Record of Event pg 1 of 1
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community,
When: 2009 (???)
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Lee Carter
Purpose: An informal visit by Lee & Enrique, so Lee can see the project site, & to keep in touch with the community while we are waiting for the Matching Grant process to take place with Rotary International & Partners.
Next contact ?? commitment by Enrique??
Please note, I was not able to write up this report as I was not present. Enrique has had no time to fill in more details.
See report 6…
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, visiting Los Torres Community
When: 25th June 2009
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & ???
Purpose: For the people of Lomas who are interested in seeing the project at Los Torres.
History
A plan was made to take 3 or 4 Lomas community members to visit Los Torres during the next Los Torres community assembly on Thurs 25th June, to see the assembly process, meet with the LT community & learn from their experience & also view the completed water collection systems (including roof piping, & cistern)
Enrique will pick up the Lomas people at 10am on the 25th June, & drive them to LT & back.
Anjelika expressed her regret in not being able to make it, as she is a teacher & will be at school at that time of day.
The people are now aware of the time, & the process & are ready when we are!
Next contact ?? commitment by Enrique??
Visit to Los Torres community was done as planned on Jun 25th. 3 people (2 ladies & 1 man) from Lomas de San Jose community came with me and we walk around and observe how LT meeting was starting.
They were glad to be able to see the progress and will coment to their neighbors what they saw.
I (Enrique) decided to build one water cistern on my land, so to be able to have it as a sample and train one person in the community to build it. This was done with Enrique`s own resources during July.
Please note, I was not able to write up this report as I was not present. Enrique has had no time to fill in more details.
Also, is it possible that you could write up report 4 (the 25th June to Los Torres visit), & report 5, (the informal visit by you & Lee),
so we can keep a full history for our partners.
Lee & Enrique went to drive through Lomas de San Jose, to see the size of the community (Colonia). They observed that the size of lots were smaller than at the campo & the poverty of the people.
So the conclusion was to analyze with more detail each of the houses were we are planing to install the rain water cisterns.
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, visiting Los Torres Community
When: 25th June 2009
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & ???
Purpose: For the people of Lomas who are interested in seeing the project at Los Torres.
History
A plan was made to take 3 or 4 Lomas community members to visit Los Torres during the next Los Torres community assembly on Thurs 25th June, to see the assembly process, meet with the LT community & learn from their experience & also view the completed water collection systems (including roof piping, & cistern)
Enrique will pick up the Lomas people at 10am on the 25th June, & drive them to LT & back.
Anjelika expressed her regret in not being able to make it, as she is a teacher & will be at school at that time of day.
The people are now aware of the time, & the process & are ready when we are!
Next contact ?? commitment by Enrique??
Visit to Los Torres community was done as planned on Jun 25th. 3 people (2 ladies & 1 man) from Lomas de San Jose community came with me and we walk around and observe how LT meeting was starting.
They were glad to be able to see the progress and will coment to their neighbors what they saw.
I (Enrique) decided to build one water cistern on my land, so to be able to have it as a sample and train one person in the community to build it. This was done with Enrique`s own resources during July.
Please note, I was not able to write up this report as I was not present. Enrique has had no time to fill in more details.
Also, is it possible that you could write up report 4 (the 25th June to Los Torres visit), & report 5, (the informal visit by you & Lee),
so we can keep a full history for our partners.
Lee & Enrique went to drive through Lomas de San Jose, to see the size of the community (Colonia). They observed that the size of lots were smaller than at the campo & the poverty of the people.
So the conclusion was to analyze with more detail each of the houses were we are planing to install the rain water cisterns.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: 13 June 2009
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary), Franciso Y Sigrid (friends of Enrique) & 23 adults
Purpose: General follow up meeting, to advise next steps.
1stly a welcome & re-introduction of ourselves & the purpose of Rotary.
During conversation, it was communicated Lomas de San Jose are an “irregular community” ie not officialised, which is why the govt. Has not extended services to this area.
We explained that funding application & receipt will take time,
In the meantime they should organise their groups of 5x 8 people, with leaders.
