Record of Event:
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (Church yard)
When: 26.1.11 12.20-3.40pm + meal time afterwards
Who: Communities represented:
Vivienda de Arriba, San Isidro Capadero, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar,
Holly, Chela, Saul, – Cedesa, Laura Midday Rotary,
21 adults attending, including 5 men & 3 kids
Purpose: To meet as a micro region & to decide who would receive priority of next available resources for this region re water cisterns, & discuss other issues common to all communities.
It was discovered that Los Torres & Tierra Blanca were not present & this was because they were not advised of the meeting time. There was miscommunication as to who was to advise them.
As a result of these 2 communities not being present we were unable to continue with the intended purpose of the meeting, ie to vote on the priority of the next community to receive resources. A general discussion was had instead.
The general discussion covered many topics, including responsibility for remembering when the meetings were, how many communities were on the Consejo (citizens water council we have recently formed), San Isidro is not a member of the consejo yet.
(Subsequent to this meeting Jesus Rico from San Isidro attempted to organize support for this project in his community & was unable to, so reluctantly pulled out of the group – it should be noted that we had not met in this community & so, although Jesus Ricos was convinced of the benefits he was unsuccessful in his attempt to mobilise his community).
The Consejo & it’s purpose was discussed
It was formed in December 2010.
Has approx. 15 communities joined. La Palmita & Coralejo are still to join, as are La Aurora.
The next Regional meeting on the 2.2.11 at Presita Santa Rosa at 12pm, was reiterated.
Chela reminded the attendees that each representative at the micro regional & regional meetings was tasked with keeping a record of attendance & decisions/actions decided, & they were responsible for reporting back to their communities.
Funding sources/resource sources were discussed re:
1. Cisterns – Rotary (a huge round of applause!!) & Fondo Verde.
Chela explained that their presence at the meetings, along with the reports & photos documenting their motivation to resolve their own issues, has enabled the success of finding funds for these projects. It provided proof of concept as well as proof of need for the funders & is important to continue to attend even if it seems there is no funding imminent.
Another project is soon to be funded by Fondo Verde, & there has been a commitment to continue to support these projects with the funding they have available.
2. Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets) – we don’t currently have a source of funding for this. We need to work on this as a group. For example, Montecillo de Nieto & Vivienda de Arriba both have cisterns (thanks to Rotary funding & their hard efforts!), & they are here to find a way to fund the building of dry toilets now.
Cruz del Palmar, Los torres, Tierra Blanca & San Isidro all need water…
Chela gave an update of what had occurred at the previous micro regional meetings,
The priority for the recipients of future resources for cisterns was established with a vote, based on need & deservedness (ie attendance at meetings & length of time on the list).
In Micro region 1 – La Cienega, Villa de Guadalupe, Juan Gonzalez, 5 senores, San Lorenzo (+ La Palmita & Coralejo pending), they had voted that Juan Gonzalez & San Lorenzo were to receive the next resources available (in this case $150k pesos from Fondo Verde).
In Micro region 2 – Guerrero, Capaderillo, Presita Santa Rosa, Vivienda Urbana, (La Aurora & Don Juan? Pending) they voted Vivienda Urbana was to receive the funding available from Tallahassee RC & Walla Walla RC.
Chela continued to run the meeting with Ana (from VdA) responding & taking notes.
This is more or less how we have begun grouping the communities to begin to organize as a whole.
Micro region 3 is near the arroyo de San Damien, which is a tributary of the Rio Laja.
There was discussion as to what to name this region, (ie not just micro region 3, but a more relevant name re the geography or location perhaps).
There was discussion about what was unique to this area, apparently they have a type of mushroom here that is not found elsewhere, no-one knew what they were called except maybe burro mushrooms as they grew in the shape of burro poo! Hongo – wild mushroom.
Chela put the question who were the native/indigenous of this area? They thought Otomi, one man said he understood the language of Otomi & knew a few words, his grandmother had taught him, he told us a few & eventually agreed to sing us a song he knew in Otomi, he was embarrassed but sang it well & all laughed & enjoyed it, it sounded like Navajo songs we had heard.
Someone mentioned that in San Luis de La Paz (a neighbouring municipality) there is a national council of indigenous peoples. Areas of native people are called congregations (not the religious sense).
Funding is available for people able to prove their indigenous roots, for example they do needs analysis in communities & will provide funding proportionate to the %age of indigenous in a community.
Cruz del Palmar is one seat of the indigenous council.
Indigenous blood was discussed & the importance of knowing your roots, most did not seem to know their indigenous roots. The indigenous have been stepped on & discriminated against for centuries, so many people have shed that identity, but it involves dignity & the pride of knowing who you are. There was a brief discussion about the national indigenous movement. The indigenous have rights, they are the original people of this country.
Holly asked if the people knew the original names of the rivers & trees of the region. These words contain deep pride, history & dignity, the people were tasked with finding this out, discovering who still speaks Otomi, the language has almost died out.
The old man told us some words he knew the-ee (water), Do-oye(guttural on the oye) – mescal…
Chela asked him to write them down, he said he had no idea how to write the sounds, Saul suggested they video it…
We have lost the specific roots & are now all campesinas, one woman was talking about a non-official councill who were offering classes in continuing the language & culture.
Chela – the indigenous are really the abandoned, but they have many people in this region, it is your own heritage & the future of your identity… Maybe there are resources that can be accessed through these indigenous roots too, to strengthen your identity.
Saul talked about an assembly of indigenous 30+ communities attend for days, & everyone has their say, they walk as many as 8 hrs to get there, they are very organized, we are only 5 or 6 communities, they are to be admired.
Holly explained that many of these indigenous communities are self sustaining & semi autonomous, they depend on their own production etc.
Chela asked “what do you know of the word autonomy?” “not depending on anyone for anything”.
Dignity & autonomy are the 2 principals the indigenous are fighting for. Respect for their rights, culture & identity. Making their own decisions, taking/making their own actions.
We are talking today about your own organization, you taking your own decisions, & resolving your own issues.
Plan, analyse your own needs, change things to work for you.
We are unable to work on the cistern priority as planned because Los Torres & Tierra Blanca are not present.
Another reason to organize is to make sure you don’t sell your land, as it is tempting to take the $$ but is very shortsighted for the future of your family & ultimately your community.
Saul mentioned another reason for organizing is to ensure there are no environmental hazards allowed in your community, like sewage, fertilizer, etc if you are organized you can ensure the best for your community.
Chela asked one woman about her indigenous blood, she replied she wasn’t sure if she had any (indigenous that is), but that she still believed in making sure the community is retained.
