Alejandro Guerra, David Hartman and I traveled to the
wonderful community of Juan Gonzalez today to celebrate the completion of
another successful water harvesting project. Sixteen cisterns were constructed
by three workgroups and 4 water harvesting systems were installed using
pre-fabricated plastic cisterns at homes where the owners did not have enough
roof to collect water for a 12,000 liter cistern.
This is the second phase of water harvesting in Juan
Gonzalez. About one-half of the community’s families now have safe potable
water. This is one of the most organized communities that I have observed. The
process of working together to accomplish a better life for all is becoming a
part of their daily vocabulary. In addition to two cistern projects through
Rotary, they have also worked together on developing backyard gardens, dry
toilets and testing and adopting water filtration disinfection through CATIS.
We began by having an assembly where many of the
people spoke passionately about what has been accomplished and what could be in
the future. Saul Jaurez of CEDESA spoke about the success and the hard work
that these people put in through COCIRA to become eligible for project funding.
After this we all took a walk through the community to see the new built
cisterns and also we had a chance to note that the cisterns from the first
project of a few years ago are being very well maintained. Many of the new
cisterns have been “decorated” with interesting statues at the top of the cone
… everything from cats to Cristo Rey and in between.
After a ribbon cutting ceremony at the pilot cistern,
we all returned to the elementary school for a diverse and delicious meal
cooked by the members of the community. I look forward to more work in this
community in the future.
Submitted by: Lee Carter, Rotary San Miguel Midday
