Record of Event pg 1 of 2
Where: Salon de Lectura
When: Wed 13.4.11 3.40pm (we were late) – 5pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly + Audelia (Cedesa), Laura, (Rotary), + 20 adults (incl 2 men) from Community of Cienega.
Purpose: 1st planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Villa de Guadalupe) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 26 family cisterns in Cienega + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
The attendance roll was read out.
Chela explained that representatives of this community had been regularly attending assemblies in other communities to ask for assistance in receiving materials & training to build cisterns, as they have no safe drinking water here.
Chela asked everyone in the circle to introduce themselves.
She then gave a little of the history of the projects to date, Saul explained that today’s meeting was as a result of the Consejo deciding that Cienega were to be next in line to receive resources, hence they were receiving resources from Sapasma for 26 cisterns in this community, as well as $$ from Bellingham Rotary club to pay for the pilot training cistern.
Chela said so we’re here today to begin planning but also to get to know eachother better.
It is very important for the sake of future projects that this project be successful, as it is essentially a pilot project for Sapasma, to learn how to do more of these in other communities, they will be treating this as a model & also learning in Villa de Guadalupe.
The community mentioned they had 5 or 6 meetings on the topic of water already, “we were very united while we had the project to build this building (the salon we were sitting in) & we are keen to unite to achieve safe drinking water for our community as the next project”
We proposed that the pilot be 9/5 – community agreed this would be a good time as later they would have to be working planting in the fields as the rains are the only way to water their crops & they need to plant in readiness.
Saul asked if everyone is aware of the work process of this project.
Saul asked someone to describe what working in groups meant, one of the older guys responded that that’s how they built their corrals, we work together, & each family provides food. This community has also been working together for years to grow medicinal herbs which they sell in various locations including the market in SMA.
Amelia (the delegada’s wife) explained that it is not her responsibility to advise people about the meeting times, if people are interested they need to come to her, or write it down from the last meeting.
Saul responded – for us this is good, if you are organized & harmonious it’s good for us & also very good for Sapasma, since this is a pilot project, & will encourage more projects of this type in the future. So, if you are harmonious congratulations! & it will be much easier for all of us.
Saul began to describe the process: we begin in a public location that will benefit everyone, & build a pilot cistern there, during the construction of that cistern – approx. 4.5 days, everyone will learn the process of building a cistern & connecting it to your roof, so you can build your own in family groups.
Current water situation
The question of contamination arose - & the community informed they have damaged teeth, they dig shallow wells by the river to get their water, but at the end of the dry season hard to find.
Re the big Pozo (well), there is still a problem with the concession of this well, the concession holder has gone to the States & needs to sign over paperwork to someone else to be able to connect & use the pozo. There were pipes laid years ago, but it has not been resolved since then & therefore these pipes are now in a state of dis-repair. The community paid for these pipes, by individual family contribution.
They have been working approx. 7 years on this, & by their admission worked a bit backwards, ie they put in the piping first & still have not had it connected so they need to spend more money on repairs & need to work out how & who to charge for this… it is 3 yrs since they put in the pipes.
Position for pilot cistern
Apparently they already have a cistern at the kinder so decided to build the pilot a the health clinic instead.
Pilot start date 9/5.
Laura to have materials paid & delivered by 6/5 in readiness for 9/5.
Next meeting (Sapasma also invited) 4/5/11 at 4pm at the Salon de Lectura
Meeting adjourned & we were taken to the Community kitchen, & offered tostadas with lettuce & soya “meat”, tomato, avocado & cilantro…
While we were there we noticed they had a number of treadle sewing machines, apparently it was part of a govt. program, but the training was too condensed & no-one remembers, Laura undertook to see if she could find some “sewing experts” to give lessons.
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