Record of Event pg 1 of 2
38th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Wed 28th April 12pm – 2.20
Who: Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), & 27 adults (including 6 men)
Chela could not make the assembly today, so Holly & I went alone.
Purpose:
Planning for the Phase III cisterns construction project & general community assembly.
The meeting:
We arrived at 12pm & it took 15mins for set up & prelim discussion.
The discussion centred around the delivery of the first lot of materials for the 1st half of the project.
Talego (our new supplier) had against our instructions, delivered the materials to one location.
This was very inconvenient for the participants since the delivery was to a house in the lower community & the women had to borrow donkeys & wheel barrows to move the cement from the lower community to their houses.
We apologised for this & explained we had instructed the deliveries to be house by house & this was an error.
We also had instructed the wire & chicken wire to be delivered first, as they were needed first.
Meeting call to order: Holly asked who would be co-ordinator & who would take records for this meeting?
Alejandro was voted co-ordinator & Mariana to take records
The roll/list of names was passed while Alejandro called for items for the agenda.
There was a discussion as one person was supposedly representing 2 people who were absent, the members all agreed, one person can only represent one person, not multiples. She was asked to decide who…
There was alco a comment about no excuse for not knowing the date of the assemblies as they are always on the 4th Wednesday of the month for the community of Los Torres. They only need to be advised if there is a change to this…It’s up to everyone to remember.
Agenda
1. Attendance at assemblies
2. Cisterns – 3rd phase
3. Materials – groups.
Attendance – This item had basically been dispensed with during the passing of the list (roll call).
Cisterns – 3rd phase review
Group 1 – Alejandro is the leader.
There are 7 people in this group & 2 people are not able to participate.
Lucia’s daughter in law & Lucia, are sick & only her son can work for them. He is working fulltme & so can only participate on weekends.
Gonzalo Alvarado, can also only work on weekends.
After much discussion, it was decided that a sub group of group 1, Gonzalo, Piedad & Marcelino would all work together, & on weekends.
The other 4 would start Monday.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
Group 2
Also 7 people in this group.
A work strategy was discussed for a long time, some can work during the week, others only at nights & weekends, husbands mostly at nights only – to do the plastering.
The first 3 in this group will work every day, & the others will join in when the materials arrive.
Group 3
There are also 7 in this group. After much discussion, they essentially split into 2 sub groups. Two of the women come from very large families & want to do their cisterns separately. We explained all are responsible for people in their group…
The 3 tinacos (plastic water tanks) included in this phase are for the elderly, each group was given responsibility to ensure the installation of the tinaco for these folk.
Jose Alvarado Group 1
Consuelo Huerta Group 2
Alejandro Gonzalez Group 3
Laura needs to have a list of the variable materials required for the 3 plastic tanks. (Guillermo to co-ordinate this – someone will need to inform him since he is not at the meeting).
It was agreed the people in charge of each group MUST ensure all of the cisterns are completed or assist & get it done, with help from others.
The materials for the remainder of the people from each group, will be delivered once all of the first cisterns are completed.
Ie, 3 cisterns from each group for the first round, then the balance of the 12 remaining cisterns will be constructed.
Extra point raised
The Road
The community have stated in many previous meetings they wish to resolve the issue of the very bad access road to their community.
It was previously thought Luci Nunez (the mayor of San Miguel) wanted to visit Los Torres to view the project, since then, she has instead set up meetings with the parties involved (Rotary, Cedesa, Sapasma, Ecology & Social Development) & has declined the continued invitations to visit the communities first hand.
This has been a little embarrassing as we were led to believe she was coming & the communities had geared up for that.
The question was put to community members “do you still want Luci to visit your community?” & the answer was a resounding yes!
Homework was assigned to the community
1. The mini commission is to write an invitation to Luci
2. Write a report on the cisterns (ie benefits, the project, process, description)
3. Write up a “solicitud” application for repairs to the road.
Next assembly will be 26th May 2010 at 12 pm
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 19 May 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 19 May 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 21 April 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 21 April 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 4
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 14th April 2010 2pm – 4.30 (+ taco’s until 6pm)
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18 adults + Juan Alvarado (technician visiting from Los Torres).
Purpose: Review of the pilot project5 & planning for the next phase...
This meeting was originally scheduled for 3pm, but Anamaria rang Holly to ask if the community of VdA could meet earlier at a different location, since they needed to talk to us without the presence of Tierra Blanca community members.
First thing Anamarie mentioned was that she has 18 on the list now, not 16 as earlier mentioned.
However there are only 12 here today of the people on that list!
Chela began with the question
“why are we here at this house meeting, & not meeting at the Church at 3pm as planned?”
A few women had comments to make.
“Tierra Blanca is supposed to observe & not participate in our assemblies, they talk in our place, it’s not bad that they come, but they have no place talking for us, we’re having the meeting at this house so we have more privacy without them.”
Chela asked if it was a decision by the whole group – they all agreed.
The Chapel/church is open to Tierra Blanca, here is specific to Vivienda de Arriba.
