Where: Steps of new church, under the shade of the big tree.
When: March 30th 2011 2.10pm – 3.40
Who: Holly, Saul, Chela, Jesus (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary)+ 53 adults & 5 kids.
Purpose: to begin the project planning for the cisterns to be constructed in this community with the Rotary Global Grant 25397 as well as a combined donation of $9k (details of donating clubs listed below).
Background: we have been working with this community for almost a year now, first visited in May 2010, but many representatives came to assemblies in other communities before that.
We have managed to achieve funding for this project through the generous grant of Rotary & this is the first planning meeting re the project, to determine who will receive cisterns & begin the planning process.
Item 1 – re the previous meeting this morning the Sanitaria 2 (health dept) has agreed to provide pap smears & mammograms to all women in Tierra Blanca over 35. We began this meeting dividing the women into groups of 10 who would visit on scheduled dates. Jesus arranged this & took the lists of names.
Item 2 – Planning the cisterns project
The global grant 25397 is for 50 cisterns in total, 28 for this community of Tierra Blanca & 22 for the community of Juan Gonzalez.
Also available, thanks to 2 separate direct donations is US$7k from Port Lavaca Tex RC & $2k from New Braumfels Tex RC, we will combine these donations to provide $9k for a total of 14 cisterns.
Altogether in this community there will be 42 cisterns available + 1 tinaco (plastic tank) – this divides into 2 pilot cisterns (1 provided by the GG & one provided by the $9k donatin) & 40 individual family cisterns.
We began by talking about the numbers of cisterns we have funding for, & then the roll was called, listing all of those present/absent. 35 people on the list were present.
One woman was absent & it was discussed as to whether she was eligible or not, it was decided she would receive a cistern since she has been participating fully up until now.
Cata (president of the consejo) mentioned that if you are going to allow people in the project who are absent then you need to take responsibility to fully inform them of the events of the meeting they missed.
There was a discussion between the community about a previous meeting Tierra Blanca had held without us, several people complained of not being informed, & different methods of informing the community were discussed, including the possibility of a notice board, which people would have to view themselves, this was discounted as it has not worked in other communities, possibly because of low literacy rates…We need to work out how we can involve everyone in the assemblies that are regarding the health of the community, “some people didn’t even want to take 5 minutes to complete the census we did”
Chela asked how are we going to animate everyone? Talk to your neighbours, constantly mention the issues & see if you can encourage people to come to the meetings, put up notices…
There are others in the meeting not on the list +5 , & one person to receive a tinaco (small water tank – as she is elderly & cant participate as well & we don’t have enough funding for a cistern for her).
The decision process as to who was eligible & who were not, was based on the previous participation in the project up until now. It was a little contentious as some people complained of not being informed of previous meetings. A solution to this was agreed – the first 2 people on the list will advise everyone else on the list of the next meeting, then the next 2 on the list & so on.
It was decided that there would be 5 groups of 8 families working together.
The groups were decided & listed, to include 2 leaders/co-ordinator, 2 abaniles.
Next came the decision as to where to do the pilot cistern builds.
There was discussion about the kinder (30kids) v Primaria (approx. 95kids) v Secondaria (approx. 55 kids).
Although Saul mentioned the younger the children are the more affected they are by the contaminants it was decided to do them at the Primaria & the Secondaria.
Saul then called our supplier Talego to confirm if they had materials in time for the pilots to begin on Monday 4.4.11 (the community was very keen to start asap), Talego confirmed. So pilots were confirmed to begin on Monday.
Next was to decide which groups would work on which pilot, it was split 20/20 (+ 1 tinaco person),
They all agreed to start at 9am & work to 5pm each day.
Saul described the list of tools they would need to bring with them, including wheel barrows, ladders, sifting frames buckets etc, & someone was arranged to bring a grinder to make the gancho/hooks for the wire weaving process.
Everyone left happy & in high spirits looking forward to beginning on Monday!!
Next meeting: 4.4.11 @ Primary School at 9am to begin the 2 pilots.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Report of 8th Event Re Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca under the big tree by the Church & steps of new church.
When: March 30th 2011 11.40
Who: Holly, Saul, Chela, Jesus (Cedesa), Dr Marcos Adrian Ortega(UNAM), Laura (Rotary)+ 53 adults & 5 kids.
Purpose: To discuss the issue of unusually high early mortality rate in Tierra Blanca, findings of the census carried out by Jesus with Cedesa & the community, with an aim to beginning a full epidemiological study in this community to ultimately resolve the high death rate from cancer occurring here for more than 30 years. (According to the community).
Background
Cedesa & Rotary have been working in this community with an aim to providing water, during community assemblies the issue of high death rate by cancer in this community was raised.
Cedesa subsequently carried out a census with the assistance of the community, to gather more data to determine a pattern. The census found that there was a high concentration of deaths 81% around a specific area of the community, thus indicating a potential environmental cause (as opposed to the previously thought genetic aspect).
With this information we would now like to illicit the assistance of experts in this field to potentially pinpoint the cause & ultimately (ideally) a solution to this major ongoing issue in this community.
Water has been mostly ruled out in these early stages, as 3 communities share the same water source & yet Tierra Blanca is the only community reporting this issue.
Cedesa & Rotary have reached out to Dr Marcos Adrian Ortega of UNAM Juriquilla & the meeting has been arranged.
Meeting begins
Chela gave intro & explanation of water studies by UNAM, of the region’s water issues, including contaminants, she described briefly the 8mth diplomada of water studies that was held at Cedesa, given by Dr Ortega to approx. 120 campesinos from 80 communities.
Dr Ortega mentioned the following: the information was all about the subject of water in this area, the 7 municipalities that share this aquifer, the Rio Laja is the main source to aquifer, it is 7000 miles long, the management of the water use in the area, the fact that water being used is pre-historic, 10-25,000 year old water, it is not being recharged, the aquifer is too deep, the water does not reach there to recharge it.
Arsenic causes cancer, fluoride causes damage to the cellular makeup of bones & teeth, many kids in this area don’t have teeth, they have degraded. There are 10-15,000 cases of fluorosis in the San Luis de La Paz area (Palencia),
50 communities in this SMA region are affected by fluoride contamination.
Causes probs with bones, teeth, brain, major organs. Kids are not able to learn, it affects info processing ability.
“why haven’t the ranchos been told?” one man asked.
Because the authorities have not analysed the water for these chemicals before 2000. There is a big problem to report this to the communities as there has to be an alternative & they have not found one, hence the cisterns are the answer. They need to stop drilling the wells & provide cisterns.
The older water is warmer & so it absorbs the fluoride & arsenic from the rocks, high levels of silica too.
Cedesa is showing people how to build cisterns, this resolves the issue, but you need to start now, don’t drink the water from the pozos here!
Chela – this is info about the water & we’ve talked about this before but we are also here to discuss the problem of cancer that exists in this community.
An average of 6 deaths per year can be attributed to this since 2007 (& figures not avail before then).
Jesus spoke, he described the study he & the community had carried out & the findings, that 81% of the deaths seemed to be concentrated in one geographic location, so maybe something environmental. He invited Dr Ortega to work with us to try to determine the cause/cure.
There are cases where there is no certainty cause of death so these have not been recorded, hence diff. between our stats & official govt. stats.
Jesus described the meeting with Dra Mejia, Lucy, Irma, Jesus & I, on the subject of the need for investigation of this issue & that the govt. is collaborating on this effort. Govt. have offered free pap smears & mammograms, as some of the cancers are breast cancer…
He explained that last year we made a commitment to Tierra Blanca to begin work on this issue & have been working since then to get the meeting with govt & action.
Dr Ortega is here to help us begin investigations on causes, maybe testing the soil in the area of the higher death rate, it maybe that there is radiation in that area,
Some people began describing the symptoms of people they had lost
“pain front & then back, & had shivers, supposedly cancer of the lung, but maybe cancer of the breast”
“that person was in the states, they have been operated on but can not identify the cause, or diagnose properly”
“a mother had liquid on the lung, said couldn’t identify the cause, symptoms started in the arm, then shivers, none of the Drs know what the cause is, they weren’t sure it was cancer”
“Lots of people have left, some went to Tamaulipas because they thought Tierra Blanca was the problem, but they all died there – you can’t run away from cancer”
“1st symptoms coughing, coughing, & shoulder hurts, Dr mis-diagnoses it”
“Dr will not cure you, they just send you from one Dr to another & charge you more & more, but no results”
“People that come here (ie marry into this area), get sick too”
Dr Ortega said he would like to come back with teams to take samples of Water, Air & Dust/soil.
