Record of Event
3rd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community Park & “Salon”
When: 25.11.10
Who: Communities represented: More than 25 Adults including 5 men + 3 kids
Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui,- Cedesa, Laura – Rotary, Mario & Citlali from Gaia,
Purpose: To continue work on resolving the water issues with these communities
Jesus gave a brief introductin.
A co-ordinator (Ana from VdA) & records taker (Isabel from 5 Senores) were elected
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves & said why they were here today.
Reasons included – we don’t have safe drinking water, our wells are dry, we have to carry water from the river & it’s very far & very heavy & not often safe to drink.
“thank god we have water, but unfortunately it is not safe to drink, it is contaminated with fluoride so we need help with drinking water…” “we are struggling for water, having to carry it for people, animals, to clean the house etc”
Why are we here?
Agenda was formed:
Cisterns
Q&A re Cisterns
How to find resources
How to work to construct a cistern
What we need for cisterns
How much they cost?
Now many cisterns needed per community
One representative from Montecillo de Nieto & one from Vivienda de Arriba (previous project sites) described the process of projects in their communities.
From Training days @ schools to receiving their materials, to constructing the cisterns in groups, weaving the cylinders & mixing cement & placing on the lined cylinder…
The woman from Vivienda de Arriba explained it in great detail, she knows the process very well & including “everyone needed their own tools for the work”
The question of why work in groups was raised, “to be united & work together”, it was explained some have tinacos if they live alone or have very small families & are unable to construct their own, but they still contribute however they can, for example bringing food & drink to share.
Montecillo de Nieto described the case in their community where one family did not participate, despite meeting & encouragement & they offered to provide food to make up for it but didn’t follow through on their promise, so the material were given to another family.
Cost to Families
There is no $$ cost but families must participate & provide all the labour, not $$$ but it’s lots of work.
A man from Presita suggested we do a study – we agreed it was a good idea, if he was willing to co-ordinate it (he was not more explicit on the subject of the study he was suggesting).
Requisites
That the community be united, minimum of 20 per pilot, share work & share everything.
It’s difficult to co-ordinate if there is not community unity.
Discussion re how to Prioritise the communities involved
The issues were raised again
Pipas (water trucks) only coming 1x per month
Pipas bring likely contaminated water
Some wells have water but no pipes
Some wells have pipes but no water
The well in San Isidro Capadero has been capped since a dispute of land ownership re the location of the well.
The communites were divided into Clusters/micro regions
Group 1 –
La Cienega, Cinco Senores, Villa Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, Juan Gonzalez
1st meeting 2nd Wednesdays 12.1.11 1pm Villa de Guadalupe
Group 2
Capaderillo, vivienda de Abajo, Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan, Presita de Santa Rosa
1st meeting 3rd Wednesdays 19.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Abajo kinder
Group 3
CdP, Los Torres, vivienda de Arriba, Montecillo de Nieto, San Isidro, Tierra Blanca
1st meeting 4th Wednesdays 26.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Arriba @ Capilla
Meeting finished around 4pm.
Next ones as above!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
2nd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community “Salon”
When: 19th November 2010
Who: Communities represented: More than 52 Adults including 17 men from:
CdP, Vivienda de Abajo, Tierra Blanca, Presita de Santa Rosa, Juan Gonzalez, Villa de Guadalupe, Los Torres, Capaderillo, La Tinaja, 5 Senores, Guerrero, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba,
NGOs :CEDESA (Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, ), Laura – Rotary, Irma Rosado – Representing the municipality, Mario & from Gaia,
Purpose: To plan & create a Citizens Water Board..& work together to resolve the issues raised as important by the communities represented.
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves.
2. Consejo de Agua Jesus spoke about forming a Consejo de agua, citizens group re water. Working with communities, govt. organizations & NGO’s who are working in this area. There is a need for sustainability & ownership by the communities so that they are not reliant on the team currently working with them (ie Cedesa, Rotary).
The “acta” (official wording”) was handed out & explained.
It is to form an entity to be recognized as representative of their communities by the govt.
Irma further explained that the formation of this Consejo will strengthen the ability of the people to work on the total water issues.
I mentioned the commitment made by Desarollo Social re the “package” they were proposing for 150 families, including dry toilets, solar water heating etc, & suggested that a better use of the funds might be to concentrate on the list of 323 families who have applied by completing forms, for assistance with water.
Irma/Jesus responded that the consejo’s purpose would be to decide/prioritise & propose requests to Govt. & collaborate with all parties.
There were various side discussions about other water issues, some wells not functioning for example.
Jesus proposed having different committees formed for different areas/issues, ie extraction, contamination, environment, capture of water.
The representative consejo group was formed, & President & Secretary were elected.
There was some confusion amongst the participants (including Laura & Holly) as to the process of this meeting, it was not the normal meeting where agenda was decided by participants & run by person elected that day at the meeting. Jesus had created an agenda in advance & was running the meeting.
As a result many of the attendees were confused as to what was going on.
Jesus needed to leave early & left with Irma.
Mario took over the meeting & scheduled the next series of “special purpose” meetings,
Captacion – Thurs 25/11 1pm CdP
Health – Monday 22/11 1pm CdP
Extraction 2/12 1pm Cdp
Dry Toilets – 29/11 1pm
Environment 30/11 1pm Cdp
The meeting disbanded.
(side note, Laura, Holly, Jesus, Chela & Saul, later had a meeting to discuss this departure from the norm. the other issue meeting were later “scrapped” & it has now reverted back to 1 mtg for Regional representatives of the formed Consejo & 1 meeting per micro region (6 communities grouped together).
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community “Salon”
When: 19th November 2010
Who: Communities represented: More than 52 Adults including 17 men from:
CdP, Vivienda de Abajo, Tierra Blanca, Presita de Santa Rosa, Juan Gonzalez, Villa de Guadalupe, Los Torres, Capaderillo, La Tinaja, 5 Senores, Guerrero, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba,
NGOs :CEDESA (Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, ), Laura – Rotary, Irma Rosado – Representing the municipality, Mario & from Gaia,
Purpose: To plan & create a Citizens Water Board..& work together to resolve the issues raised as important by the communities represented.
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves.
2. Consejo de Agua Jesus spoke about forming a Consejo de agua, citizens group re water. Working with communities, govt. organizations & NGO’s who are working in this area. There is a need for sustainability & ownership by the communities so that they are not reliant on the team currently working with them (ie Cedesa, Rotary).
The “acta” (official wording”) was handed out & explained.
It is to form an entity to be recognized as representative of their communities by the govt.
Irma further explained that the formation of this Consejo will strengthen the ability of the people to work on the total water issues.
I mentioned the commitment made by Desarollo Social re the “package” they were proposing for 150 families, including dry toilets, solar water heating etc, & suggested that a better use of the funds might be to concentrate on the list of 323 families who have applied by completing forms, for assistance with water.
Irma/Jesus responded that the consejo’s purpose would be to decide/prioritise & propose requests to Govt. & collaborate with all parties.
There were various side discussions about other water issues, some wells not functioning for example.
Jesus proposed having different committees formed for different areas/issues, ie extraction, contamination, environment, capture of water.
The representative consejo group was formed, & President & Secretary were elected.
There was some confusion amongst the participants (including Laura & Holly) as to the process of this meeting, it was not the normal meeting where agenda was decided by participants & run by person elected that day at the meeting. Jesus had created an agenda in advance & was running the meeting.
As a result many of the attendees were confused as to what was going on.
Jesus needed to leave early & left with Irma.
Mario took over the meeting & scheduled the next series of “special purpose” meetings,
Captacion – Thurs 25/11 1pm CdP
Health – Monday 22/11 1pm CdP
Extraction 2/12 1pm Cdp
Dry Toilets – 29/11 1pm
Environment 30/11 1pm Cdp
The meeting disbanded.
(side note, Laura, Holly, Jesus, Chela & Saul, later had a meeting to discuss this departure from the norm. the other issue meeting were later “scrapped” & it has now reverted back to 1 mtg for Regional representatives of the formed Consejo & 1 meeting per micro region (6 communities grouped together).
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
2nd Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Palencia
2nd Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Palencia
Where: Community House in Palencia – 1hr north of Dolores Hidalgo,
When: 27.10.10 12.30 meeting began (left SMA at 10am)
Who: Bill & Monse Webb, & Dr Larry Kubiak from Tallahassee Rotary, Laura from San Miguel Midday Rotary, Chela & Saul – Cedesa & 19 women, 6 kids from the Palencia Community
Purpose:
Since we last met in January this year, & the announcement of Future Vision & it’s ramifications, Bill Webb has been working very hard to secure funding for this project, the $$ are finally arranged, $7k from Tallahassee (Direct Grant), $7k approved to be spent on this project (excess funds from the 4 SMA water projects completed this year), + $200 from San Miguel Midday Rotary, will fund the project of 21 cisterns (1 pilot & 20 individual family cisterns).
This meeting was for the Tallahassee partners to meet the community, for Laura to know better this community & for the community to receive the news re the $$ & begin planning the logistics of the project.
Background.
Chela, Elena & Laura met with this community in January, after Chela had alerted us to the fact this community has the highest levels of Fluoride & arsenic than any in SMA. They had heard of the projects in SMA & petitioned us for assistance. See report 1, for more information.
Some brief facts about the community were raised in the previous meeting, included again here for ease of reference
• Approx 80 families /500 people
• Cedesa have been working with this community for 22 years
• Palencia is approx 1 hr from Cedesa in Dolores Hidalgo
• The community well was drilled 18 years ago, they have been drinking contaminated water for 18years
• There are smaller family wells that fill up when it rains, but they do not last the dry season
• There was a cacique (self appointed boss) when cedesa began work here, he is still apart from the community
• They have worked on many community projects together, including fighting for land rights, building a community centre (with funding for materials from local govt.), obtaining electricity
Item 1 – introductions all round:
Bill, Monse, Laura & Larry introduced themselves. Chela is well known, she also took time to describe a little about what/who Rotary is & does.
Chela – has been working with this community for more than 20 years, less frequent visits lately as she is concentrating in the San Miguel region where they also have fluoride issues.
Saul introduced himself & gave a little summary of how he came to be working with Cedesa (through assemblies at Los Torres) & has recently completed a 40 cistern project funded by the municipality , in Capaderillo (his wife’s community).
Chela mentioned Saul is one of the promoters at Cedesa, learning the work, & he has a good heart & knows the issues, which is essential to be a good promoter.
20 years ago they were fighting to get water, now they are striving to find an alternative, since the water they have is contaminated, ironic!
The women introduced themselves, some of them took it upon themselves to thank us for being here, for travelling so far & for helping them to get the materials they need for this project.
Chela described the water situation in the region, the aquifer in general.
They chose a co-ordinator for the day – Victoria.
The women were asked to describe the history, how they began to become organized.
History
In another community “Mulata” they heard of a person who was working to provide water there, so they went to see her, that was Chela.
They didn’t have enough water, only shallow wells & those wells dried up when the agri business people drilled very deep wells nearby. They had to ask the agribusiness – deep well owners for water.
After a struggle, they received their own community well, unfortunately this water is highly contaminated with naturally occurring fluoride & arsenic. So now they have badly damaged teeth (& probably bones), & many are buying water in 20 litre containers (garafones).
At the time they began to drink the well water they noticed more illiness.
One woman described aches & pain in her feet, she went to the doctor, & then stopped drinking the well water, the pain went away.
They tested the water during the water diploma course held at Cedesa in 2008. At that time they discovered the extremely high levels, sometimes as high as 8mg/l (1.5 is max safe level).
Dr Kubiak asked if they had sought govt. assistance with this issue –
The response was that the govt. have been denying this issue.
A professor at UNAM discovered this issue & alerted the communities, this study was denied & called false. It has been very contentious, with a lot of negative attention, & accusations of corruption.
These questions were asked
What is your number 1 priority? – Water
What is your number 2 priority? – food production
Where are the men in your community? Many are in the USA, of the 19 women attending 7 of their husbands were in the US.
If you have no men here to help, who will build these cisterns? ..it’s heavy work - There was a resounding response, “we will build them, we can mix cement, & do heavy work, we built the maize grinder, we helped build this salon, we will work together, if we have to we could contribute to pay for masons to help us.
One woman said her husband was aware of the project & has said he will return from the US to help, another agreed re her husband too would help, once they had the materials & were ready to begin.
Another woman responded “we learnt about cisterns in a workshop at Cedesa approx. 8 years ago, we build 5 then”
They have asked for financial assistance for materials for cisterns & dry toilets from the Dolores Hidalgo municipality, but have had no response.
Bill responded
Congratulations on taking responsibility for your own lives, the health & future of your kids, & not relying on the govt for help. We are honoured to be your partner (along with Cedesa & SMA Midday Rotary) in your water project. Today I want to announce that Tallahassee RC has made available the $$ to the SMA club to assist you to do your project.
He went on to talk more about the situation in the USA (Chela had asked during our drive, for Bill to inform the community about the hardships of working in the USA, that it is not the land of milk & honey they all dream it is)… “In this period of our history in the USA, the economic situation is very difficult, many people have no work & hope for their families. It’s very difficult in the areas of agriculture, construction, hotels & service industry, it’s very hard & your husbands are there. I think you know these things, the economic experts are predicting things are going to stay difficult for many years, in the USA people are saying we have to help ourselves & for people coming from other countries this is difficult since priority is given to people from the US.
It’s our honour to be with you today & know you are working hard to provide for yourselves.
There was discussion about discrimination in the US, & from the US perspective how it is difficult to provide services for immigrants as well as a large population, there are all sorts of complexities, obligations,etc.
Chela joined the discussion by saying “there is no work in the USA, but there is no work here either, so what can we do? We have our hands , we can produce food for ourselves & reduce the amount of money we need to live, we can become self sufficient. How to convince people to do this is the issue.
One woman said “we have to tell our families not to sell our land but to retain it to remain more productive”.
Chela “USA is finished for us, it is no longer a viable alternative, the $$ our husbands send is not worth it now.”
One woman talked of a family she had heard about, where the grandparents in Mexico had had to send money to the US to support their Mexican family there…
Bill – “we have said many things about the difficulties of finding work in the USA, I want you to also know we have a lot of respect for the people who come & work so hard in the USA.”
Planning of the project
21 Cisterns – 1 pilot to be constructed at the Salon (community meeting space), & 20 individual family cisterns.
They had pre decided to build the pilot at the salon, apparently the children pass there on their way home from school & currently take water from the tap (which is fluoride contaminated) they want them to drink the rain water instead.
Benigno will come to Palencia to do the training, they have created their work groups already, as follows
The names in bold, are the co-ordinators
Group1. Margarita, Estela, Raquel, Olga, Goya
Group2. Victoria, Jesus, Carmela B, Luca + 1 other
Group 3 Lucia, Dolores, Martina, Belen, Constancia
Group4. Luz, Maira, Lidia, Carmela S, Leticia (not sure who is co-ord)
There were only 19 names as they thought the 20 included the pilot, but it is 20 + pilot so they will find an extra family.
They asked “when can we start?” I responded – when do you want to & they all said “now!”
Larry spoke
“when I look around & see the kids here today, I am reminded I became a grandparent 3 mths ago, I am honoured that our club can help provide resources for you to have safe water for your kids & babies.”
Chela spoke about a woman who took a bucket of honey she had produced with her bees, to town to barter & how she was able to receive much more for a bucket of honey than she would have with a few $$. She reiterated money was less important than produce.
Fruit of your own work/hands gives you a better quality of life.
She reminded them that if they have the opportunity to buy even 1 hectare of land they should take it, they can produce a lot with 1 hectare & wild areas.
Doubts & questions time
I asked if now was a good time to begin the project, ie if they were busy harvesting or …
They all agreed they would work in the fields in the morning & work on the cisterns in the afternoons.
One woman asked about the necessity of water in the cisterns to prevent cracking (very good question), they will need to put water in from an external source, but then remove it before the good rain water comes, to keep the cistern water pure.
Saul described the process he used to complete the 40 cisterns, said that it was a little complicated to have materials arriving for different groups at different times, he suggested they all do the work at the same time, & receive the wire first, finish that stage, before receiving the cement, & completing the next stage.
They will plan with Benigno.
There was discussion about which days suit them better for Benigno to come.
They suggested Thursdays, as that’s the day the community meets to plant trees & do community tasks.
Chela will organize with Benigno.
They explained that their Salon was widely used, for meetings, fiestas etc.
The first Tuesday of every month they have a community meeting, often this big building is full. They share their problems, talk about issues but also make rules, they make sure everyone can attend, attendance is compulsory – 1 rep. per family, they talk about issues, administer resources, inform people.
We asked who is the leader – they responded “all of them!” there in no one person in charge, a true democracy, everyone is responsible”
They also create mini commissions to achieve specific things. Even when Cedesa is not present they continue to have meetings & organize themselves. They are not just doing projects, but have a process in place to take care of ongoing issues.
Chela officially thanked Tallahassee RC on behalf of Cedesa for the wonderful assistance they have made possible for these projects.
Another woman spoke & was very emotional, she said she did not have the words to describe her heartfelt thanks, & that she truly hoped they would visit again.
Bill & Monse said they would come back when the cisterns are finished.
The Next assembly is to be arranged with Benigno (to be advised)
There are no cell phones in the community, contact is made through the phone kiosk provided by telmex.