Next Micro region 3 meeting Tierra Blanca 23.2.11 1pm
Next Project/Community meeting Vivienda Urbana 26.1.11 10.30am
Next regional meeting Presita de Santa Rosa 12pm 2/2/11
Next micro region 2 meeting (3rd Wednesday) 16/2/11 Capaderilo 1pm
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
We were treated to another wonderful “bucket banquet” with blue tortillas, red rice, chicheron, beans, tostadas & more…ahhhh…
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Urbana Water Project (part of Micro Region 2)
Where: private house Vivienda de Urbana
When: Wed 26.1.11 10.30 am – 1pm
Who: Saul & Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), community of Vivienda de Urbana participants in water cistern project 26 adults incl 2 men, + 9 kids & 4 dogs!,
Purpose: The first planning meeting re the implementation of the Project for 25 cisterns (1 pilot + 24 family cisterns) funded by Tallahasee RC & District simplified grant, + Walla Walla + San Miguel Midday)
Item 1. Introductions all round, each person introduced themselves – including Holly, Saul & Laura & their respective organisations.
Saul led the meeting initially to explain that people who had attended previous meetings were probably aware of the standard format of a community assembly, ie to first select a co-ordinator & secretary (to take notes/record decisions), & then to create an agenda of talking/discussion points for the meeting.
He reiterated that everyone’s voice deserved to be heard so if you wish to speak, please raise your hand & the co-ordinator will “give you the word”.
Irene was proposed & voted on as Co-ordinator, & Dona Luisa was proposed & voted secretary.
The points for the agenda were suggested as follows:
• Total number of cisterns v list of people interested in participating
• List of the names of the people to receive them.
• Where the pilot will be (ie training session, & first cistern built)
• When the pilot will begin, & when the family cisterns will begin
• Work groups, names/qty, rules for participation/leaders
• Time to complete
• Visiting Rotarians from Walla Walla arrive in SMA 18th Feb
• Technician is Rafael Cruz from Los Torres (Saul has been in contact with him already)
• Issues with Materials & deliveries & how to resolve
• Co-ordinator of the project for this community
We have sufficient funding ($17k) for 24 family cisterns & 1 pilot cistern.
There are 26 people attending & 26 people on the list so we need to rationalize & we asked if there were some families that were close & small & therefore able to combine/share.
One woman asked why small families were no longer eligible, citing families of only 3 people in Capaderillo phase I who received cisterns… Saul responded that we have a large waiting list (360) & lack of resources & the fact that we need to be able to share & assist as many people as possible.
One of the women attending was representing her daughter & grand-daughter, they already have 14 in their family & were part of the first phase at Capaderillo so have one cistern, but it is stretching capacity with size of family, she was asking for another cistern.
After much discussion & debate as to who would receive cisterns & who would not, a list of names was put on the whiteboard, along with the size of the family. It was decided that the daughter (mentioned above) & one other young family would receive tinacos (plastic tanks) & that left 24 on the list.
Laura raised the point that we are not able to renovate people’s roofs, & asked if everyone’s roof was suitable for collecting water, they all said yes.
Pilot location
There are 2 potential pilot locations, 1 the kinder with 35 kids, & 2. The secondaria with 100+ kids
There was much debate, it made sense to be able to help more children, but also the younger children are at the greatest risk re fluoride & formation of teeth.
In the end a vote was held & it was decided to construct the pilot cistern at the Kinder.
When to begin the pilot – several options were discussed, & then eliminated for the most popular on the 7th Feb. The hours were decided as 9-4pm or “as long as the body lasts” as one woman put it!
Saul mentioned the kinder maestra needed to be advised the pilot was taking place.
He also mentioned that only natural drink & food was wanted, ie no cokes & made a “serious” joke of this… This was to reiterate the message that the communities are drinking & eating too much junk & need to be taking better care of the health of themselves & their kids.
A list of tools needed was created:
Shovels, a grinder for making the little metal hooks out of rebar, wheelbarrows, big buckets, ladder to get on the kinder roof, sieve for sifting the sand & rocks, wire cutters…
Work groups – 26 participants, so 2 groups of 7 & 2 groups of 6. (L = leader) (AB= abanile)
Group 1
Ana Maria (L), Alejandra (AB), Edith (L), Cristina (AB), Benita (AB) Ma Catalina (AB), Amalia (rotoplas)
Group 2
Francisca, Maria Luisa (Grande), Maria Salud (L) (AB), Ma Luisa (menor) (L) (AB), Petra (AB), Lorena (rotoplas), Luisa Luna
Group 3
Isidra, Silvia (L) (AB), Fabiola, Jacqueline (AB), Eusebia, Irene (L),
Group 4
Concepcion (L), Soledad, Juana, Nosaria, Ma Refugio (AB), Erica (L) (AB),
The need for abaniles was discussed, essentially each group should ideally have 2 abaniles (experienced masons), the majority of the work does not require skills but the finishing touches, ie application of the concrete/plaster does. If there are not sufficient in the group they may have to look at contributing to pay someone for their time. They were tasked with finding abaniles within their groups, brothers, uncles, fathers, grandfathers…
Saul advised the community also needs to appoint a co-ordinator, kind of over-seer go-to person for the whole community, this was discussed & debated & Ma Salud was appointed with Maria Luisa (menor) her standin.
Q&A (dudas & preguntas)
The mother of Amalia (to be the recipient of rotoplas) asked what Amalia will need to contribute, Holly advised this is something that her group needs to decide, since they are all working in a group.
Amalia definitely needs to attend meetings to be part of the planning process.
Holly suggested all groups meet & define their guidelines/rules for their group, re participation, who’s bringing food etc.
The assembly was also advised there is a limit of the $$ apportioned to each family for the PVC piping part of the project. The cisterns can be located wherever works & wherever the families choose, but they need to bear in mind the cost of the piping from the roof to the cistern. Limit will be $500pesos per family, but if families wish to move them further they can pay the difference in tubing costs.
The next planning meeting for Vivienda de Urbana will be 23.2.11 @ 10.30am – same house
The next regional meeting is 2/2/11 @ 12pm at Presita de Santa Rosa
(we headed off to the next meeting, micro region 3 in Vivienda de Arriba)
When: Wed 26.1.11 10.30 am – 1pm
Who: Saul & Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), community of Vivienda de Urbana participants in water cistern project 26 adults incl 2 men, + 9 kids & 4 dogs!,
Purpose: The first planning meeting re the implementation of the Project for 25 cisterns (1 pilot + 24 family cisterns) funded by Tallahasee RC & District simplified grant, + Walla Walla + San Miguel Midday)
Item 1. Introductions all round, each person introduced themselves – including Holly, Saul & Laura & their respective organisations.
Saul led the meeting initially to explain that people who had attended previous meetings were probably aware of the standard format of a community assembly, ie to first select a co-ordinator & secretary (to take notes/record decisions), & then to create an agenda of talking/discussion points for the meeting.