Water can be radioactive & this can deplete when it goes to the other communities.
Dr O. proposes to return in 1st wk of May with a team to take samples, also possibly measure radon (very difficult to measure as it is gaseous & hard to catch)
He will also look a the possibility of initiating contact directly with the Epidemiology dept to begin with specialists, re the institute of micas in Leon.
By June the results will be expected.
In this way we will be involving the municipality, State Dr & Unam in finding a solution.
Chela explained that we hadn’t abandoned Tierra Blanca (long time between visits) but that it takes a lot of time to pull all of this together.
“Gracias – we really need help, we are dying & we never know who’s going to be next – we’re really concerned for our kids”
“here when we cleaned our water pipes they were really red” Dr O said this is likely high iron.
He said we will do a complete study of the water & what is contained in it.
Don’t just expect the university to resolve this, it will take the whole team, Cedesa, Rotary, the community, the municipality & the University, all working together to find the answers.
Chela described a little about the Consejo & that these are the kinds of issues it can work on.
Jesus asked to be advised if any more people develop the symptoms, as we would like to give special treatment to these cases.
Chela – we would like to ask you to make a commitment to being healthy too, not to eat junk food but to please eat healthy food, because your body is already dealing with an overload of toxins in the dust, air & water, you shouldn’t introduce junk food into the mix too.
Q&A for the Dr
“are the analysis costs going to cost us?”
Unam is already doing similar costs at the same time, & so will absorb the cost.
If we find problems then Municipality will be asked to contribute with costs, for example when we did the full study on water, all the municipalities contributed to this study, although at that time the SMA municipality contributed the least.
Fluorosis is very severe, causes problems with fetal deaths, infertility, sexual disfunction, brain, teeth, bone & major organ damage. Actually more dangerous than Arsenic. Prevents ability to learn, slow blink relex is a possible cause as shows speed of brain process, no retention, no ability to process.
Next meetings
UNAM – Juriquilla – Water Project team 10am 3.5.11
2nd wk in May come to take samples at Tierra Blanca (with team)
2nd wk in June return with results of samples
We adjourned for lunch, then after lunch had the project planning meeting…
See separate report…
When: March 30th 2011 11.40
Who: Holly, Saul, Chela, Jesus (Cedesa), Dr Marcos Adrian Ortega(UNAM), Laura (Rotary)+ 53 adults & 5 kids.
Purpose: To discuss the issue of unusually high early mortality rate in Tierra Blanca, findings of the census carried out by Jesus with Cedesa & the community, with an aim to beginning a full epidemiological study in this community to ultimately resolve the high death rate from cancer occurring here for more than 30 years. (According to the community).
Background
Cedesa & Rotary have been working in this community with an aim to providing water, during community assemblies the issue of high death rate by cancer in this community was raised.
Cedesa subsequently carried out a census with the assistance of the community, to gather more data to determine a pattern. The census found that there was a high concentration of deaths 81% around a specific area of the community, thus indicating a potential environmental cause (as opposed to the previously thought genetic aspect).
With this information we would now like to illicit the assistance of experts in this field to potentially pinpoint the cause & ultimately (ideally) a solution to this major ongoing issue in this community.
Water has been mostly ruled out in these early stages, as 3 communities share the same water source & yet Tierra Blanca is the only community reporting this issue.
Cedesa & Rotary have reached out to Dr Marcos Adrian Ortega of UNAM Juriquilla & the meeting has been arranged.
Meeting begins
Chela gave intro & explanation of water studies by UNAM, of the region’s water issues, including contaminants, she described briefly the 8mth diplomada of water studies that was held at Cedesa, given by Dr Ortega to approx. 120 campesinos from 80 communities.
Dr Ortega mentioned the following: the information was all about the subject of water in this area, the 7 municipalities that share this aquifer, the Rio Laja is the main source to aquifer, it is 7000 miles long, the management of the water use in the area, the fact that water being used is pre-historic, 10-25,000 year old water, it is not being recharged, the aquifer is too deep, the water does not reach there to recharge it.
Arsenic causes cancer, fluoride causes damage to the cellular makeup of bones & teeth, many kids in this area don’t have teeth, they have degraded. There are 10-15,000 cases of fluorosis in the San Luis de La Paz area (Palencia),
50 communities in this SMA region are affected by fluoride contamination.
Causes probs with bones, teeth, brain, major organs. Kids are not able to learn, it affects info processing ability.
“why haven’t the ranchos been told?” one man asked.
Because the authorities have not analysed the water for these chemicals before 2000. There is a big problem to report this to the communities as there has to be an alternative & they have not found one, hence the cisterns are the answer. They need to stop drilling the wells & provide cisterns.
The older water is warmer & so it absorbs the fluoride & arsenic from the rocks, high levels of silica too.
Cedesa is showing people how to build cisterns, this resolves the issue, but you need to start now, don’t drink the water from the pozos here!
Chela – this is info about the water & we’ve talked about this before but we are also here to discuss the problem of cancer that exists in this community.
An average of 6 deaths per year can be attributed to this since 2007 (& figures not avail before then).
Jesus spoke, he described the study he & the community had carried out & the findings, that 81% of the deaths seemed to be concentrated in one geographic location, so maybe something environmental. He invited Dr Ortega to work with us to try to determine the cause/cure.
There are cases where there is no certainty cause of death so these have not been recorded, hence diff. between our stats & official govt. stats.
Jesus described the meeting with Dra Mejia, Lucy, Irma, Jesus & I, on the subject of the need for investigation of this issue & that the govt. is collaborating on this effort. Govt. have offered free pap smears & mammograms, as some of the cancers are breast cancer…
He explained that last year we made a commitment to Tierra Blanca to begin work on this issue & have been working since then to get the meeting with govt & action.
Dr Ortega is here to help us begin investigations on causes, maybe testing the soil in the area of the higher death rate, it maybe that there is radiation in that area,
Some people began describing the symptoms of people they had lost
“pain front & then back, & had shivers, supposedly cancer of the lung, but maybe cancer of the breast”
“that person was in the states, they have been operated on but can not identify the cause, or diagnose properly”
“a mother had liquid on the lung, said couldn’t identify the cause, symptoms started in the arm, then shivers, none of the Drs know what the cause is, they weren’t sure it was cancer”
“Lots of people have left, some went to Tamaulipas because they thought Tierra Blanca was the problem, but they all died there – you can’t run away from cancer”
“1st symptoms coughing, coughing, & shoulder hurts, Dr mis-diagnoses it”
“Dr will not cure you, they just send you from one Dr to another & charge you more & more, but no results”
“People that come here (ie marry into this area), get sick too”
Dr Ortega said he would like to come back with teams to take samples of Water, Air & Dust/soil.
Water can be radioactive & this can deplete when it goes to the other communities.
Dr O. proposes to return in 1st wk of May with a team to take samples, also possibly measure radon (very difficult to measure as it is gaseous & hard to catch)
He will also look a the possibility of initiating contact directly with the Epidemiology dept to begin with specialists, re the institute of micas in Leon.
By June the results will be expected.
In this way we will be involving the municipality, State Dr & Unam in finding a solution.
Chela explained that we hadn’t abandoned Tierra Blanca (long time between visits) but that it takes a lot of time to pull all of this together.
“Gracias – we really need help, we are dying & we never know who’s going to be next – we’re really concerned for our kids”
“here when we cleaned our water pipes they were really red” Dr O said this is likely high iron.
He said we will do a complete study of the water & what is contained in it.
Don’t just expect the university to resolve this, it will take the whole team, Cedesa, Rotary, the community, the municipality & the University, all working together to find the answers.
Chela described a little about the Consejo & that these are the kinds of issues it can work on.
Jesus asked to be advised if any more people develop the symptoms, as we would like to give special treatment to these cases.
Chela – we would like to ask you to make a commitment to being healthy too, not to eat junk food but to please eat healthy food, because your body is already dealing with an overload of toxins in the dust, air & water, you shouldn’t introduce junk food into the mix too.
Q&A for the Dr
“are the analysis costs going to cost us?”
Unam is already doing similar costs at the same time, & so will absorb the cost.
If we find problems then Municipality will be asked to contribute with costs, for example when we did the full study on water, all the municipalities contributed to this study, although at that time the SMA municipality contributed the least.