Where: Community House in Palencia – 1hr north of Dolores Hidalgo,
When: 27.10.10 12.30 meeting began (left SMA at 10am)
Who: Bill & Monse Webb, & Dr Larry Kubiak from Tallahassee Rotary, Laura from San Miguel Midday Rotary, Chela & Saul – Cedesa & 19 women, 6 kids from the Palencia Community
Purpose:
Since we last met in January this year, & the announcement of Future Vision & it’s ramifications, Bill Webb has been working very hard to secure funding for this project, the $$ are finally arranged, $7k from Tallahassee (Direct Grant), $7k approved to be spent on this project (excess funds from the 4 SMA water projects completed this year), + $200 from San Miguel Midday Rotary, will fund the project of 21 cisterns (1 pilot & 20 individual family cisterns).
This meeting was for the Tallahassee partners to meet the community, for Laura to know better this community & for the community to receive the news re the $$ & begin planning the logistics of the project.
Background.
Chela, Elena & Laura met with this community in January, after Chela had alerted us to the fact this community has the highest levels of Fluoride & arsenic than any in SMA. They had heard of the projects in SMA & petitioned us for assistance. See report 1, for more information.
Some brief facts about the community were raised in the previous meeting, included again here for ease of reference
• Approx 80 families /500 people
• Cedesa have been working with this community for 22 years
• Palencia is approx 1 hr from Cedesa in Dolores Hidalgo
• The community well was drilled 18 years ago, they have been drinking contaminated water for 18years
• There are smaller family wells that fill up when it rains, but they do not last the dry season
• There was a cacique (self appointed boss) when cedesa began work here, he is still apart from the community
• They have worked on many community projects together, including fighting for land rights, building a community centre (with funding for materials from local govt.), obtaining electricity
Item 1 – introductions all round:
Bill, Monse, Laura & Larry introduced themselves. Chela is well known, she also took time to describe a little about what/who Rotary is & does.
Chela – has been working with this community for more than 20 years, less frequent visits lately as she is concentrating in the San Miguel region where they also have fluoride issues.
Saul introduced himself & gave a little summary of how he came to be working with Cedesa (through assemblies at Los Torres) & has recently completed a 40 cistern project funded by the municipality , in Capaderillo (his wife’s community).
Chela mentioned Saul is one of the promoters at Cedesa, learning the work, & he has a good heart & knows the issues, which is essential to be a good promoter.
20 years ago they were fighting to get water, now they are striving to find an alternative, since the water they have is contaminated, ironic!
The women introduced themselves, some of them took it upon themselves to thank us for being here, for travelling so far & for helping them to get the materials they need for this project.
Chela described the water situation in the region, the aquifer in general.
They chose a co-ordinator for the day – Victoria.
The women were asked to describe the history, how they began to become organized.
History
In another community “Mulata” they heard of a person who was working to provide water there, so they went to see her, that was Chela.
They didn’t have enough water, only shallow wells & those wells dried up when the agri business people drilled very deep wells nearby. They had to ask the agribusiness – deep well owners for water.
After a struggle, they received their own community well, unfortunately this water is highly contaminated with naturally occurring fluoride & arsenic. So now they have badly damaged teeth (& probably bones), & many are buying water in 20 litre containers (garafones).
At the time they began to drink the well water they noticed more illiness.
One woman described aches & pain in her feet, she went to the doctor, & then stopped drinking the well water, the pain went away.
They tested the water during the water diploma course held at Cedesa in 2008. At that time they discovered the extremely high levels, sometimes as high as 8mg/l (1.5 is max safe level).
Dr Kubiak asked if they had sought govt. assistance with this issue –
The response was that the govt. have been denying this issue.
A professor at UNAM discovered this issue & alerted the communities, this study was denied & called false. It has been very contentious, with a lot of negative attention, & accusations of corruption.
These questions were asked
What is your number 1 priority? – Water
What is your number 2 priority? – food production
Where are the men in your community? Many are in the USA, of the 19 women attending 7 of their husbands were in the US.
If you have no men here to help, who will build these cisterns? ..it’s heavy work - There was a resounding response, “we will build them, we can mix cement, & do heavy work, we built the maize grinder, we helped build this salon, we will work together, if we have to we could contribute to pay for masons to help us.
One woman said her husband was aware of the project & has said he will return from the US to help, another agreed re her husband too would help, once they had the materials & were ready to begin.
Another woman responded “we learnt about cisterns in a workshop at Cedesa approx. 8 years ago, we build 5 then”
They have asked for financial assistance for materials for cisterns & dry toilets from the Dolores Hidalgo municipality, but have had no response.
Bill responded
Congratulations on taking responsibility for your own lives, the health & future of your kids, & not relying on the govt for help. We are honoured to be your partner (along with Cedesa & SMA Midday Rotary) in your water project. Today I want to announce that Tallahassee RC has made available the $$ to the SMA club to assist you to do your project.
He went on to talk more about the situation in the USA (Chela had asked during our drive, for Bill to inform the community about the hardships of working in the USA, that it is not the land of milk & honey they all dream it is)… “In this period of our history in the USA, the economic situation is very difficult, many people have no work & hope for their families. It’s very difficult in the areas of agriculture, construction, hotels & service industry, it’s very hard & your husbands are there. I think you know these things, the economic experts are predicting things are going to stay difficult for many years, in the USA people are saying we have to help ourselves & for people coming from other countries this is difficult since priority is given to people from the US.
It’s our honour to be with you today & know you are working hard to provide for yourselves.
There was discussion about discrimination in the US, & from the US perspective how it is difficult to provide services for immigrants as well as a large population, there are all sorts of complexities, obligations,etc.
Chela joined the discussion by saying “there is no work in the USA, but there is no work here either, so what can we do? We have our hands , we can produce food for ourselves & reduce the amount of money we need to live, we can become self sufficient. How to convince people to do this is the issue.
One woman said “we have to tell our families not to sell our land but to retain it to remain more productive”.
Chela “USA is finished for us, it is no longer a viable alternative, the $$ our husbands send is not worth it now.”
One woman talked of a family she had heard about, where the grandparents in Mexico had had to send money to the US to support their Mexican family there…
Bill – “we have said many things about the difficulties of finding work in the USA, I want you to also know we have a lot of respect for the people who come & work so hard in the USA.”
Planning of the project
21 Cisterns – 1 pilot to be constructed at the Salon (community meeting space), & 20 individual family cisterns.
They had pre decided to build the pilot at the salon, apparently the children pass there on their way home from school & currently take water from the tap (which is fluoride contaminated) they want them to drink the rain water instead.
Benigno will come to Palencia to do the training, they have created their work groups already, as follows
The names in bold, are the co-ordinators
Group1. Margarita, Estela, Raquel, Olga, Goya
Group2. Victoria, Jesus, Carmela B, Luca + 1 other
Group 3 Lucia, Dolores, Martina, Belen, Constancia
Group4. Luz, Maira, Lidia, Carmela S, Leticia (not sure who is co-ord)
There were only 19 names as they thought the 20 included the pilot, but it is 20 + pilot so they will find an extra family.
They asked “when can we start?” I responded – when do you want to & they all said “now!”
Larry spoke
“when I look around & see the kids here today, I am reminded I became a grandparent 3 mths ago, I am honoured that our club can help provide resources for you to have safe water for your kids & babies.”
Chela spoke about a woman who took a bucket of honey she had produced with her bees, to town to barter & how she was able to receive much more for a bucket of honey than she would have with a few $$. She reiterated money was less important than produce.
Fruit of your own work/hands gives you a better quality of life.
She reminded them that if they have the opportunity to buy even 1 hectare of land they should take it, they can produce a lot with 1 hectare & wild areas.
Doubts & questions time
I asked if now was a good time to begin the project, ie if they were busy harvesting or …
They all agreed they would work in the fields in the morning & work on the cisterns in the afternoons.
One woman asked about the necessity of water in the cisterns to prevent cracking (very good question), they will need to put water in from an external source, but then remove it before the good rain water comes, to keep the cistern water pure.
Saul described the process he used to complete the 40 cisterns, said that it was a little complicated to have materials arriving for different groups at different times, he suggested they all do the work at the same time, & receive the wire first, finish that stage, before receiving the cement, & completing the next stage.
They will plan with Benigno.
There was discussion about which days suit them better for Benigno to come.
They suggested Thursdays, as that’s the day the community meets to plant trees & do community tasks.
Chela will organize with Benigno.
They explained that their Salon was widely used, for meetings, fiestas etc.
The first Tuesday of every month they have a community meeting, often this big building is full. They share their problems, talk about issues but also make rules, they make sure everyone can attend, attendance is compulsory – 1 rep. per family, they talk about issues, administer resources, inform people.
We asked who is the leader – they responded “all of them!” there in no one person in charge, a true democracy, everyone is responsible”
They also create mini commissions to achieve specific things. Even when Cedesa is not present they continue to have meetings & organize themselves. They are not just doing projects, but have a process in place to take care of ongoing issues.
Chela officially thanked Tallahassee RC on behalf of Cedesa for the wonderful assistance they have made possible for these projects.
Another woman spoke & was very emotional, she said she did not have the words to describe her heartfelt thanks, & that she truly hoped they would visit again.
Bill & Monse said they would come back when the cisterns are finished.
The Next assembly is to be arranged with Benigno (to be advised)
There are no cell phones in the community, contact is made through the phone kiosk provided by telmex.
Monday, October 25, 2010
District 6940 newsletter Article
Tallahassee Rotary Club Supports Rotary Clubs and
International Partners to Change Lives...
Go to page 7 of this link & you'll find Tallahassee's story...
Click here
International Partners to Change Lives...
Go to page 7 of this link & you'll find Tallahassee's story...
Click here
Atencion article 24.4.2009
Friday, October 22, 2010
Saul's testimonial in Atencion
Check out the wonderful centrefold spread in Atencion (San Miguel's premium local newspaper) it appeared in the 22nd October 2010 edition - view it here
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Record of Event
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo Soccer grounds beside the Primary School
When: Friday 22nd Oct 2010 11am – 3pm
Who: Communities represented: More than 250 Adults from:
Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar, Vivienda de Arriba, Capaderillo, Tierra Blanca,
Vivienda de Abajo/Urbana/Viviendilla, La Aurora, Guerrero, Presita Santa Rosa, San Lorenzo,
Cinco Señores, Juan Gonzales, La Tinaja, San Isidro Capadero, Correlejo de Abajo, Nuevo
Rancho Villa de Guadalupe
Government officials
Presidencia (Vinculacion con ONGs) – Irma Rosado
Fondo Verde – Ignacio Soto
Ecologia – Julio Bernal, Helio Bastien
Desarrollo Social – Miguel Gil
Ayuntamiento (Regidor) – Jaime Martínez
NGOs
CEDESA (Graciela Martínez, Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, Abel)
Club Rotario Midday (Gary Peterson, Walter Scott, Liz Powell, Enrique
Orvañanos, Miguel Gil, David Bossman, Laura Stewart)
(Rotary Volunteers/guests Patricia Stewart (Laura’s mum), Gary Reid – photographer)
Unitarian Universalists Fellowship – Cliff DuRand
GAIA – Grupo de Acción Interdisciplinaria Ambiental – Citlali Caldera (and her partner, Mario)
Purpose: Inaugurate/celebrate the closure of the 40 cistern project funded by Ecologia’s Fondo Verde, & to have a regional meeting of all the communities who have been attending assemblies & asking for guidance on how to create a water project to construct water cisterns in their communities.
The Event was originally planned for 11am but was moved to a later start time to accommodate the Fondo Verde people who had a time clash.
The communities met at 11am to register, plan & prepare for the presentation.
We arrived at 10.50 to find Capaderillo a hive of activity. There were balloons strung around all the visible cisterns on the way into Capaderillo, many tarpaulins had been strung up from the goal posts to supports on the soccer “field”. There were chairs, tables, posters, women carrying buckets full of food topped with brightly embroidered cloths, people running hither & thither, & Saul was in the thick of it, speaking with all the communities as their representatives arrived.
Holly began passing out cardboard & pens for communities to write up their community signs, Chela arranged the seating in a semi circle – league of nations style, with people holding up their community signs & their representatives clustered behind them, tables for the food were arranged in an outer layer.
All the while the blue tarps & balloons were flapping in the breeze, the kids were running around & the dogs were trying to find their place…
I collected the completed forms 1, for each community, & 1 for each family wishing to participate in each community. We now have requests from more than 300 families for cisterns in their communities.
Irma Rosado arrived with Jesus & viewed the photos of the cisterns arranged on a poster. Chela began working with the communities, explaining they would get a few minutes to explain their water situation & history with the projects, & their request for assistance.
Chela explained the program for the day, listing & elaborating on each item on the agenda, she spoke about the water situation in the area, she asked those who had completed projects or phases of projects, to give a description/summary, ie how many cisterns, when they began & when they finished.
The agenda/ order of events was:
1. Welcome & introduction of communities & guests
2. Description of the issues of the Watershed
3. Closing ceremony of the Capaderillo project – popping balloons of the school cistern
4. Testimonies of the project participants in Capaderillo
5. Issues of concern of the communities in the region
6. Response by the govt/municipal reps
7. Conclusion follow up plan
8. Lunch
Chela described the evolution of the projects, from the first one in Los Torres – first visited in November 2008 to the Capaderillo 40 cistern project just completed. The funding from Rotary & now the Fondo Verde, & that we are all working together to seek more resources to resolve this issue for all that would like to participate.
“you are here to work on this, & we will all work towards a resolution, our goal is that ll of our families will have a cistern for safe drinking water”
She explained that logistically we can’t continue to meet in each community each month, there are just too many, the issue is too big, she suggested we combine communities & meet with several at once, taking turns in each community.
Irma spoke, she introduced herself, representing the Municipality, & said they are wanting to work on a resolution to this issue too, they are planning how to solve this & other issues, she thanked all for their participation including Cedesa, Rotary Midday & especially the communitites.
The day continued with community representatives stating their cases to the the audience including the govt. officials who had by then arrived. They articulately described their current water situations, & the projects they had completed (if they were project communities).
Liz Powell commented it was incredible to see these young women stand & speak to the municipality reps, but also a crowd of more than 250 of fellow community members in their region. Some were a little shy or embarrassed, but all overcame this & spoke well. The cisterns are one (very important) thing, but to see the difference it is making to the lives of these people is pretty amazing.
Members of the municipality & Rotary each spoke & thanked all involved, congratulating them on their achievements & assuring they were there to help.
Jesus eventually wound up the day with a commitment to create a citizens water committee, with representatives of each of the communities represented today, attending, to work on the resolution to this issue together…
After discussion it was decided the first of these working planning meetings will be held in:
Cruz del Palmar on 19/11/10 at 12 midday.
The meeting was closed, & the eating began! We all headed home with full stomachs & overflowing hearts!
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo Soccer grounds beside the Primary School
When: Friday 22nd Oct 2010 11am – 3pm
Who: Communities represented: More than 250 Adults from:
Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar, Vivienda de Arriba, Capaderillo, Tierra Blanca,
Vivienda de Abajo/Urbana/Viviendilla, La Aurora, Guerrero, Presita Santa Rosa, San Lorenzo,
Cinco Señores, Juan Gonzales, La Tinaja, San Isidro Capadero, Correlejo de Abajo, Nuevo
Rancho Villa de Guadalupe
Government officials
Presidencia (Vinculacion con ONGs) – Irma Rosado
Fondo Verde – Ignacio Soto
Ecologia – Julio Bernal, Helio Bastien
Desarrollo Social – Miguel Gil
Ayuntamiento (Regidor) – Jaime Martínez
NGOs
CEDESA (Graciela Martínez, Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, Abel)
Club Rotario Midday (Gary Peterson, Walter Scott, Liz Powell, Enrique
Orvañanos, Miguel Gil, David Bossman, Laura Stewart)
(Rotary Volunteers/guests Patricia Stewart (Laura’s mum), Gary Reid – photographer)
Unitarian Universalists Fellowship – Cliff DuRand
GAIA – Grupo de Acción Interdisciplinaria Ambiental – Citlali Caldera (and her partner, Mario)
Purpose: Inaugurate/celebrate the closure of the 40 cistern project funded by Ecologia’s Fondo Verde, & to have a regional meeting of all the communities who have been attending assemblies & asking for guidance on how to create a water project to construct water cisterns in their communities.
The Event was originally planned for 11am but was moved to a later start time to accommodate the Fondo Verde people who had a time clash.
The communities met at 11am to register, plan & prepare for the presentation.
We arrived at 10.50 to find Capaderillo a hive of activity. There were balloons strung around all the visible cisterns on the way into Capaderillo, many tarpaulins had been strung up from the goal posts to supports on the soccer “field”. There were chairs, tables, posters, women carrying buckets full of food topped with brightly embroidered cloths, people running hither & thither, & Saul was in the thick of it, speaking with all the communities as their representatives arrived.
Holly began passing out cardboard & pens for communities to write up their community signs, Chela arranged the seating in a semi circle – league of nations style, with people holding up their community signs & their representatives clustered behind them, tables for the food were arranged in an outer layer.
All the while the blue tarps & balloons were flapping in the breeze, the kids were running around & the dogs were trying to find their place…
I collected the completed forms 1, for each community, & 1 for each family wishing to participate in each community. We now have requests from more than 300 families for cisterns in their communities.
Irma Rosado arrived with Jesus & viewed the photos of the cisterns arranged on a poster. Chela began working with the communities, explaining they would get a few minutes to explain their water situation & history with the projects, & their request for assistance.
Chela explained the program for the day, listing & elaborating on each item on the agenda, she spoke about the water situation in the area, she asked those who had completed projects or phases of projects, to give a description/summary, ie how many cisterns, when they began & when they finished.