He reiterated that everyone’s voice deserved to be heard so if you wish to speak, please raise your hand & the co-ordinator will “give you the word”.
Irene was proposed & voted on as Co-ordinator, & Dona Luisa was proposed & voted secretary.
The points for the agenda were suggested as follows:
• Total number of cisterns v list of people interested in participating
• List of the names of the people to receive them.
• Where the pilot will be (ie training session, & first cistern built)
• When the pilot will begin, & when the family cisterns will begin
• Work groups, names/qty, rules for participation/leaders
• Time to complete
• Visiting Rotarians from Walla Walla arrive in SMA 18th Feb
• Technician is Rafael Cruz from Los Torres (Saul has been in contact with him already)
• Issues with Materials & deliveries & how to resolve
• Co-ordinator of the project for this community
We have sufficient funding ($17k) for 24 family cisterns & 1 pilot cistern.
There are 26 people attending & 26 people on the list so we need to rationalize & we asked if there were some families that were close & small & therefore able to combine/share.
One woman asked why small families were no longer eligible, citing families of only 3 people in Capaderillo phase I who received cisterns… Saul responded that we have a large waiting list (360) & lack of resources & the fact that we need to be able to share & assist as many people as possible.
One of the women attending was representing her daughter & grand-daughter, they already have 14 in their family & were part of the first phase at Capaderillo so have one cistern, but it is stretching capacity with size of family, she was asking for another cistern.
After much discussion & debate as to who would receive cisterns & who would not, a list of names was put on the whiteboard, along with the size of the family. It was decided that the daughter (mentioned above) & one other young family would receive tinacos (plastic tanks) & that left 24 on the list.
Laura raised the point that we are not able to renovate people’s roofs, & asked if everyone’s roof was suitable for collecting water, they all said yes.
Pilot location
There are 2 potential pilot locations, 1 the kinder with 35 kids, & 2. The secondaria with 100+ kids
There was much debate, it made sense to be able to help more children, but also the younger children are at the greatest risk re fluoride & formation of teeth.
In the end a vote was held & it was decided to construct the pilot cistern at the Kinder.
When to begin the pilot – several options were discussed, & then eliminated for the most popular on the 7th Feb. The hours were decided as 9-4pm or “as long as the body lasts” as one woman put it!
Saul mentioned the kinder maestra needed to be advised the pilot was taking place.
He also mentioned that only natural drink & food was wanted, ie no cokes & made a “serious” joke of this… This was to reiterate the message that the communities are drinking & eating too much junk & need to be taking better care of the health of themselves & their kids.
A list of tools needed was created:
Shovels, a grinder for making the little metal hooks out of rebar, wheelbarrows, big buckets, ladder to get on the kinder roof, sieve for sifting the sand & rocks, wire cutters…
Work groups – 26 participants, so 2 groups of 7 & 2 groups of 6. (L = leader) (AB= abanile)
Group 1
Ana Maria (L), Alejandra (AB), Edith (L), Cristina (AB), Benita (AB) Ma Catalina (AB), Amalia (rotoplas)
Group 2
Francisca, Maria Luisa (Grande), Maria Salud (L) (AB), Ma Luisa (menor) (L) (AB), Petra (AB), Lorena (rotoplas), Luisa Luna
Group 3
Isidra, Silvia (L) (AB), Fabiola, Jacqueline (AB), Eusebia, Irene (L),
Group 4
Concepcion (L), Soledad, Juana, Nosaria, Ma Refugio (AB), Erica (L) (AB),
The need for abaniles was discussed, essentially each group should ideally have 2 abaniles (experienced masons), the majority of the work does not require skills but the finishing touches, ie application of the concrete/plaster does. If there are not sufficient in the group they may have to look at contributing to pay someone for their time. They were tasked with finding abaniles within their groups, brothers, uncles, fathers, grandfathers…
Saul advised the community also needs to appoint a co-ordinator, kind of over-seer go-to person for the whole community, this was discussed & debated & Ma Salud was appointed with Maria Luisa (menor) her standin.
Q&A (dudas & preguntas)
The mother of Amalia (to be the recipient of rotoplas) asked what Amalia will need to contribute, Holly advised this is something that her group needs to decide, since they are all working in a group.
Amalia definitely needs to attend meetings to be part of the planning process.
Holly suggested all groups meet & define their guidelines/rules for their group, re participation, who’s bringing food etc.
The assembly was also advised there is a limit of the $$ apportioned to each family for the PVC piping part of the project. The cisterns can be located wherever works & wherever the families choose, but they need to bear in mind the cost of the piping from the roof to the cistern. Limit will be $500pesos per family, but if families wish to move them further they can pay the difference in tubing costs.
The next planning meeting for Vivienda de Urbana will be 23.2.11 @ 10.30am – same house
The next regional meeting is 2/2/11 @ 12pm at Presita de Santa Rosa
(we headed off to the next meeting, micro region 3 in Vivienda de Arriba)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
1st Micro-Region 1 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event
1st Micro-Region 1 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
When: 12.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, La Tinaja, 5 senores, Juan Gonzalez, Corralejo de Abajo, La Cienega.
Holly, Chela, Saul, Jesus – Cedesa, Laura Rotary, apologies from Mario & Citlali – Gaia (at the eye doctor).
28 adults including 7 men, + 3 kids inside.
Introduction:
Why are you all here?
“to get help with getting water”
Help only?
“no to work together & organize”
Jesus mentioned the objective was to work & organize ourselves to construct sistemas consecha de agua (water systems).
Attendance at the community assemblies is essential.
Chela-
Important for you to learn to co-ordinate & record & conduct your own meetings, the communities representative on the “consejo” is also here. Chela briefly described the “taking the word” ie taking turn to talk process. It was decided that Margarita will co-ordinate.
What next?
“ we have to raise the point to duscuss”
Each community needs to record what is agreed at the assemblies as a record.
Points for the agenda:
• Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets
• Cisterns (“we came to see about cisterns”)
• Priority of communities
• Clarify who is supposed to attend, ie define the rules of participation
• Water issues
The next part of the meeting was very participatory with Chela asking questions & the participants firing responses…
Chela clarified – we have been working with many communities for months & other communities we have just begun with, this is the first meeting grouping you all together in a micro-region.
We are not part of a govt. program, what do you know about the way we work?
“in groups”
“organize” “consciousness of the problem of water”
How is the water here?
“contaminated with fluorie” “ it damages the teeth, & bones, & gives pain in the legs”
“also contaminated through bacteria in the river”
There was then discussion about different forms of contaminants, mineral v bacteria, & different sources of contamination were asked for
“drainage/sewage”, “plastic”, “rubbish” “detergent in the river from washing clothes”
Water is life, animals, trees, vegetation!