Fluorosis is very severe, causes problems with fetal deaths, infertility, sexual disfunction, brain, teeth, bone & major organ damage. Actually more dangerous than Arsenic. Prevents ability to learn, slow blink relex is a possible cause as shows speed of brain process, no retention, no ability to process.
Next meetings
UNAM – Juriquilla – Water Project team 10am 3.5.11
2nd wk in May come to take samples at Tierra Blanca (with team)
2nd wk in June return with results of samples
We adjourned for lunch, then after lunch had the project planning meeting…
See separate report…
Friday, March 25, 2011
Desarollo Social building cisterns too!!
Desarrollo Social is the Social Development department of the local Municipal Government.
We have been working with Desarrollo Social for a couple of years now & have good news to report.
We (Saul & I) met with Desarrollo Social (Miguel, Estefan & Felipe) on 25th March.
Subject of the meeting was to collaborate on our cisterns projects.
Desarrollo Social have 2 cisterns projects in planning.
One as part of the Vivienda Sustentable project & a cisterns only project.
They will be constructing cisterns the same model as ours.
They would like to follow the Cedesa model, ie involve the communities in the labor component of the project but the funding comes with it's own set of stipulations as it is Federal funding.
This model will include the participants contributing 15% of the cost of the cisterns, & a contractor will be enlisted to manage the project & construct the cisterns.
The participants unable to afford the 15% contribution will be able to pay in installments & this will not hold up the construction.
They are planning 268 cisterns at this point.
We discussed which communities we were working with to ensure there was no overlap.
The Desarollo Social priority is given to communities with no water, as opposed to those with contaminated water.
The need is great, it's very good we're all working together on this!!!!
We have been working with Desarrollo Social for a couple of years now & have good news to report.
We (Saul & I) met with Desarrollo Social (Miguel, Estefan & Felipe) on 25th March.
Subject of the meeting was to collaborate on our cisterns projects.
Desarrollo Social have 2 cisterns projects in planning.
One as part of the Vivienda Sustentable project & a cisterns only project.
They will be constructing cisterns the same model as ours.
They would like to follow the Cedesa model, ie involve the communities in the labor component of the project but the funding comes with it's own set of stipulations as it is Federal funding.
This model will include the participants contributing 15% of the cost of the cisterns, & a contractor will be enlisted to manage the project & construct the cisterns.
The participants unable to afford the 15% contribution will be able to pay in installments & this will not hold up the construction.
They are planning 268 cisterns at this point.
We discussed which communities we were working with to ensure there was no overlap.
The Desarollo Social priority is given to communities with no water, as opposed to those with contaminated water.
The need is great, it's very good we're all working together on this!!!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
6th Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water 3rd as a Consejo.
Where: Vivienda de Arriba
When: 23.3.11
Who: Communities of the Consejo, total 69 community members + 11 kids
Pre meeting @ La Cienegita Church: Holly, Saul, Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary)
The team met briefly to propose points to cover & raise. 10.-10.45
Meeting in Vivienda de Arriba began at 11.45
Vivienda had prepared the área with a big tarp stretched over the church courtyard to provide shade, they had also provided a lot of chairs.
Saul opened the meeting & called for a co-ordinator & secretary for the day.
The communities introduced themselves & the people who had come to represent.
1. Corralejo Abajo – 2
2. Villa de Guadalupe – 7
3. Cinco Senores – 2
4. Tierra Blanca 14
5. Los Torres – 7
6. Vivienda de Arriba – 2 (all the others were cooking for us!)
7. Montecillo de Nieto – 2
8. Capaderillo – 3
9. Vivienda de Abajo – 2
10. La Palmita II – 8
11. La Cienega – 3
12. Juan Gonzalez – 6
13. La Tinaja – 2
14. San Lorenzo – 2
15. Presita de Santa Rosa – 1
16. Cruz del Palmar – 3
17. Guerrero – 5
18. La Aurora – 0
Co-ordinator elected was Roberto, & Secretary was Rosalba (the daughter of Antonia from Juan Gonzalez).
Roberto asked the assembly what points they would like to deal with?
• Sanitarios Solicitud
• Cisternas
• The meeting in SMA Cedecom with Presidencia (review)
• Chela – Estudio Campesino – Encuentro – conf. Advice
• Report of the DF on the subject of in defence of native Maize
• Chela – reflection of the day today, ie what is this meeting about
• What is the importance of the representatives of the Consejo
• “El Consejo Cuidadano del Agua Rural del Municipio de SMA”
Importance of the representatives of the Consejo
Chela asked the attendees who are the reps of their communities on the consejo, please stand & introduce themselves, so you all know eachother, as it is important to know eachother well.
They stood & stated their names & who they represent.
Reps from Corralejo were not Consejo but came in their place.
1 rep from VdG & 1 substitute, but the substitute wants to be added as 1 rep has left ot the USA (Saul will help with change-over)
5 Senores, both are consejo, but need to bring a copy of the acta for the file to Saul
Tierra Blanca – both consejo…
La Palmita II will bring a copy to Saul
A Cienega 2 reps, will bring a copy to Saul
Juan Gonzalez – need to change the names to the correct reps.
Presita, Roberto is Secretary, needs to bring a copy to Saul
Guerrero, need to change names with Saul
MdN 1 rep of consejo
CdP – Cata Presidenta – needs to bring copy to Saul
La Tinaja – need to bring copy to Saul.
Chela apologised for taking so much time but stressed the importance of knowing their fellow members.
She described the micro regions & the community groupings, the structure of the consejo, the function & how it related by community, micro región & región. How the work is very important , & without efficiency, awareness & organisation there is no ability to be effective.
Why is this important?
So the authorities can hear us & we can work with them to achieve change & improvement in our level/standard of life, & development because development is the responsibility of each community, & individuals of those communities. The issues like fluorosis, dry toilets, bridges etc all need to be worked on, & if we dont do the work we will not achieve the resolution we would like.
There was then discussion on the potential to have a regional space where all could meet, one with facilities, & Cruz del Palmar’s community centre was suggested, Chela asked if it was important to have their own space? There was some discussion on this.
Chela suggested a property she had seen near the highway on the road that enters to VdA.
Cata agreed to investigate more with the owners who apparently live in DF.
Solicitudes de Sanitarios
The general questions was who have completed these requests or not, & the fact that they need to be signed & stamped by the delegado of each community.
Guerrero reps mentioned they had gone to the Delegado several tims but the delegado wont support them. An assembly was suggested, at which they could come as a consejo to talk with the delegado, as the delegado is supposed to be in service of the community. Cata explained this & suggested maybe they need help with this.
It was pointed out that this is a problem any community could experience so it’s important to know the process to work through this. It was suggested that Desarrollo Social should be invited with the Consejo to invite the Delegado to explain that he is there to support the community or step down. True community leaders work in the service of the community, for example these women here today are working in the service of their community.
Chela explained sometimes a delegado can become a casique (boss!), & it is important that the democratic process be supported, ie elected by majority.
Guerrero will call an assembly on 1st April at 4pm & invite delegado & ask for co-operation, Consejo committee members will attend to assist.
The presentation of the solicituds was discussed, MdN had done an excellent example, & printed it on a printer. (at this point I began thinking that it would be good to have a computer & printer available for community use & began the process with Bill Webb & Pedrito – funders of a previous Project, we now have this equipment available, Saul has a computer, printer, camera & projector for regional use, to make the development process more productive, gracias to Walla Walla & Tallahassee Rotary Clubs).
A date for a workshop to work on the Dry Toilet solicitudes was set, La Cienega Secondaria, 31.3.11 @11am, to créate a cover letter, ensure the applications are all complete & cost out the list of materials & constructin process.
Review of the Cedecom meeting
Lucy programmed a meeting with Dra Mejia re the Tierra Blanca issue.
Sapasma, Desarrollo Social, Ecology was there with Lucy
Talked about the well situations in Corralejo, La Cienega (concession owner has left the country), Los Torres (no electricity for the pump for 2 yrs now)
Meeting was a good result of Consejo efforts to organise themselves & prove you are working on your own issues.
Municipality was there in support of you & is committed to working with you to resolve the issues.
Consistent attendance is important.
Sapasma announcement was advised – ie that Sapasma has agreed to fund 2 projects total of US$35k to match Rotary funding. They will follow the model of Cedesa/Rotary team & then continue to do Projects in this way in the other regions.