“the people of Tierra Blanca answer, they don’t let us answer, we don’t like that they give their opinions about what we’re doing, they don’t allow us to talk”
“they were welcome to the training, but no-one came to help, just to look”
Chela – so we’re saying to TB we don’t want you to come anymore?
“if we do that, they might exclude us from the joint water meetings held in Tierra Blanca!”
“When we attended assemblies in Los Torres, it was only 3 or 4 of us, we didn’t give our opinions or interfere, we waited until after the assemblies to ask questions.”
Chela – we’re hiding from them... we should have met as planned, see how many people turn up & discuss the issue in open. We shouldn’t damage the relationship re water & on a human level. You can take control & tell them to limit their representation to 2 or 3 people, & ask that they observe & ask questions but not inflict their opinions.
Juan – no particular view is right or better, but is better to have the assembly at the same agreed place & time & discuss it there.
“when we say things they argue with our opnion”
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
Chela – you all have the same rights, Tierra Blanca, Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo re the use of the well in Tierra Blanca. You need to ask them to wait, when you are dealing with a VdA issue.
If they say “shut up” just say I’m sorry I am entitled to my opinion.
You have every right to speak re water or whatever issues you have. This is a process you can learn by, little by little.
Voting for Co-ordinator & notes taker for today
They all voted for Juan, they were shy to do it themselves, but agreed to do it next time after seeing how it’s done.
Juan suggested – if they don’t respect your word, choose a representative & this person will have more strength. Raise your hand & speak, (Juan has had a lot of experience in co-ordinating).
Juan asked for proposal for someone to take notes.
Ana was voted note taker.
Juan called for items for the agenda
1. Review of the training
2. Planning the next step.
Review of training.
General consensus – it was very good!
“I learnt a little, but I liked it”
“everyone was very united, all working, all eating together, people bringing food”
Juan suggested each person in turn give their opinion (to encourage them to speak for themselves).
Each person gave their opnion...
My son helped out – he bought beer!
I didn’t go I sent my husband!
I bought food & water...
Juan – foods very important – gives us more energy!
My daughter left & I can’t leave the house alone.
If you don’t participate in training you have no right to the materials, she didn’t come to the training, didn’t know about it (supposedly), said she couldn’t come, that she didn’t have time, well all of us have houses we don’t want to leave unattended...
Chela – we all need to have respect.
There are 2 important points, 1 participation in training, & the 2nd attendance at these meetings...If you’re not trained you can’t participate or receive materials because you wont know what to do with them.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
There is someone that didn’t/couldn’t participate in the training, but just provided food & water, there was discussion as to if she would be eligible or not, & a suggestion maybe should provide a monetary contribution to make up for lack of work.
This was discussed, but everyone agreed it was too easy to just give money, & that if everyone gave money there would be no-one to do the work, & there would be no team building.
Chela – when you make a rule, you have to follow it, even it it’s a tough rule, you have to stick to your guns.
There was a revised list of the people working (15 of them here now)
AnaLorena, Carmen, MaryAngel, Julia Rz, Aurelia R, Andreis, Cevila, Luz Maria, Annamaria Torres, AnaIsabel, Theresa, Maria de Jesus, Agripina, Gloria, Maria de la Luz
There were 2 people extra, not here today, but who want cisterns.
Tomasa & Maricel, & only 1 space for cistern (ie we have 16 not 17).
There was a lot of debate, & no-one could decide who to exclude, there were pros & cons for each. In the end we wrote names onto a piece of paper & one was chosen, the winner was Tomasa. Which would mean Maricel would miss out.
The winner was conditional on participation in her group, if not it would go to the other person.
One of the woman on the list (Maria de la Luz) mentioned she couldn’t make it to all meetings as she has health issues & needs to go to the Doctor, we asked if she could send a family rep in her place, she said she had no family… at this point we decided she didn’t need a cistern, just a plastic tank of 1500 litres would suffice, hence her cistern then went to Tomasa & it all ended happily!
The groups are divided as follows
Group 1 - Ana, Julia, Ana Isabel, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Maria de Jesus
Group 2 – Angela, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cevila, Andreis, Tomasa, Maricela
(Ma de la Luz – Tinaco)
Juan asked who knows the whole process? Some timidly spoke up.
They also volunteered their partners!
One guy came & worked hard – Carlos, but didn’t represent anyone, he is currently going through a divorce & just wanted to help. There was a suggestion they could take a contribution to pay him to assist, since he is so expert.
Delivery instructions
The delivery will be in 2 parts.
1st 4 in each group (ie 8)
2nd 4 in each group (the balance of 8)
The variables order will be placed in one total.
To be delivered to Julia Ramirez Ramirez’s casa
They will meet in groups & decide how to start & organize process.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
During the meeting Anamaria had gone to the Church a couple of times to tell the Tierra Blanca people to wait.
New roof needed
We then went to view the roof of Lorena’s house, as Juan had said it was substandard & not a suitable surface to channel water.
