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)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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)
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