Not sure which communities they will choose, the consejo wanted to ensure Laura conveyed the priority to Sapasma during the meeting she will attend with Enrique & the Sapasma director.
Brief report was given of the meeting with Dra Mejia, ie fluoride study through dental vans, & support for Tierra Blanca situation.
Encuentro Campesino
This is a proposed study/information day, everyone is invited to attend. Discussion topics will be subjects pertininent to campesinos & issues affecting them. Eg climate change, food source, contamination of generic seeds. It’s a chance for all to learn more about the issues, learning, discussing, deciding solutions/actions.
Review of attendance of Conf in DF
Humberto (one of the Young guys from San Lorenzo – interested in becoming a promoter/outreach worker), & Saul went to DF to attend a conference. Humberto gave a review of what he learned there & the subjects covered, eg transgenic seeds, movement of “infected” pollen, invasión of the seed, & it’s affect on native seed & the farmers.
The meeting ended at 3.10pm & we were all treated to a big feast.
Next meetings:
30.2.11 Tierra Blanca 11am Dr Ortega from Unam to work on Cancer issue, + plan H20 project
31.3.11 La Cienega 11am, Solicitudes for Dry toilets workshop
1.4.11 Guerrero assembly with Delegado & consejo council 4pm
6.4.11 Corralejo 11am (with 5 Senores, San Lorenzo & Villa de Guadalupe) to resolve Sapasma well sharing
4.5.11 Proposed meeting date for next Presidencia meeting with Consejo. Agreed that all the Consejo would go, not just the committee to the meeting. Saul + 2 reps will go to invite the presidencia to the meeting, (they will advise everyone when & where).
When: 23.3.11
Who: Communities of the Consejo, total 69 community members + 11 kids
Pre meeting @ La Cienegita Church: Holly, Saul, Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary)
The team met briefly to propose points to cover & raise. 10.-10.45
Meeting in Vivienda de Arriba began at 11.45
Vivienda had prepared the área with a big tarp stretched over the church courtyard to provide shade, they had also provided a lot of chairs.
Saul opened the meeting & called for a co-ordinator & secretary for the day.
The communities introduced themselves & the people who had come to represent.
1. Corralejo Abajo – 2
2. Villa de Guadalupe – 7
3. Cinco Senores – 2
4. Tierra Blanca 14
5. Los Torres – 7
6. Vivienda de Arriba – 2 (all the others were cooking for us!)
7. Montecillo de Nieto – 2
8. Capaderillo – 3
9. Vivienda de Abajo – 2
10. La Palmita II – 8
11. La Cienega – 3
12. Juan Gonzalez – 6
13. La Tinaja – 2
14. San Lorenzo – 2
15. Presita de Santa Rosa – 1
16. Cruz del Palmar – 3
17. Guerrero – 5
18. La Aurora – 0
Co-ordinator elected was Roberto, & Secretary was Rosalba (the daughter of Antonia from Juan Gonzalez).
Roberto asked the assembly what points they would like to deal with?
• Sanitarios Solicitud
• Cisternas
• The meeting in SMA Cedecom with Presidencia (review)
• Chela – Estudio Campesino – Encuentro – conf. Advice
• Report of the DF on the subject of in defence of native Maize
• Chela – reflection of the day today, ie what is this meeting about
• What is the importance of the representatives of the Consejo
• “El Consejo Cuidadano del Agua Rural del Municipio de SMA”
Importance of the representatives of the Consejo
Chela asked the attendees who are the reps of their communities on the consejo, please stand & introduce themselves, so you all know eachother, as it is important to know eachother well.
They stood & stated their names & who they represent.
Reps from Corralejo were not Consejo but came in their place.
1 rep from VdG & 1 substitute, but the substitute wants to be added as 1 rep has left ot the USA (Saul will help with change-over)
5 Senores, both are consejo, but need to bring a copy of the acta for the file to Saul
Tierra Blanca – both consejo…
La Palmita II will bring a copy to Saul
A Cienega 2 reps, will bring a copy to Saul
Juan Gonzalez – need to change the names to the correct reps.
Presita, Roberto is Secretary, needs to bring a copy to Saul
Guerrero, need to change names with Saul
MdN 1 rep of consejo
CdP – Cata Presidenta – needs to bring copy to Saul
La Tinaja – need to bring copy to Saul.
Chela apologised for taking so much time but stressed the importance of knowing their fellow members.
She described the micro regions & the community groupings, the structure of the consejo, the function & how it related by community, micro región & región. How the work is very important , & without efficiency, awareness & organisation there is no ability to be effective.
Why is this important?
So the authorities can hear us & we can work with them to achieve change & improvement in our level/standard of life, & development because development is the responsibility of each community, & individuals of those communities. The issues like fluorosis, dry toilets, bridges etc all need to be worked on, & if we dont do the work we will not achieve the resolution we would like.
There was then discussion on the potential to have a regional space where all could meet, one with facilities, & Cruz del Palmar’s community centre was suggested, Chela asked if it was important to have their own space? There was some discussion on this.
Chela suggested a property she had seen near the highway on the road that enters to VdA.
Cata agreed to investigate more with the owners who apparently live in DF.
Solicitudes de Sanitarios
The general questions was who have completed these requests or not, & the fact that they need to be signed & stamped by the delegado of each community.
Guerrero reps mentioned they had gone to the Delegado several tims but the delegado wont support them. An assembly was suggested, at which they could come as a consejo to talk with the delegado, as the delegado is supposed to be in service of the community. Cata explained this & suggested maybe they need help with this.
It was pointed out that this is a problem any community could experience so it’s important to know the process to work through this. It was suggested that Desarrollo Social should be invited with the Consejo to invite the Delegado to explain that he is there to support the community or step down. True community leaders work in the service of the community, for example these women here today are working in the service of their community.
Chela explained sometimes a delegado can become a casique (boss!), & it is important that the democratic process be supported, ie elected by majority.
Guerrero will call an assembly on 1st April at 4pm & invite delegado & ask for co-operation, Consejo committee members will attend to assist.
The presentation of the solicituds was discussed, MdN had done an excellent example, & printed it on a printer. (at this point I began thinking that it would be good to have a computer & printer available for community use & began the process with Bill Webb & Pedrito – funders of a previous Project, we now have this equipment available, Saul has a computer, printer, camera & projector for regional use, to make the development process more productive, gracias to Walla Walla & Tallahassee Rotary Clubs).
A date for a workshop to work on the Dry Toilet solicitudes was set, La Cienega Secondaria, 31.3.11 @11am, to créate a cover letter, ensure the applications are all complete & cost out the list of materials & constructin process.
Review of the Cedecom meeting
Lucy programmed a meeting with Dra Mejia re the Tierra Blanca issue.
Sapasma, Desarrollo Social, Ecology was there with Lucy
Talked about the well situations in Corralejo, La Cienega (concession owner has left the country), Los Torres (no electricity for the pump for 2 yrs now)
Meeting was a good result of Consejo efforts to organise themselves & prove you are working on your own issues.
Municipality was there in support of you & is committed to working with you to resolve the issues.
Consistent attendance is important.
Sapasma announcement was advised – ie that Sapasma has agreed to fund 2 projects total of US$35k to match Rotary funding. They will follow the model of Cedesa/Rotary team & then continue to do Projects in this way in the other regions.
Not sure which communities they will choose, the consejo wanted to ensure Laura conveyed the priority to Sapasma during the meeting she will attend with Enrique & the Sapasma director.
Brief report was given of the meeting with Dra Mejia, ie fluoride study through dental vans, & support for Tierra Blanca situation.
Encuentro Campesino
This is a proposed study/information day, everyone is invited to attend. Discussion topics will be subjects pertininent to campesinos & issues affecting them. Eg climate change, food source, contamination of generic seeds. It’s a chance for all to learn more about the issues, learning, discussing, deciding solutions/actions.
Review of attendance of Conf in DF
Humberto (one of the Young guys from San Lorenzo – interested in becoming a promoter/outreach worker), & Saul went to DF to attend a conference. Humberto gave a review of what he learned there & the subjects covered, eg transgenic seeds, movement of “infected” pollen, invasión of the seed, & it’s affect on native seed & the farmers.
The meeting ended at 3.10pm & we were all treated to a big feast.