They mentioned they had already had meetings between themselves & are ready for more.
A plan was made to take 3 or 4 Lomas community members to visit Los Torres during the next Los Torres community assembly on Thurs 25th June, to see the assembly process, meet with the LT community & learn from their experience & also view the completed water collection systems (including roof piping, & cistern)
Enrique will pick up the Lomas people at 10am on the 25th June, & drive them to LT & back.
Anjelika expressed her regret in not being able to make it, as she is a teacher & will be at school at that time of day.
The people are now aware of the time, & the process & are ready when we are!
Next contact will be 25th June 2009 (Enrique).
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: 13 June 2009
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary), Franciso Y Sigrid (friends of Enrique) & 23 adults
Purpose: General follow up meeting, to advise next steps.
1stly a welcome & re-introduction of ourselves & the purpose of Rotary.
During conversation, it was communicated Lomas de San Jose are an “irregular community” ie not officialised, which is why the govt. Has not extended services to this area.
We explained that funding application & receipt will take time,
In the meantime they should organise their groups of 5x 8 people, with leaders.
They mentioned they had already had meetings between themselves & are ready for more.
A plan was made to take 3 or 4 Lomas community members to visit Los Torres during the next Los Torres community assembly on Thurs 25th June, to see the assembly process, meet with the LT community & learn from their experience & also view the completed water collection systems (including roof piping, & cistern)
Enrique will pick up the Lomas people at 10am on the 25th June, & drive them to LT & back.
Anjelika expressed her regret in not being able to make it, as she is a teacher & will be at school at that time of day.
The people are now aware of the time, & the process & are ready when we are!
Next contact will be 25th June 2009 (Enrique).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
28th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
28th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Where: El Cortijo (behind La Gruta) & Los Torres Casa of Chuy.
When: 11.06.09 10.30 – 2.40pm
Who: Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), Britta (Bi lingual visitor), & approx 26 community members
Purpose: Pre-assembly planning meeting & details catch up.
& Community assembly/meeting follow up.
I asked Chela (Cedesa), if she was able to continue her good work in another community that we are proposing as our next water Project – Lomas de San Jose.
She agreed, & we will need to firm up details closer to the time, when we have funding committed etc.
Chela mentioned 2 communities Cedesa have been working with for a long time that have horrendously high levels of fluoride. In the municipality of Palencia there are 8 communities with high levels of Fluoride & Arsenic. 4 of those are particularly high, San Deigo de la Union & San Luis de la Paz. SLdlP has approx 200 families, their levels are 6.8mg/l fluoride (1.5 is maximum safe level), & 60-70 ppm for Arsenic (25-30 parts per million is max safe level).
I said I would raise it at the Community Service Committee meeting – NB I did & it was decided that we should concentrate on communities in our own region first, this is outside the municipality of SMA.
We continued on to Los Torres.
There was a school meeting at the same time so slightly fewer people than normal, but still a good turnout on a very hot day.
The four groups constructing the 27 cisterns were roll called,
Attending were 5/7 group 1, 4/6 group 2, 6/7 group 3, & 3/7 group 4.
There were 4 phase III attendees.
The co-ordinator & records keeper were elected. Co-ordinator Veronica, Records Maricela.
The following agenda items were first decided & then discussed in order.
1. Review of the work to date.
Group 1. 3 almost finished (pipes to be connected)
Group 2 2 almost finished
Group 3 People in the group are not helping
Group 4 No materials have been delivered yet.
As of today the sand has arrived & there are materials for 6 more.
Group 1, only have materials for 1 more
Group 2 only have materials for 1 more
Group 3 only have materials for 3 more
Group 4 only have materials for 1 more
There was a lot of discussion about the difficulties they are finding working in groups. Working in groups is a new concept for many of these people. Some comments Concha “it is important to be in groups & not split off by family” Juan “when men are working with women around they should be aware of their language if women want to work with them” this was echoed by another young man. Juana “her husband started in a group, thought it was too much work now wants to just do it with his neighbours.”