Lorena is a young woman with one small daughter, & a husband. I had observed her during the training day visits, she was very shy but incredibly hard working. Her house was constructed of crumbling adobe blocks, black building paper, & a blanket for her front door. There was a section of the roof with terracotta tiles, another section with black paper & rocks, & a little section of tin roofing. She definitely needs a new roof if we are going to collect water from it, I will need to find a cheap solution to a 25m2 roof for her & still stay in budget!! Or maybe raise another few bucks to pay for this roof… I will include photos of the house. I can only imagine what living in this house must be like with a young daughter, in winter & in the rainy season…!!!
Brief catchup with Tierra Blanca
We met with 3 representatives of Tierra Blanca (including the elderly mother of one of the women on the list for Vivienda de Arriba)… They were very keen for us to go to their community to start the process with them, & asked when we could have an assembly there.
We agreed that on the day of the next Capaderillo assembly (5th May),
we would go to Tierra Blanca afterwards (ie Capaderillo at 11am & Tierra Blanca 1.30pm – en la Pasada de Vivenda)
We were invited to eat at someone’s house, she made us blue maize gorditas, filled with nopal, beans & rice… with Atole (for those who like it!)…
There was much to discuss!
Finally left around 6pm for our drive home.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next Vivienda de Arriba Assembly 12th May 3pm
First Tierra Blanca Assembly 5th May 1.30 pm en la Pasada de Vivienda
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 14th April 2010 2pm – 4.30 (+ taco’s until 6pm)
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18 adults + Juan Alvarado (technician visiting from Los Torres).
Purpose: Review of the pilot project5 & planning for the next phase...
This meeting was originally scheduled for 3pm, but Anamaria rang Holly to ask if the community of VdA could meet earlier at a different location, since they needed to talk to us without the presence of Tierra Blanca community members.
First thing Anamarie mentioned was that she has 18 on the list now, not 16 as earlier mentioned.
However there are only 12 here today of the people on that list!
Chela began with the question
“why are we here at this house meeting, & not meeting at the Church at 3pm as planned?”
A few women had comments to make.
“Tierra Blanca is supposed to observe & not participate in our assemblies, they talk in our place, it’s not bad that they come, but they have no place talking for us, we’re having the meeting at this house so we have more privacy without them.”
Chela asked if it was a decision by the whole group – they all agreed.
The Chapel/church is open to Tierra Blanca, here is specific to Vivienda de Arriba.
“the people of Tierra Blanca answer, they don’t let us answer, we don’t like that they give their opinions about what we’re doing, they don’t allow us to talk”
“they were welcome to the training, but no-one came to help, just to look”
Chela – so we’re saying to TB we don’t want you to come anymore?
“if we do that, they might exclude us from the joint water meetings held in Tierra Blanca!”
“When we attended assemblies in Los Torres, it was only 3 or 4 of us, we didn’t give our opinions or interfere, we waited until after the assemblies to ask questions.”
Chela – we’re hiding from them... we should have met as planned, see how many people turn up & discuss the issue in open. We shouldn’t damage the relationship re water & on a human level. You can take control & tell them to limit their representation to 2 or 3 people, & ask that they observe & ask questions but not inflict their opinions.
Juan – no particular view is right or better, but is better to have the assembly at the same agreed place & time & discuss it there.
“when we say things they argue with our opnion”
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
Chela – you all have the same rights, Tierra Blanca, Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo re the use of the well in Tierra Blanca. You need to ask them to wait, when you are dealing with a VdA issue.
If they say “shut up” just say I’m sorry I am entitled to my opinion.
You have every right to speak re water or whatever issues you have. This is a process you can learn by, little by little.
Voting for Co-ordinator & notes taker for today
They all voted for Juan, they were shy to do it themselves, but agreed to do it next time after seeing how it’s done.
Juan suggested – if they don’t respect your word, choose a representative & this person will have more strength. Raise your hand & speak, (Juan has had a lot of experience in co-ordinating).
Juan asked for proposal for someone to take notes.
Ana was voted note taker.
Juan called for items for the agenda
1. Review of the training
2. Planning the next step.
Review of training.
General consensus – it was very good!
“I learnt a little, but I liked it”
“everyone was very united, all working, all eating together, people bringing food”
Juan suggested each person in turn give their opinion (to encourage them to speak for themselves).
Each person gave their opnion...
My son helped out – he bought beer!
I didn’t go I sent my husband!
I bought food & water...
Juan – foods very important – gives us more energy!
My daughter left & I can’t leave the house alone.
If you don’t participate in training you have no right to the materials, she didn’t come to the training, didn’t know about it (supposedly), said she couldn’t come, that she didn’t have time, well all of us have houses we don’t want to leave unattended...
Chela – we all need to have respect.
There are 2 important points, 1 participation in training, & the 2nd attendance at these meetings...If you’re not trained you can’t participate or receive materials because you wont know what to do with them.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
There is someone that didn’t/couldn’t participate in the training, but just provided food & water, there was discussion as to if she would be eligible or not, & a suggestion maybe should provide a monetary contribution to make up for lack of work.
This was discussed, but everyone agreed it was too easy to just give money, & that if everyone gave money there would be no-one to do the work, & there would be no team building.