Next meetings:
30.2.11 Tierra Blanca 11am Dr Ortega from Unam to work on Cancer issue, + plan H20 project
31.3.11 La Cienega 11am, Solicitudes for Dry toilets workshop
1.4.11 Guerrero assembly with Delegado & consejo council 4pm
6.4.11 Corralejo 11am (with 5 Senores, San Lorenzo & Villa de Guadalupe) to resolve Sapasma well sharing
4.5.11 Proposed meeting date for next Presidencia meeting with Consejo. Agreed that all the Consejo would go, not just the committee to the meeting. Saul + 2 reps will go to invite the presidencia to the meeting, (they will advise everyone when & where).
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez
Record of Event
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez
Where: Juan Gonzalez, primary school
When: Wed 16th March 2011 12.15
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 35 adults, uncountable number of kids, + 2 puppies.
Purpose: To begin planning of the Rotary Global Grant 25397 project in this community.
We had an initial breakfast meeting at the house of Audelia (one of the young leaders) on the way. Then arrived to Juan Gonzalez at approx. 12.15.
We have had many meetings which representatives of the Juan Gonzalez community have attended.
This is the first meeting we have held in Juan Gonzalez.
Items
Introductions were made & then agenda for the day was proposed:
• Presentation of communities,
• Purpose of the meeting
• Report of previous Consejo meetings
• Organisation of work
• Meeting of the Consejo in Vivienda de Arriba
There was some discussion about the history of this community, Augustin Gonzalez (another community) & Juan Gonzalez were apparently brothers.
A record of attendance was taken.
Cinco Senores will have 11 cisterns + 1 pilot
San Lorenzo has 4
Juan Gonzalez will have 21 + 1 pilot.
Chela asked what the purpose of the meeting was
Answers were 1. To make work groups for the project, & to inform about the meeting in SMA with Lucy/Sapasma & Desarollo.
Audelia asked what else we want to talk about?
“I would like carificaton on how we will work & what the process is?”
Audelia read out the form which describes the process a little, they had signed the forms but some had forgotten the content, she also described her experience in the training days she had voluntarily attended at the Vivienda Urbana pilot, “the wire weaving was fun & they gave us a lot to eat there!”
Chela reiterated that this project is not just to obtain safe drinking water, but in the process of working in groups on this project everyone learns to organise & the benefits of working in group/co-operatively & it strengthens the community resolve & ties.
“I’m interested because we will have clean water to drink”
“because it’s from the rain & not contaminated”
Chela asked – contaminated with what?
“bacteria & fluoride” Chela – what are the symptoms of fluoride damage, “yellow teeth, pain in the bones”
Laura & Holly noted that the adult’s teeth appear to be fine but the children’s teeth are showing fluoride damage, so this generation has been affected already.
Chela asked who had kids with damaged teeth & sadly the majority raised their hands.
One woman said her Dr had told her it was because kids were drinking too much coke. Chela explained a little more of the symptoms & affect of high levels of fluoride on internal organs, pain in the bones, the other bad food & drink are also aggravating the problem, without doubt the junk food is doing damage. The food is cheap & easy, but has very detrimental affect on the health of the family/kids.
Removing/killing bacteria contaminants is easy (www.sodis.ch) but removing minerals/chemicals is not.
Someone mentioned Chloro as a purification method, Chela explained that in very small doses it can help kill bacteria, but that sodis is the preferred method as it is not harmful. But neither methods remove chemical or mineral contaminants.
Chela also explained that with the cisterns the water during the dry season can only be used for drinking & cooking, it is sacred & needs to be conserved. During the rainy season, if the cistern is refilling daily, they it can be used for other things, but as soon as the rains stop you must revert to drinking & cooking use only.
Information re what happened at the Presidencia meeting with the Consejo (citizens council)
8 people who were at today’s meeting were present, & they were asked who wants to report.
Antonia – 1st we went to ask for an appt, then we were given an appt for 4 of us to meet with Lucy & Desarollo Social (social development), next we attended a meeting on 23.2 in Cedecom, with Lucy & various departments (sapasma, ecology, desarollo social) as well as approx. 16 communities (of the 18)
Lucy invited us to discuss our issues.
Chela asked “what is the importance of this meeting @ Cedecom & why?”
“gave us a chance to inform the departments about our issues”
“is a good chance for us to work as a region on our common issues”
“when we finish our focus on water & resolve that, we can raise our next issues & approach appropriate dept, ecology, obras publicas etc & work on the next focus”
“the work we are doing is not just for water, we will keep working on the other issues, dry toilets, bridges etc”
“Toilets need water so we are working for sanitarios secos (dry toilets)”
Chela – we’re all here to work together on all of the issues, because you guys are all obliged to resolve your own issues – si or no? “si!”
In this manner, with the citizen’s council, you can work together as a region & by community.
“we have never had a meeting with the govt departments before, this was a big advantage to even know who they are & how we can approach them”
“It’s important that the Representatives report back to the communities they represent eg. Letty called a meeting the next day & reported back what happened at the Cedecom meeting to the Cinco Senores community”
Chela – it’s about taking responsibility for your own community development & together your regional development.
Chela asked Laura to describe what happened at the meeting with Dra Mejia (& Irma & Mayor Lucy & Jesus) re the issues in Tierra Blanca & fluoride in the region. Laura also mentioned the good news re the collaboration with Sapasma for the last 2.5 yrs, & the announcement that they would be funding water cisterns project for USD$35k, thanks also in part to Lucy for listening to our requests & asking Sapasma to include water cisterns in their budget.
Organisation of work groups for the Project
Since Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo are small communities we need to combine them (funded by Fondo Verde of the Ecology dept) with the project funded by the global grant in Juan Gonzalez.
Chela asked if the community wants to do the planning now or wait until the FV funds arrive?
“let’s do the planning now & have a brief mtg when the $$ arrive”
“can we do work in groups of 3 or 4?
No, better to have bigger group for level of work involved & get to know more people by working together co-operatively.
Chela asked What does Presta fuerza mean to you?
“I lend you my work & you lend me yours, ie we work together to achieve a bigger result”
The possibility of paying an abanile (expert mason) was discussed as there is a shortage of abaniles in this community.
Cinco Senores Groups (10 families + 1 pilot)*chapel was discussed but changed to JG School
2 groups.
Juan Gonzalez (21 families + pilot in one JG school) 3 groups
It was confirmed that there are 2 abaniles in each group.
It was mentioned that it is important for the groups to work with harmony & openness to achieve a good result.
San Lorenzo (4 family cisterns) very small group…
Audelia, Ana Maria, Esteban, Matilde
Next meeting 23/3 Regional Consejo meeting Vivienda de Arriba 11am
Next meeting in Juan Gonzalez to be announced once all the $$ arrive, Saul will communicate
Meeting concluded at 2.15 & then all ate lunch together.
Report of 1st visit to Juan Gonzalez
Where: Juan Gonzalez, primary school
When: Wed 16th March 2011 12.15
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 35 adults, uncountable number of kids, + 2 puppies.
Purpose: To begin planning of the Rotary Global Grant 25397 project in this community.
We had an initial breakfast meeting at the house of Audelia (one of the young leaders) on the way. Then arrived to Juan Gonzalez at approx. 12.15.
We have had many meetings which representatives of the Juan Gonzalez community have attended.
This is the first meeting we have held in Juan Gonzalez.
Items
Introductions were made & then agenda for the day was proposed:
• Presentation of communities,
• Purpose of the meeting
• Report of previous Consejo meetings
• Organisation of work
• Meeting of the Consejo in Vivienda de Arriba
There was some discussion about the history of this community, Augustin Gonzalez (another community) & Juan Gonzalez were apparently brothers.
A record of attendance was taken.
Cinco Senores will have 11 cisterns + 1 pilot
San Lorenzo has 4
Juan Gonzalez will have 21 + 1 pilot.
Chela asked what the purpose of the meeting was
Answers were 1. To make work groups for the project, & to inform about the meeting in SMA with Lucy/Sapasma & Desarollo.
Audelia asked what else we want to talk about?
“I would like carificaton on how we will work & what the process is?”
Audelia read out the form which describes the process a little, they had signed the forms but some had forgotten the content, she also described her experience in the training days she had voluntarily attended at the Vivienda Urbana pilot, “the wire weaving was fun & they gave us a lot to eat there!”
Chela reiterated that this project is not just to obtain safe drinking water, but in the process of working in groups on this project everyone learns to organise & the benefits of working in group/co-operatively & it strengthens the community resolve & ties.