The agenda/ order of events was:
1. Welcome & introduction of communities & guests
2. Description of the issues of the Watershed
3. Closing ceremony of the Capaderillo project – popping balloons of the school cistern
4. Testimonies of the project participants in Capaderillo
5. Issues of concern of the communities in the region
6. Response by the govt/municipal reps
7. Conclusion follow up plan
8. Lunch
Chela described the evolution of the projects, from the first one in Los Torres – first visited in November 2008 to the Capaderillo 40 cistern project just completed. The funding from Rotary & now the Fondo Verde, & that we are all working together to seek more resources to resolve this issue for all that would like to participate.
“you are here to work on this, & we will all work towards a resolution, our goal is that ll of our families will have a cistern for safe drinking water”
She explained that logistically we can’t continue to meet in each community each month, there are just too many, the issue is too big, she suggested we combine communities & meet with several at once, taking turns in each community.
Irma spoke, she introduced herself, representing the Municipality, & said they are wanting to work on a resolution to this issue too, they are planning how to solve this & other issues, she thanked all for their participation including Cedesa, Rotary Midday & especially the communitites.
The day continued with community representatives stating their cases to the the audience including the govt. officials who had by then arrived. They articulately described their current water situations, & the projects they had completed (if they were project communities).
Liz Powell commented it was incredible to see these young women stand & speak to the municipality reps, but also a crowd of more than 250 of fellow community members in their region. Some were a little shy or embarrassed, but all overcame this & spoke well. The cisterns are one (very important) thing, but to see the difference it is making to the lives of these people is pretty amazing.
Members of the municipality & Rotary each spoke & thanked all involved, congratulating them on their achievements & assuring they were there to help.
Jesus eventually wound up the day with a commitment to create a citizens water committee, with representatives of each of the communities represented today, attending, to work on the resolution to this issue together…
After discussion it was decided the first of these working planning meetings will be held in:
Cruz del Palmar on 19/11/10 at 12 midday.
The meeting was closed, & the eating began! We all headed home with full stomachs & overflowing hearts!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Record of Event
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo House beside the church
When: Wed 13th Oct 2010 3.15 – 5.00pm
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 61 people incl 5 men + 5 kids & 5 dogs
Purpose: To review the project, & to visit with other community representatives enquiring about water projects.
Many people were gathered inside the grounds of the house & outside, when we arrived.
Saul asked one of the women to call the roll. Of the list of 38, 29 were present 8 were missing.
There were additional people attending from other communities & the 2nd phase of the project.
The phase II people called the roll too – 25 present, 12 missing.
There were also 7 people attending from the community Presita de Santa Rosa.
The people were reminded that representatives can attend for missing people, but only 1 for 1.
Saul reminded everyone we need a co-ordinator & a person to take notes. He also described the role of the co-ordinator, to keep order, when people wish to speak they raise their hands & the co-ordinator “gives them the word”. Some people are shy to do it, but it is good to practice to be able to run your own meetings in the future said Saul.
It was decided Alma would co-ordinate, & Lupe will take notes for Phase I.
Holly reminded Alma to ask the meeting for points for the agenda today.
Alma was a little shy to do so, but repeated Holly’s words, points for the agenda were
1. Inauguration,
2. How the commission presenting the invites to the Presidencia went
3. Who is planning the program/logistics for the inauguration/regional meeting
4. Reflection on the completion of the cisterns project
5. Presita Santa Rosa’s report on their visit to Cedesa
6. Description of the cistern (for a new person attending for first time)
Item 1. Inauguration/Regional meeting on 22/10 at 11am.
Holly asked how they wanted to arrange the day, eg inaugurate the school only or personal cisterns. One woman suggested they could visit each cistern, Holly pointed out this could take a very long time as there are 38 family cisterns a long way from eachother.
There was discussion/debate re school only or house by house, someone suggested inaugurate the school & do a tour of the others.
Saul pointed out this could be complicated as in reality the authorities/invited guests will only come for approx. 2 hrs & we need to fit in the regional meeting too, could be a bit crammed trying to fit in a tour+inauguration+speeches+ food…
Holly suggested maybe an idea to take photos of each of the cisterns & put them on a mural for the visitors to see, a picture paints a 1000 words…
Laura volunteered to take the photos.
Alma asked for a vote who would like photos of all the cisterns & families – all agreed.
There was discussion about the best time & finally agreed Saturday at 10am, all would be ready & families should be present if possible.
Subsequently Laura & her mum Trish, met with Saul & Hermelinda & toured the community taking photos from 10am to 2pm on Saturday… those photos were printed at Office Depot & given to Saul to give to the community for presentation at the Event.
Photos can be viewed on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com under the caption Capaderillo.
As an aside, this photo taking event was a big deal, all of the children were in their best clothes, hair brushed, waiting for photos, most people don’t have easy access to photos here in the countryside of Mexico. There was much laughter & it was a fun day…The extra incentive to be in the photos was that they get to keep them after the event…
Item 1 cont.d
Food was mentioned, & asked if there were any doubts, no… everyone knows what they need to do & bring… Many people thought it would be good to have the food first since it will be difficult to keep it hot, but after much debate it was decided food should be at the end, or people will leave before the important speaking parts.
The delegado of Presita de Santa Rosa said “he felt the business should be concluded before the food, as the primary function of the day is to celebrate the conclusion of this project & explain the community needs to the authorities, if we have the food later people are more likely to stay the distance.”
“officials may only stay ½ hr, so we need to present info urgently”
The debate continued, food first or later…
Saul raised the other potential points for discussion, food,dance, speaking, introductions, requests.
One woman mentioned they had discounted having children dancing at previous meeting & therefore have not asked the teacher.
We confirmed the teacher has been informed about the event.
After much discussion the general order of the day was decided as
1. Welcome communities & authorities
2. School balloons & inauguration
3. Experience review
4. Community requests
5. Authority speeches
6. Food
There was a vote to make Saul MC for the day.
Holly will create a program handout for the day.
A question was raised about how many other communities are coming – potentially 20 in total, & how many would speak & for how long. It was suggested a commission be created to represent clusters of communities with the same water issues.
A comment was made by one woman that only the ones who have their cisterns should provide food. Someone responded that it is not just a party but also a working meeting.
Item 2 - commission to the Presidencia – review
A commission went to the Presidencia to present invitation to Inauguration.
They spoke to Lucy’s assistant & invite was received, no confirmation.
Ecologia & Desarollo Social were invited.
Sapasma was invited separately by Jesus.
Item 3 – Logistics of Inauguration event/commission
Things needed, chairs, tables, tarps, how to arrange the tables, where to place food etc,
Any doubts? No…
Item 4 Reflection of the process of making cisterns (cisterns project)
One woman has only a little water, she didn’t get her pipes connected in time & has only a small roof. It was suggested she could extend her roof before the next rains.
“I’m very happy – my water is delicious, I want to drink even more water more often!”
“when I open the tap, I’m always very conscious of how much water I use”
“I have water only a little above my tap, I didn’t finish very much before the rains ended”
“mine is ½ full”
Item 5 – Presita de Santa Rosa community visit to Cedesa
The community of PdSR had been invited to visit Cedesa, Holly arranged transport & they all contributed to the gas. They were asked to talk about their experience, they very bravely stood in front of the Capaderillo Community, who were all seated in a circle & spoke about what they learned/saw.
They said they were lucky to visit as they did not have much of an idea of what Cedesa was. “It was so beautiful & lush, with no rubbish, we looked at the Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets). Cedesa has spent a lot of time building rich soil, & growing lots of vegetables, fruit trees, worms etc If you get a chance to go I would really recommend it.”
A young man spoke “we were invited to eat, everyone washed their own dishes, they separated the grey water, I was impressed that the men were washing their own dishes too, in my house only women wash dishes”
Questions about Cedesa
Is it a community or a family or what?
It’s an association civil, not for profit, people living nearby working on producing their own food, milk, bees, an Ecoaldea.
How can we learn more? They have workshops re nopal tunnels, health, etc
Holly described it as a non profit organization, with training of campesinos as it’s mission.
Traspatios (back yard production workshops) are happening at Cruz del Palmar already & people can attend these workshops on soil conditioning, natural production, with worms etc.
Another option is a workshop on building ovens out of adobe to cook your own bread & biscuits.
There are many workshops available, if you want to visit we really need to ask Chela about that possibility, maybe followup with her on the 22nd Oct.
Item 6 – explanation of the project for a new person
How did you hear about this?
“I tried water from a cistern in Los Torres & I really like it, it’s better than the bottled water & I’d like to know how to get a cistern”
Saul read the description from the family form, it has information on it about what is required of the participants of the projects.
Additional Item 7 – description of Lions Clinic & Patronato Pro Nino services
Saul explained there are free glasses clinics on Thursdays from 9-11am, at Correo #63
They provide diagnoses & then free glasses depending on the prescription.
It is completely free.
PPN offers medical services to children under 17 years.
Saul gave the ph numbers for both services.
The next event will be Inauguration/Regional meeting on 22/10 at 11am
Next assembly (normally 2nd Wednesday, will this time be 3rd Wednesday since the 2nd Wed in Nov is saints day… Next assembly therefore 17/11/10 3pm
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo House beside the church
When: Wed 13th Oct 2010 3.15 – 5.00pm
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 61 people incl 5 men + 5 kids & 5 dogs
Purpose: To review the project, & to visit with other community representatives enquiring about water projects.
Many people were gathered inside the grounds of the house & outside, when we arrived.
Saul asked one of the women to call the roll. Of the list of 38, 29 were present 8 were missing.
There were additional people attending from other communities & the 2nd phase of the project.
The phase II people called the roll too – 25 present, 12 missing.
There were also 7 people attending from the community Presita de Santa Rosa.
The people were reminded that representatives can attend for missing people, but only 1 for 1.
Saul reminded everyone we need a co-ordinator & a person to take notes. He also described the role of the co-ordinator, to keep order, when people wish to speak they raise their hands & the co-ordinator “gives them the word”. Some people are shy to do it, but it is good to practice to be able to run your own meetings in the future said Saul.
It was decided Alma would co-ordinate, & Lupe will take notes for Phase I.
Holly reminded Alma to ask the meeting for points for the agenda today.
Alma was a little shy to do so, but repeated Holly’s words, points for the agenda were
1. Inauguration,
2. How the commission presenting the invites to the Presidencia went
3. Who is planning the program/logistics for the inauguration/regional meeting
4. Reflection on the completion of the cisterns project
5. Presita Santa Rosa’s report on their visit to Cedesa
6. Description of the cistern (for a new person attending for first time)
Item 1. Inauguration/Regional meeting on 22/10 at 11am.
Holly asked how they wanted to arrange the day, eg inaugurate the school only or personal cisterns. One woman suggested they could visit each cistern, Holly pointed out this could take a very long time as there are 38 family cisterns a long way from eachother.
There was discussion/debate re school only or house by house, someone suggested inaugurate the school & do a tour of the others.
Saul pointed out this could be complicated as in reality the authorities/invited guests will only come for approx. 2 hrs & we need to fit in the regional meeting too, could be a bit crammed trying to fit in a tour+inauguration+speeches+ food…
Holly suggested maybe an idea to take photos of each of the cisterns & put them on a mural for the visitors to see, a picture paints a 1000 words…
Laura volunteered to take the photos.
Alma asked for a vote who would like photos of all the cisterns & families – all agreed.
There was discussion about the best time & finally agreed Saturday at 10am, all would be ready & families should be present if possible.
Subsequently Laura & her mum Trish, met with Saul & Hermelinda & toured the community taking photos from 10am to 2pm on Saturday… those photos were printed at Office Depot & given to Saul to give to the community for presentation at the Event.
Photos can be viewed on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com under the caption Capaderillo.
As an aside, this photo taking event was a big deal, all of the children were in their best clothes, hair brushed, waiting for photos, most people don’t have easy access to photos here in the countryside of Mexico. There was much laughter & it was a fun day…The extra incentive to be in the photos was that they get to keep them after the event…
Item 1 cont.d
Food was mentioned, & asked if there were any doubts, no… everyone knows what they need to do & bring… Many people thought it would be good to have the food first since it will be difficult to keep it hot, but after much debate it was decided food should be at the end, or people will leave before the important speaking parts.
The delegado of Presita de Santa Rosa said “he felt the business should be concluded before the food, as the primary function of the day is to celebrate the conclusion of this project & explain the community needs to the authorities, if we have the food later people are more likely to stay the distance.”
“officials may only stay ½ hr, so we need to present info urgently”
The debate continued, food first or later…
Saul raised the other potential points for discussion, food,dance, speaking, introductions, requests.
One woman mentioned they had discounted having children dancing at previous meeting & therefore have not asked the teacher.
We confirmed the teacher has been informed about the event.
After much discussion the general order of the day was decided as
1. Welcome communities & authorities
2. School balloons & inauguration
3. Experience review
4. Community requests
5. Authority speeches
6. Food
There was a vote to make Saul MC for the day.
Holly will create a program handout for the day.
A question was raised about how many other communities are coming – potentially 20 in total, & how many would speak & for how long. It was suggested a commission be created to represent clusters of communities with the same water issues.
A comment was made by one woman that only the ones who have their cisterns should provide food. Someone responded that it is not just a party but also a working meeting.
Item 2 - commission to the Presidencia – review
A commission went to the Presidencia to present invitation to Inauguration.
They spoke to Lucy’s assistant & invite was received, no confirmation.
Ecologia & Desarollo Social were invited.
Sapasma was invited separately by Jesus.
Item 3 – Logistics of Inauguration event/commission
Things needed, chairs, tables, tarps, how to arrange the tables, where to place food etc,
Any doubts? No…
Item 4 Reflection of the process of making cisterns (cisterns project)
One woman has only a little water, she didn’t get her pipes connected in time & has only a small roof. It was suggested she could extend her roof before the next rains.
“I’m very happy – my water is delicious, I want to drink even more water more often!”
“when I open the tap, I’m always very conscious of how much water I use”
“I have water only a little above my tap, I didn’t finish very much before the rains ended”
“mine is ½ full”
Item 5 – Presita de Santa Rosa community visit to Cedesa
The community of PdSR had been invited to visit Cedesa, Holly arranged transport & they all contributed to the gas. They were asked to talk about their experience, they very bravely stood in front of the Capaderillo Community, who were all seated in a circle & spoke about what they learned/saw.
They said they were lucky to visit as they did not have much of an idea of what Cedesa was. “It was so beautiful & lush, with no rubbish, we looked at the Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets). Cedesa has spent a lot of time building rich soil, & growing lots of vegetables, fruit trees, worms etc If you get a chance to go I would really recommend it.”
A young man spoke “we were invited to eat, everyone washed their own dishes, they separated the grey water, I was impressed that the men were washing their own dishes too, in my house only women wash dishes”
Questions about Cedesa
Is it a community or a family or what?
It’s an association civil, not for profit, people living nearby working on producing their own food, milk, bees, an Ecoaldea.
How can we learn more? They have workshops re nopal tunnels, health, etc
Holly described it as a non profit organization, with training of campesinos as it’s mission.
Traspatios (back yard production workshops) are happening at Cruz del Palmar already & people can attend these workshops on soil conditioning, natural production, with worms etc.
Another option is a workshop on building ovens out of adobe to cook your own bread & biscuits.
There are many workshops available, if you want to visit we really need to ask Chela about that possibility, maybe followup with her on the 22nd Oct.
Item 6 – explanation of the project for a new person
How did you hear about this?
“I tried water from a cistern in Los Torres & I really like it, it’s better than the bottled water & I’d like to know how to get a cistern”
Saul read the description from the family form, it has information on it about what is required of the participants of the projects.
Additional Item 7 – description of Lions Clinic & Patronato Pro Nino services
Saul explained there are free glasses clinics on Thursdays from 9-11am, at Correo #63
They provide diagnoses & then free glasses depending on the prescription.
It is completely free.
PPN offers medical services to children under 17 years.
Saul gave the ph numbers for both services.
The next event will be Inauguration/Regional meeting on 22/10 at 11am
Next assembly (normally 2nd Wednesday, will this time be 3rd Wednesday since the 2nd Wed in Nov is saints day… Next assembly therefore 17/11/10 3pm
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Reflections on my work - Saul Juarez
Introducion: Saul is a young man who we first met when he attended community assemblies in Los Torres, 45mins bicycle ride from his community Capaderillo.
Saul attended monthly meetings & with passion, participation & persistence managed to get a project in his community - Capaderillo.
He has since gone on to "apprentice" as an outreach worker with Cedesa & co-ordinate a 40 cistern project in Capaderillo. He is a natural leader, whom we are lucky found us! He has already done great things for his community & I am sure there are more to come... here is his testimony...
SAUL JUÁREZ: Reflections upon my work with CEDESA
(translation by Holly Yasui, original by Saul Juárez in Spanish available upon request)
The work that I have been doing up to now as a CEDESA “promotor” (outreach worker) has been for me the most satisfying.
Now that I have found a way to give meaning to my life, knowing that I am helping to provide solutions to some of the many problems that Mexican families are facing today, above all in the most marginalized communities, which makes me feel ever more committed to my people, to the people with whom I identify or whom I identify with my family, the people who work hard to have a better quality of life, but don’t have the resources necessary to achieve it.
Every day that passes that we are unable to accomplish much to help, I feel impotence, anger and even resentment toward those in power whose actions show that they are opposed to the self-improvement of the people most in need, instead greedily seeking benefits for only themselves and their cronies.
