We are full forces ahead in getting our new Global Grant for
US$199,400 for the next 319 water harvesting systems in the Independence
Aquifer.
The first step in this grant is to develop a comprehensive education
program to teach beneficiaries about water & water safety. The program also
includes cistern construction & maintenance.
We have contracted with Wendy Coulson, a professional
curriculum writer & an experienced teacher in the Waldorf method to help us develop the program but more
importantly the teaching methods to use in making this program as effective as
possible. Wendy is also a Rotary Peace Scholar.
Alejandro Guerra & Lee Carter have been working with Wendy
for several weeks in filling in the blanks for the program. CEDESA has been
consulted constantly as they will be the “teacher” &their buy-in &
enthusiasm is critical for the success of the program.
On Wednesday, April 6th, Alejandro, Wendy & I
traveled to CEDESA headquarters to present our final “draft”. At this point the
didactic method is written down on paper & we wanted to hear from CEDESA &
UCCANG about how to proceed. In addition to that, we wanted to discuss the
didactic materials that we will develop along with this. Present from CEDESA
were Chela Martinez, Director, Meche Paramo, coordinator for COCIRA, Cecilia Vazquez, Coordinator for UCCANG, & Abel Seratze, Cedesa technician
for cistern construction. Araceli Rojas, President of UCCANG also joined us.
It was a long day in project planning as well as presentation
of the education program. We arrived at 9:00 am & finished at 5:00 pm. I felt
very anxious that CEDESA be truly excited about the education program. Upon
leaving we all felt that we were right on track & we had very valuable input
from CEDESA throughout the day. Wendy is following up with Meche about various
details next week. Once everyone’s input is incorporated in our plan, we will
have our next project planning meeting on Friday, April 22 at CEDESA. We will
be finalizing the education plan & also planning out the details of the grant
including the communities where we will start, billing and administrative
issues, & so forth.
This project will be a lot of work but it will be a lot of
fun as well. I have seen both Meche & Abel since that meeting &I have been
communicating with Ceci also. All three have independently said how excited
they are with the new education program. I think we are doing well.
Lee Carter
Rotary San
Miguel Midday