“I’m interested because we will have clean water to drink”
“because it’s from the rain & not contaminated”
Chela asked – contaminated with what?
“bacteria & fluoride” Chela – what are the symptoms of fluoride damage, “yellow teeth, pain in the bones”
Laura & Holly noted that the adult’s teeth appear to be fine but the children’s teeth are showing fluoride damage, so this generation has been affected already.
Chela asked who had kids with damaged teeth & sadly the majority raised their hands.
One woman said her Dr had told her it was because kids were drinking too much coke. Chela explained a little more of the symptoms & affect of high levels of fluoride on internal organs, pain in the bones, the other bad food & drink are also aggravating the problem, without doubt the junk food is doing damage. The food is cheap & easy, but has very detrimental affect on the health of the family/kids.
Removing/killing bacteria contaminants is easy (www.sodis.ch) but removing minerals/chemicals is not.
Someone mentioned Chloro as a purification method, Chela explained that in very small doses it can help kill bacteria, but that sodis is the preferred method as it is not harmful. But neither methods remove chemical or mineral contaminants.
Chela also explained that with the cisterns the water during the dry season can only be used for drinking & cooking, it is sacred & needs to be conserved. During the rainy season, if the cistern is refilling daily, they it can be used for other things, but as soon as the rains stop you must revert to drinking & cooking use only.
Information re what happened at the Presidencia meeting with the Consejo (citizens council)
8 people who were at today’s meeting were present, & they were asked who wants to report.
Antonia – 1st we went to ask for an appt, then we were given an appt for 4 of us to meet with Lucy & Desarollo Social (social development), next we attended a meeting on 23.2 in Cedecom, with Lucy & various departments (sapasma, ecology, desarollo social) as well as approx. 16 communities (of the 18)
Lucy invited us to discuss our issues.
Chela asked “what is the importance of this meeting @ Cedecom & why?”
“gave us a chance to inform the departments about our issues”
“is a good chance for us to work as a region on our common issues”
“when we finish our focus on water & resolve that, we can raise our next issues & approach appropriate dept, ecology, obras publicas etc & work on the next focus”
“the work we are doing is not just for water, we will keep working on the other issues, dry toilets, bridges etc”
“Toilets need water so we are working for sanitarios secos (dry toilets)”
Chela – we’re all here to work together on all of the issues, because you guys are all obliged to resolve your own issues – si or no? “si!”
In this manner, with the citizen’s council, you can work together as a region & by community.
“we have never had a meeting with the govt departments before, this was a big advantage to even know who they are & how we can approach them”
“It’s important that the Representatives report back to the communities they represent eg. Letty called a meeting the next day & reported back what happened at the Cedecom meeting to the Cinco Senores community”
Chela – it’s about taking responsibility for your own community development & together your regional development.
Chela asked Laura to describe what happened at the meeting with Dra Mejia (& Irma & Mayor Lucy & Jesus) re the issues in Tierra Blanca & fluoride in the region. Laura also mentioned the good news re the collaboration with Sapasma for the last 2.5 yrs, & the announcement that they would be funding water cisterns project for USD$35k, thanks also in part to Lucy for listening to our requests & asking Sapasma to include water cisterns in their budget.
Organisation of work groups for the Project
Since Cinco Senores & San Lorenzo are small communities we need to combine them (funded by Fondo Verde of the Ecology dept) with the project funded by the global grant in Juan Gonzalez.
Chela asked if the community wants to do the planning now or wait until the FV funds arrive?
“let’s do the planning now & have a brief mtg when the $$ arrive”
“can we do work in groups of 3 or 4?
No, better to have bigger group for level of work involved & get to know more people by working together co-operatively.
Chela asked What does Presta fuerza mean to you?
“I lend you my work & you lend me yours, ie we work together to achieve a bigger result”
The possibility of paying an abanile (expert mason) was discussed as there is a shortage of abaniles in this community.
Cinco Senores Groups (10 families + 1 pilot)*chapel was discussed but changed to JG School
2 groups.
Juan Gonzalez (21 families + pilot in one JG school) 3 groups
It was confirmed that there are 2 abaniles in each group.
It was mentioned that it is important for the groups to work with harmony & openness to achieve a good result.
San Lorenzo (4 family cisterns) very small group…
Audelia, Ana Maria, Esteban, Matilde
Next meeting 23/3 Regional Consejo meeting Vivienda de Arriba 11am
Next meeting in Juan Gonzalez to be announced once all the $$ arrive, Saul will communicate
Meeting concluded at 2.15 & then all ate lunch together.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Port Lavaca RC Texax Joins The Team!
On 15th March, Skip & Carolina (President of the Port Lavaca Rotary Club & his wife), attended first the water information day presented by Sapasma in Parque Juarez, & then our San Miguel Midday RC meeting...
During the meeting Skip presented our club with a very generous direct grant donation of US$7,000 to support our Water Project.
This $7k along with another generous $2k direct grant donation from New Braumfels RC in Texas will go towards providing a total of 14 cisterns in the community of Tierra Blanca.
Another Rotary funded project is being carried out there (& in the community of Juan Gonzalez), together this will mean the community is able to construct a total of 42 cisterns in their community.
Muchisimas Gracias!!
During the meeting Skip presented our club with a very generous direct grant donation of US$7,000 to support our Water Project.
This $7k along with another generous $2k direct grant donation from New Braumfels RC in Texas will go towards providing a total of 14 cisterns in the community of Tierra Blanca.
Another Rotary funded project is being carried out there (& in the community of Juan Gonzalez), together this will mean the community is able to construct a total of 42 cisterns in their community.
Muchisimas Gracias!!
Sapasma Joins the Team!!
We are very happy to report - at the water information day by Sapasma (the local water authority) on the 15th March, (at which incidentally our San Miguel Midday Rotary President made a presentation) Sapasma made an announcement ... Their board has agreed to devote US$35,000 to match the Rotary Global Grant of $33,500, to begin a pilot project with the Water Project Team... Rotary, Cedesa & The communities!!
They propose to work with us to learn the model & methodology, & then their promoters (outreach workers) will take it to other communities!
So, with 53 more cisterns & 2 more communities served, we continue to work towards resolving this issue for all in need!!
3 cheers for Sapasma!!
For almost 3 years we have been working with Sapasma as well as other local authorities, Desarollo Social & the Ecology department, to collaborate & find a resolution to the safe drinking water issue...with huge thanks & kudos to the participants of the previous projects in the communities we have been working with, we now take this big step forward with the rural communities of San Miguel...
They propose to work with us to learn the model & methodology, & then their promoters (outreach workers) will take it to other communities!
So, with 53 more cisterns & 2 more communities served, we continue to work towards resolving this issue for all in need!!
3 cheers for Sapasma!!
For almost 3 years we have been working with Sapasma as well as other local authorities, Desarollo Social & the Ecology department, to collaborate & find a resolution to the safe drinking water issue...with huge thanks & kudos to the participants of the previous projects in the communities we have been working with, we now take this big step forward with the rural communities of San Miguel...
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Report of 7th Event Re Tierra Blanca
Where: Municipality offices, The mayor’s meeting room.
When: March 10th 2011 12.30-1.35pm
Who: Irma Rosado NGO co-ordinator, Lucy Nunez (Mayor of San Miguel), Dra Georgina Mejia Bocanegra (Sanataria 2 director), Jesus (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary).
Purpose: To discuss the issue of unusually high early mortality rate in Tierra Blanca, findings of the census carried out by Jesus with Cedesa & the community, with an aim to beginning a full epidemiological study in this community to ultimately resolve the high death rate from cancer occurring here for more than 30 years. (according to the community).
Background
Cedesa & Rotary have been working in this community with an aim to providing water, during community assemblies the issue of high death rate by cancer in this community was raised.
Cedesa subsequently carried out a census with the assistance of the community, to gather more data to determine a pattern. The census found that there was a high concentration of deaths 81% around a specific area of the community, thus indicating a potential environmental cause (as opposed to the previously thought genetic aspect).
With this information we would now like to illicit the assistance of experts in this field to potentially pinpoint the cause & ultimately (ideally) a solution to this major ongoing issue in this community.
Water has been mostly ruled out in these early stages, as 3 communities share the same water source & yet Tierra Blanca is the only community reporting this issue.
Cedesa & Rotary have reached out to Dra Mejia & the municipality & the meeting has been arranged.