Although sometimes it has made me wonder if it makes sense to struggle against such obstacles, when I go to a community and see so many people gathered in assembly, their faces reflecting their dreams and hope, it is knowing that they are putting their confidence in us, that CEDESA will support them – that fills me with the energy and courage to carry on and to defend my ideals and convictions.
To say that one day I will stop doing this work that I love is not true, because I believe that in one way or another I will continue to do it for the rest of my life.
It is something I have inside of me, and even if they don’t know it, I appreciate very much the people who have helped me to discover this path that I must follow: working to give life to that which makes us what we are - the earth, the water, the air and all of nature, and the fight to live and help others to live dignified lives, in which the human element is the most important.
I think that nothing can compare with this, and that is why I am sure that it is worth it to do everything humanly possible to achieve it.
Saúl Juárez Cabrera
Saul attended monthly meetings & with passion, participation & persistence managed to get a project in his community - Capaderillo.
He has since gone on to "apprentice" as an outreach worker with Cedesa & co-ordinate a 40 cistern project in Capaderillo. He is a natural leader, whom we are lucky found us! He has already done great things for his community & I am sure there are more to come... here is his testimony...
SAUL JUÁREZ: Reflections upon my work with CEDESA
(translation by Holly Yasui, original by Saul Juárez in Spanish available upon request)
The work that I have been doing up to now as a CEDESA “promotor” (outreach worker) has been for me the most satisfying.
Now that I have found a way to give meaning to my life, knowing that I am helping to provide solutions to some of the many problems that Mexican families are facing today, above all in the most marginalized communities, which makes me feel ever more committed to my people, to the people with whom I identify or whom I identify with my family, the people who work hard to have a better quality of life, but don’t have the resources necessary to achieve it.
Every day that passes that we are unable to accomplish much to help, I feel impotence, anger and even resentment toward those in power whose actions show that they are opposed to the self-improvement of the people most in need, instead greedily seeking benefits for only themselves and their cronies.
Although sometimes it has made me wonder if it makes sense to struggle against such obstacles, when I go to a community and see so many people gathered in assembly, their faces reflecting their dreams and hope, it is knowing that they are putting their confidence in us, that CEDESA will support them – that fills me with the energy and courage to carry on and to defend my ideals and convictions.
To say that one day I will stop doing this work that I love is not true, because I believe that in one way or another I will continue to do it for the rest of my life.
It is something I have inside of me, and even if they don’t know it, I appreciate very much the people who have helped me to discover this path that I must follow: working to give life to that which makes us what we are - the earth, the water, the air and all of nature, and the fight to live and help others to live dignified lives, in which the human element is the most important.
I think that nothing can compare with this, and that is why I am sure that it is worth it to do everything humanly possible to achieve it.
Saúl Juárez Cabrera
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Report of 6th visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – In front of old Church,
When: Wed 6.10.10 October. 3.10pm
Who: Saul, Jesus (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 19 adults incl. 4 men, 11kids, 7 dogs & 2 sheep!
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
There was a Quincinera (15th birthday party for girls) in progress when we arrived & most of the town was attending the mass & then the celebrations afterwards, so the meeting today was smaller than usual.
Also the usual meeting place was occupied by a crew of people setting up equipment for the Fiesta, so we moved down to a meeting tree near the river.
Consequently today’s meeting was more informal, less structured than usual, & was essentially an information transfer session.
Health issue
Jesus began the discussion about the health issue.
He said that Lucy & Dr Bocanegra (dept of health) were aware of the issue, & they are woking on it too.
The data they have implies that the cause is not natural, ie there are outside causes to this cancer.
So we need to continue to determine the cause, either environmental or genetic.
We apologised that Holly could not make it today, she is nursing her sick partner Gerardo.
We have also eliminated the water contaminants as a cause – there is high fluoride & low arsenic levels but neither of these is the cause of cancer or the symptoms, although fluoride causes other health issues that we need to work on.
To assess whether the cause is genetic we need to process all of the “interviews”. Holly is working on the ones she has received.
Jesus asked Laura to find experts to help us with this research.
Jesus asked how many interviews are yet to be done? This could not be answered as most of the interview team/commission are attending the fiesta today.
Jesus reiterated there are new forms, fewer questions, only 2 pages to complete now so should be a lot easier.
The mobile clinic would have to be rescheduled. They were intending to come in September but couldn’t cross the river as it was too high.
Cisterns & dry toilets
Jesus explained the inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct at Capaderillo would serve as opportunity for each community to submit their request & resources be sought for the combined need.
Saul handed out the copies of forms to be completed, one per community, & one per family.
He explained this needed to be bought to the meeting on the 22nd Oct.
Saul explained what was needed on the forms, what it asked & what they should include, ie high level of fluoride & scarcity of water. He also mentioned the possibility of small families combining/sharing if they live close.
Participation in the project is mandatory, so it is not available for people currently living in the States.
Important to attend on the 22/10 & bring contributions re food & drink to share as potentially there could be as many as 22 communities attending.
One woman bought a copy of the map she had promised at the last assembly. Jesus undertook to take it home, take a copy & bring to the next assembly. Jesus clarified the region of Tierra Blanca with 2 of the men who lived there.
General information
Jesus mentioned the Lions eye clinic on Thursdays, & diabetes clinics also on Thursdays.
He passed on the appointment time to Anselmo Granado, he is booked in for 28th October. (we went to see him at the Tienda & passed him a note with the details on it).
Jesus also described the services of Patro Nato Pro Ninos, Laura had received a “pack” from Karen Livingston, & gave one to Saul for future reference too. It was explained they do work in the medical area, & any children with medical issues can attend their clinic.
Next meeting 22/10/10 at Capaderillo at 11am
Next assembly 3/11/10 at 3pm
We declined invitation for tacos since Jesus needed to urgently return home.
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
When: Wed 6.10.10 October. 3.10pm
Who: Saul, Jesus (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 19 adults incl. 4 men, 11kids, 7 dogs & 2 sheep!
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
There was a Quincinera (15th birthday party for girls) in progress when we arrived & most of the town was attending the mass & then the celebrations afterwards, so the meeting today was smaller than usual.
Also the usual meeting place was occupied by a crew of people setting up equipment for the Fiesta, so we moved down to a meeting tree near the river.
Consequently today’s meeting was more informal, less structured than usual, & was essentially an information transfer session.
Health issue
Jesus began the discussion about the health issue.
He said that Lucy & Dr Bocanegra (dept of health) were aware of the issue, & they are woking on it too.
The data they have implies that the cause is not natural, ie there are outside causes to this cancer.
So we need to continue to determine the cause, either environmental or genetic.
We apologised that Holly could not make it today, she is nursing her sick partner Gerardo.
We have also eliminated the water contaminants as a cause – there is high fluoride & low arsenic levels but neither of these is the cause of cancer or the symptoms, although fluoride causes other health issues that we need to work on.
To assess whether the cause is genetic we need to process all of the “interviews”. Holly is working on the ones she has received.
Jesus asked Laura to find experts to help us with this research.
Jesus asked how many interviews are yet to be done? This could not be answered as most of the interview team/commission are attending the fiesta today.
Jesus reiterated there are new forms, fewer questions, only 2 pages to complete now so should be a lot easier.
The mobile clinic would have to be rescheduled. They were intending to come in September but couldn’t cross the river as it was too high.
Cisterns & dry toilets
Jesus explained the inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct at Capaderillo would serve as opportunity for each community to submit their request & resources be sought for the combined need.
Saul handed out the copies of forms to be completed, one per community, & one per family.
He explained this needed to be bought to the meeting on the 22nd Oct.
Saul explained what was needed on the forms, what it asked & what they should include, ie high level of fluoride & scarcity of water. He also mentioned the possibility of small families combining/sharing if they live close.
Participation in the project is mandatory, so it is not available for people currently living in the States.
Important to attend on the 22/10 & bring contributions re food & drink to share as potentially there could be as many as 22 communities attending.
One woman bought a copy of the map she had promised at the last assembly. Jesus undertook to take it home, take a copy & bring to the next assembly. Jesus clarified the region of Tierra Blanca with 2 of the men who lived there.
General information
Jesus mentioned the Lions eye clinic on Thursdays, & diabetes clinics also on Thursdays.
He passed on the appointment time to Anselmo Granado, he is booked in for 28th October. (we went to see him at the Tienda & passed him a note with the details on it).
Jesus also described the services of Patro Nato Pro Ninos, Laura had received a “pack” from Karen Livingston, & gave one to Saul for future reference too. It was explained they do work in the medical area, & any children with medical issues can attend their clinic.
Next meeting 22/10/10 at Capaderillo at 11am
Next assembly 3/11/10 at 3pm
We declined invitation for tacos since Jesus needed to urgently return home.
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Oct 5th 1pm- 2.50pm (we were late because Jesus’s wife has dengue fever)
Who: Jesus & Saul, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary), 30 adults (incl 9 men) 6 kids.
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 2 communities attending today.
San Lorenzo (3rd visit at VdA, 1 at Cinco Senores)
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Humberto Alfonzo & Odelia – the young people, that approached us after the 1st assembly & said they were very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter, were here again.
San Isidro Capadero
Jesus Rico & 4 other people attended from San Isidro Capadero. There had been confusion about potential visits to their community & attendance at assemblies, so he had not attended previous assembly but wanted to reiterate they are still very interested.
La Tinaja was being visited by Chela & Saul today.
Jesus asked who would like to co-ordinate the meeting today, Anamaria agreed to take the roll, one woman attempted to be the attending representative for more than 1 family, Anamaria questioned her & pointed out that participation is essential, & you can not send 1 person to represent many families.
San Lorenzo people are included on the list for Vivienda de Arriba, hence their attendance was noted.
Jesus gave a brief discussion about meetings & agenda’s & called for the points for today’s meeting.
Agenda
1. San Isidro Capadero
2. Sanitarios
3. Ecocina stoves
4. Event re water, at school
5. back yard gardens
6. resources/planning for phase II
Item 1 San Isidro Capadero
Jesus (from Cedesa) described the planned inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct at Capaderillo. This is to celebrate the completion of the Capaderillo 40 cistern project but also to serve as a regional meeting for those interested in participating in a project in their community.
The communities will submit their requests for assistance & we will attempt to organise potential funding on a larger scale, combining multiple communities in one request. The potential funding sources at this stage are Sapasma, Fondo Verde, Desarollo Social & Rotary.
We are inviting representatives from each of these organisations including Lucy Nunez (mayor) & Irma Rosado, Helio Bastien (Ecology) .
At this meeting we’ll be working together, presenting the info re who wants to participate in the cisterns project & how we can proceed together.
Jesus reminded everyone attending to bring food & drink to share, since there will likely be soooo many communities attending.
Forms to complete (1 for community, & 1 for each family) were given to
Jesus Rico – on behalf of San Isidro Capadero
Anamaria – on behalf of Phase II of VdA
Audelia(?) – on behalf of San Lorenzo
The San Isidro Commission then left .
Jesus then called for proposals for the commission to represent Vivienda de Arriba at the inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct.
Anamaria was proposed, & voted on.
Jesus said are you going to send her on her own? & one old guy replied, yes, send her on her own, & everyone cracked up laughing, then chose some more people.
Audelia, Angela, Nicolas, Marie.
Another older man said it’s important to get together with the other communities in our area, & make a plan to begin the next stage.
It was suggested that people not attending should contribute towards the costs of those who are.
They decided $200 pesos would be needed.
There are approx 40 on the list so suggested that each person contribute 5 pesos, then it was pointed out that 5 of thos people were from San Lorenzo & not fair to ask them, after much discussion & many jokes cracked, it was decided that 10 pesos was a fair amount .
One man immediately came forward & gave his contribution to Anamaria as a show of good faith, she began checking names off the list as more people came forward to pay.
The word for contribution of food Traje, is apparently the same word for swimming costume, so when Jesus reminded everyone of the “traje” there was lots of laughter as people imagined everyone going in their bikinis…
Item 2 – Consejo de La Vivienda de Estado Guanajuato
Jesus added another item to the agenda, he had met with this organisation who are essentially a govt loan/credit organization. (loans are very rare in Mexico). Jesus explained they offer options to take out loans to improve your house, eg for roofs, floors, & were talking about the possibility of funding loans for cisterns.
He explained that for example you could borrow $3000 pesos, & pay it off over a period of 5 years at 50pesos per week.
This could be an option of the “migrantes” people up in the states, who could take out a loan to pay for their cisterns, since we have made it a rule that people must be present to participate in the cistern projects.
Jesus is going to invite this organization to the 22nd Oct meeting, to inform people better of the options.
Questions were asked
What papers are needed? Id papers, proof of ownership (the usual)
What can we get? Depends what you need, & can afford to pay back.
Do we have to work in a group? Not necessarily, but it maybe makes more sense to.
Is it a gift or a loan? A loan, it has to be paid back “ohhhhh!!!!”
How much can we get? Up to 20 mil. Pesos, they look at how much you can afford to pay back & make calculations etc, money is only for materials not for labour.
Item 3 – new person
Another item jumped onto the agenda – a new person attended today & asked to join the list of the phase II people. Jesus pointed out this was a community decision.
Annamaria pointed out invitation had been extended but she wasn’t interested previously, & now she is interested? Ana mentioned again, you need to be present or send a representative, 1 per family, 1 person can not attend for many.
People were attending for the cisterns & since they have finished have stopped coming, Ana pointed out that there are many things that can be talked about & resolved, but regular meetings must continue.
There was discussion re Phase II v Phase III (people in the USA), & it was agreed the new person could be added to the list.
Ma. De Dolores, Hernandez Ramirez…
Ana reiterated she does not want to have to go to each house to remind people of meeting days, she asked each person to take responsibility for attending.
Chela arrived & shook hands with everyone, she was dropping off Saul & had to race home, her mother is very sick (dying).
Chela mentioned again the extreme need we have for a vehicle to work in this region. A San Miguel based old pick up truck suitable for visiting the communities, as the roads are sooo bad they are ruining the vehicles of Jesus, Laura, Holly, whenever we have to visit.
Item 4 – Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets)
Jesus asked everyone what a sanitario was – some responded a bathroom, & he said “for showering?”, & they said no for pee & poo… with a great outburst of laughter.
He wanted to determine which word everyone was comfortable with using, pee pee, poo poo, kaka??
They decided pee pee…
He went on to explain bodily function, ie that our body needs to eliminate toxins, form of elimination is pee, poo, sweat, mucous, vomit.
The elimated material is germ ridden , for example snot, some people blow it into paper, others just blow it out, we don’t have a toilet for snot! (again more laughter).
The history of toilets as explained by Jesus:
We humans have designed various systems to deal with pee & poo. The people were asked to describe some, flush, septic, dry.
Toilets are essential in the cities, but in the country many people just go in the wild, then the poo dries & blows around in the air, this is not such a problem where there is wide open spaces, but when it’s more enclosed, it can be toxic.
One young man yelled out “it’s good fertilizer for nopales (cactus)”.
Jesus responded, all animals poo, this lands on the earth & dries & fertilizes the earth, when it’s birds or horses no probs, but with too much human faeces it contaminates the earth/rivers/ water supplies.
In England they invented flush toilets, just press a button & away goes the problem, but does it? This still contaminates water, the sea etc. The water/flush toilet is the most widely used in the world.
Septic tanks are another option, but they have probs too, they transmit the germs under the earth. One guy responded, not if they are properly sealed… But… they fill up fast & they need water to operate, what happens if 1. you run out of water 2. it fills up?
Other people began working on the issue & came up with a design that doesn’t need water & also creates excellent fertilizer like the man said urine & poo make great fertilizer… but not raw poo. Poo that has dried & converted into dry fertilizer to enrich the earth.
There are various models of dry toilets – Jesus described the Cedesa model. Toilet separates pee from poo, poo is captured in one of 2 chambers. When the 1st chamber is full it is closed, & left to dry, then the toilet is moved to the other chamber.
Bacteria & amoebas work on the poo & in approx 6mths the closed chamber, is dry & ready to be used as fertilizer.
The implications are
You need to move the “fertilizer” each 6 mths.
You need to go to the toilet in one place (ie not out in the wild)
If you operate it correctly it doesn’t smell bad
The pee goes directly to the garden or to a container to be diluted for liquid fertilizer 10:1 water to pee.
The cost is more or less the cost of a septic tank, but you get to use the fertilizer, & don’t need water with which to flush.
If you are interested, now that we’ve talked about pee & poo, we can talk practically about how to construct a sanitario seco – rustic version.
He briefly described another version that is being used, ie it has a big plastic bucket as a collector instead of chambers. The bucket does not allow the poo to dry. Most people stop using these toilets & just use the toilet as a shed & the bucket for other uses. (for example in Cinco Senores)
During the next assembly he will demonstrate the design, & then the following assembly he will bring cement & cal to build the rustic version, if they will bring the rocks…
Item 5 Event – Water Info Day
Ana reminded everyone of the previous discussion on this topic, & that the parents had been absent at a meeting at school that day. It was suggested they could put together a commission of interested people to organize this & look at options like FAI – asking with a solicitud.
Everyone looked a bit blank, so Saul asked if they were interested in having a water info Day?
Ana then jumped in to explain what it was, basically an event to inform the kids about all aspects of water, the hydraulic cycle, conservation, recycling, water capture etc, it would be demonstrated with games, like in the Los Torres event, & small prizes, Jesus suggested people raise their hands if they were interested in helping…
Commission : Serafin, Angela, Teresa, Anamaria.
When? – let’s talk more on the 22/10 about when – possible dates 15 &30/11 were suggested to clear with the teacher.