Page 2 of 3
Porfiria “they have been too busy washing clothes, because of the swine flu the teacher has said they have to wash the kids clothes every day, so they have no time to help building the cisterns”
Veronica was the co-ordinator of this meeting & was very firm with everyone, she was a complete natural at the role, & had the meeting running very smoothly.
There was more discussion about what makes good groups, respect, motivation etc, & it was agreed that group 1 would help group 4 solve their problems. Also Benigno (Cedesa) will visit to help resolve any outstanding issues.
Group 2 said that they have 2 people working 100% of the time & others a lot less. Some people are helping by lending their tools.
Hilaria “ there needs to be an arrangement made re lending of tools, eg trade, gift, exchange”
Guillermo “ has had training, knows the full process is happy to help & his tools are used everywhere, still waiting for materials”
Concha “if people need help they should ask for it, otherwise who will know?”
Chela mentioned that asking shows interest, & then explained the definition of solidarity.
Group 3
Was some dispute about mis communication of arranged time to meet at someone´s house. Veronica asked the meeting if the rest of the people were prepared to help the woman or not, they all said they would. Another woman said if someone offers to help doesn’t mean they will do it for you!
Priority was decided – people with more knowledge should get their materials & build their cisterns 1st, then those people will help the next ones.
A new priority list for order of delivery of materials was created.
A young man said “at a lot of the meetings people say they will do things, & then don’t do it, people should stick to their word”.
2. Phase IV the school cisterns (funded by San Miguel Community fund 2nd Grant)
Who went to meet with the teacher (to plan re school phase IV)
Chuy, Hilaria, Catalina (Juan´s wife), Ofelia, Nicolasa & Elana
At first the Teacher said No, because she thought it was the same as the Montecillo de Nieto school Project completed by the govt & Ilan, & she thought it was dangerous, too easy to damage.
When they explained the cisterns would be the same as the one at the Kinder she happily agreed.
They asked when the materials would be available, I said whenever they are ready.
There was a discussion as to whether it should happen during or after phase II, some suggested during, as no-one would help afterwards.
Guillermo suggested small groups as big groups are inefficient.
The mini committee (as above) need to inform all of the parents of the school that they need to help with construction of the cisterns in 15 days at a meeting at the school.
There are approx 80 kids at school
Page 3 of 3
There should be a representative at school when the Maestra cant be there.
Make up the groups with the people here & then ask others at school to join the groups.
The 3 groups were decided.
It was agreed that they should either work or if they cant work then pay $100 pesos, this will pay the leaders of the groups who will be there all day every day to co-ordinate & need to be reimbursed for time off work.
There will be 2 abiniles for the 3 cisterns, they will be paid $250 pesos per day from the money collected from the people that are unable to work.
Meeting finished at 2.40pm
The next meeting is scheduled for 25.06.09 (I will be away in NZ)
It needs to be noted that the meeting today was so well organized, the community involvement was huge & there is a real sense of progress organization & motivation & an attitude of “we can do this!”… Amazing!
28th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Where: El Cortijo (behind La Gruta) & Los Torres Casa of Chuy.
When: 11.06.09 10.30 – 2.40pm
Who: Chela (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), Britta (Bi lingual visitor), & approx 26 community members
Purpose: Pre-assembly planning meeting & details catch up.
& Community assembly/meeting follow up.
I asked Chela (Cedesa), if she was able to continue her good work in another community that we are proposing as our next water Project – Lomas de San Jose.
She agreed, & we will need to firm up details closer to the time, when we have funding committed etc.
Chela mentioned 2 communities Cedesa have been working with for a long time that have horrendously high levels of fluoride. In the municipality of Palencia there are 8 communities with high levels of Fluoride & Arsenic. 4 of those are particularly high, San Deigo de la Union & San Luis de la Paz. SLdlP has approx 200 families, their levels are 6.8mg/l fluoride (1.5 is maximum safe level), & 60-70 ppm for Arsenic (25-30 parts per million is max safe level).