Meeting begins
Jesus presented a powerpoint giving a background to this situation, ie that we were working on water projects re the fluoride & scarcity of water issue, & during this work, the community of Tierra Blanca reached out & asked for help with this issue.
Jesus mentioned our census, how it was carried out & the findings re the concentration of 81% of the deaths in one small area – which also happens to be an old burial ground. There was brief discussion about possibility of contamination by the bones of the burial ground, or the possibility that the burial ground was placed there because there was a problem existing even back then.
Dra Georgina presented death figures they had officially received, along with alleged cause of deaths pronouncements. It was mentioned that many people don’t seek official pronouncement re cause of death & that incorrect causes can be recorded.
Lucy agreed that this is a very important issue & we must work to find a resolution.
She suggested a full scientific study could be carried out if we approached Universities specialist in epidemiology in the USA, Dra mentioned Mexico has experts in this field & would be appropriate to contact them.
Jesus mentioned there is an antigens test which can be done as a pre-indicator of lung cancer.
The private hospital charge for this test in Mexico is $850 pesos.
There was discussion about the possibility of the mobile mammogram clinic being able to do these tests for the people in Tierra Blanca.
It was explained that in order to receive funding from a govt. budget for this there would need to be official supporting evidence of the need, (our census is unofficial).
In the meantime Dra Mejia offered mammograms & pap smears to all women in Tierra Blanca 12+ years of age. Completely unrelated to the lung cancer, but disease prevention in general.
Laura mentioned she had attempted to contact a Mexican expert in the field through her friend who is an epidemiologist but to no avail. Lucy said she would like that contact & will follow up.
(contact was since provided)
It was agreed that Dra Mejia would create a “packet” of information/stats etc to provide as support to request assistance from Epidemiologists, she would also identify potential epidemiologists to contact.
Fluoride:
The issue of fluoride contamination was discussed, ie that it is a very big problem but that we don’t currently have up to date statistics on the numbers of people affected, & the level of affect.
Jesus & Laura proposed that a study be carried out to determine the numbers of affected & with the aim to looking at resolution of this issue, mostly through prevention since there is no “cure”.
Dra Mejia agreed to devote 2 “robots” (dental vans) to the project, & asked for costs to cover the consumables in these vans (Rotary would attempt to assist with this, with international dentist connections through Rotary.
It would also be helpful to have volunteer dentists to assist with the info gathering process.
General point:
Laura mentioned during a meeting with IMTA in 2010 they had mentioned the foundation they work closely with in regards to water projects, Laura had contacted with no response, & Lucy volunteered to make contact to see if there was any option for funding for the water projects (with aim to prevent further fluorosis)
(contact information later provided to Lucy)
Action:
Jesus is to call Dra Mejia on Monday 14th March to find out the schedule of:-
• the Robot vans & when they can be made available
• mammograms & pap smears for eligible women in Tierra Blanca
Dra Mejia is to:
• create the “packet” of information with which to invite epidemiological assistance.
• Provide contact details of possible epidemiologists for Lucy to contact.
Laura is to provide contact details of Mexican epidemiologist expert + IMTA contact to Lucy to follow up. (done)
No next meeting date for these participants was made at this meeting.
Next meeting regarding Tierra Blanca, community assembly 30.3.11 11am. In Tierra Blanca
When: March 10th 2011 12.30-1.35pm
Who: Irma Rosado NGO co-ordinator, Lucy Nunez (Mayor of San Miguel), Dra Georgina Mejia Bocanegra (Sanataria 2 director), Jesus (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary).
Purpose: To discuss the issue of unusually high early mortality rate in Tierra Blanca, findings of the census carried out by Jesus with Cedesa & the community, with an aim to beginning a full epidemiological study in this community to ultimately resolve the high death rate from cancer occurring here for more than 30 years. (according to the community).
Background
Cedesa & Rotary have been working in this community with an aim to providing water, during community assemblies the issue of high death rate by cancer in this community was raised.
Cedesa subsequently carried out a census with the assistance of the community, to gather more data to determine a pattern. The census found that there was a high concentration of deaths 81% around a specific area of the community, thus indicating a potential environmental cause (as opposed to the previously thought genetic aspect).
With this information we would now like to illicit the assistance of experts in this field to potentially pinpoint the cause & ultimately (ideally) a solution to this major ongoing issue in this community.
Water has been mostly ruled out in these early stages, as 3 communities share the same water source & yet Tierra Blanca is the only community reporting this issue.
Cedesa & Rotary have reached out to Dra Mejia & the municipality & the meeting has been arranged.
Meeting begins
Jesus presented a powerpoint giving a background to this situation, ie that we were working on water projects re the fluoride & scarcity of water issue, & during this work, the community of Tierra Blanca reached out & asked for help with this issue.
Jesus mentioned our census, how it was carried out & the findings re the concentration of 81% of the deaths in one small area – which also happens to be an old burial ground. There was brief discussion about possibility of contamination by the bones of the burial ground, or the possibility that the burial ground was placed there because there was a problem existing even back then.
Dra Georgina presented death figures they had officially received, along with alleged cause of deaths pronouncements. It was mentioned that many people don’t seek official pronouncement re cause of death & that incorrect causes can be recorded.
Lucy agreed that this is a very important issue & we must work to find a resolution.
She suggested a full scientific study could be carried out if we approached Universities specialist in epidemiology in the USA, Dra mentioned Mexico has experts in this field & would be appropriate to contact them.
Jesus mentioned there is an antigens test which can be done as a pre-indicator of lung cancer.
The private hospital charge for this test in Mexico is $850 pesos.
There was discussion about the possibility of the mobile mammogram clinic being able to do these tests for the people in Tierra Blanca.
It was explained that in order to receive funding from a govt. budget for this there would need to be official supporting evidence of the need, (our census is unofficial).
In the meantime Dra Mejia offered mammograms & pap smears to all women in Tierra Blanca 12+ years of age. Completely unrelated to the lung cancer, but disease prevention in general.
Laura mentioned she had attempted to contact a Mexican expert in the field through her friend who is an epidemiologist but to no avail. Lucy said she would like that contact & will follow up.
(contact was since provided)
It was agreed that Dra Mejia would create a “packet” of information/stats etc to provide as support to request assistance from Epidemiologists, she would also identify potential epidemiologists to contact.
Fluoride:
The issue of fluoride contamination was discussed, ie that it is a very big problem but that we don’t currently have up to date statistics on the numbers of people affected, & the level of affect.
Jesus & Laura proposed that a study be carried out to determine the numbers of affected & with the aim to looking at resolution of this issue, mostly through prevention since there is no “cure”.
Dra Mejia agreed to devote 2 “robots” (dental vans) to the project, & asked for costs to cover the consumables in these vans (Rotary would attempt to assist with this, with international dentist connections through Rotary.
It would also be helpful to have volunteer dentists to assist with the info gathering process.
General point:
Laura mentioned during a meeting with IMTA in 2010 they had mentioned the foundation they work closely with in regards to water projects, Laura had contacted with no response, & Lucy volunteered to make contact to see if there was any option for funding for the water projects (with aim to prevent further fluorosis)
(contact information later provided to Lucy)
Action:
Jesus is to call Dra Mejia on Monday 14th March to find out the schedule of:-
• the Robot vans & when they can be made available
• mammograms & pap smears for eligible women in Tierra Blanca
Dra Mejia is to:
• create the “packet” of information with which to invite epidemiological assistance.
• Provide contact details of possible epidemiologists for Lucy to contact.
Laura is to provide contact details of Mexican epidemiologist expert + IMTA contact to Lucy to follow up. (done)
No next meeting date for these participants was made at this meeting.
Next meeting regarding Tierra Blanca, community assembly 30.3.11 11am. In Tierra Blanca
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
5th Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water 2nd as a Consejo.
Record of Event
5th Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
2nd as a Consejo.
Where: Cedecom bldg. just off the Carretera Qto.
When: 2.3 11 (postponed from the planned 23.2.11)
Who: Communities of the Consejo, I counted approx. 67 community members.
Chela, Saul, Holly Yasui,- Cedesa, Laura – Rotary,
Sapasma director & engineers & architecto Eduardo, Ecology (Helio + others), Felipe Ojeda Arsuaga of Desarollo Social, Lucy, Irma.
Purpose: the Consejo went to the Presidencia on the 4th? Feb to ask for an audience with Lucy.