Item 6 Back yard Gardens (traspatios)
On 13/10/10 Benigno (technician from Cedesa) is going to Cruz del Palmar to discuss/train about traspatios, Saul suggested those interested could attend there (it’s about 40 mins walk)…
Jesus asked who knows about traspatios? Who has them? What are they?
He used the example of the garden of the house next door, from over the wall we could see various fruit trees, Granada, orange, peach, nopal…
Back yard gardens are not limited to the back yard… they can be wherever there is available space for a garden.
You can grow fruit trees, veges, animals etc.
There are technical ideas to learn about to maximize your space, minimize use of water, enrich your soil – so you can grow nutritious food for your family, & if you have extra trade it…
This is a basic summary, if you are interested you can attend in CdP at 11am on 13.10.10.
Saul reminded everyone that last mth there was a list of 13 interested people, & it’s not worth Benigno’s time to come all the way from Dolores Hidalgo to teach just a few… Laura mentioned that Izykiel working with feed the hungry, has 87 family gardens in place already. Ana mentioned that Los Torres have begun working on theirs,
Item 7 Ecocina stoves
Jesus described the ecocina stove v the current form of cooking they use, basically wood fire with a comal (hot plate) balanced on top. The photos were handed around, so everyone could see what we were talking about. The benefits were described ie no smoke, much less wood, portable. The concept was briefly described ie that Saul would create a regional factory to begin constructing these stoves, & sell to the communities at a subsidized price – in order to be able to distribute to more people we will have to charge something (ie not a gift).
It was also explained this will be the first time in Mexico – they have been in Guatemala for 15yrs.
Everyone was interested to know more & see a working model.
Item 8 General information
Ana asked the people of Phase II to turn up on Saturday @ 5pm to get copies of the individual family forms to complete & take to the regional meeting on the 22/10/
Next meeting 22/10/10 at 11am at Capaderillo
Next Vivienda de Arriba assembly 3rd Nov at 11am.
We were invited for a taco, but had to decline as Jesus’ wife has Dengue fever, & we have another assembly at Tierra Blanca to attend, before he can get home to be with her.
12th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Oct 5th 1pm- 2.50pm (we were late because Jesus’s wife has dengue fever)
Who: Jesus & Saul, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary), 30 adults (incl 9 men) 6 kids.
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 2 communities attending today.
San Lorenzo (3rd visit at VdA, 1 at Cinco Senores)
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Humberto Alfonzo & Odelia – the young people, that approached us after the 1st assembly & said they were very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter, were here again.
San Isidro Capadero
Jesus Rico & 4 other people attended from San Isidro Capadero. There had been confusion about potential visits to their community & attendance at assemblies, so he had not attended previous assembly but wanted to reiterate they are still very interested.
La Tinaja was being visited by Chela & Saul today.
Jesus asked who would like to co-ordinate the meeting today, Anamaria agreed to take the roll, one woman attempted to be the attending representative for more than 1 family, Anamaria questioned her & pointed out that participation is essential, & you can not send 1 person to represent many families.
San Lorenzo people are included on the list for Vivienda de Arriba, hence their attendance was noted.
Jesus gave a brief discussion about meetings & agenda’s & called for the points for today’s meeting.
Agenda
1. San Isidro Capadero
2. Sanitarios
3. Ecocina stoves
4. Event re water, at school
5. back yard gardens
6. resources/planning for phase II
Item 1 San Isidro Capadero
Jesus (from Cedesa) described the planned inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct at Capaderillo. This is to celebrate the completion of the Capaderillo 40 cistern project but also to serve as a regional meeting for those interested in participating in a project in their community.
The communities will submit their requests for assistance & we will attempt to organise potential funding on a larger scale, combining multiple communities in one request. The potential funding sources at this stage are Sapasma, Fondo Verde, Desarollo Social & Rotary.
We are inviting representatives from each of these organisations including Lucy Nunez (mayor) & Irma Rosado, Helio Bastien (Ecology) .
At this meeting we’ll be working together, presenting the info re who wants to participate in the cisterns project & how we can proceed together.
Jesus reminded everyone attending to bring food & drink to share, since there will likely be soooo many communities attending.
Forms to complete (1 for community, & 1 for each family) were given to
Jesus Rico – on behalf of San Isidro Capadero
Anamaria – on behalf of Phase II of VdA
Audelia(?) – on behalf of San Lorenzo
The San Isidro Commission then left .
Jesus then called for proposals for the commission to represent Vivienda de Arriba at the inauguration/regional meeting on the 22nd Oct.
Anamaria was proposed, & voted on.
Jesus said are you going to send her on her own? & one old guy replied, yes, send her on her own, & everyone cracked up laughing, then chose some more people.
Audelia, Angela, Nicolas, Marie.
Another older man said it’s important to get together with the other communities in our area, & make a plan to begin the next stage.
It was suggested that people not attending should contribute towards the costs of those who are.
They decided $200 pesos would be needed.
There are approx 40 on the list so suggested that each person contribute 5 pesos, then it was pointed out that 5 of thos people were from San Lorenzo & not fair to ask them, after much discussion & many jokes cracked, it was decided that 10 pesos was a fair amount .
One man immediately came forward & gave his contribution to Anamaria as a show of good faith, she began checking names off the list as more people came forward to pay.
The word for contribution of food Traje, is apparently the same word for swimming costume, so when Jesus reminded everyone of the “traje” there was lots of laughter as people imagined everyone going in their bikinis…
Item 2 – Consejo de La Vivienda de Estado Guanajuato
Jesus added another item to the agenda, he had met with this organisation who are essentially a govt loan/credit organization. (loans are very rare in Mexico). Jesus explained they offer options to take out loans to improve your house, eg for roofs, floors, & were talking about the possibility of funding loans for cisterns.
He explained that for example you could borrow $3000 pesos, & pay it off over a period of 5 years at 50pesos per week.
This could be an option of the “migrantes” people up in the states, who could take out a loan to pay for their cisterns, since we have made it a rule that people must be present to participate in the cistern projects.
Jesus is going to invite this organization to the 22nd Oct meeting, to inform people better of the options.
Questions were asked
What papers are needed? Id papers, proof of ownership (the usual)
What can we get? Depends what you need, & can afford to pay back.
Do we have to work in a group? Not necessarily, but it maybe makes more sense to.
Is it a gift or a loan? A loan, it has to be paid back “ohhhhh!!!!”
How much can we get? Up to 20 mil. Pesos, they look at how much you can afford to pay back & make calculations etc, money is only for materials not for labour.
Item 3 – new person
Another item jumped onto the agenda – a new person attended today & asked to join the list of the phase II people. Jesus pointed out this was a community decision.
Annamaria pointed out invitation had been extended but she wasn’t interested previously, & now she is interested? Ana mentioned again, you need to be present or send a representative, 1 per family, 1 person can not attend for many.
People were attending for the cisterns & since they have finished have stopped coming, Ana pointed out that there are many things that can be talked about & resolved, but regular meetings must continue.
There was discussion re Phase II v Phase III (people in the USA), & it was agreed the new person could be added to the list.
Ma. De Dolores, Hernandez Ramirez…
Ana reiterated she does not want to have to go to each house to remind people of meeting days, she asked each person to take responsibility for attending.
Chela arrived & shook hands with everyone, she was dropping off Saul & had to race home, her mother is very sick (dying).
Chela mentioned again the extreme need we have for a vehicle to work in this region. A San Miguel based old pick up truck suitable for visiting the communities, as the roads are sooo bad they are ruining the vehicles of Jesus, Laura, Holly, whenever we have to visit.
Item 4 – Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets)
Jesus asked everyone what a sanitario was – some responded a bathroom, & he said “for showering?”, & they said no for pee & poo… with a great outburst of laughter.
He wanted to determine which word everyone was comfortable with using, pee pee, poo poo, kaka??
They decided pee pee…
He went on to explain bodily function, ie that our body needs to eliminate toxins, form of elimination is pee, poo, sweat, mucous, vomit.
The elimated material is germ ridden , for example snot, some people blow it into paper, others just blow it out, we don’t have a toilet for snot! (again more laughter).
The history of toilets as explained by Jesus:
We humans have designed various systems to deal with pee & poo. The people were asked to describe some, flush, septic, dry.
Toilets are essential in the cities, but in the country many people just go in the wild, then the poo dries & blows around in the air, this is not such a problem where there is wide open spaces, but when it’s more enclosed, it can be toxic.
One young man yelled out “it’s good fertilizer for nopales (cactus)”.
Jesus responded, all animals poo, this lands on the earth & dries & fertilizes the earth, when it’s birds or horses no probs, but with too much human faeces it contaminates the earth/rivers/ water supplies.
In England they invented flush toilets, just press a button & away goes the problem, but does it? This still contaminates water, the sea etc. The water/flush toilet is the most widely used in the world.
Septic tanks are another option, but they have probs too, they transmit the germs under the earth. One guy responded, not if they are properly sealed… But… they fill up fast & they need water to operate, what happens if 1. you run out of water 2. it fills up?
Other people began working on the issue & came up with a design that doesn’t need water & also creates excellent fertilizer like the man said urine & poo make great fertilizer… but not raw poo. Poo that has dried & converted into dry fertilizer to enrich the earth.
There are various models of dry toilets – Jesus described the Cedesa model. Toilet separates pee from poo, poo is captured in one of 2 chambers. When the 1st chamber is full it is closed, & left to dry, then the toilet is moved to the other chamber.
Bacteria & amoebas work on the poo & in approx 6mths the closed chamber, is dry & ready to be used as fertilizer.
The implications are
You need to move the “fertilizer” each 6 mths.
You need to go to the toilet in one place (ie not out in the wild)
If you operate it correctly it doesn’t smell bad
The pee goes directly to the garden or to a container to be diluted for liquid fertilizer 10:1 water to pee.
The cost is more or less the cost of a septic tank, but you get to use the fertilizer, & don’t need water with which to flush.
If you are interested, now that we’ve talked about pee & poo, we can talk practically about how to construct a sanitario seco – rustic version.
He briefly described another version that is being used, ie it has a big plastic bucket as a collector instead of chambers. The bucket does not allow the poo to dry. Most people stop using these toilets & just use the toilet as a shed & the bucket for other uses. (for example in Cinco Senores)
During the next assembly he will demonstrate the design, & then the following assembly he will bring cement & cal to build the rustic version, if they will bring the rocks…
Item 5 Event – Water Info Day
Ana reminded everyone of the previous discussion on this topic, & that the parents had been absent at a meeting at school that day. It was suggested they could put together a commission of interested people to organize this & look at options like FAI – asking with a solicitud.
Everyone looked a bit blank, so Saul asked if they were interested in having a water info Day?
Ana then jumped in to explain what it was, basically an event to inform the kids about all aspects of water, the hydraulic cycle, conservation, recycling, water capture etc, it would be demonstrated with games, like in the Los Torres event, & small prizes, Jesus suggested people raise their hands if they were interested in helping…
Commission : Serafin, Angela, Teresa, Anamaria.
When? – let’s talk more on the 22/10 about when – possible dates 15 &30/11 were suggested to clear with the teacher.
Item 6 Back yard Gardens (traspatios)
On 13/10/10 Benigno (technician from Cedesa) is going to Cruz del Palmar to discuss/train about traspatios, Saul suggested those interested could attend there (it’s about 40 mins walk)…
Jesus asked who knows about traspatios? Who has them? What are they?
He used the example of the garden of the house next door, from over the wall we could see various fruit trees, Granada, orange, peach, nopal…
Back yard gardens are not limited to the back yard… they can be wherever there is available space for a garden.
You can grow fruit trees, veges, animals etc.
There are technical ideas to learn about to maximize your space, minimize use of water, enrich your soil – so you can grow nutritious food for your family, & if you have extra trade it…
This is a basic summary, if you are interested you can attend in CdP at 11am on 13.10.10.
Saul reminded everyone that last mth there was a list of 13 interested people, & it’s not worth Benigno’s time to come all the way from Dolores Hidalgo to teach just a few… Laura mentioned that Izykiel working with feed the hungry, has 87 family gardens in place already. Ana mentioned that Los Torres have begun working on theirs,
Item 7 Ecocina stoves
Jesus described the ecocina stove v the current form of cooking they use, basically wood fire with a comal (hot plate) balanced on top. The photos were handed around, so everyone could see what we were talking about. The benefits were described ie no smoke, much less wood, portable. The concept was briefly described ie that Saul would create a regional factory to begin constructing these stoves, & sell to the communities at a subsidized price – in order to be able to distribute to more people we will have to charge something (ie not a gift).
It was also explained this will be the first time in Mexico – they have been in Guatemala for 15yrs.
Everyone was interested to know more & see a working model.
Item 8 General information
Ana asked the people of Phase II to turn up on Saturday @ 5pm to get copies of the individual family forms to complete & take to the regional meeting on the 22/10/
Next meeting 22/10/10 at 11am at Capaderillo
Next Vivienda de Arriba assembly 3rd Nov at 11am.
We were invited for a taco, but had to decline as Jesus’ wife has Dengue fever, & we have another assembly at Tierra Blanca to attend, before he can get home to be with her.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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
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
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores
Record of Event
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores
Where: Cinco Senores, out behind Vivienda de Arriba
When: 29.09.10 10.30 in Juan Gonzalez, 11.15 in Cinco Senores.
Who: Saul, Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 20 adults incl. 1 man, 4kids, 2 dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit these communities to talk about water issues & the potential of a water project in these communities.
A group of representatives of Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo, have attended several assemblies in neighbouring Vivienda de Arriba, as well as Capaderillo.
Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo are all within about 35 mins walk of each other.
They are in a little hidden valley with a small river running through it.
We met Saul on the highway & turned off on an unmarked dirt road just past the entrance to Vivienda de Arriba. We kept driving straight & down, past a few houses, & along a long potholed, dusty “road” & arrived at a river which we needed to ford. The River was deeper than expected but rocky so Chela just planted her foot & we ploughed through.
We rounded the corner through a bank of trees & discovered a little community, church, a couple of tienda’s. This is Juan Gonzalez, we were met by 5 women, who after much deliberation took us in the agreed best direction… we noted a few men on horseback & decided this was the preferred method of transport, especially after driving a little further!
We had to push our way through huge muddy puddles, through bushes overlapping the “track” & forded the river again, we drove at an almost 90degree sideways slant, with lower wheels on the road & upper wheels on the “other part of the road”… finally we reached another part of the river to cross, but were very perplexed as to us it looked like huge stony river banks with no crossing possibility!
We tried in one spot, & got stuck, so all the women jumped off the back & we pushed Chela’s pickup back out to solid ground, parked & walked!
We walked about 20 mins, scrambling under barbed wire fences, through maize taller than us, & along the river banks, much easier by foot! Eventually we arrived at the “meeting” house…
We had a discussion before beginning the meeting, here are some points
• Juan Gonzalez is Ejido (communal) land.
• Cinco Senores is privately owned.
• One woman visiting was originally from Shotolar – they have 6 families there, with no water or electricity (it is the furthest community of the municipality of SMA, they grow maize & frijoles same as Cinco Senores.
• Saul handed out forms for each of the communities to fill in (Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo – each received 1 for the community & 1 for each family wishing to participate in the project.
• There is lots of water in the river at the moment, so things are extra green, the river always has some water in it.
• It’s very tranquil & peaceful here, a little secluded valley (hard to find)
• Juan Gonzalez people all have bad teeth, from the water in their wells, Chela described the issues caused by Fluoride contaminations – bone problems, osteoporosis, brain, teeth, major organs.
The community insisted we eat first & provided a feast of calabasa casserole, garbanzo casserole, chicheron (pork skin), beans, rice, & the most delicious flour tortillas I’ve ever eaten!
Introductions
San Lorenzo
Humberto Alonso,Odelia Ramirez
Juan Gonzalez
Maria Gloria, Enedina Palma, Maria Elena Ramirez, Salvador Torre (represented by his wife!), Antonia Bocanegra, Marta Lanas, Margarita Hernandez.
Cinco Senores
Leticia Lopez, Beatriz Bocanegra, Josefina Herrera, Adelita Gonzalez, Maria Ramirez, Angelica Correr, Leticia Ramirez, Felisa Bocanegra, Ma Elena Bocanegra, Ester Lana, Valentina Morin (Ex Sholotar).
We then introduced ourselves too.
Laura from Rotary (& brief description of Rotary), Chela described Cedesa & the work they do to
Conserve traditions, Training of Campesinos in the region, 40 years working in the region, a commission from Presita de Santa Rosa had visited Cedesa to know more, Cedesa began work in SMA only 2 yrs ago, with Rotary.
Chela went on to talk about fluoride, how it occurs, it’s causes,
The women asked questions
• Is fluoride bad for you? How?
• How can we remove it?
• Is arsenic the problem in Tierra Blanca?
• How can we prevent this?
• Did you advertise on the radio?
Chela responded with these points
• When the water comes from the wells in this area it’s contaminated.
• Not just this area is affected also Dolores Hidalgo
• It’s damaging the health in this region
• It’s a problem with the watershed, which covers an area of 6 municipalities
• It is naturally occurring, leaching from the types of rocks in this area,
• All of the internal organs are affected by excessive fluoride.
• There is also manganese & arsenic in some areas
• The only way to prevent it is to stop drinking the water.
• This is why we started work in Los Torres, to help the people provide options for safe drinking water.
• Bacteria can be killed by the sun, but the water needs to be distilled to remove fluoride.
• That’s why we’re here today, people saw/heard about the cisterns in Los Torres & the word spread to different communities, & new project sites.
• The only information spread has been word of mouth, we have not advertised these projects on the radio.