Chela – when you make a rule, you have to follow it, even it it’s a tough rule, you have to stick to your guns.
There was a revised list of the people working (15 of them here now)
AnaLorena, Carmen, MaryAngel, Julia Rz, Aurelia R, Andreis, Cevila, Luz Maria, Annamaria Torres, AnaIsabel, Theresa, Maria de Jesus, Agripina, Gloria, Maria de la Luz
There were 2 people extra, not here today, but who want cisterns.
Tomasa & Maricel, & only 1 space for cistern (ie we have 16 not 17).
There was a lot of debate, & no-one could decide who to exclude, there were pros & cons for each. In the end we wrote names onto a piece of paper & one was chosen, the winner was Tomasa. Which would mean Maricel would miss out.
The winner was conditional on participation in her group, if not it would go to the other person.
One of the woman on the list (Maria de la Luz) mentioned she couldn’t make it to all meetings as she has health issues & needs to go to the Doctor, we asked if she could send a family rep in her place, she said she had no family… at this point we decided she didn’t need a cistern, just a plastic tank of 1500 litres would suffice, hence her cistern then went to Tomasa & it all ended happily!
The groups are divided as follows
Group 1 - Ana, Julia, Ana Isabel, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Maria de Jesus
Group 2 – Angela, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cevila, Andreis, Tomasa, Maricela
(Ma de la Luz – Tinaco)
Juan asked who knows the whole process? Some timidly spoke up.
They also volunteered their partners!
One guy came & worked hard – Carlos, but didn’t represent anyone, he is currently going through a divorce & just wanted to help. There was a suggestion they could take a contribution to pay him to assist, since he is so expert.
Delivery instructions
The delivery will be in 2 parts.
1st 4 in each group (ie 8)
2nd 4 in each group (the balance of 8)
The variables order will be placed in one total.
To be delivered to Julia Ramirez Ramirez’s casa
They will meet in groups & decide how to start & organize process.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
During the meeting Anamaria had gone to the Church a couple of times to tell the Tierra Blanca people to wait.
New roof needed
We then went to view the roof of Lorena’s house, as Juan had said it was substandard & not a suitable surface to channel water.
Lorena is a young woman with one small daughter, & a husband. I had observed her during the training day visits, she was very shy but incredibly hard working. Her house was constructed of crumbling adobe blocks, black building paper, & a blanket for her front door. There was a section of the roof with terracotta tiles, another section with black paper & rocks, & a little section of tin roofing. She definitely needs a new roof if we are going to collect water from it, I will need to find a cheap solution to a 25m2 roof for her & still stay in budget!! Or maybe raise another few bucks to pay for this roof… I will include photos of the house. I can only imagine what living in this house must be like with a young daughter, in winter & in the rainy season…!!!
Brief catchup with Tierra Blanca
We met with 3 representatives of Tierra Blanca (including the elderly mother of one of the women on the list for Vivienda de Arriba)… They were very keen for us to go to their community to start the process with them, & asked when we could have an assembly there.
We agreed that on the day of the next Capaderillo assembly (5th May),
we would go to Tierra Blanca afterwards (ie Capaderillo at 11am & Tierra Blanca 1.30pm – en la Pasada de Vivenda)
We were invited to eat at someone’s house, she made us blue maize gorditas, filled with nopal, beans & rice… with Atole (for those who like it!)…
There was much to discuss!
Finally left around 6pm for our drive home.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next Vivienda de Arriba Assembly 12th May 3pm
First Tierra Blanca Assembly 5th May 1.30 pm en la Pasada de Vivienda
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed April 14 11.40-2pm
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 23 incl 2 men.
Purpose: Review of Pilot project & planning of next phase of the project.
We arrived late, I was held up for 1.5hrs changing US$ chqs in preparation for today´s visit. There were suppliers that needed to be paid.
Proposals for Co-ordinator & records taker were called for.
AnaLaura – ws voted Co-ordinator & writer! (someone helped her)
The roll was called, 19 from the list were present today.
Review of the work on Pilot Project
“some came for 1 day, watched & left”
“some didn´t come at all¨¨
“29 families were represented at the training – 20 of those are here today”
Chela asked how people felt about the training, there was general happy consensus, some people left because the thought it was too hard.
I noted on the first & last days a much better than average involvement. Everyone there appeared to be hands on (maybe just when I was there, but at other pilots there were often people just sitting watching)…
There are now 23 people on the list for the first phase, we have only cisterns for 20…
Interlude
Holly & I left the discussion at this point, Guillermo Alvarado (one of the LT technical team) had come especially to talk with us. He had a number of questions about the organisational side of the projects.He had gone house by house, checking the measurements & had a list of the variable materials required for Los Torres phase III (by family)…
We discussed possible procedure re the delivery of the variables & other materials orders. Benigno from Cedesa had taken charge of this process during Phase II at Los Torres.
We have now changed suppliers (to a local hardware supplier) & the LT tech team is now responsible.
We agreed to ask the supplier to deliver the standard materials (ie cement, wire etc) to each house, as per a list provided.