This was ultimately granted for the 16th feb. On the 16th 4 representatives of the Consejo attended a planning meeting with Lucy (la Presidenta) & Miguel Gil (desarollo social sub-director) & Sapasma rep. to discuss the plan for the regional meeting first scheduled for 23/2, but moved to 2.3.11.
The purpose of the meeting is for the communities to represent their issues as a region to Lucy & the municipality & work collaboratively to resolve these issues.
This meeting was a long time & effort in the planning, Saul & other Cedesa team members had personally visited each of the communities in the consejo to advise them of this meeting. Communication between communities is very difficult, often no cell phone coverage, or limited cell phone users/or no credit on the cell phones etc, so it is better to visit in person to ensure the message gets to the right people. Saul spent at least 4 days visiting these hard to get to communities.
Transportation into town is also a major issue, many don’t have cars, so some were able to carpool, others were transported by Cedesa on their way through, & others caught buses or hitchhiked.
People were gathered outside the building & wrote their community names on large white cards which (Holly had bought), in order to be easily identified.
The meeting began approx. 11.40am (due to start at 11am).
The building is in the form of an auditorium, so the dept. heads, as well as Saul & Cata (president of the consejo) sat on stage at a long table.
Saul led introduced himself & Cata & opened the meeting, he identified the communities.
Lucy responded that she was very happy to see everyone here today representing their Consejo & their region, & began the points for discussion.
Cata also spoke & said the main issues were about water, but that they had other issues to discuss as they had begun organizing to analyse issues & necessities by community & region. She then presented the representatives of the consejo, & asked all the communities to introduce themselves.
Los Torres, Presita Santa Rosa, Capaderillo, Cienega, La Palmita II, Juan Gonzalez, Tierra Blanca, Cinco Senores, La Tinaja, San Lorenzo, Corralejo, Vivienda de Abajo & Vivienda de Arriba. Missing were Montecillo de Nieto, Villa de Guadalupe, La Aurora & Guerrero.
Minutes from the planning meeting were read.
Looking for 3 part participation, Govt, Cedesa/Rotary, Communities
Regular meetings on subjects/issues,
Sanitarios Secos (Desarollo Social).
Aim is for the presidencia to be made aware of the issues & to begin to work together to resolve.
General discussion points were then discussed.
In Cienega there is an issue about ownership of the water concession, the person who has the concession has since gone to the USA, there was lengthy discussion led by Lucy as to suggested methods to resolve, including instructions re visiting embassy in the states, documents required etc.
(Action)Ecology is going to help with the transfer of ownership
Los Torres Well – it has been constructed for 2 years but still no water being distributed. The electricity to the pump is the wrong “phase”, so it is running. Also only the upper part of the community have contributed so only the upper community will receive water in the first phase (when they finally get electricity to the pump).
Phase II will be to gather more resources from the lower community, so is down the track.
Pipas, (water trucks) are not coming regularly.
Vivienda de Abajo/Capaderillo, lacking co-operation of the 2 communities, for 1, the agreement & 2. The payment. Needs to be an agreement with the communities supported by desarollo social…
Villa de Guadalupe – illegal well/neighbours not sharing water - to be carried forward as VdG absent.
In summary there are many outstanding issues regarding sapasma wells in the communities, including pumps not working, pumps not working long enough to supply total community, people in upper parts of community often miss out, etc.
Sanitarios Secos
There are many options, but not all are good models as well people need to be trained in proper use & maintenance, & be motivated to want to use them. Desarollo Social reported they have begun work on this issue, & have been working with Delegados, Lucy suggested they could work with the consejo in this region.
It was proposed that the Consejo would meet monthly as a region, raise the issues for bringing to the presidencia, & then there would be regular monthly meetings with the presidencia dept. heads to work on the issues.
Lucy left the meeting at 1pm, the discussion continued with Sapasma engineer. Meeting closed approx. 1.40.
Next consejo/regional meeting 23.3.11 in Vivienda de Arriba.
(next presidencia meeting to be proposed)
5th Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
2nd as a Consejo.
Where: Cedecom bldg. just off the Carretera Qto.
When: 2.3 11 (postponed from the planned 23.2.11)
Who: Communities of the Consejo, I counted approx. 67 community members.
Chela, Saul, Holly Yasui,- Cedesa, Laura – Rotary,
Sapasma director & engineers & architecto Eduardo, Ecology (Helio + others), Felipe Ojeda Arsuaga of Desarollo Social, Lucy, Irma.
Purpose: the Consejo went to the Presidencia on the 4th? Feb to ask for an audience with Lucy.
This was ultimately granted for the 16th feb. On the 16th 4 representatives of the Consejo attended a planning meeting with Lucy (la Presidenta) & Miguel Gil (desarollo social sub-director) & Sapasma rep. to discuss the plan for the regional meeting first scheduled for 23/2, but moved to 2.3.11.
The purpose of the meeting is for the communities to represent their issues as a region to Lucy & the municipality & work collaboratively to resolve these issues.
This meeting was a long time & effort in the planning, Saul & other Cedesa team members had personally visited each of the communities in the consejo to advise them of this meeting. Communication between communities is very difficult, often no cell phone coverage, or limited cell phone users/or no credit on the cell phones etc, so it is better to visit in person to ensure the message gets to the right people. Saul spent at least 4 days visiting these hard to get to communities.
Transportation into town is also a major issue, many don’t have cars, so some were able to carpool, others were transported by Cedesa on their way through, & others caught buses or hitchhiked.
People were gathered outside the building & wrote their community names on large white cards which (Holly had bought), in order to be easily identified.
The meeting began approx. 11.40am (due to start at 11am).
The building is in the form of an auditorium, so the dept. heads, as well as Saul & Cata (president of the consejo) sat on stage at a long table.
Saul led introduced himself & Cata & opened the meeting, he identified the communities.
Lucy responded that she was very happy to see everyone here today representing their Consejo & their region, & began the points for discussion.
Cata also spoke & said the main issues were about water, but that they had other issues to discuss as they had begun organizing to analyse issues & necessities by community & region. She then presented the representatives of the consejo, & asked all the communities to introduce themselves.
Los Torres, Presita Santa Rosa, Capaderillo, Cienega, La Palmita II, Juan Gonzalez, Tierra Blanca, Cinco Senores, La Tinaja, San Lorenzo, Corralejo, Vivienda de Abajo & Vivienda de Arriba. Missing were Montecillo de Nieto, Villa de Guadalupe, La Aurora & Guerrero.
Minutes from the planning meeting were read.
Looking for 3 part participation, Govt, Cedesa/Rotary, Communities
Regular meetings on subjects/issues,
Sanitarios Secos (Desarollo Social).
Aim is for the presidencia to be made aware of the issues & to begin to work together to resolve.
General discussion points were then discussed.
In Cienega there is an issue about ownership of the water concession, the person who has the concession has since gone to the USA, there was lengthy discussion led by Lucy as to suggested methods to resolve, including instructions re visiting embassy in the states, documents required etc.
(Action)Ecology is going to help with the transfer of ownership
Los Torres Well – it has been constructed for 2 years but still no water being distributed. The electricity to the pump is the wrong “phase”, so it is running. Also only the upper part of the community have contributed so only the upper community will receive water in the first phase (when they finally get electricity to the pump).
Phase II will be to gather more resources from the lower community, so is down the track.
Pipas, (water trucks) are not coming regularly.
Vivienda de Abajo/Capaderillo, lacking co-operation of the 2 communities, for 1, the agreement & 2. The payment. Needs to be an agreement with the communities supported by desarollo social…
Villa de Guadalupe – illegal well/neighbours not sharing water - to be carried forward as VdG absent.
In summary there are many outstanding issues regarding sapasma wells in the communities, including pumps not working, pumps not working long enough to supply total community, people in upper parts of community often miss out, etc.
Sanitarios Secos
There are many options, but not all are good models as well people need to be trained in proper use & maintenance, & be motivated to want to use them. Desarollo Social reported they have begun work on this issue, & have been working with Delegados, Lucy suggested they could work with the consejo in this region.
It was proposed that the Consejo would meet monthly as a region, raise the issues for bringing to the presidencia, & then there would be regular monthly meetings with the presidencia dept. heads to work on the issues.
Lucy left the meeting at 1pm, the discussion continued with Sapasma engineer. Meeting closed approx. 1.40.
Next consejo/regional meeting 23.3.11 in Vivienda de Arriba.
(next presidencia meeting to be proposed)
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