• So far 52 cisterns in Los Torres, 30 in Montecillo de Nieto, 17 in Vivienda de Arriba, 27 in Cruz del Palmar, 40 in Capaderillo. Rotary has funded the projects in all communities, except Capaderillo, which was funded by the ecology department’s green fund.
• Chela briefly described the hydraulic cycle, in part explaining the process of distillation.
The women were interested to know where Laura came from – so there was a brief discussion about New Zealand & how long it takes to get there…
Chela asked
Why do you want to be involved in this project?
• Safe drinking water,
• Someone suggested it might be safer to drink coke! Then someone else responded then we’d all get diabetes!
• The pozos (wells) are dry when the rains stop.
• We have to carry the water a long way, if we need to get it from the river
• Some people upstream from this community have flush toilets & they are contaminating the river with fecal matter
• There are machines working in the water (to dredge out sand & rocks) & their oil contaminate the water
• “Sometimes the rocks in the river are clean, other times they are black, - can you imagine drinking this water?”
• we had analysis done – 4 tests for 600 pesos per test, I went to get the tests but they were not complete, we had tests done for fluoride, fecal matter, ecoli & bacteria (a promoter from Desarollo Social – Social Development – Helped us.
• San Lorenzo is only 4 families, so good idea for them to combine with these communities
Chela asked who wishes to participate from the community of Juan Gonzalez
They responded they were not sure how many people could come to today’s meeting so only sent representatives.
There was continued discussion re how many people wish to participate v how many people are attending the meeting today.
Chela suggested we can meet in each community separately, but it is more efficient to combine communities into one meeting, & meet in a central location, good for everyone, & with shade…
There are 17 from Juan Gonzalez on the list, 16 from Cinco Senores, & 4 from San Lorenzo.
Saul described the 2 forms, & how to complete them. The community form, describing the general water situation of the community, & the family form to list the people wishing to participate.
Chela described the meeting planned for 22nd Oct. in Capaderillo, an inauguration, but also a chance for a regional meeting, & to present requests of assistance to the municipality…
At the 22nd Oct meeting the date for the next meeting for this community will be set.
We also talked briefly about the ecocina stove project.
We asked about their current cooking arrangements, they showed us 2 kitchens, (with permission I took photos), these kitchens were blackened with soot from the open fires they use to cook their tortillas.
We also looked at the dry toilets some houses had, as part of a govt program.
The ones we looked at were not in use, the big bucket that was in place under the toilet to catch the fecal matter, had been removed & was in use as washing bucket. The toilets had been relegated to storage sheds.
I saw 2 toilets out in the middle of no-where, with signs proclaiming the program nailed to stumps.
The meeting concluded at 1.25pm, we began our “journey” back to the highway, & headed to Guerrero for our 3pm assembly.
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores
Where: Cinco Senores, out behind Vivienda de Arriba
When: 29.09.10 10.30 in Juan Gonzalez, 11.15 in Cinco Senores.
Who: Saul, Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 20 adults incl. 1 man, 4kids, 2 dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit these communities to talk about water issues & the potential of a water project in these communities.
A group of representatives of Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo, have attended several assemblies in neighbouring Vivienda de Arriba, as well as Capaderillo.
Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo are all within about 35 mins walk of each other.
They are in a little hidden valley with a small river running through it.
We met Saul on the highway & turned off on an unmarked dirt road just past the entrance to Vivienda de Arriba. We kept driving straight & down, past a few houses, & along a long potholed, dusty “road” & arrived at a river which we needed to ford. The River was deeper than expected but rocky so Chela just planted her foot & we ploughed through.
We rounded the corner through a bank of trees & discovered a little community, church, a couple of tienda’s. This is Juan Gonzalez, we were met by 5 women, who after much deliberation took us in the agreed best direction… we noted a few men on horseback & decided this was the preferred method of transport, especially after driving a little further!
We had to push our way through huge muddy puddles, through bushes overlapping the “track” & forded the river again, we drove at an almost 90degree sideways slant, with lower wheels on the road & upper wheels on the “other part of the road”… finally we reached another part of the river to cross, but were very perplexed as to us it looked like huge stony river banks with no crossing possibility!
We tried in one spot, & got stuck, so all the women jumped off the back & we pushed Chela’s pickup back out to solid ground, parked & walked!
We walked about 20 mins, scrambling under barbed wire fences, through maize taller than us, & along the river banks, much easier by foot! Eventually we arrived at the “meeting” house…
We had a discussion before beginning the meeting, here are some points
• Juan Gonzalez is Ejido (communal) land.
• Cinco Senores is privately owned.
• One woman visiting was originally from Shotolar – they have 6 families there, with no water or electricity (it is the furthest community of the municipality of SMA, they grow maize & frijoles same as Cinco Senores.
• Saul handed out forms for each of the communities to fill in (Juan Gonzalez, Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo – each received 1 for the community & 1 for each family wishing to participate in the project.
• There is lots of water in the river at the moment, so things are extra green, the river always has some water in it.
• It’s very tranquil & peaceful here, a little secluded valley (hard to find)
• Juan Gonzalez people all have bad teeth, from the water in their wells, Chela described the issues caused by Fluoride contaminations – bone problems, osteoporosis, brain, teeth, major organs.
The community insisted we eat first & provided a feast of calabasa casserole, garbanzo casserole, chicheron (pork skin), beans, rice, & the most delicious flour tortillas I’ve ever eaten!
Introductions
San Lorenzo
Humberto Alonso,Odelia Ramirez
Juan Gonzalez
Maria Gloria, Enedina Palma, Maria Elena Ramirez, Salvador Torre (represented by his wife!), Antonia Bocanegra, Marta Lanas, Margarita Hernandez.
Cinco Senores
Leticia Lopez, Beatriz Bocanegra, Josefina Herrera, Adelita Gonzalez, Maria Ramirez, Angelica Correr, Leticia Ramirez, Felisa Bocanegra, Ma Elena Bocanegra, Ester Lana, Valentina Morin (Ex Sholotar).
We then introduced ourselves too.
Laura from Rotary (& brief description of Rotary), Chela described Cedesa & the work they do to
Conserve traditions, Training of Campesinos in the region, 40 years working in the region, a commission from Presita de Santa Rosa had visited Cedesa to know more, Cedesa began work in SMA only 2 yrs ago, with Rotary.
Chela went on to talk about fluoride, how it occurs, it’s causes,
The women asked questions
• Is fluoride bad for you? How?
• How can we remove it?
• Is arsenic the problem in Tierra Blanca?
• How can we prevent this?
• Did you advertise on the radio?
Chela responded with these points
• When the water comes from the wells in this area it’s contaminated.
• Not just this area is affected also Dolores Hidalgo
• It’s damaging the health in this region
• It’s a problem with the watershed, which covers an area of 6 municipalities
• It is naturally occurring, leaching from the types of rocks in this area,
• All of the internal organs are affected by excessive fluoride.
• There is also manganese & arsenic in some areas
• The only way to prevent it is to stop drinking the water.
• This is why we started work in Los Torres, to help the people provide options for safe drinking water.
• Bacteria can be killed by the sun, but the water needs to be distilled to remove fluoride.
• That’s why we’re here today, people saw/heard about the cisterns in Los Torres & the word spread to different communities, & new project sites.
• The only information spread has been word of mouth, we have not advertised these projects on the radio.
• So far 52 cisterns in Los Torres, 30 in Montecillo de Nieto, 17 in Vivienda de Arriba, 27 in Cruz del Palmar, 40 in Capaderillo. Rotary has funded the projects in all communities, except Capaderillo, which was funded by the ecology department’s green fund.
• Chela briefly described the hydraulic cycle, in part explaining the process of distillation.
The women were interested to know where Laura came from – so there was a brief discussion about New Zealand & how long it takes to get there…
Chela asked
Why do you want to be involved in this project?
• Safe drinking water,
• Someone suggested it might be safer to drink coke! Then someone else responded then we’d all get diabetes!
• The pozos (wells) are dry when the rains stop.
• We have to carry the water a long way, if we need to get it from the river
• Some people upstream from this community have flush toilets & they are contaminating the river with fecal matter
• There are machines working in the water (to dredge out sand & rocks) & their oil contaminate the water
• “Sometimes the rocks in the river are clean, other times they are black, - can you imagine drinking this water?”
• we had analysis done – 4 tests for 600 pesos per test, I went to get the tests but they were not complete, we had tests done for fluoride, fecal matter, ecoli & bacteria (a promoter from Desarollo Social – Social Development – Helped us.
• San Lorenzo is only 4 families, so good idea for them to combine with these communities
Chela asked who wishes to participate from the community of Juan Gonzalez
They responded they were not sure how many people could come to today’s meeting so only sent representatives.
There was continued discussion re how many people wish to participate v how many people are attending the meeting today.
Chela suggested we can meet in each community separately, but it is more efficient to combine communities into one meeting, & meet in a central location, good for everyone, & with shade…
There are 17 from Juan Gonzalez on the list, 16 from Cinco Senores, & 4 from San Lorenzo.
Saul described the 2 forms, & how to complete them. The community form, describing the general water situation of the community, & the family form to list the people wishing to participate.
Chela described the meeting planned for 22nd Oct. in Capaderillo, an inauguration, but also a chance for a regional meeting, & to present requests of assistance to the municipality…
At the 22nd Oct meeting the date for the next meeting for this community will be set.
We also talked briefly about the ecocina stove project.
We asked about their current cooking arrangements, they showed us 2 kitchens, (with permission I took photos), these kitchens were blackened with soot from the open fires they use to cook their tortillas.
We also looked at the dry toilets some houses had, as part of a govt program.
The ones we looked at were not in use, the big bucket that was in place under the toilet to catch the fecal matter, had been removed & was in use as washing bucket. The toilets had been relegated to storage sheds.
I saw 2 toilets out in the middle of no-where, with signs proclaiming the program nailed to stumps.
The meeting concluded at 1.25pm, we began our “journey” back to the highway, & headed to Guerrero for our 3pm assembly.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Record of Event
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo “meeting tree” & inside the church.
When: Wed 9th Sept 2010 3.15 – 5.50
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 44 people incl 5 men inside the church (more waiting outside for other communities)
Purpose: To review the project, & to visit with other community representatives enquiring about water projects.
When we arrived there were many people gathered & they continued to arrive. We decided there were too many people to fit under the tree & there was a grader working so very noisy. We asked for access to the church, although not ideal as we normally like to sit in a circle to encourage participation.
Saul made a quick introduction & welcome
We discussed the agenda for today
1. who has finished – what are they missing?
2. the date of the inauguration/fiesta
3. the replacement roofs
1. revision of the project
We asked who had finished &/or what was missing…
Group 1 – all 6 cisterns finished, Dona Reynaldo is waiting on roof replacement, & Miguel just needs to connect the pipes (he will do that in the next 2 days)
Group 2 – all 6 cisterns finished.
Group 3 – 5 finished, 1 is missing a pvc t & codo (I said they cost approx 5 pesos each & asked them to arrange it themselves, as it would take hours of our time to do it)
Group 4 – Carolina needs to finish plastering & pipe connection, will finish on Saturday. All others then mentioned they need to finish their internal plastering too.
Group 5 – 6 finished, 1 (Salud) needs to connect the pipes after they have changed their roof.
Group 6 – all 6 finished.
2. Planning the inauguration
Capaderillo community has been chosen as the regional meeting place, ie for all the communities requesting projects to come & meet the municipality representatives & begin the process of seeking resources for their projects.
Cruz del Palmar was another possibility but decided against since Capaderillo is the first Municipally funded project.
Other Communities will be advised of the day to attend & will be asked to bring food & drink as contribution to the fiesta/inauguration.
It was decided that 22 Oct at 11am is a good time for all.
One of the woman from another community stood & stated they would of course bring what they can to contribute.
A question was asked “can we bring only 5 people to represent our community?” Saul responded they can bring as many as they can provide food for, & everyone laughed!
Saul asked for volunteers for a commission to organize the event. Eg balloons for the kids to pop, chairs & tables, shade etc…
Inauguration planning Commission volunteers are:
Lucia Aguilar, Reynalda Ramirez, Marina Nedi, Juana Valdez, Alicia Ariega
Holly gave an example/explained what other communities have done, eg:
• Los Torres had balloons & the kids popped them with “espina’s” ,
• each group could give a representative talk about the experience of the project, what it has meant for them personally & the impact it will have on their lives to have safe drinking water (not having to carry water, not having fluoride poisoning etc).
• kids could give a little performance/dance
• they will need to create an agenda for the day
• have an MC to announce the next item on the agenda
Action: Laura will ask Gary Reid for a copy of the cd with the photos on it to give to Saul, to organize prints of photos for the inauguration.
Saul then called for another commission to make the invitation
Invitation to Inauguration Commission:
These will be the same people that went as representatives to the Presidencia to ask why the delay of funding for the project, before the funding was released.
Ramedios, Margarita, Juana, Ermelinda, Elvia
Holly will ask Chela or Jesus to help with the process of invitation & advise (ie the protocol). The invitation should be made after 16th Sept (once the bicentennial celebrations are over).
Q&A session
One woman from Guerrero asked about the cistern for the primary school, Saul explained it will be the most likely site for the pilot training session for that community.
Is asbestos roofing ok to collect water from – Saul explained that it would need to be sealed, but that the best option is to have lamina roofing.
Holly & Saul handed out Maintenance sheets to the people who have finished their cisterns. These sheets detail what needs to be done annually to maintain the cisterns, eg cleaning the roof with the first rains after the dry season, repairing cracks with cement, resealing the outside, & roof if necessary. It also details the SODIS solar disinfection, www.sodis.ch method of water purification.
There was a general discussion about continuing assemblies after the project has been completed, as a good way to keep the community working together to resolve it’s issues. Working on projects to benefit the community for example dry toilets & back yard gardens.
Someone asked how we all feel about using the church for public meetings. No-one was prepared to comment, & agreed to keep meeting, then another woman volunteered to use her house again & everyone was animatedly in agreement to use her house (not the church).
The phase I Capaderillo people left at this point.
People from the visiting communities stayed behind, as did the 2 women who’s roofs will be replaced.
Saul explained that right now we don’t have the resources guaranteed for the projects, that we need to do a regional application for all of the communities combined, they will have the opportunity to present their requests at the Inauguration on the 22nd Oct. This will amount to more than 100 cisterns being requested.
He also explained – since resources are limited, people must live in the communities they are applying in full time…
At this announcement one woman who had been attending meetings but doesn’t live here full time was annoyed & said she wish she knew this in advance. We hadn’t thought to specify this as we had thought it was pretty obvious, but apparently not.
The communities represented at today’s meeting were:
Rincon de Canal (3 people attended) – they were given a copy of the community form & the family form, they agreed to collect the information & attend the inauguration on the 22nd Oct to present the info
Action: Saul to advise Rincon de Canal people of the date 22 Oct 11am)
Presita de Santa Rosa
(they will be visiting Cedesa on Friday 24th Sept, they have filled in the community & family forms & will attend the inauguration on the 22nd)
Capaderillo Phase II (Vivienda de urbano)
(they have filled in the community & family forms & will attend the inauguration on the 22nd)
Guerrero
We have an assembly with them. Aurora & Don Juan on the 29th Sept. Some have completed forms, & they will attend the inauguration on the 22nd Oct.
Don Juan (See Guerrero above)
A new person from Cabras (on the Salida Celaya) attended, her father is from Capaderillo, & she is interested to know more, she estimated they have approx 300 families, they have a Sapasma well, but the pump is not powerful enough & upper parts of the community often don’t have water.
To her knowledge they have not had their water tested.
The general meeting finished at this point & discussion continued with the 2 families to be recipients of replacement roofing. 5.20pm
Saul discussed the order/requirements for the roofing & Laura advanced the money.
Meeting finished at 5.50
The next assembly is 13th October at 3pm at the casa we first met at.
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo Water Project
Where: Capaderillo “meeting tree” & inside the church.
When: Wed 9th Sept 2010 3.15 – 5.50
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 44 people incl 5 men inside the church (more waiting outside for other communities)
Purpose: To review the project, & to visit with other community representatives enquiring about water projects.
When we arrived there were many people gathered & they continued to arrive. We decided there were too many people to fit under the tree & there was a grader working so very noisy. We asked for access to the church, although not ideal as we normally like to sit in a circle to encourage participation.
Saul made a quick introduction & welcome
We discussed the agenda for today
1. who has finished – what are they missing?
2. the date of the inauguration/fiesta
3. the replacement roofs
1. revision of the project
We asked who had finished &/or what was missing…
Group 1 – all 6 cisterns finished, Dona Reynaldo is waiting on roof replacement, & Miguel just needs to connect the pipes (he will do that in the next 2 days)
Group 2 – all 6 cisterns finished.
Group 3 – 5 finished, 1 is missing a pvc t & codo (I said they cost approx 5 pesos each & asked them to arrange it themselves, as it would take hours of our time to do it)
Group 4 – Carolina needs to finish plastering & pipe connection, will finish on Saturday. All others then mentioned they need to finish their internal plastering too.
Group 5 – 6 finished, 1 (Salud) needs to connect the pipes after they have changed their roof.
Group 6 – all 6 finished.
2. Planning the inauguration
Capaderillo community has been chosen as the regional meeting place, ie for all the communities requesting projects to come & meet the municipality representatives & begin the process of seeking resources for their projects.
Cruz del Palmar was another possibility but decided against since Capaderillo is the first Municipally funded project.
Other Communities will be advised of the day to attend & will be asked to bring food & drink as contribution to the fiesta/inauguration.
