Where: Los Magueyes community (across from Los Labradores gated community)
When: 21.9.11 3.15pm – 6.35pm
Who: Saul, Holly, Chela – Cedesa, Waldo & Alva – Sapasma, + 28 adults (incl. 6 men)
Purpose: To know more the situation of the Los Magueyes & La Palma communities with regard to water. To determine if they are to be included in the next Sapasma funded Cedesa/Rotary water project.
We all decided to eat first as it was late in the day.
Chela gave a brief introduction re the project history & asked those from Los Magueyes & La Palma to identify themselves, 15 from La Palma raised their hands, & 9 from Los Magueyes raised theres.
Each person in turn introduced themselves & we joked that there were so many “Maria”s, everyone had a good laugh when I introduced myself as Maria too.
Chela described a little about Cedesa, her work for the last 40+ years & the work of Cedesa. She described the history of our work together, ie Rotary & Cedesa since October 2008 & that in May/June 2010 Saul started working with Cedesa after having come to Los Torres during an assembly, as he was doing a temp. job with Desarollo Social at that time, she explained Saul has the sensibility to unite & organize to improve standards of living.
Sapasma have been participating in water projects as a result of the proof of concept provided by the success of the previous projects. They are now working with us to provide resources & learn the process of the water projects.
Chela talked a little on the subject of fluoride & arsenic in this region, & the symptoms/damage it causes to the human body.
She explained we have uncomplicated & good relations with Sapasma & she asked the participants what they know about the projects & why they are here today…
“we don’t have any water, so capturing water is important to us”
“we don’t have potable water & want to learn about capturing water”
“I heard Enrique from Club Rotario, on the radio talking about cisterns, & we always have to pay for petrol to go & collect water from somewhere, I went to see Enrique, we are 7 + 2 families”
“we in La Palma have water so highly chlorinated it’s undrinkable”
“La Palma were invited originally to join in with Los Magueyes as we were told the minimum number for a project was 20 & we are very small – only 9”
Holly asked the history of the 2 communities…
“Los Magueyes families were all from La Palma, 20 years ago we came here, there was nothing here, no electricity, no water etc”
“Los Palma is a ‘bario’ of Rancho Viejo”
“it’s only 600 mtrs from Los Magueyes to the pozo in La Palma, but it is across the highway, so very expensive to pipe the water across”
“La Palma people do not have land or produce food, they all depend on work to buy food”
Chela asked the attendees if they can – from what they know – describe the process…
“attend assemblies”
“have patience re resources”
Chela described the forming of the Consejo (citizen’s council), it was formed to identify issues in common & work together to find solutions, including resources, mutual work commitment, attendance at assemblies & patience. There are many advantages of working together in a Consejo. Organisation is the key to advancing issues. Apparently 3 yrs is the normal amount of time to be working on an issue before achieving a resolution.
It’s a “journey” to lean & grow in general through experiences, talking, working & taking initiative. It’s a way to work together & get to know other communities & be more united in approach to life.
Holly gave an example: Los Torres had a project & inauguration & invited Lucy to come, they decorated, & were all excited & waiting for her to arrive… She didn’t come, in place she sent a representative… Then when the Consejo was formed she has been very responsive & attended almost monthly meetings of the Consejo. She has been very co-operative & supportive & encouraged other departments to be likewise.
“We should continue to meet, there will always be a ‘falling away’ of attendance along the way, but the ones that stay the distance will be the ones to achieve change or objectives.”
“I can imagine there are communities with a much higher need, that are worse off that we are, & for this I imagine we will be lower on the list”
Holly suggested there are other alternatives, if they have to wait, like a ‘tanda’ where people contribute each week & build each cistern as they can, until all are built.
I asked for clarification – if La Palma have water, why do they want to participate in this project?
“because the water is undrinkable, when we turn on the tap, the smell of chlorine is so strong”
Why not tell the water committee person to add less chlorine?
“we did, but we were not at the meeting to vote & so we have no say”
ACTION:
Waldo agreed they will organize a Sapasma rep. to go to La Palma & ensure only the correct dose of chlorine is being added.
So – if the chlorine issue is resolved, will that mean La Palma no longer want a cistern project?
“no, they still want them because sometimes they turn the taps on & no water comes, especially the ones in the upper community”
They are aware this water is only for drinking & cooking. They also know they will be low priority, but that participation changed the priority order, even if the need is high… ie if you don’t participate you lose your spot in the list. Meeting notices are not always advised, (sometimes people can’t get a message the right person) it is important to stay in touch with Saul to keep up to date with when the next meeting is.
INFO, there are approx. 200 families in La Palma.
The meeting finished at 6.35pm, we had a mini tour of the chicken farm, the family sells chicken every Friday.
Next meeting will be Consejo Meeting at La Tinaja on 28.9.11 at 11am
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