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