Cedesa & Rotary are not just interested in assisting solve the water issue, it’s bigger than that, about encouraging conscientiousness, an approach by the communities that care about the environment, & their people in the community.
“in our Christmas parties we asked our visitors to bring re-usable plates & glasses, to save having to use polyfoam cups & plates” “even if just 20 people do this it save a whole load of rubbish” “polystyrene is the cheapest but it is the most dangerous”.
What is the point of working in a group?
“learn more, achieve faster, have information exchange, improve relationships, help others, harmony, healthy”
Chela
Directly relate & strengthen human relationships. Each one of you has it in yourselves to solve your issues, when you take it in your hands & work in groups, you have better relations with your neighbours & better learning for the whole community.
In the Opportunities program for example – does it strengthen your inter relations?
“no – it’s about what you can get”
“Vendors come from other communities on the day of the opportunities program because they know there will be a big crowd there & they sell us stuff, but this money goes to other communities, the vendors are not from our communities”
It would be better to spend $$ on making/products for local sales, animals for production, seeds, small plants, nopal…
Production is liberty!
For example
Enedina – in this community can produce
Maiz, frijol, calabaza, hortiliza, gallinas, vacas, nopal, chiras, puercas, burro, miel
Jesus in town, can only do work for money, & has to buy everything…
He would be better to spend his effort directly to grow food, instead of having to work for money, & then spend it to buy food…
Each community was asked to present their information, based on the presentation Saul had told the communities about during the weekend…
Rancho Nuevo – approx. 50 families
• No water,
• The pipas come very infrequently, supposedly every 8 days, but often only 1x per month
• They fill the large buckets but it runs out in a few days
• They have to get water from the river
• They have no water to drink or wash
• They have a big sapasma tank, but it is empty, the community of Coralejo refused to share water with them
La Cienega – approx. 105 families
Only one well in the community, beside the river, approx. 2 mtrs deep, hand dug
They carry in buckets, there are usually 4 or 5 pickups & burros waiting
Most people don’t have burros or cars to carry the water
If they have trucks they visit the river 1x per wk
If they have burros they visit every 3 days
Without trucks or burros they carry buckets daily on yokes across their shoulders
They have pipes, but they are only decoration, they don’t have water! The pipes are broken, the pump is broken
Contractor asked for 20,000 per person to repair but they don’t have this kind of money
Concessions to wells have to be bought on the black market, cant buy one legally now.
La Tinaja – approx. 60 families
• They need water but feel the dry toilets are a higher priority as they do have some water.
• Their houses are very close together so not easy to go to the toilet in the “wild”
• They are currently contaminating the river as many go to the river to toilet.
• They have a well with a pump, when no electricity no water, but this is infrequent.
• They assume their water is fluoride contaminated, as others all are, but not tested.
• They have damaged teeth (so fluorosis is likely)
• River is contaminatied
Juan Gonzalez – approx. 70 families
• Some have family wells, some family wells are salty
• New generation (ie the kids) all have bad teeth, so assume fluoride is high
• If they do have family wells, they are approx. 20 mtrs deep
• They use rope to raise the buckets, cant afford pump or electricity
• River is a 20 minute walk, (longer on way back!)
• Some have burros to carry the water or by yoke across shoulders
• They store in small plastic tanks or large buckets
• In April/May the river is dry & they have to go further
• The river is contaminated, sometimes the stones are black & slimy
• They have to do their washing in the river, sometimes when all are washing the dirt from one just goes into the next ones washing!...(they joked)
Cinco Senores – approx. 20 families
• 200 metres to carry the water from the river
• They carry water 2 or 3 times a day, some have burro, others carry on their heads
• 20 litre containers
• River is contaminated with virus & bacteria (they have had it tested)
• They requested trucked water from Sapasma, the truck came once but never again.
• If they have to buy it privately it costs 300 per family to a private contractor, but they can’t afford it, & don’t know where the water comes from
• They made an application 3 yrs ago for well, but were told they have the river
• It is the San Damien river
• When they bathe in the river they often get rashes on their skin
San Lorenzo – 4 families
Closest to Juan Gonzalez, so will join with them & do Pilot at Juan Gonzalez school.
They use water from the river like Juan Gonzalez
Dry in April/May
The water truck comes once per mth, sometimes 1.5 mths, & only fills 2 big buckets.
Corralejo – approx. 70 families
Dry toilets are their priority – their houses are close together & so no room to “poo” outside, they have to go a long way.
They have a sapasma well, & fluoride contaminated water.
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
La Palmita – approx. 23 families (close to Don Francisco) on the road to GTO)
This is their first visit/contact.
They have a sapasma well (& likely fluoride contaminated water)
They would like dry toilets
Their houses close together so no room to “poo” outside, they have a long way to go.
Their closest river is Pena Blanca (on left hand side of Carratera)
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
Next Item – Rules of participation
These were the suggestions from participants:
• Attend meetings & training
• Agree to work in groups
• Work without bad feelings, ie in agreement
• Punctuality
• Be responsible
• In Vivienda they made their rules it’s one community so makes sense to create internal rules by group & community.
Next Item - Priority of Communities
Decision will be based on who needs & who deserves it…
Priority will be given for attendance historically, highest need, ie worst water situation, contaminated water.
A table was drawn up with a list of the criteria, ie participation, river water, pozo but not functioning, contamination, distance to carry water.
The participants were asked if they would prefer private or public vote.
They agreed on public vote.
A list of the communities was created, with 2 votes for each community, 1 vote for themselves & 1 vote for another community,
Saul, pointed out that the new communities, Corralejo, La Cienega & La Palmita are not part of the consejo that was established in December & as such are not officially able to vote. Everyone agreed, they need to join the consejo to have a voice.
The toilet communities have only 1 vote since they wont be voting for themselves.
The following priority was decided:
1. Juan Gonzalez/San Lorenzo
2. Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
3. 5 Senores
4. La Cienega
Dry Toilets:
Coralejo & Palmita were invited to do the paperwork to join the Consejo before they can go on the list to solicit the govt. for dry toilets.
Action – Saul will visit to assist organization of this
General
We decided to explain SODIS – the method of solar disinfection, since so many of the communities are drinking bacterially affected water. Holly & Chela did the demonstration.
Chela informed the group that there is a Workshop on climate change at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 all are invited to attend & stay the night. Anyone interested in attending will advise Saul.
Action
Chela suggested they all have their water tested – they will have to pay a small contribution towards the consumables, she will bring water bottles to the next meeting & take samples.
Next Micro-region 1 meeting 2nd Wednesday ie 9/2 at Cinco Senores at 12 midday.