We also agreed to have the variables order (ie all the pvc piping, elbows, tee joints etc) delivered to 1 house at each project, & for each family to come & collect their items as per the list.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
We debated this a little, as the other option was to have the supplier send the variables for each family with each standard materials delivery. This would likely slow down deliveries though, & may not be possible, since the lengths of pvc tube would require cutting…
I also explained to Guillermo that we have in the budget 2 days payment for the checking of the measurements & placing of the order to the supplier…ie each technician will be paid 2 days for this for each project.
Return to the meeting
We had missed the majority of the meeting, but when we returned there was discussion about who would receive the first 20 cisterns.
One woman volunteered to come off the list since she said people in the upper area have more problems with water & she will wait for the next phase.
Others argued with her, that she should stay since she has a large extended family & there are others with just 1 or 2 in theirs.
I explained that the future for the next phases looked good, that there was interest from Intl. clubs to continue to support these projects, & we are attempting to engage the Municipality in this project, as well, there is the possibility of funding from the NZ & Canadian Embassies in Mexico City…(each has a discretionary community development fund for which we may apply).
Chela – if you work hard each family could have a cistern, we have to work little by little to find the solution.
It was mentioned that 2 people from Cruz del Palmar attended the solar distiller construction workshop at Cedesa the previous weekend.
There were proposals about how to solve the issue of too many people & too few cisterns.
Suggestions included –
• it should depend on the number of people in the family
• families living near by could share in the meantime
• Irene went to training but not at meeting, she has 2 daughters here, maybe she can wait until next phase, or share.
What´s needed for the next step
1. Decide where to place your cistern (close to incline of roof)
2. Measure the qty of pipes & elbows etc you need for your cistern
3. write a note of this, give to Rafael Cruz to check
4. Rafa will check measurements at each house
5. Rafa will compile a list by house & in total for the variable materials order
6. Rafa will get that list to Laura to place with the supplier
7. Supplier will deliver those materials to one place, & each family will come to collect what they need (re their list). The house of Diana Gonzalez.
8. There were a couple of volunteers who will help with the distribution of the variable materials process.
When can the materials arrive?
If steps 1-5 can be done before 21/4 then the list can be given to Laura at the Montecillo de Nieto assembly on that day.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Delivery instructions
Deliver to 1st 4 people of each group. Ie materials for 12 cisterns for first delivery to CdP.
One change to the groups
From Group 3 take out Herminia & put in Victor.
Herminia will wait until Phase II, since they are currently in the middle of Casa Diferente (a govt. program that provides materials for the family to construct their own house!).
3 people volunteered to go into the next phase, so the list was down to 20 as required.
Next Assembly - 12.5.2010 at 11am
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed April 14 11.40-2pm
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 23 incl 2 men.
Purpose: Review of Pilot project & planning of next phase of the project.
We arrived late, I was held up for 1.5hrs changing US$ chqs in preparation for today´s visit. There were suppliers that needed to be paid.
Proposals for Co-ordinator & records taker were called for.
AnaLaura – ws voted Co-ordinator & writer! (someone helped her)
The roll was called, 19 from the list were present today.
Review of the work on Pilot Project
“some came for 1 day, watched & left”
“some didn´t come at all¨¨
“29 families were represented at the training – 20 of those are here today”
Chela asked how people felt about the training, there was general happy consensus, some people left because the thought it was too hard.
I noted on the first & last days a much better than average involvement. Everyone there appeared to be hands on (maybe just when I was there, but at other pilots there were often people just sitting watching)…
There are now 23 people on the list for the first phase, we have only cisterns for 20…
Interlude
Holly & I left the discussion at this point, Guillermo Alvarado (one of the LT technical team) had come especially to talk with us. He had a number of questions about the organisational side of the projects.He had gone house by house, checking the measurements & had a list of the variable materials required for Los Torres phase III (by family)…
We discussed possible procedure re the delivery of the variables & other materials orders. Benigno from Cedesa had taken charge of this process during Phase II at Los Torres.
We have now changed suppliers (to a local hardware supplier) & the LT tech team is now responsible.
We agreed to ask the supplier to deliver the standard materials (ie cement, wire etc) to each house, as per a list provided.
We also agreed to have the variables order (ie all the pvc piping, elbows, tee joints etc) delivered to 1 house at each project, & for each family to come & collect their items as per the list.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
We debated this a little, as the other option was to have the supplier send the variables for each family with each standard materials delivery. This would likely slow down deliveries though, & may not be possible, since the lengths of pvc tube would require cutting…
I also explained to Guillermo that we have in the budget 2 days payment for the checking of the measurements & placing of the order to the supplier…ie each technician will be paid 2 days for this for each project.
Return to the meeting
We had missed the majority of the meeting, but when we returned there was discussion about who would receive the first 20 cisterns.
One woman volunteered to come off the list since she said people in the upper area have more problems with water & she will wait for the next phase.
Others argued with her, that she should stay since she has a large extended family & there are others with just 1 or 2 in theirs.