I said I would raise it at the Community Service Committee meeting – NB I did & it was decided that we should concentrate on communities in our own region first, this is outside the municipality of SMA.
We continued on to Los Torres.
There was a school meeting at the same time so slightly fewer people than normal, but still a good turnout on a very hot day.
The four groups constructing the 27 cisterns were roll called,
Attending were 5/7 group 1, 4/6 group 2, 6/7 group 3, & 3/7 group 4.
There were 4 phase III attendees.
The co-ordinator & records keeper were elected. Co-ordinator Veronica, Records Maricela.
The following agenda items were first decided & then discussed in order.
1. Review of the work to date.
Group 1. 3 almost finished (pipes to be connected)
Group 2 2 almost finished
Group 3 People in the group are not helping
Group 4 No materials have been delivered yet.
As of today the sand has arrived & there are materials for 6 more.
Group 1, only have materials for 1 more
Group 2 only have materials for 1 more
Group 3 only have materials for 3 more
Group 4 only have materials for 1 more
There was a lot of discussion about the difficulties they are finding working in groups. Working in groups is a new concept for many of these people. Some comments Concha “it is important to be in groups & not split off by family” Juan “when men are working with women around they should be aware of their language if women want to work with them” this was echoed by another young man. Juana “her husband started in a group, thought it was too much work now wants to just do it with his neighbours.”
Page 2 of 3
Porfiria “they have been too busy washing clothes, because of the swine flu the teacher has said they have to wash the kids clothes every day, so they have no time to help building the cisterns”
Veronica was the co-ordinator of this meeting & was very firm with everyone, she was a complete natural at the role, & had the meeting running very smoothly.
There was more discussion about what makes good groups, respect, motivation etc, & it was agreed that group 1 would help group 4 solve their problems. Also Benigno (Cedesa) will visit to help resolve any outstanding issues.
Group 2 said that they have 2 people working 100% of the time & others a lot less. Some people are helping by lending their tools.
Hilaria “ there needs to be an arrangement made re lending of tools, eg trade, gift, exchange”
Guillermo “ has had training, knows the full process is happy to help & his tools are used everywhere, still waiting for materials”
Concha “if people need help they should ask for it, otherwise who will know?”
Chela mentioned that asking shows interest, & then explained the definition of solidarity.
Group 3
Was some dispute about mis communication of arranged time to meet at someone´s house. Veronica asked the meeting if the rest of the people were prepared to help the woman or not, they all said they would. Another woman said if someone offers to help doesn’t mean they will do it for you!
Priority was decided – people with more knowledge should get their materials & build their cisterns 1st, then those people will help the next ones.
A new priority list for order of delivery of materials was created.
A young man said “at a lot of the meetings people say they will do things, & then don’t do it, people should stick to their word”.
2. Phase IV the school cisterns (funded by San Miguel Community fund 2nd Grant)
Who went to meet with the teacher (to plan re school phase IV)
Chuy, Hilaria, Catalina (Juan´s wife), Ofelia, Nicolasa & Elana
At first the Teacher said No, because she thought it was the same as the Montecillo de Nieto school Project completed by the govt & Ilan, & she thought it was dangerous, too easy to damage.
When they explained the cisterns would be the same as the one at the Kinder she happily agreed.
They asked when the materials would be available, I said whenever they are ready.
There was a discussion as to whether it should happen during or after phase II, some suggested during, as no-one would help afterwards.
Guillermo suggested small groups as big groups are inefficient.
The mini committee (as above) need to inform all of the parents of the school that they need to help with construction of the cisterns in 15 days at a meeting at the school.
There are approx 80 kids at school
Page 3 of 3
There should be a representative at school when the Maestra cant be there.
Make up the groups with the people here & then ask others at school to join the groups.
The 3 groups were decided.
It was agreed that they should either work or if they cant work then pay $100 pesos, this will pay the leaders of the groups who will be there all day every day to co-ordinate & need to be reimbursed for time off work.
There will be 2 abiniles for the 3 cisterns, they will be paid $250 pesos per day from the money collected from the people that are unable to work.