Next Regional meeting (Consejo), Presita de Santa Rosa at 2pm
1st Micro-Region 1 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
When: 12.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, La Tinaja, 5 senores, Juan Gonzalez, Corralejo de Abajo, La Cienega.
Holly, Chela, Saul, Jesus – Cedesa, Laura Rotary, apologies from Mario & Citlali – Gaia (at the eye doctor).
28 adults including 7 men, + 3 kids inside.
Introduction:
Why are you all here?
“to get help with getting water”
Help only?
“no to work together & organize”
Jesus mentioned the objective was to work & organize ourselves to construct sistemas consecha de agua (water systems).
Attendance at the community assemblies is essential.
Chela-
Important for you to learn to co-ordinate & record & conduct your own meetings, the communities representative on the “consejo” is also here. Chela briefly described the “taking the word” ie taking turn to talk process. It was decided that Margarita will co-ordinate.
What next?
“ we have to raise the point to duscuss”
Each community needs to record what is agreed at the assemblies as a record.
Points for the agenda:
• Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets
• Cisterns (“we came to see about cisterns”)
• Priority of communities
• Clarify who is supposed to attend, ie define the rules of participation
• Water issues
The next part of the meeting was very participatory with Chela asking questions & the participants firing responses…
Chela clarified – we have been working with many communities for months & other communities we have just begun with, this is the first meeting grouping you all together in a micro-region.
We are not part of a govt. program, what do you know about the way we work?
“in groups”
“organize” “consciousness of the problem of water”
How is the water here?
“contaminated with fluorie” “ it damages the teeth, & bones, & gives pain in the legs”
“also contaminated through bacteria in the river”
There was then discussion about different forms of contaminants, mineral v bacteria, & different sources of contamination were asked for
“drainage/sewage”, “plastic”, “rubbish” “detergent in the river from washing clothes”
Water is life, animals, trees, vegetation!
Cedesa & Rotary are not just interested in assisting solve the water issue, it’s bigger than that, about encouraging conscientiousness, an approach by the communities that care about the environment, & their people in the community.
“in our Christmas parties we asked our visitors to bring re-usable plates & glasses, to save having to use polyfoam cups & plates” “even if just 20 people do this it save a whole load of rubbish” “polystyrene is the cheapest but it is the most dangerous”.
What is the point of working in a group?
“learn more, achieve faster, have information exchange, improve relationships, help others, harmony, healthy”
Chela
Directly relate & strengthen human relationships. Each one of you has it in yourselves to solve your issues, when you take it in your hands & work in groups, you have better relations with your neighbours & better learning for the whole community.
In the Opportunities program for example – does it strengthen your inter relations?
“no – it’s about what you can get”
“Vendors come from other communities on the day of the opportunities program because they know there will be a big crowd there & they sell us stuff, but this money goes to other communities, the vendors are not from our communities”
It would be better to spend $$ on making/products for local sales, animals for production, seeds, small plants, nopal…
Production is liberty!
For example
Enedina – in this community can produce
Maiz, frijol, calabaza, hortiliza, gallinas, vacas, nopal, chiras, puercas, burro, miel
Jesus in town, can only do work for money, & has to buy everything…
He would be better to spend his effort directly to grow food, instead of having to work for money, & then spend it to buy food…
Each community was asked to present their information, based on the presentation Saul had told the communities about during the weekend…
Rancho Nuevo – approx. 50 families
• No water,
• The pipas come very infrequently, supposedly every 8 days, but often only 1x per month
• They fill the large buckets but it runs out in a few days
• They have to get water from the river
• They have no water to drink or wash
• They have a big sapasma tank, but it is empty, the community of Coralejo refused to share water with them
La Cienega – approx. 105 families
Only one well in the community, beside the river, approx. 2 mtrs deep, hand dug
They carry in buckets, there are usually 4 or 5 pickups & burros waiting
Most people don’t have burros or cars to carry the water
If they have trucks they visit the river 1x per wk
If they have burros they visit every 3 days
Without trucks or burros they carry buckets daily on yokes across their shoulders
They have pipes, but they are only decoration, they don’t have water! The pipes are broken, the pump is broken
Contractor asked for 20,000 per person to repair but they don’t have this kind of money
Concessions to wells have to be bought on the black market, cant buy one legally now.
La Tinaja – approx. 60 families
• They need water but feel the dry toilets are a higher priority as they do have some water.
• Their houses are very close together so not easy to go to the toilet in the “wild”
• They are currently contaminating the river as many go to the river to toilet.
• They have a well with a pump, when no electricity no water, but this is infrequent.
• They assume their water is fluoride contaminated, as others all are, but not tested.
• They have damaged teeth (so fluorosis is likely)
• River is contaminatied
Juan Gonzalez – approx. 70 families
• Some have family wells, some family wells are salty
• New generation (ie the kids) all have bad teeth, so assume fluoride is high
• If they do have family wells, they are approx. 20 mtrs deep
• They use rope to raise the buckets, cant afford pump or electricity
• River is a 20 minute walk, (longer on way back!)
• Some have burros to carry the water or by yoke across shoulders
• They store in small plastic tanks or large buckets
• In April/May the river is dry & they have to go further
• The river is contaminated, sometimes the stones are black & slimy
• They have to do their washing in the river, sometimes when all are washing the dirt from one just goes into the next ones washing!...(they joked)
Cinco Senores – approx. 20 families
• 200 metres to carry the water from the river
• They carry water 2 or 3 times a day, some have burro, others carry on their heads
• 20 litre containers
• River is contaminated with virus & bacteria (they have had it tested)
• They requested trucked water from Sapasma, the truck came once but never again.
• If they have to buy it privately it costs 300 per family to a private contractor, but they can’t afford it, & don’t know where the water comes from
• They made an application 3 yrs ago for well, but were told they have the river
• It is the San Damien river
• When they bathe in the river they often get rashes on their skin
San Lorenzo – 4 families
Closest to Juan Gonzalez, so will join with them & do Pilot at Juan Gonzalez school.
They use water from the river like Juan Gonzalez
Dry in April/May
The water truck comes once per mth, sometimes 1.5 mths, & only fills 2 big buckets.
Corralejo – approx. 70 families
Dry toilets are their priority – their houses are close together & so no room to “poo” outside, they have to go a long way.
They have a sapasma well, & fluoride contaminated water.
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
La Palmita – approx. 23 families (close to Don Francisco) on the road to GTO)
This is their first visit/contact.
They have a sapasma well (& likely fluoride contaminated water)
They would like dry toilets
Their houses close together so no room to “poo” outside, they have a long way to go.
