here´s an update, summary of the meeting yesterday.
There were some interesting discoveries.
The meeting was well attended, there were more than 40 people there, but just short of a quorum of 45 (being that there are 91 families).
We thanked them for collecting the survey information about the families, & family groups that wanted cisterns. We explained that the information they gathered enabled us to calculate the size & quantity of cisterns required for each "family group".
They had this information about the Sapasma new well.
• the Major Jesus Correa had visited about 10days ago to celebrate the drilling of the well & that he had told them that the water was pure & perfect for drinking.
• Sapasma has not told them how much they are going to have to pay for the well
• Sapasma will return in approx 15days to begin work on providing water by pipe to each house (they don´t know the cost)
They had not been told the results of the testing by Ecology that the fluoride level is 2.0mg/l
We mentioned this to them, not wanting to discredit what the major had said, but that it was still a high level of contamination & Chela has said that they will carry out further tests at the UNAM lab. at CEDESA when they have access to the well.
Cedesa had bought sampling bottles to take water samples but the well is covered so we were unable to get a sample at this stage.
They were all very happy to be receiving water on tap (who wouldnt be?) & we wanted to clarify if this meant they would no longer be interested in participating in the construction of cisterns since they would now have a source of water (however contaminated).
They all said that that the quality of water was still important to them, & that they would be willing to participate & learn how to build the cisterns, but that there were others (not at the meeting) who may not be interested if they have water on tap.
As a result of this we decided to call another assembly for the 4th Feb at 12pm at which all of the people present will decide to be "in" or "out" of the project, & those that are "in" will commit to teams & begin the demonstation stage.
The meeting with Enrique Nuñez at the Presidencia is scheduled for 28.1.09 at 11am, I am hoping they (Sapasma & Ecology) will clarify for the community the situation regarding the water testing.
So, in summary, after the meeting on the 4th Feb we will have a definite idea of the size of the project. Until then it would be speculation.
Record of Meeting pg 2 of 2
18th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Bob & Holly, please add any comments/info I may have missed.
Gary, should we advise our Rotarian partners of this update? or wait until after the meeting of the 4th Feb?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
17th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Record of Meeting pg 1 of 1
17th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres Community – house across from School
When: 9th December 2008 10-12pm
Who: Holly – CEDESA, Bill Fisher (Patronato Pro Nino), Laura (Rotary). Jose Miguel (delegado), Magdalena, Carolina, Tere, Ma, Elena, Carmela, Cesaria (Maria Concepcion couldn’t make it, her deaf daughter’s school day)
Specific Project determined: We are now working on the Los Torres project
to fund individual water collection systems for each household in Los Torres. We have verbal funding agreed of US$60K combined, from our North American Rotary Partner clubs.
Purpose of the Meeting -
To collect the information the mini commission had gone door to door to collect.
Lower Community
There was a list of each group of families
1 per page
Some weren’t home,
They had 13 groups, 3 maybes (counted as yes for the purpose of calculation) & one widow said no, they spent 15 minutes explaining the option to her, but felt she didn’t understand that she didn’t have to build it herself.
Upper community
They have collected info, 1 page per family & have estimated roof size.
Comments from the people surveyed
Many had wanted to do this already, but don’t have the resources, some have been using large buckets.
In general the response was very enthusiastic & willing.
We thanked the women for a great job well done & took the info to collate into a spreadsheet.
Next Assembly 22 January 12pm
Presidencia meeting 28 January 11am
17th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Committee
Where: Los Torres Community – house across from School
When: 9th December 2008 10-12pm
Who: Holly – CEDESA, Bill Fisher (Patronato Pro Nino), Laura (Rotary). Jose Miguel (delegado), Magdalena, Carolina, Tere, Ma, Elena, Carmela, Cesaria (Maria Concepcion couldn’t make it, her deaf daughter’s school day)
Specific Project determined: We are now working on the Los Torres project
to fund individual water collection systems for each household in Los Torres. We have verbal funding agreed of US$60K combined, from our North American Rotary Partner clubs.
Purpose of the Meeting -
To collect the information the mini commission had gone door to door to collect.
Lower Community
There was a list of each group of families
1 per page
Some weren’t home,
They had 13 groups, 3 maybes (counted as yes for the purpose of calculation) & one widow said no, they spent 15 minutes explaining the option to her, but felt she didn’t understand that she didn’t have to build it herself.
Upper community
They have collected info, 1 page per family & have estimated roof size.
Comments from the people surveyed
Many had wanted to do this already, but don’t have the resources, some have been using large buckets.
In general the response was very enthusiastic & willing.
We thanked the women for a great job well done & took the info to collate into a spreadsheet.
Next Assembly 22 January 12pm
Presidencia meeting 28 January 11am
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