Meeting finished at 2.40pm
The next meeting is scheduled for 25.06.09 (I will be away in NZ)
It needs to be noted that the meeting today was so well organized, the community involvement was huge & there is a real sense of progress organization & motivation & an attitude of “we can do this!”… Amazing!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
2nd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
2nd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: Sunday 070609 6pm – 7.40pm
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary) & 25 adults & 6 kids
Purpose: Follow up re 1st meeting last week, to determine interest in participating in a water collection project to be co-ordinated by Rotary with Cedesa to provide training & operations expertise.
1stly a welcome & re-introduction of ourselves & the purpose of Rotary.
The members of the community were a little embarrassed at the smaller number of people attending today. We agreed that it was normal, & that Sunday is a difficult day, a lot of people are visiting family in other locations.
Angelika – a teacher – is one of the leaders, she volunteered at the last meeting to collect a mini-census of the families interested in participating. She has a list of 39 families.
Angelika is in the lower part of the community.
Another leader José Luis (the guy with the black glasses that works for Pepsi) is collecting info for the upper part of the community, he was not able to attend the meeting today, they believe he has approx 30 names on his list.
We discussed the next steps & we described the process as completed in Los Torres.
They decided to form 5 groups of 8 families (with one having 7 families) to make up the 39 families.
The first step is for the community to decide the leaders of these groups, & then for those leaders to form their groups & begin to organise.
This should be achieved by the next meeting date.
Enrique left at 6.55 (he had an important talk on the environment to attend) & Laura stayed behind to answer any questions, during that time Ignacio came forward as he spoke very good English & helped to translate questions & answers.
• The questions at the end of the session were largely on dimensions of the cistern, what to do if they don´t have space for a large cistern & dry toilets.
• It was agreed that the next highest priority besides water for this community is dry toilets
• They also asked for computers in their community, they do not have a school, their kids go to the neighbouring school, & that school does not have computers either.
Contact phone numbers are
Angelika Ramirez 110 2027
Ignacio 110 2028
Action: Enrique is confirming Greenfund commitment/laura confirm cedesa schedule
Next meeting is Saturday 13th June at 6pm
2nd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: Sunday 070609 6pm – 7.40pm
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary) & 25 adults & 6 kids
Purpose: Follow up re 1st meeting last week, to determine interest in participating in a water collection project to be co-ordinated by Rotary with Cedesa to provide training & operations expertise.
1stly a welcome & re-introduction of ourselves & the purpose of Rotary.
The members of the community were a little embarrassed at the smaller number of people attending today. We agreed that it was normal, & that Sunday is a difficult day, a lot of people are visiting family in other locations.
Angelika – a teacher – is one of the leaders, she volunteered at the last meeting to collect a mini-census of the families interested in participating. She has a list of 39 families.
Angelika is in the lower part of the community.
Another leader José Luis (the guy with the black glasses that works for Pepsi) is collecting info for the upper part of the community, he was not able to attend the meeting today, they believe he has approx 30 names on his list.
We discussed the next steps & we described the process as completed in Los Torres.
They decided to form 5 groups of 8 families (with one having 7 families) to make up the 39 families.
The first step is for the community to decide the leaders of these groups, & then for those leaders to form their groups & begin to organise.
This should be achieved by the next meeting date.
Enrique left at 6.55 (he had an important talk on the environment to attend) & Laura stayed behind to answer any questions, during that time Ignacio came forward as he spoke very good English & helped to translate questions & answers.
• The questions at the end of the session were largely on dimensions of the cistern, what to do if they don´t have space for a large cistern & dry toilets.
• It was agreed that the next highest priority besides water for this community is dry toilets
• They also asked for computers in their community, they do not have a school, their kids go to the neighbouring school, & that school does not have computers either.
Contact phone numbers are
Angelika Ramirez 110 2027
Ignacio 110 2028
Action: Enrique is confirming Greenfund commitment/laura confirm cedesa schedule
Next meeting is Saturday 13th June at 6pm
Friday, May 29, 2009
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: Friday 29.05.09 6pm – 7.40pm
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary) & 65 adults & 25 kids from the community.