Their closest river is Pena Blanca (on left hand side of Carratera)
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
Next Item – Rules of participation
These were the suggestions from participants:
• Attend meetings & training
• Agree to work in groups
• Work without bad feelings, ie in agreement
• Punctuality
• Be responsible
• In Vivienda they made their rules it’s one community so makes sense to create internal rules by group & community.
Next Item - Priority of Communities
Decision will be based on who needs & who deserves it…
Priority will be given for attendance historically, highest need, ie worst water situation, contaminated water.
A table was drawn up with a list of the criteria, ie participation, river water, pozo but not functioning, contamination, distance to carry water.
The participants were asked if they would prefer private or public vote.
They agreed on public vote.
A list of the communities was created, with 2 votes for each community, 1 vote for themselves & 1 vote for another community,
Saul, pointed out that the new communities, Corralejo, La Cienega & La Palmita are not part of the consejo that was established in December & as such are not officially able to vote. Everyone agreed, they need to join the consejo to have a voice.
The toilet communities have only 1 vote since they wont be voting for themselves.
The following priority was decided:
1. Juan Gonzalez/San Lorenzo
2. Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
3. 5 Senores
4. La Cienega
Dry Toilets:
Coralejo & Palmita were invited to do the paperwork to join the Consejo before they can go on the list to solicit the govt. for dry toilets.
Action – Saul will visit to assist organization of this
General
We decided to explain SODIS – the method of solar disinfection, since so many of the communities are drinking bacterially affected water. Holly & Chela did the demonstration.
Chela informed the group that there is a Workshop on climate change at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 all are invited to attend & stay the night. Anyone interested in attending will advise Saul.
Action
Chela suggested they all have their water tested – they will have to pay a small contribution towards the consumables, she will bring water bottles to the next meeting & take samples.
Next Micro-region 1 meeting 2nd Wednesday ie 9/2 at Cinco Senores at 12 midday.
Next Regional meeting (Consejo), Presita de Santa Rosa at 2pm
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Capaderillo (private house)
When: 19.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa, Guerrero, La Aurora, Capaderillo
Holly, Chela, Saul, – Cedesa, Laura Midday Rotary, & visiting was Tom Pinfold from Sechelt BC RC,
Ended up with 49 adults attending, including 4 men & innumerable kids & dogs!
We asked permission to take photos to record the process, all agreed it was worthwhile.
There was a delay in starting as we had forgotten sheets of paper & pens to write up agenda etc.
Saul ran home to get them.
There was loose discussion while we were waiting on number of people attending from which communities, their reasons for being there etc. Then the meeting began.
Introductions all round:
Each person said their names & where they were from, I explained we were from Rotary, & Chela explained a little more about my role finding resources for the projects.
Chela – Let’s begin!
During the loose discussion someone had inadvertently referred to the projects as a program, Chela used this to explain the difference between a project & a govt program.
What’s the difference between a project & a program?
“a program is by the govt?” “true?”
“ Project is something that you do?
Who? “the communities”
The people of the communities will determine the necessities, what comes first, the money or the project, with the govt. the $$ comes first. A project responds to the necessities, ie is recipient driven, not donor driven, who organizes the people? “us – the people”, based on the necessities the people decide , analyse their necessities & decide what to do to resolve them.. who does this? “Us!”
Opportunidades program, do you have control? “no” . Why do you do it? “we need the $$ help”, what is the fundamental need of your now? “agua”, to be able to drink clean water, through your own organization.
Chela – What other necessities do you have? “dry toilets”
Why? Then there was a big discussion about the different words for poo, & a bit of hilarity… & reasons were asked for why it’s not a good idea to toilet in the “wild”, reaons like contamination of water, air & earth.
We then began work on the water issues.
In your own organization you decide & solve your own issues, we Cedesa/Rotary are assisting but who’s development is it? “ours – our communities”, with “solidarity” you solve your issues, do Rotary have any obligation to help? “no”, do Cedesa have any obligation to help? “no”, they do it out of good conscience & heart, do the govt have an obligation to help? “yes” the govt. has an obligation to return our money in services to the people.
The resources come directly to assist you with materials, who deserves this? “those that volunteer & work & participate in groups”
Are there many issues in the world? “si – MANY!”, who is going to solve your issues, Santa Claus? Virgen de Guadalupe? No – yourselves! When you begin to organize you create a force for change & achieve solutions.
This micro-region is your own to organize.
We were at the other micro region last week & visited the communities, next week we will be at the 3rd micro region. Resolving the issues will be by micro-region & together.
Saul
Began asking each community to describe their water situation, one community had prepared a poster with their issues listed, this was used as a template for the others to make their presentation.
This was needed to determine the priority amongst the communities, ie who will receive the resources first.
4 communities are attending re cisterns, & 1 (Capaderillo) for dry toilets.
Man – “we have to all be very honest & listen well to everyone’s needs & make sure we understand every issue of each community”
Holly explained each community has 2 votes, 1 for their own community & 1 for another.
Chela in this meeting you will get to hear the info & decide, yes we need water but maybe there are others more urgent than us, & she reiterated how the 2 vote system worked.
Holly clarified, yes a scientific study has been done already & the results showed back contamination of water by fluoride in this region, all of the communities are suffering from this so it is not the decider point, a study needs to be done by the participants of today’s meeting after hearing all the issues presented by each community.
Chela – we are working on the solution for all, but in parts because we don’t have the money to work on all concurrently. We’re like a train, each community is part of the train but we need to decide which cars come before the others.
Vivienda de Urbana (preferred name for Viviendilla, Vivienda de Abajo)– approx. 60 families,
• approx. 15 family wells
• They had prepared the poster listing the details/issues
• Pipa (water truck) comes every 15-30 days, & fills big buckets which are gone within 3-5 days
• There are some family pozos that are shared
• They take burros to irrigation wells of the big farmers near by
• They do their washing at the irrigation wells
• Approx. ½ hr each way to the wells
• Carry water by hand or wheelbarrow, or yokes on shoulders with bucket each side
• Only drink pipa water (cant afford to buy water), not well water
• Store in big buckets
• High fluoride levels
• Sapasma told them to put chlorine in the well water to combat the fluoride! (this is incorrect, chlorine does not remove fluoride or it’s symptoms)
Presita de Santa Rosa – 44 families
• Some pipas (water trucks)
• Sometimes sapasma well water (but infrequent as it is shared with 6 other communities)
• often not enough water in the well
• They go to the river when no well or truck water
• Avg. 3 days a week they have no water
• They go to the river with buckets, trucks & burros
• A big bucket will last approx. 1 wk depending on size of family
• The walk to the river is approx. 20-30 mins depending on the mood of the burro!