I explained that the future for the next phases looked good, that there was interest from Intl. clubs to continue to support these projects, & we are attempting to engage the Municipality in this project, as well, there is the possibility of funding from the NZ & Canadian Embassies in Mexico City…(each has a discretionary community development fund for which we may apply).
Chela – if you work hard each family could have a cistern, we have to work little by little to find the solution.
It was mentioned that 2 people from Cruz del Palmar attended the solar distiller construction workshop at Cedesa the previous weekend.
There were proposals about how to solve the issue of too many people & too few cisterns.
Suggestions included –
• it should depend on the number of people in the family
• families living near by could share in the meantime
• Irene went to training but not at meeting, she has 2 daughters here, maybe she can wait until next phase, or share.
What´s needed for the next step
1. Decide where to place your cistern (close to incline of roof)
2. Measure the qty of pipes & elbows etc you need for your cistern
3. write a note of this, give to Rafael Cruz to check
4. Rafa will check measurements at each house
5. Rafa will compile a list by house & in total for the variable materials order
6. Rafa will get that list to Laura to place with the supplier
7. Supplier will deliver those materials to one place, & each family will come to collect what they need (re their list). The house of Diana Gonzalez.
8. There were a couple of volunteers who will help with the distribution of the variable materials process.
When can the materials arrive?
If steps 1-5 can be done before 21/4 then the list can be given to Laura at the Montecillo de Nieto assembly on that day.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Delivery instructions
Deliver to 1st 4 people of each group. Ie materials for 12 cisterns for first delivery to CdP.
One change to the groups
From Group 3 take out Herminia & put in Victor.
Herminia will wait until Phase II, since they are currently in the middle of Casa Diferente (a govt. program that provides materials for the family to construct their own house!).
3 people volunteered to go into the next phase, so the list was down to 20 as required.
Next Assembly - 12.5.2010 at 11am
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2nd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project
1st – MINI MEETING WITH: Holly & Rafael & Laura
Discussion re the manufacture of doors for the cisterns, & also the ¨niples¨item for the cistern.
Holly, Rafael & Laura met at El Cortijo as Rafael had some questions re the doors & ordering process.
The “nipples” (basically a slice of metal tubing) are to be supplied by the Hardware supplier & taken to the door maker. The door maker solders them onto a piece of rebar & they are used in the construction of the cisterns.
Laura needs to collect the niples from the hardware store (once ordered & paid for) & take them to the door maker - once we decide on the door maker.
In total we will need 82 doors (+niple component).
Juan & Saul are both checking with potential suppliers, re the price & delivery schedule.
We have budgeted $300 pesos so need to get it down to that price, metal has now gone up in price so cost is now being quoted at $350…
Rafael will write up the variable materials order… He is asking for MdN to be delivered in 2 parts, 12 cisterns initially & 13 to conclude.
Rafael will get the Variables order to Materiales Rivera (this was changed & he gave it to Holly to give to me).
Laura will need to organize the money for the doors & place the standard materials order & delivery instructions.
Guillermo & Juan are still working on the Los Torres order.
The order for CdP & VdA will not be made until after the assemblies on the 14th April.
End of mini meeting 11.10am
NEXT MEETING - ASSEMBLY @ CAPADERILLO
Where: Capaderillo Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 7th April 12pm
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), & Chela Martinez (for Cedesa) + 33 adults (including 3 men) & 4 kids.
Purpose: Next Assembly re potential future water project in this community
We arrived & again made our apologies for being late, Chela had thought the meeting was to begin at 12 & so timed our arrival accordingly, actually we were supposed to be there at 11am, so we were an hour late… They were all seated in a circle & waiting for us.
Chela asked for proposals for co-ordinator & record taker for the day.
One woman proposed Lupe, who in turn proposed that woman – lots of giggles.
They were all a little hesitant, not really knowing what the roles entailed.
Chela suggested Saul be co-ordinator for this first time, & so people would learn the role. Everyone happily agreed!
Saul called for Items for the Agenda.
• Presidencia visit update
• Doubts/questions re the previous meeting
• Objective of this meeting
• Planning next steps
• Update of progress of other communities
• Solar distiller workshop
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Chela asked before we start – do we have a list of attendance from the previous assembly & could we do one for today, so we have a record of participation. There was no list taken at the previous assembly, as the meeting was intended to see who was interested only.
A list was created & handed around. 27 people from previous meeting were here, & 3 new ones. (then later 3 more arrived).
Saul made an introduction:
The idea is to make sure everyone knows why we´re here & what we´re trying to achieve.
Brief introduction of :
Laura - & Club Rotario & it´s global function
Chela – re Cedesa & our collaboration, & our history with Saul, he came to various assemblies in Los Torres & began organising in Capaderillo.
Each person attending was asked to introduce themselves, just say their first name. There were a number who were too shy to even say their first name, & they passed onto the next person, but we coaxed them to at last say their name!