Purpose: Introduction meeting with members of the community potentially interested in participating in a water collection project.
Enriqué visited the tienda (the focal point) earlier in the week to ask if there was any interest in a community meeting to discuss the possibility of a solution to their water issues. He asked the tienda owners to inform the community.
At 6pm Enriqué & I arrived to find a large welcoming group gathered across from the Tienda.
We introduced ourselves & described Rotary & it´s purpose worldwide & told them of the pilot water collection project we completed in Los Torres, & phase II of that project currently in progress.
We took a whiteboard & drew pictures of the cistern & water collection system, & described how it was done. We also passed around the newspaper article published in the Atención that showed the LT kinder & community & the cistern.
We also explained the co-ordination & teaching was done by an organisation called Cedesa.
We asked where they get their water from currently:
• They receive it by pipa (municipality trucks)
• the deliveries are from 8-20 days apart
• sometimes during the rainy season the trucks can not get through to make the deliveries
• They receive 200 ltrs per family per delivery
• They often run out of water between deliveries.
• They do not drink the water, it often smells of chlorine & is a yellowish colour,
• They can not afford the fuel to boil the water so -
• They buy their drinking water
• There are no wells in the community (although a ranch nearby has a well)
We asked if there was any interest in participating in a project if we were to provide the materials & train the trainer, & they build the cisterns in groups for use by individual families. With a show of hands, almost 100% responded yes.
It is very interesting to note that this community was immediately animated & participating in 2 way discussion, other communities that I have visited have been very shy & did not volunteer to “tomar la palabra” (take the word, or speak…),
This community was happily the opposite! They immediately began asking questions & discussing plans amongst themselves.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
They asked the next steps –
• since they did not know the size of their community, number of families etc. we asked for them to do a mini-census of those interested in participating in the project
• They were happy to do this in 1 wk
• We agreed to meet the following Sunday at 6pm
Interesting observations:
• Although this community is only 10 minutes from town, the living standards are as bad, if not worse than those of the more rural communities, the rural communities tend to have more space in which to have crops or backyard gardens, this community has smaller (less productive) lots.
• Many of the households are without fathers (working in the USA or absent)
• They have no delegado or community committee organised as they are in the municipality (ie under the Mayor)
• They have no school, the children must attend school in the neighbouring community (apparently a bone of contention)
After the meeting concluded, a number of the people remained milling around asking us questions,
• they would like help to build dry toilets,
• & 2 of the mothers bought forward an 8 year old boy (whose mum was not at the meeting), he does not attend school as his mother can not afford the fees or to buy a uniform, he said he would really like to go to school.
Next meeting Sunday 7 June 6pm – outside the Tienda.
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
Where: Lomas de San José Community, opposite Candelaria on the Road to Dolores.
When: Friday 29.05.09 6pm – 7.40pm
Who: Enrique Orvañanos & Laura Stewart (Rotary) & 65 adults & 25 kids from the community.
Purpose: Introduction meeting with members of the community potentially interested in participating in a water collection project.
Enriqué visited the tienda (the focal point) earlier in the week to ask if there was any interest in a community meeting to discuss the possibility of a solution to their water issues. He asked the tienda owners to inform the community.
At 6pm Enriqué & I arrived to find a large welcoming group gathered across from the Tienda.
We introduced ourselves & described Rotary & it´s purpose worldwide & told them of the pilot water collection project we completed in Los Torres, & phase II of that project currently in progress.
We took a whiteboard & drew pictures of the cistern & water collection system, & described how it was done. We also passed around the newspaper article published in the Atención that showed the LT kinder & community & the cistern.
We also explained the co-ordination & teaching was done by an organisation called Cedesa.
We asked where they get their water from currently:
• They receive it by pipa (municipality trucks)
• the deliveries are from 8-20 days apart
• sometimes during the rainy season the trucks can not get through to make the deliveries
• They receive 200 ltrs per family per delivery
• They often run out of water between deliveries.