• In the hot season they have to go to other communities to borrow water as the river is dry
• They go to the outlets of the thermal pools & wash in their drain water
• In the high area of the community no piped water, only water truck (infrequently 15-30days)
• 3 big buckets of water is too little for washing, drinking, feeding livestock & watering crops
Guerrero – approx. 45-50 families (only 26 forms)
• Some family wells
• Most wells contaminated – dead dogs or rubbish, many smell bad
• Pipa sometimes 1x per month, but mostly just pass them by
• 45 mins to the river to drink – very contaminated with fertilizer, near the Presa, dry season very shallow
• They go for water every day, sometime 2x per day, don’t have burros or trucks
• Don’t have trucks as no money for gas
• Store in big buckets
• It should be noted the levels of fluoride in Guerrero are the highest in our region, there is obvious reduced brain function in the people in this area!
Chela – one of the affects of high fluoride is teeth & bones, but it also affects the brain badly & affects the attitude of the people, & their ability to learn & function.
La Aurora approx. 10 families (only 5 interested)
• 3 pozos, 7 families don’t have wells,
• The wells are approx. 40 mtrs deep
• No trucked water
• They borrow water from neighbours wells
• Sometimes they go to irrigation wells or the river
• 15 mins to a well, usually go 2x per wk in a borrowed truck
• Aurora will combine with Guerrero
Holly discussed to points – necessity & deservedness
Priority will be given on a combination of both, ie necessity & those who have participated longer & proven their motivation.
Chela drew up a table
Communities Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa & Guerrero/La Aurora, VdU & Presita had been attending longest, since July 2010.
Saul pointed out La Aurora had not entered in the consejo yet & so should not have a vote. All agreed.
Capaderillo can vote (despite not needing water).
The results of the vote
1. Vivienda de Urbana
2. Presita de Santa Rosa
3. Guerrero/La Aurora
Chela informed the communities we urgently need to plan a community meeting for Vivienda de Urbana as funds are in hand to begin a project (funding by Tallahassee & district, Walla Walla, & SMA midday)
SODIS, method of purifying the water, was explained, as people are currently drinking bacterially affected water.
The negative effects of chlorine were explained, & the fact it does nothing to combat fluoride, & is yet another contaminant the body has to filter.
Chela advised of the climate change conference at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 & all were invited, interested people to advise Saul.
Presita Santa Rosa explained Lucy Nunez (mayor) was supposed to be visiting their community today to talk on the subject of transport & improving the bus service, all were invited to attend, after the assembly.
He suggested if Lucy did not show, they would put a representative group together & make a visit to the Presidencia.
Action: La Aurora need to fill in their paperwork to become part of the Consejo – Saul will assist.
Next Project/Community meeting Vivienda de Urbana 26.1.11 10.30am
Next regional meeting Presita de Santa Rosa 12pm 2/2/11
Next micro region 2 meeting (3rd Wednesday) 16/2/11 Capaderilo 1pm
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Capaderillo (private house)
When: 19.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa, Guerrero, La Aurora, Capaderillo
Holly, Chela, Saul, – Cedesa, Laura Midday Rotary, & visiting was Tom Pinfold from Sechelt BC RC,
Ended up with 49 adults attending, including 4 men & innumerable kids & dogs!
We asked permission to take photos to record the process, all agreed it was worthwhile.
There was a delay in starting as we had forgotten sheets of paper & pens to write up agenda etc.
Saul ran home to get them.
There was loose discussion while we were waiting on number of people attending from which communities, their reasons for being there etc. Then the meeting began.
Introductions all round:
Each person said their names & where they were from, I explained we were from Rotary, & Chela explained a little more about my role finding resources for the projects.
Chela – Let’s begin!
During the loose discussion someone had inadvertently referred to the projects as a program, Chela used this to explain the difference between a project & a govt program.
What’s the difference between a project & a program?
“a program is by the govt?” “true?”
“ Project is something that you do?
Who? “the communities”
The people of the communities will determine the necessities, what comes first, the money or the project, with the govt. the $$ comes first. A project responds to the necessities, ie is recipient driven, not donor driven, who organizes the people? “us – the people”, based on the necessities the people decide , analyse their necessities & decide what to do to resolve them.. who does this? “Us!”
Opportunidades program, do you have control? “no” . Why do you do it? “we need the $$ help”, what is the fundamental need of your now? “agua”, to be able to drink clean water, through your own organization.
Chela – What other necessities do you have? “dry toilets”
Why? Then there was a big discussion about the different words for poo, & a bit of hilarity… & reasons were asked for why it’s not a good idea to toilet in the “wild”, reaons like contamination of water, air & earth.
We then began work on the water issues.
In your own organization you decide & solve your own issues, we Cedesa/Rotary are assisting but who’s development is it? “ours – our communities”, with “solidarity” you solve your issues, do Rotary have any obligation to help? “no”, do Cedesa have any obligation to help? “no”, they do it out of good conscience & heart, do the govt have an obligation to help? “yes” the govt. has an obligation to return our money in services to the people.
The resources come directly to assist you with materials, who deserves this? “those that volunteer & work & participate in groups”
Are there many issues in the world? “si – MANY!”, who is going to solve your issues, Santa Claus? Virgen de Guadalupe? No – yourselves! When you begin to organize you create a force for change & achieve solutions.
This micro-region is your own to organize.
We were at the other micro region last week & visited the communities, next week we will be at the 3rd micro region. Resolving the issues will be by micro-region & together.
Saul
Began asking each community to describe their water situation, one community had prepared a poster with their issues listed, this was used as a template for the others to make their presentation.
This was needed to determine the priority amongst the communities, ie who will receive the resources first.
4 communities are attending re cisterns, & 1 (Capaderillo) for dry toilets.
Man – “we have to all be very honest & listen well to everyone’s needs & make sure we understand every issue of each community”
Holly explained each community has 2 votes, 1 for their own community & 1 for another.
Chela in this meeting you will get to hear the info & decide, yes we need water but maybe there are others more urgent than us, & she reiterated how the 2 vote system worked.
Holly clarified, yes a scientific study has been done already & the results showed back contamination of water by fluoride in this region, all of the communities are suffering from this so it is not the decider point, a study needs to be done by the participants of today’s meeting after hearing all the issues presented by each community.
Chela – we are working on the solution for all, but in parts because we don’t have the money to work on all concurrently. We’re like a train, each community is part of the train but we need to decide which cars come before the others.