It was decided that 22 Oct at 11am is a good time for all.
One of the woman from another community stood & stated they would of course bring what they can to contribute.
A question was asked “can we bring only 5 people to represent our community?” Saul responded they can bring as many as they can provide food for, & everyone laughed!
Saul asked for volunteers for a commission to organize the event. Eg balloons for the kids to pop, chairs & tables, shade etc…
Inauguration planning Commission volunteers are:
Lucia Aguilar, Reynalda Ramirez, Marina Nedi, Juana Valdez, Alicia Ariega
Holly gave an example/explained what other communities have done, eg:
• Los Torres had balloons & the kids popped them with “espina’s” ,
• each group could give a representative talk about the experience of the project, what it has meant for them personally & the impact it will have on their lives to have safe drinking water (not having to carry water, not having fluoride poisoning etc).
• kids could give a little performance/dance
• they will need to create an agenda for the day
• have an MC to announce the next item on the agenda
Action: Laura will ask Gary Reid for a copy of the cd with the photos on it to give to Saul, to organize prints of photos for the inauguration.
Saul then called for another commission to make the invitation
Invitation to Inauguration Commission:
These will be the same people that went as representatives to the Presidencia to ask why the delay of funding for the project, before the funding was released.
Ramedios, Margarita, Juana, Ermelinda, Elvia
Holly will ask Chela or Jesus to help with the process of invitation & advise (ie the protocol). The invitation should be made after 16th Sept (once the bicentennial celebrations are over).
Q&A session
One woman from Guerrero asked about the cistern for the primary school, Saul explained it will be the most likely site for the pilot training session for that community.
Is asbestos roofing ok to collect water from – Saul explained that it would need to be sealed, but that the best option is to have lamina roofing.
Holly & Saul handed out Maintenance sheets to the people who have finished their cisterns. These sheets detail what needs to be done annually to maintain the cisterns, eg cleaning the roof with the first rains after the dry season, repairing cracks with cement, resealing the outside, & roof if necessary. It also details the SODIS solar disinfection, www.sodis.ch method of water purification.
There was a general discussion about continuing assemblies after the project has been completed, as a good way to keep the community working together to resolve it’s issues. Working on projects to benefit the community for example dry toilets & back yard gardens.
Someone asked how we all feel about using the church for public meetings. No-one was prepared to comment, & agreed to keep meeting, then another woman volunteered to use her house again & everyone was animatedly in agreement to use her house (not the church).
The phase I Capaderillo people left at this point.
People from the visiting communities stayed behind, as did the 2 women who’s roofs will be replaced.
Saul explained that right now we don’t have the resources guaranteed for the projects, that we need to do a regional application for all of the communities combined, they will have the opportunity to present their requests at the Inauguration on the 22nd Oct. This will amount to more than 100 cisterns being requested.
He also explained – since resources are limited, people must live in the communities they are applying in full time…
At this announcement one woman who had been attending meetings but doesn’t live here full time was annoyed & said she wish she knew this in advance. We hadn’t thought to specify this as we had thought it was pretty obvious, but apparently not.
The communities represented at today’s meeting were:
Rincon de Canal (3 people attended) – they were given a copy of the community form & the family form, they agreed to collect the information & attend the inauguration on the 22nd Oct to present the info
Action: Saul to advise Rincon de Canal people of the date 22 Oct 11am)
Presita de Santa Rosa
(they will be visiting Cedesa on Friday 24th Sept, they have filled in the community & family forms & will attend the inauguration on the 22nd)
Capaderillo Phase II (Vivienda de urbano)
(they have filled in the community & family forms & will attend the inauguration on the 22nd)
Guerrero
We have an assembly with them. Aurora & Don Juan on the 29th Sept. Some have completed forms, & they will attend the inauguration on the 22nd Oct.
Don Juan (See Guerrero above)
A new person from Cabras (on the Salida Celaya) attended, her father is from Capaderillo, & she is interested to know more, she estimated they have approx 300 families, they have a Sapasma well, but the pump is not powerful enough & upper parts of the community often don’t have water.
To her knowledge they have not had their water tested.
The general meeting finished at this point & discussion continued with the 2 families to be recipients of replacement roofing. 5.20pm
Saul discussed the order/requirements for the roofing & Laura advanced the money.
Meeting finished at 5.50
The next assembly is 13th October at 3pm at the casa we first met at.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Sept. 1st 12pm- 2pm
Who: Holly & Saul, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary), (Jesus absent) 39 adults (incl 10 men) 4 kids. Some people missing as there was a meeting at the school at the same time)
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 4 communities attending today.
Juan Gonzalez (2nd visit)
• Juan Gonzalez (located past Tierra Blanca, on the other side of the river)
• Attending were Maria Ramirez ph 415 149 4772, Soledad Lopez, Margarita Hernandez & Salvador Correa
• Commitment to visit their community on the 29th Sept at 10.30 on the way to meeting at 5 Senores)
Cinco Senores (3rd visit, 1 in Tierra Blanca, 2 in Vivienda de Arriba)
• Cinco Senores is in front of Juan Gonzalez but the Vivienda de Arriba side of the river
• There are approx. 20 Families
• They have no wells, their only source of water is the river, which is dry in the dry season (ie most of the year!) they have to dig as much as 1mtr in the river bed to find water. This is their only water.
• Attending were Letitia Lopez, Adelita Gonzalez, Josefina Herrera, & Maria Beatriz Baranca – contact Maria Ramirez (as above) 415 149 4772, Felisa, Maria Vazquez
• Commitment to visit their community on the 29th Sept at 11am (after brief meet at Juan Gonzalez)
San Lorenzo (2nd visit)
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Attending were representatives of Estevan (3), Abel (4), J Piedad (9), Alfredo (4), the contact person is Rosa Maria Ramirez (the sister of Aurelia the young woman attending), 415 114 2539.
• Humberto Alfonzo – the young man, that approached us after the last assembly & said he was very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter, was here again.
La Tinaja (3rd Visit)
Saul has the list of names.
The people attending did not have a contact phone number, they instead took the number of Saul & Holly.
The visit to La Tinaja was postponed as Saul had not made the arrangements & did not have a contact number. Saul & Chela will go to La Tinaja on the 29th Sept. 11am
Brief introductions
Holly briefly introduced us, & then went on to describe the process of a normal meeting, & that we work in the communities by having regular assemblies so the community can organise themselves.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Steps in the process are 1. Pass the roll. 2. Appoint a co-ordinator . 3. Appoint the person to take notes (secretary). 4. Set/call for the agenda points, & prioritise them.
Agenda
I Phase I revision
II Phase II
III Traspatios
IV Activity re primary school event – water info day like Los Torres
V Dry Toilets
VI Ecocina Stoves
I Phase I revision
Senora Tomasa now has her new roof & pipes installed, & has collected a little water. All other cisterns are completed & have water!
II Phase II planning
We don’t have much to report re the $$ or progress on this phase. We are currently working on a large “combined community” project, ie combining all the current communities that have requested assistance into one large group, with subsets per neighbouring communities, eg Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan, San Gerardo… Vivienda de Arriba 2, Juan Gonzalez, San Lorenzo, 5 Senores, Tierra Blanca…
There is no timeline for this currently, could be 6mths or more… we are working on it.
Saul described the Capaderillo Project, in regards to the time it’s taken & the precedent it has set for possible future funding sources.
Holly explained we will need more info. Re families who wish to participate, closer to the time of receiving resources. She also mentioned the “tanda” kind of like the habitat for humanity model, or pay it forward, ie where one family has help from all, & then reciprocates until all families have a cistern, they said they would prefer to wait for the other resources opportunity event if it takes a long time.
III Water Info Day - school
Annamaria asked about arranging an event like Los Torres had for the kids “dia del agua”, Saul was asked to explain what it entailed, since no-one at the meeting had attended the day (except us).
He explained the purpose of the day was to inform the kids about the importance of all aspects of water in their lives. This was done in a fun learning way, with quizzes & games, & the ultimate winners became the “guardians of water” for their school . The community also created a big poster detailing the water history in their region.
The kids all received water bottles as participation prize, so they would fill their water bottles instead of sucking water directly from the tap (& wasting a lot).
Saul also talked about FAI (save the children) who have an environmental education program going in many schools,
Action: this was carried forward until next month, as many of the parents are absent from this meeting (attending a school meeting). An organising commission will need to be formed to ask FAI/Cedesa to facilitate.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
IV Traspatios
Holly explained that it’s expensive for Benigno (technician from Cedesa) to visit the communities unless there are a lot of people attending, she asked who was interested in attending. The people asked for more information.
Holly gave a brief explanation of what Traspatio, or backyard production entails, including soil preparation, growing fruit & veges, using animal fertilizer, nopal tunnels, chickens etc. Small plants & seeds can be bought & shared less expensively (Co-operative production),
It could be done monthly or in an intensive multi day workshop, with follow up visits.
No decision was made.
V Ecocina Stoves
Laura asked to talk about the Ecocina stoves as a potential project for these communities.
Laura (via Holly) briefly described the ecocina stove, an efficient, small, portable smokeless stove.
We asked what kind of cooking arrangements people currently have.
• Everyone has wood stoves for part of their cooking, some have gas stoves inside as well.
• Some have wood stoves inside, some outside, & some partially under cover.
• Everywhere these stoves are, there is black soot & a lot of smoke
• They usually use the wood stoves for cooking tortillas & gorditas, as large hot plate area, & gas stoves for cooking rice & beans (inside).
• They asked about the hotplate size & unfortunately I had not seen the video at that stage & so did not know the small stoves have 2 different tops, one large hotplate for tortillas, & one small with a ring for beans & rice & water etc.
• They were definitely interested to know & learn more…
Meeting concluded. We reminded the community that the next assembly would be the last one, as the training is complete (until the next project)…
Next meetings:
Next & last assembly in Vivienda de Arriba 6 Oct 2010 12pm
Commitment to visit Juan Gonzalez community on the 29th Sept at 10.30 (on the way to meeting at 5 Senores).
5 Senores at 11am on 29th Sept (in front of the Chapel), & San Lorenzo will attend
(We then headed to Annamaria’s aunty’s house for Tamales & Atole, as we were on our way to Tierra Blanca next)
11th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Sept. 1st 12pm- 2pm
Who: Holly & Saul, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary), (Jesus absent) 39 adults (incl 10 men) 4 kids. Some people missing as there was a meeting at the school at the same time)
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 4 communities attending today.
Juan Gonzalez (2nd visit)
• Juan Gonzalez (located past Tierra Blanca, on the other side of the river)
• Attending were Maria Ramirez ph 415 149 4772, Soledad Lopez, Margarita Hernandez & Salvador Correa
• Commitment to visit their community on the 29th Sept at 10.30 on the way to meeting at 5 Senores)
Cinco Senores (3rd visit, 1 in Tierra Blanca, 2 in Vivienda de Arriba)
• Cinco Senores is in front of Juan Gonzalez but the Vivienda de Arriba side of the river
• There are approx. 20 Families
• They have no wells, their only source of water is the river, which is dry in the dry season (ie most of the year!) they have to dig as much as 1mtr in the river bed to find water. This is their only water.
• Attending were Letitia Lopez, Adelita Gonzalez, Josefina Herrera, & Maria Beatriz Baranca – contact Maria Ramirez (as above) 415 149 4772, Felisa, Maria Vazquez
• Commitment to visit their community on the 29th Sept at 11am (after brief meet at Juan Gonzalez)
San Lorenzo (2nd visit)
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Attending were representatives of Estevan (3), Abel (4), J Piedad (9), Alfredo (4), the contact person is Rosa Maria Ramirez (the sister of Aurelia the young woman attending), 415 114 2539.
• Humberto Alfonzo – the young man, that approached us after the last assembly & said he was very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter, was here again.
La Tinaja (3rd Visit)
Saul has the list of names.
The people attending did not have a contact phone number, they instead took the number of Saul & Holly.
The visit to La Tinaja was postponed as Saul had not made the arrangements & did not have a contact number. Saul & Chela will go to La Tinaja on the 29th Sept. 11am
Brief introductions
Holly briefly introduced us, & then went on to describe the process of a normal meeting, & that we work in the communities by having regular assemblies so the community can organise themselves.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Steps in the process are 1. Pass the roll. 2. Appoint a co-ordinator . 3. Appoint the person to take notes (secretary). 4. Set/call for the agenda points, & prioritise them.
Agenda
I Phase I revision
II Phase II
III Traspatios
IV Activity re primary school event – water info day like Los Torres
V Dry Toilets
VI Ecocina Stoves
I Phase I revision
Senora Tomasa now has her new roof & pipes installed, & has collected a little water. All other cisterns are completed & have water!
II Phase II planning
We don’t have much to report re the $$ or progress on this phase. We are currently working on a large “combined community” project, ie combining all the current communities that have requested assistance into one large group, with subsets per neighbouring communities, eg Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan, San Gerardo… Vivienda de Arriba 2, Juan Gonzalez, San Lorenzo, 5 Senores, Tierra Blanca…
There is no timeline for this currently, could be 6mths or more… we are working on it.
Saul described the Capaderillo Project, in regards to the time it’s taken & the precedent it has set for possible future funding sources.
Holly explained we will need more info. Re families who wish to participate, closer to the time of receiving resources. She also mentioned the “tanda” kind of like the habitat for humanity model, or pay it forward, ie where one family has help from all, & then reciprocates until all families have a cistern, they said they would prefer to wait for the other resources opportunity event if it takes a long time.
III Water Info Day - school
Annamaria asked about arranging an event like Los Torres had for the kids “dia del agua”, Saul was asked to explain what it entailed, since no-one at the meeting had attended the day (except us).
He explained the purpose of the day was to inform the kids about the importance of all aspects of water in their lives. This was done in a fun learning way, with quizzes & games, & the ultimate winners became the “guardians of water” for their school . The community also created a big poster detailing the water history in their region.
The kids all received water bottles as participation prize, so they would fill their water bottles instead of sucking water directly from the tap (& wasting a lot).
Saul also talked about FAI (save the children) who have an environmental education program going in many schools,
Action: this was carried forward until next month, as many of the parents are absent from this meeting (attending a school meeting). An organising commission will need to be formed to ask FAI/Cedesa to facilitate.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
IV Traspatios
Holly explained that it’s expensive for Benigno (technician from Cedesa) to visit the communities unless there are a lot of people attending, she asked who was interested in attending. The people asked for more information.
Holly gave a brief explanation of what Traspatio, or backyard production entails, including soil preparation, growing fruit & veges, using animal fertilizer, nopal tunnels, chickens etc. Small plants & seeds can be bought & shared less expensively (Co-operative production),
It could be done monthly or in an intensive multi day workshop, with follow up visits.
No decision was made.
V Ecocina Stoves
Laura asked to talk about the Ecocina stoves as a potential project for these communities.
Laura (via Holly) briefly described the ecocina stove, an efficient, small, portable smokeless stove.
We asked what kind of cooking arrangements people currently have.
• Everyone has wood stoves for part of their cooking, some have gas stoves inside as well.
• Some have wood stoves inside, some outside, & some partially under cover.
• Everywhere these stoves are, there is black soot & a lot of smoke
• They usually use the wood stoves for cooking tortillas & gorditas, as large hot plate area, & gas stoves for cooking rice & beans (inside).
• They asked about the hotplate size & unfortunately I had not seen the video at that stage & so did not know the small stoves have 2 different tops, one large hotplate for tortillas, & one small with a ring for beans & rice & water etc.
• They were definitely interested to know & learn more…
Meeting concluded. We reminded the community that the next assembly would be the last one, as the training is complete (until the next project)…
Next meetings:
Next & last assembly in Vivienda de Arriba 6 Oct 2010 12pm
Commitment to visit Juan Gonzalez community on the 29th Sept at 10.30 (on the way to meeting at 5 Senores).
5 Senores at 11am on 29th Sept (in front of the Chapel), & San Lorenzo will attend
(We then headed to Annamaria’s aunty’s house for Tamales & Atole, as we were on our way to Tierra Blanca next)
Report of 5th visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – In front of old Church,
When: 01.09.10
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa) (Jesus was out of town), Laura (Rotary), 38 adults incl. 2 men, 11kids, 9 dogs & 3 sheep!
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
Holly & Saul asked if the interview (stats) team were all there, they weren’t but arrived later.
Holly explained we don’t have much time for today’s meeting as we have commitments back in town & everyone agreed to a short meeting.
We also explained we had been very busy this month & had not had a chance to catch up with Jesus before he left for holiday so we need them to update us on progress.
Holly asked what the meeting was interested in having on the agenda today
Cisterns/distillers
Health – follow up, blood tests, # of volunteers for blood clinic
Census/Interviews
The bridge
Dry toilets
Cisterns
Saul described the cistern process briefly, Marisol had discussed water options with the Interviewees & they have been interested in having distillers in the lower part (they have water, but it has high fluoride level) & upper part would need cisterns as they have no water.
Holly explained there is currently no available funding but that we are working on a large combined community project to potentially cover 100-150 cisterns for all the communities who have demonstrated an interest in participating.
Reina (one of the interview team) had encountered 1 family who did not want to participate in the census, turns out this was a family who had had a recent death (so was understandable).
Marisol had not had any refusals, she stated “if we exlude any people who have deaths then the census will be incomplete”.
It was suggested that we need to ask friends of these families to sensitively do the census, to ensure the majority of the community understands what we are trying to achieve.
A father of a man who had recently died described the symptoms his son had had before he died, lung tumour, couldn’t eat, he agreed to do the census after the meeting.