Chela said she was so happy to see so many young women ready to take responsibility into their own hands…
Item 1. Doubts/questions re the previous meeting & Objectives
“any questions about what we´re doing here?” “why are you here today”
“I´m interested in this project so my kids can have better health”
“I want to organise for my kids & my grandkids here in this community”
Someone else said ¨ditto¨
“I´m here because I have broken teeth” – everyone laughed!
“to participate”
“principally we are occupied with the health of our people”
“we are here mostly to resolve the water problem”
What is the option for Safe Water?
“rain water”
Chela asked where the water comes from & a young boy said “the sea, because it evaporates, to the clouds, & forms rain clouds”.
Chela explained more, yes, starts off liquid, turns to steam (a gas) & gathers in clouds & arrives back as liquid. Called the cycle of water, & is the same process that happens in a solar distiller.
The objective is to obtain safe drinking water.
Any doubts & questions?
What about single sons who might need a cistern?
Chela said the most important thing is to meet & discuss who wants to participate & then we can decide who gets cistern or not. First we need to decide how we will all work to resolve the problem, the cistern doesn´t just arrive overnight, Los Torres worked for months to get to where they are at.
Who can we work with to ask for resources…Sapasma, Ecologia & Presidencia.
Item 2. Presidencia meeting update
Laura was at a meeting with Ecology & Sapasma on the 11th March & told them of the request by the community of Capaderillo to meet to discuss the issue. Denia of Sapasma made a commitment to sort out a meeting time, but never responded to Laura.
The mini commission who wishes to make a representation to the Presidencia are
Saul, Hermelinda, Elvia, Reina & Reina (2 Reina´s)
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
There was some discussion as to the best method of representation to the govt. departments. Whole group go or just a commission?
“Everyone needs to demonstrate their interest more strongly”, they agreed might be best to all go to Luci to ask for assistance. It is a 1 hr walk to Los Torres, there was a vote to all go. (majority decided yes). IE there is a visit being planned for Luci to Los Torres, & it is suggested that other communities attend & make their representations at the same time.
Item 3 – Planning next steps
There are 2 main options for funding – Municipality & Rotary.
Laura is working on Rotary.
There is also the possibility of doing a pilot project at primary school via San Miguel Community Fund (SMCF).
There are 200 kids at the primary school.
1 ltr per day for 5 days = 1000 ltrs per wk
X 40 weeks = 40,000 ltrs per year.
40,000 / 12,000 = approx 3 cisterns needed for whole school.
Laura will complete an application for grant from SMCF – before 15 April!!!
Chela asked Laura to describe the pilot process – I did, in really bad Spanish, which Chela interpreted into good Spanish… (Chela doesn´t speak English, but she does understand bad Spanish!!, which is a big plus, she managed to relieve some blank faces, & everyone had a good laugh at my attempts)…
A lot of the men in Capaderillo are currently in the States, but the work is not difficult, & it´s a good place to chat & work & eat together.
This region is a small micro-region, Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar, Vivienda de Arriba & Capaderillo, & can have an impact on many other communities, this is the area with bad water & it´s only getting worse. The deeper it gets the more contaminated it gets.
You will learn lots of skills, like how to apply for assistance & to work constructively on other issues, as well as how to improve lifestyles.
Cedesa is interested in promoting integral development, they are having a workshop for “promotores”, in the Cedesa Campesino University.
The first Tuesday of each month, with the first workshop being on the 4th May.
There is also another workshop on this Friday & Sat. from 10-5 on the construction of Solar Distillers. Saul & one other are invited to attend.
Next Assembly in Capaderillo will be Wednesday 5/5 at 11am (10am in El Cortijo)
Discussion re the manufacture of doors for the cisterns, & also the ¨niples¨item for the cistern.
Holly, Rafael & Laura met at El Cortijo as Rafael had some questions re the doors & ordering process.
The “nipples” (basically a slice of metal tubing) are to be supplied by the Hardware supplier & taken to the door maker. The door maker solders them onto a piece of rebar & they are used in the construction of the cisterns.
Laura needs to collect the niples from the hardware store (once ordered & paid for) & take them to the door maker - once we decide on the door maker.
In total we will need 82 doors (+niple component).
Juan & Saul are both checking with potential suppliers, re the price & delivery schedule.
We have budgeted $300 pesos so need to get it down to that price, metal has now gone up in price so cost is now being quoted at $350…
Rafael will write up the variable materials order… He is asking for MdN to be delivered in 2 parts, 12 cisterns initially & 13 to conclude.
Rafael will get the Variables order to Materiales Rivera (this was changed & he gave it to Holly to give to me).
Laura will need to organize the money for the doors & place the standard materials order & delivery instructions.
Guillermo & Juan are still working on the Los Torres order.
The order for CdP & VdA will not be made until after the assemblies on the 14th April.
End of mini meeting 11.10am
NEXT MEETING - ASSEMBLY @ CAPADERILLO
Where: Capaderillo Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 7th April 12pm
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), & Chela Martinez (for Cedesa) + 33 adults (including 3 men) & 4 kids.