Vivienda de Urbana (preferred name for Viviendilla, Vivienda de Abajo)– approx. 60 families,
• approx. 15 family wells
• They had prepared the poster listing the details/issues
• Pipa (water truck) comes every 15-30 days, & fills big buckets which are gone within 3-5 days
• There are some family pozos that are shared
• They take burros to irrigation wells of the big farmers near by
• They do their washing at the irrigation wells
• Approx. ½ hr each way to the wells
• Carry water by hand or wheelbarrow, or yokes on shoulders with bucket each side
• Only drink pipa water (cant afford to buy water), not well water
• Store in big buckets
• High fluoride levels
• Sapasma told them to put chlorine in the well water to combat the fluoride! (this is incorrect, chlorine does not remove fluoride or it’s symptoms)
Presita de Santa Rosa – 44 families
• Some pipas (water trucks)
• Sometimes sapasma well water (but infrequent as it is shared with 6 other communities)
• often not enough water in the well
• They go to the river when no well or truck water
• Avg. 3 days a week they have no water
• They go to the river with buckets, trucks & burros
• A big bucket will last approx. 1 wk depending on size of family
• The walk to the river is approx. 20-30 mins depending on the mood of the burro!
• In the hot season they have to go to other communities to borrow water as the river is dry
• They go to the outlets of the thermal pools & wash in their drain water
• In the high area of the community no piped water, only water truck (infrequently 15-30days)
• 3 big buckets of water is too little for washing, drinking, feeding livestock & watering crops
Guerrero – approx. 45-50 families (only 26 forms)
• Some family wells
• Most wells contaminated – dead dogs or rubbish, many smell bad
• Pipa sometimes 1x per month, but mostly just pass them by
• 45 mins to the river to drink – very contaminated with fertilizer, near the Presa, dry season very shallow
• They go for water every day, sometime 2x per day, don’t have burros or trucks
• Don’t have trucks as no money for gas
• Store in big buckets
• It should be noted the levels of fluoride in Guerrero are the highest in our region, there is obvious reduced brain function in the people in this area!
Chela – one of the affects of high fluoride is teeth & bones, but it also affects the brain badly & affects the attitude of the people, & their ability to learn & function.
La Aurora approx. 10 families (only 5 interested)
• 3 pozos, 7 families don’t have wells,
• The wells are approx. 40 mtrs deep
• No trucked water
• They borrow water from neighbours wells
• Sometimes they go to irrigation wells or the river
• 15 mins to a well, usually go 2x per wk in a borrowed truck
• Aurora will combine with Guerrero
Holly discussed to points – necessity & deservedness
Priority will be given on a combination of both, ie necessity & those who have participated longer & proven their motivation.
Chela drew up a table
Communities Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa & Guerrero/La Aurora, VdU & Presita had been attending longest, since July 2010.
Saul pointed out La Aurora had not entered in the consejo yet & so should not have a vote. All agreed.
Capaderillo can vote (despite not needing water).
The results of the vote
1. Vivienda de Urbana
2. Presita de Santa Rosa
3. Guerrero/La Aurora
Chela informed the communities we urgently need to plan a community meeting for Vivienda de Urbana as funds are in hand to begin a project (funding by Tallahassee & district, Walla Walla, & SMA midday)
SODIS, method of purifying the water, was explained, as people are currently drinking bacterially affected water.
The negative effects of chlorine were explained, & the fact it does nothing to combat fluoride, & is yet another contaminant the body has to filter.
Chela advised of the climate change conference at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 & all were invited, interested people to advise Saul.
Presita Santa Rosa explained Lucy Nunez (mayor) was supposed to be visiting their community today to talk on the subject of transport & improving the bus service, all were invited to attend, after the assembly.
He suggested if Lucy did not show, they would put a representative group together & make a visit to the Presidencia.
Action: La Aurora need to fill in their paperwork to become part of the Consejo – Saul will assist.
Next Project/Community meeting Vivienda de Urbana 26.1.11 10.30am
Next regional meeting Presita de Santa Rosa 12pm 2/2/11
Next micro region 2 meeting (3rd Wednesday) 16/2/11 Capaderilo 1pm
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Water Project Stats to date Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Here's an update of where we're at, we essentially began the first water project in Nov 2008, the first funding came through in March 2009, so am counting it from 1st Jan 2009 to now...
We now have 330 Families asking for help with drinking water in this region.
They are in 18 different communities that we are now engaged with, from the initial project in Los Torres. All of these communities have come to us, they have seen the results proven & want to be part of the solution.
Following are the statistics:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Los torres 52 $21,700 + 12,200 + smcf 1 $2468 smcf 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 $16700
Vivienda de Arriba 17
Cruz del Palmar 28 combined $24700
Capaderillo 40 $21850
Palencia 21 $7k (+ balance of excess from other projects)
Total 188 cisterns
More than 1500 people have safe drinking water now & for generations to come!!!
funding
Rotary$81,800
SMCF$4,703
Eco Verde$21,850
Skymed $500
total funding = USD $108,853
A BIG THANK YOU to all the hardworking men & women belonging to the Rotary Clubs & Districts who have been part of this solution:
Tallahassee RC
Trail BC RC
Sechelt BC RC
Tyron RC
Ann Arbor RC
Paso Robles RC
West U RC TX
Richmond RC TX
San Miguel Midday RC Mexico
Districts 4160, 6940, 7670
Current upcoming water projects
Capaderillo II approx $14k (Rotary funding secured)
to commence end of January.
Pipeline projects
Global Grant for $33,500 (Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District(s)
Pending approval from TRF.
Quantified Need:
Current applications in hand from Families in need 309 from 18 different communities.(excluding the upcoming project of 21 cisterns)
Interested in helping fund the simple solution to this need, please email me... Lauramex@gmail.com
We now have 330 Families asking for help with drinking water in this region.
They are in 18 different communities that we are now engaged with, from the initial project in Los Torres. All of these communities have come to us, they have seen the results proven & want to be part of the solution.
Following are the statistics:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Los torres 52 $21,700 + 12,200 + smcf 1 $2468 smcf 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 $16700
Vivienda de Arriba 17
Cruz del Palmar 28 combined $24700
Capaderillo 40 $21850
Palencia 21 $7k (+ balance of excess from other projects)
Total 188 cisterns
More than 1500 people have safe drinking water now & for generations to come!!!
funding
Rotary$81,800
SMCF$4,703
Eco Verde$21,850
Skymed $500
total funding = USD $108,853
A BIG THANK YOU to all the hardworking men & women belonging to the Rotary Clubs & Districts who have been part of this solution:
Tallahassee RC
Trail BC RC
Sechelt BC RC
Tyron RC
Ann Arbor RC
Paso Robles RC
West U RC TX
Richmond RC TX
San Miguel Midday RC Mexico
Districts 4160, 6940, 7670
Current upcoming water projects
Capaderillo II approx $14k (Rotary funding secured)
to commence end of January.
Pipeline projects
Global Grant for $33,500 (Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District(s)
Pending approval from TRF.
Quantified Need:
Current applications in hand from Families in need 309 from 18 different communities.(excluding the upcoming project of 21 cisterns)
Interested in helping fund the simple solution to this need, please email me... Lauramex@gmail.com
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