Report of 3rd visit to Guerrero,
Where: Guerrero – past Capaderillo, before La Aurora & Don Juan
When: 21.9.11 12.40pm
Who: Saul, Holly (Cedesa), Waldo & Alva (Sapasma) Laura (Rotary), 18 women (2 men), 10kids, 4 dogs
Purpose: To prepare for the water cistern project to be funded by Sapasma, & co-ordinated & administered by the Team (Laura, Saul, Chela & Holly).
Saul was there when we arrived & “passed the list” (called the roll).
Saul asked the assembled group to introduce themselves, each person in turn said their name. He remembered they have been working for more or less 1 year, & that today was a special day as Sapasma is with us & have confirmed they will provide funds for this project.
Holly, Waldo, Alva & I introduced ourselves.
Saul called for a co-ordinator & record taker, he briefly described the function of each role, & emphasised it was important to take good notes, especially of actions that are decided.
Eduviges was appointed Co-ordinator & Irene – record taker.
Holly asked for exception to be able to speak while others were speaking in case she needs to translate for me…I asked for permission to take photos (& they all immediately began giggling & started to “primp” for the camera)
Points for the agenda were called for.
1. Contaminated water/cisterns
2. Sanitarios secos
3. Forming of groups
4. Training pilot.
Saul stated one of the principle objectives of today’s meeting is to determine how united you are in your “mission” & how to achieve/create the plan of work, what’s involved, how etc.
Re item 1. Contaminated Water/Cisterns
Saul “why do you want this project? What are your water issues?”
Antonia – we know the water is very contaminated
Sylvia – as well our well doesn’t have any water, even now at the end of the rainy season
“we also have to carry water a long way from other sources if we don’t have a well”
“often the wells are shared between families, there are as many as 13 families sharing one hand dug well”
“the river was clean & clear, now it’s not, & our wells have fluoride, & rivers are polluted so no choices”
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Salud now has no problem because she has a cistern (she was lucky enough to be part of an earlier project with Capaderillo – neighbouring community).
It’s 2 wks since the pipas (water trucks) have come, when they come they don’t provide much water, 2 tambos (large buckets) per family only, & we haven’t even had that for the last 2 wks.
Saul reiterated that dental fluorosis & the pains in the bones they are having are all symptoms of fluoride contamination. The solution that is most viable & they can be confident in is Cisterns.
Waldo spoke briefly to mention that hearing the issues they are having at present is sad, he is happy they are here today & working to resolve their issues.
Item 2. Sanitarios Secos update – was briefly discussed
Item 3.& 4. Forming of work groups…& pilot training.
Saul said to get this done efficiently let’s talk about the process involved in the construction of cisterns & the general process.
Salud was asked to explain more – since she has already participated in a project, & is now part of the continuing process.
They have decided to do the Pilot training in the primary school & have already confirmed this is ok with the teacher. The kinder has not been constructed yet so it is not an option.
Holly proposed that the date of 17/10 be (tentative) date of the pilot (1st day), it will run for 5 days, & then they will need to be ready to work the following 6 wks to complete all of the cisterns in their groups. By 12/10 we will confirm the pilot date – it is dependent on the money being available from Sapasma in time with the specification of the entire project (including 2 other communities).
Groups were formed…A = abanile, L = leader total 23 family cisterns + 1 pilot = 24 cisterns
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
1. Irene / Luis A
2. Juana
3. Berancia L
4. Leticia L
5. Salud Juarez
6. Berta
7. Elvia / Mario A
8. Mercedes Alejandra L
Rosamaria
Raquel
Maria Conc. L
Antoninia /Margarito A
Cecilia / Javier A
Julieta Carmen
Marisela
Eduviges / Ignacio A
Maria Zeferina
Felicitas
Antonia
Sylvia L / Federico A
Angelica L
Holly mentioned it is important for each of the groups to make agreements within the group of hours they will work, who will provide food etc, & that it is important that each stage of the cistern is the same for each family, ie that they proceed at the same rate.
There was a discussion about the lack of abaniles, it was pointed out that much of the work can be carried out by the women, (as in other projects) & if an abanile is needed they can group together to contribute to pay for one, Salud described all of the things the women did, & it was essentially a bit of each process…
Saul discussed the roles of – co-ordinator for the whole community Irene & Juana were elected.
& roles of co-ordinator for each group, these were volunteered & appointed.
Tools required on the day(s) of the pilot
Palas, Picos, Mangueras de Nievel, large cutters, cushions for knees, cucharas, escaleras, cubettas etc.
Water required per cistern is 3000 litres, at the school they have access, but at many houses this will be difficult, there are 7 people who have no access to water, one of the men Mario volunteered to help, he will drive water on his pickup truck.
Pilot will start at 8am, & finish depending on how fast they work each day.
Handshakes all round & we (the team) headed off to the next assembly – in Los Magueyes…
Meeting ended at 2.40pm
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