We need to spend some time at the beginning of the census explaining the reason for it, not just spring into the questions. Perhaps Marisol had been doing this & Reina had not.
It was suggested that a list be kept of the people declining the census, & at the next assembly a mini commission would be assigned to visit these families.
They are also out of copies of the census
Action: Saul will bring additional copies to distribute to the Interview team at 3pm Friday (to Marisol/Vero)
We asked Marisol how she went with the interviews “all went well, no probs with names, dates etc, she has completed approx. 14.
Saul “if there are families that don’t know what’s going on, explain to them that this project is to benefit the whole community because it is a community process”
Holly asked the meeting to explain what this was all about, one young woman replied “it is to gather information to determine the cause of the major health issues in this community”
Holly asked who can help – “other investigators, doctors, govt assistance” these are all people we can go to once we have the information to present & ask for their help. Until we have the statistical info we can’t go to higher authorities, hence this part of the process is essential.
Holly said it would be good if there was a map of the whole area.
Action: Maria de la Cruz Ramirez has one & will bring a copy to the next assembly
Holly suggested we change our meeting place to the Community casa (salon), there are no chairs, so everyone will need to bring their own (or sit on the floor!).
Blood tests
At the last assembly Estela 415 194 6064 committed to collecting a list of numbers of people who were prepared to do a volunteer blood test, to test for antigens re prelim cancer diagnosis.
She has a list of 67 women & 41 men.
We need to arrange the best day for the mobile clinic to come, it was suggested that Saturday would be ideal.
Action: Jesus/(the team) to arrange clinic to visit the community – ideally on a Saturday - & advise the community in advance.
Registry of births & deaths
There is a registry office for births & deaths in Cruz del Palmar. It is a regional office servicing 37 communities. Holly mentioned this office & pointed it out as a good way for the people in this community to determine the number of deaths in this community in the last x years.
A commission was proposed to go with Saul to Cruz del Palmar & write a report.
We called for volunteers.
No one put up their hands, we had to really push the point “if you can’t help Saul we can’t get the info” “do you want to help resolve this?” again no response, oddly!
Holly really pushed, & eventually Juana Granados Guerrero, Hilda & Vero volunteered. They will need to get the info from 5-10 yrs.
Action: Saul will go 1st to see what is involved, & then arrange (by phone) for the others to meet him there.
The other items on the list will have to be carried forward, we ran out of time…
Next meeting (1st Wednesday of the mth) 6.10.10 3pm – Salon Comunitario (byo chairs)
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
When: 01.09.10
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa) (Jesus was out of town), Laura (Rotary), 38 adults incl. 2 men, 11kids, 9 dogs & 3 sheep!
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
Holly & Saul asked if the interview (stats) team were all there, they weren’t but arrived later.
Holly explained we don’t have much time for today’s meeting as we have commitments back in town & everyone agreed to a short meeting.
We also explained we had been very busy this month & had not had a chance to catch up with Jesus before he left for holiday so we need them to update us on progress.
Holly asked what the meeting was interested in having on the agenda today
Cisterns/distillers
Health – follow up, blood tests, # of volunteers for blood clinic
Census/Interviews
The bridge
Dry toilets
Cisterns
Saul described the cistern process briefly, Marisol had discussed water options with the Interviewees & they have been interested in having distillers in the lower part (they have water, but it has high fluoride level) & upper part would need cisterns as they have no water.
Holly explained there is currently no available funding but that we are working on a large combined community project to potentially cover 100-150 cisterns for all the communities who have demonstrated an interest in participating.
Reina (one of the interview team) had encountered 1 family who did not want to participate in the census, turns out this was a family who had had a recent death (so was understandable).
Marisol had not had any refusals, she stated “if we exlude any people who have deaths then the census will be incomplete”.
It was suggested that we need to ask friends of these families to sensitively do the census, to ensure the majority of the community understands what we are trying to achieve.
A father of a man who had recently died described the symptoms his son had had before he died, lung tumour, couldn’t eat, he agreed to do the census after the meeting.
We need to spend some time at the beginning of the census explaining the reason for it, not just spring into the questions. Perhaps Marisol had been doing this & Reina had not.
It was suggested that a list be kept of the people declining the census, & at the next assembly a mini commission would be assigned to visit these families.
They are also out of copies of the census
Action: Saul will bring additional copies to distribute to the Interview team at 3pm Friday (to Marisol/Vero)
We asked Marisol how she went with the interviews “all went well, no probs with names, dates etc, she has completed approx. 14.
Saul “if there are families that don’t know what’s going on, explain to them that this project is to benefit the whole community because it is a community process”
Holly asked the meeting to explain what this was all about, one young woman replied “it is to gather information to determine the cause of the major health issues in this community”
Holly asked who can help – “other investigators, doctors, govt assistance” these are all people we can go to once we have the information to present & ask for their help. Until we have the statistical info we can’t go to higher authorities, hence this part of the process is essential.
Holly said it would be good if there was a map of the whole area.
Action: Maria de la Cruz Ramirez has one & will bring a copy to the next assembly
Holly suggested we change our meeting place to the Community casa (salon), there are no chairs, so everyone will need to bring their own (or sit on the floor!).
Blood tests
At the last assembly Estela 415 194 6064 committed to collecting a list of numbers of people who were prepared to do a volunteer blood test, to test for antigens re prelim cancer diagnosis.
She has a list of 67 women & 41 men.
We need to arrange the best day for the mobile clinic to come, it was suggested that Saturday would be ideal.
Action: Jesus/(the team) to arrange clinic to visit the community – ideally on a Saturday - & advise the community in advance.
Registry of births & deaths
There is a registry office for births & deaths in Cruz del Palmar. It is a regional office servicing 37 communities. Holly mentioned this office & pointed it out as a good way for the people in this community to determine the number of deaths in this community in the last x years.
A commission was proposed to go with Saul to Cruz del Palmar & write a report.
We called for volunteers.
No one put up their hands, we had to really push the point “if you can’t help Saul we can’t get the info” “do you want to help resolve this?” again no response, oddly!
Holly really pushed, & eventually Juana Granados Guerrero, Hilda & Vero volunteered. They will need to get the info from 5-10 yrs.
Action: Saul will go 1st to see what is involved, & then arrange (by phone) for the others to meet him there.
The other items on the list will have to be carried forward, we ran out of time…
Next meeting (1st Wednesday of the mth) 6.10.10 3pm – Salon Comunitario (byo chairs)
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
1st Mtg of the Presita de Santa Rosa Potential Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
1st Mtg of the Presita de Santa Rosa Potential Water Project
Where: Presita de Santa Rosa, off the GTO hwy, on the right just past Cienegita Bridge (approx. 40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Aug 25.8.10 11.10am
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), delegado Jose Luz Ramirez Vazquez, 25 adults incl 7 men, 7 kids, 3 dogs
Purpose: Initial meeting to determine community needs, outline Cedesa & explain the water projects process.
Representatives from the community of Presita had come to previous assemblies at neighbouring Capaderillo, asking about the process re the projects. They invited us to visit to know their community more. This is our first visit.
We were met at the turn off from the highway & guided to the community Salon.
It was constructed as part of a govt. program through CONAFE. This is the only community we have visited that have a public meeting place.
As we arrived women were bringing buckets of food, tortillas wrapped in embroidered cloths, rice, beans, casseroles, we thought they were for the kids who they feed at 11am at school each day, but we soon found out it was for us!
We entered the Salon, it was decorated with brightly coloured pictures for children, & I noticed what looked like a “toy library” in one corner.
We were presented with a list of the 157 people in 58 families of the community.
We noted the families were very small, mostly 3 or 4 people, unlike other communities which have been on average 7.
We asked if there were a lot of men in the USA, they said no maybe 3 or 4, the majority are still in Presita…
We were waiting for the rest of the community to gather & they insisted we eat first & then have the meeting. The food was delicious & including lentil casserole, chickpea casserole, wild greens, especially nutritious.
We revised our visits, their first was to Vivienda de Arriba on the 7th July, & 2nd was to Capaderillo on the 11th Aug, attending assemblies & asking for us to visit their community.
There was a young boy sitting on his grandmothers’ (Maria Isabel’s) knee. His name is Jesus, he is 3 yrs old & obviously handicapped, very cross eyed, rigid body movements, I asked about him & apparently he can say 3 words – Mama, Papa & Agua! He demonstrated cognitive behaviour, was sucking his thumb & can drink from a cup held for him.
An older woman came in late with a particularly huge container of rice & placed it at Holly’s feet saying it was for the “chinita” – Holly is Japanese American & looks Asian to her I guess. There was a lot of laughing, as Holly’s reputation as a big rice eater had obviously preceded her!
After eating, we got down to business..
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Introductions
Saul asked everyone in the room to say their name, this is usually a good way to break the ice as many people are embarrassed to do this, & it usually results in giggles!
Saul, Holly & I introduced ourselves.
Saul asked why we were all here.
1. To find out more info & how to get cisterns
2. One woman has a woman in Vivienda de Arriba (another project community) & wanted to know how to get cisterns
3. I don’t have clean drinking water, no running water, I have to call & ask for Pipa (water truck) to come & pay for it.
4. In the upper section of the community we only have water in the rainy season, no water in the dry season (the majority of the year)
5. My children & myself have teeth turning yellow, I think it is from the water, I would rather drink water from the sky.
Jose Luz (the delegado) went to the presidencia & was told by Ecologia dept, that there is an NGO helping resolve water issues. He was ver surprised we would respond so quickly.
Holly described Cedesa in a general description, being all about the development of communities & achieving communities to achieve sustainability & self reliance.
I described Rotary & what it is all about & the global service aspect.
Saul & Holly explained we are not here to help you but to work with you to achieve resolution to issues. We come & meet with the communities, get info regarding their water & their situations & work towards finding resources to resolve the issue.
Currently we are working on 3 sources for funding, Rotary, Sapasma (local water authority) & Fondo Verde (green fund – part of the Ecology department of the local council.
None of these sources are certain, they are possibilities re assisting with resources
1st step is to collect statistics by community & then collate by community, then we can attempt to find the necessary resources together.
Saul gave a brief history of the projects, that Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar were all funded by Rotary, & that Capaderillo is the first govt. funded project.
The commitment from the communities includes working together & participating in assemblies.
Holly reiterated that it’s not just about working to build the cisterns, but also in participating in the organisation process & learning collaboration.
Saul – today’s objective is to meet & know the community better to see what we can do together. He mentioned a change in the way Rotary funds projects & that it now makes sense to combine multiple communities in the region to work together in one big project.
Saul suggested forming a commission who can continue to co-ordinate the community & attend assemblies in Capaderillo & report back to Presita.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
One of the women described what she knew of the project process in Vivienda de Arriba, that they all worked together, agreeing what hours they would work & then committing to it.
Laura (with Holly’s help translating) described a little of the process of the project, what was involved, from pilot, to attending assemblies etc & the level of commitment expected.
These points were raised
• The 12,000 ltr cistern is sufficient for a family of 14 for drinking & cooking for the whole year.
• It’s a good idea to share cisterns if there are 2 families living near
• Older people can not help with the heavy work, but can participate & it may make sense for them to receive plastic tanks if they are living solo
• Lots of young families in this community it is a new community
• 40 years ago there were only 4 houses here.
Saul provided the delegado with a copy of the general community questionnaire.
Holly suggested a commission should come to Cedesa to know more about them
The commission to represent Presita at assemblies will be
Mayra Guadalupe Ramirez Ramirez (“she is very interested in learning more” )
Maria Apdonia 415 119 2361
Joze Luz 415 155 9453 (Delegado)
Lionel Gonzalez 415 119 0737 (this is the young man that went to the presidencia)
Rosalia 415 149 3920
Rita Gabriela/Antonio
Action – (Lionel) will come up with a list of people who wish to visit Cedesa in approx. 2 wks. Holly will co-ordinate this visit with Lionel.
Next assembly will be representatives attending assembly at Capaderillo 8/9/10 at 3pm
General info on the project can be seen at
WWW.02h2o.blogspot.com
1st Mtg of the Presita de Santa Rosa Potential Water Project
Where: Presita de Santa Rosa, off the GTO hwy, on the right just past Cienegita Bridge (approx. 40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Aug 25.8.10 11.10am
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), delegado Jose Luz Ramirez Vazquez, 25 adults incl 7 men, 7 kids, 3 dogs
Purpose: Initial meeting to determine community needs, outline Cedesa & explain the water projects process.
Representatives from the community of Presita had come to previous assemblies at neighbouring Capaderillo, asking about the process re the projects. They invited us to visit to know their community more. This is our first visit.
We were met at the turn off from the highway & guided to the community Salon.
It was constructed as part of a govt. program through CONAFE. This is the only community we have visited that have a public meeting place.
As we arrived women were bringing buckets of food, tortillas wrapped in embroidered cloths, rice, beans, casseroles, we thought they were for the kids who they feed at 11am at school each day, but we soon found out it was for us!
We entered the Salon, it was decorated with brightly coloured pictures for children, & I noticed what looked like a “toy library” in one corner.
We were presented with a list of the 157 people in 58 families of the community.
We noted the families were very small, mostly 3 or 4 people, unlike other communities which have been on average 7.
We asked if there were a lot of men in the USA, they said no maybe 3 or 4, the majority are still in Presita…
We were waiting for the rest of the community to gather & they insisted we eat first & then have the meeting. The food was delicious & including lentil casserole, chickpea casserole, wild greens, especially nutritious.
We revised our visits, their first was to Vivienda de Arriba on the 7th July, & 2nd was to Capaderillo on the 11th Aug, attending assemblies & asking for us to visit their community.
There was a young boy sitting on his grandmothers’ (Maria Isabel’s) knee. His name is Jesus, he is 3 yrs old & obviously handicapped, very cross eyed, rigid body movements, I asked about him & apparently he can say 3 words – Mama, Papa & Agua! He demonstrated cognitive behaviour, was sucking his thumb & can drink from a cup held for him.
An older woman came in late with a particularly huge container of rice & placed it at Holly’s feet saying it was for the “chinita” – Holly is Japanese American & looks Asian to her I guess. There was a lot of laughing, as Holly’s reputation as a big rice eater had obviously preceded her!
After eating, we got down to business..
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Introductions
Saul asked everyone in the room to say their name, this is usually a good way to break the ice as many people are embarrassed to do this, & it usually results in giggles!
Saul, Holly & I introduced ourselves.
Saul asked why we were all here.
1. To find out more info & how to get cisterns
2. One woman has a woman in Vivienda de Arriba (another project community) & wanted to know how to get cisterns
3. I don’t have clean drinking water, no running water, I have to call & ask for Pipa (water truck) to come & pay for it.
4. In the upper section of the community we only have water in the rainy season, no water in the dry season (the majority of the year)
5. My children & myself have teeth turning yellow, I think it is from the water, I would rather drink water from the sky.
Jose Luz (the delegado) went to the presidencia & was told by Ecologia dept, that there is an NGO helping resolve water issues. He was ver surprised we would respond so quickly.
Holly described Cedesa in a general description, being all about the development of communities & achieving communities to achieve sustainability & self reliance.
I described Rotary & what it is all about & the global service aspect.
Saul & Holly explained we are not here to help you but to work with you to achieve resolution to issues. We come & meet with the communities, get info regarding their water & their situations & work towards finding resources to resolve the issue.
Currently we are working on 3 sources for funding, Rotary, Sapasma (local water authority) & Fondo Verde (green fund – part of the Ecology department of the local council.
None of these sources are certain, they are possibilities re assisting with resources
1st step is to collect statistics by community & then collate by community, then we can attempt to find the necessary resources together.
Saul gave a brief history of the projects, that Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar were all funded by Rotary, & that Capaderillo is the first govt. funded project.
The commitment from the communities includes working together & participating in assemblies.
Holly reiterated that it’s not just about working to build the cisterns, but also in participating in the organisation process & learning collaboration.
Saul – today’s objective is to meet & know the community better to see what we can do together. He mentioned a change in the way Rotary funds projects & that it now makes sense to combine multiple communities in the region to work together in one big project.
Saul suggested forming a commission who can continue to co-ordinate the community & attend assemblies in Capaderillo & report back to Presita.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
One of the women described what she knew of the project process in Vivienda de Arriba, that they all worked together, agreeing what hours they would work & then committing to it.
Laura (with Holly’s help translating) described a little of the process of the project, what was involved, from pilot, to attending assemblies etc & the level of commitment expected.
These points were raised
• The 12,000 ltr cistern is sufficient for a family of 14 for drinking & cooking for the whole year.
• It’s a good idea to share cisterns if there are 2 families living near
• Older people can not help with the heavy work, but can participate & it may make sense for them to receive plastic tanks if they are living solo
• Lots of young families in this community it is a new community
• 40 years ago there were only 4 houses here.
Saul provided the delegado with a copy of the general community questionnaire.
Holly suggested a commission should come to Cedesa to know more about them
The commission to represent Presita at assemblies will be
Mayra Guadalupe Ramirez Ramirez (“she is very interested in learning more” )
Maria Apdonia 415 119 2361
Joze Luz 415 155 9453 (Delegado)
Lionel Gonzalez 415 119 0737 (this is the young man that went to the presidencia)
Rosalia 415 149 3920
Rita Gabriela/Antonio
Action – (Lionel) will come up with a list of people who wish to visit Cedesa in approx. 2 wks. Holly will co-ordinate this visit with Lionel.
Next assembly will be representatives attending assembly at Capaderillo 8/9/10 at 3pm
General info on the project can be seen at
WWW.02h2o.blogspot.com
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