Purpose: Next Assembly re potential future water project in this community
We arrived & again made our apologies for being late, Chela had thought the meeting was to begin at 12 & so timed our arrival accordingly, actually we were supposed to be there at 11am, so we were an hour late… They were all seated in a circle & waiting for us.
Chela asked for proposals for co-ordinator & record taker for the day.
One woman proposed Lupe, who in turn proposed that woman – lots of giggles.
They were all a little hesitant, not really knowing what the roles entailed.
Chela suggested Saul be co-ordinator for this first time, & so people would learn the role. Everyone happily agreed!
Saul called for Items for the Agenda.
• Presidencia visit update
• Doubts/questions re the previous meeting
• Objective of this meeting
• Planning next steps
• Update of progress of other communities
• Solar distiller workshop
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Chela asked before we start – do we have a list of attendance from the previous assembly & could we do one for today, so we have a record of participation. There was no list taken at the previous assembly, as the meeting was intended to see who was interested only.
A list was created & handed around. 27 people from previous meeting were here, & 3 new ones. (then later 3 more arrived).
Saul made an introduction:
The idea is to make sure everyone knows why we´re here & what we´re trying to achieve.
Brief introduction of :
Laura - & Club Rotario & it´s global function
Chela – re Cedesa & our collaboration, & our history with Saul, he came to various assemblies in Los Torres & began organising in Capaderillo.
Each person attending was asked to introduce themselves, just say their first name. There were a number who were too shy to even say their first name, & they passed onto the next person, but we coaxed them to at last say their name!
Chela said she was so happy to see so many young women ready to take responsibility into their own hands…
Item 1. Doubts/questions re the previous meeting & Objectives
“any questions about what we´re doing here?” “why are you here today”
“I´m interested in this project so my kids can have better health”
“I want to organise for my kids & my grandkids here in this community”
Someone else said ¨ditto¨
“I´m here because I have broken teeth” – everyone laughed!
“to participate”
“principally we are occupied with the health of our people”
“we are here mostly to resolve the water problem”
What is the option for Safe Water?
“rain water”
Chela asked where the water comes from & a young boy said “the sea, because it evaporates, to the clouds, & forms rain clouds”.
Chela explained more, yes, starts off liquid, turns to steam (a gas) & gathers in clouds & arrives back as liquid. Called the cycle of water, & is the same process that happens in a solar distiller.
The objective is to obtain safe drinking water.
Any doubts & questions?
What about single sons who might need a cistern?
Chela said the most important thing is to meet & discuss who wants to participate & then we can decide who gets cistern or not. First we need to decide how we will all work to resolve the problem, the cistern doesn´t just arrive overnight, Los Torres worked for months to get to where they are at.
Who can we work with to ask for resources…Sapasma, Ecologia & Presidencia.
Item 2. Presidencia meeting update
Laura was at a meeting with Ecology & Sapasma on the 11th March & told them of the request by the community of Capaderillo to meet to discuss the issue. Denia of Sapasma made a commitment to sort out a meeting time, but never responded to Laura.
The mini commission who wishes to make a representation to the Presidencia are
Saul, Hermelinda, Elvia, Reina & Reina (2 Reina´s)
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
There was some discussion as to the best method of representation to the govt. departments. Whole group go or just a commission?
“Everyone needs to demonstrate their interest more strongly”, they agreed might be best to all go to Luci to ask for assistance. It is a 1 hr walk to Los Torres, there was a vote to all go. (majority decided yes). IE there is a visit being planned for Luci to Los Torres, & it is suggested that other communities attend & make their representations at the same time.
Item 3 – Planning next steps
There are 2 main options for funding – Municipality & Rotary.
Laura is working on Rotary.
There is also the possibility of doing a pilot project at primary school via San Miguel Community Fund (SMCF).
There are 200 kids at the primary school.
1 ltr per day for 5 days = 1000 ltrs per wk
X 40 weeks = 40,000 ltrs per year.
40,000 / 12,000 = approx 3 cisterns needed for whole school.
Laura will complete an application for grant from SMCF – before 15 April!!!
Chela asked Laura to describe the pilot process – I did, in really bad Spanish, which Chela interpreted into good Spanish… (Chela doesn´t speak English, but she does understand bad Spanish!!, which is a big plus, she managed to relieve some blank faces, & everyone had a good laugh at my attempts)…
A lot of the men in Capaderillo are currently in the States, but the work is not difficult, & it´s a good place to chat & work & eat together.
This region is a small micro-region, Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar, Vivienda de Arriba & Capaderillo, & can have an impact on many other communities, this is the area with bad water & it´s only getting worse. The deeper it gets the more contaminated it gets.
You will learn lots of skills, like how to apply for assistance & to work constructively on other issues, as well as how to improve lifestyles.
Cedesa is interested in promoting integral development, they are having a workshop for “promotores”, in the Cedesa Campesino University.
The first Tuesday of each month, with the first workshop being on the 4th May.
There is also another workshop on this Friday & Sat. from 10-5 on the construction of Solar Distillers. Saul & one other are invited to attend.
Next Assembly in Capaderillo will be Wednesday 5/5 at 11am (10am in El Cortijo)
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