• They do not drink the water, it often smells of chlorine & is a yellowish colour,
• They can not afford the fuel to boil the water so -
• They buy their drinking water
• There are no wells in the community (although a ranch nearby has a well)
We asked if there was any interest in participating in a project if we were to provide the materials & train the trainer, & they build the cisterns in groups for use by individual families. With a show of hands, almost 100% responded yes.
It is very interesting to note that this community was immediately animated & participating in 2 way discussion, other communities that I have visited have been very shy & did not volunteer to “tomar la palabra” (take the word, or speak…),
This community was happily the opposite! They immediately began asking questions & discussing plans amongst themselves.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
1st Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Lomas de San José Water Project
They asked the next steps –
• since they did not know the size of their community, number of families etc. we asked for them to do a mini-census of those interested in participating in the project
• They were happy to do this in 1 wk
• We agreed to meet the following Sunday at 6pm
Interesting observations:
• Although this community is only 10 minutes from town, the living standards are as bad, if not worse than those of the more rural communities, the rural communities tend to have more space in which to have crops or backyard gardens, this community has smaller (less productive) lots.
• Many of the households are without fathers (working in the USA or absent)
• They have no delegado or community committee organised as they are in the municipality (ie under the Mayor)
• They have no school, the children must attend school in the neighbouring community (apparently a bone of contention)
After the meeting concluded, a number of the people remained milling around asking us questions,
• they would like help to build dry toilets,
• & 2 of the mothers bought forward an 8 year old boy (whose mum was not at the meeting), he does not attend school as his mother can not afford the fees or to buy a uniform, he said he would really like to go to school.
Next meeting Sunday 7 June 6pm – outside the Tienda.
Friday, May 22, 2009
27th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
27th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Where: El Cortijo (behind La Gruta)
When: 22.05.09 10.30 – 12pm
Who: Holly Yasui & Benigno (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary),
Purpose: Discuss some points re Phase II of the project , discuss the school cisterns project & how many families for phase III.
Roofing – we discussed the possibility of not needing to replace the asbestos roofing. Some research has found that drinking asbestos may not be too damaging, compared to breathing it! Benigno pointed out that the roofs get very dry & powdery & we decided it is not worth the risk.
Benigno will get price comparison of three types of roofing
• Plastic lamina
• Metal lamina
• Onduline
Benigno is in Venezuela from 26/5 – 1/6.
Holly is in hospital for hip operation for 4 days, June 4,5,6 & 7, then will be in bed recuperating for 2-4 wks.
B will check emails as often as possible, he doesn’t have email at home, but will check whenever he is at Cedesa.
B will also check that they diverted the first rains at the kinder, he told them they needed to. This is the first visit since some rain.
At the meeting of 28th May we need to discuss:
how many families would like to be involved in phase III.
The plan for the school cisterns (Re the SMCF grant number 2)
There was some problem with the cashing of the cheque that was deposited directly into the account for Hierro Comercial, there is a rumour that the cheque was rejected for some reason, we are therefore not sure if the delivery to the community has been made. B will be checking that today, Holly will check on the Chq when she is in Dolores next.
Later discovered – cheque was rejected, something to do with signatures, not sure why & a fee of $172 was charged, with no proper explanation. A big mystery (& huge hassle!)
Next meeting 28.5.09 Los Torres, 11am @ Chucha’s house.
27th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project
Where: El Cortijo (behind La Gruta)
When: 22.05.09 10.30 – 12pm
Who: Holly Yasui & Benigno (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary),
Purpose: Discuss some points re Phase II of the project , discuss the school cisterns project & how many families for phase III.
Roofing – we discussed the possibility of not needing to replace the asbestos roofing. Some research has found that drinking asbestos may not be too damaging, compared to breathing it! Benigno pointed out that the roofs get very dry & powdery & we decided it is not worth the risk.
Benigno will get price comparison of three types of roofing
• Plastic lamina
• Metal lamina
• Onduline
Benigno is in Venezuela from 26/5 – 1/6.
Holly is in hospital for hip operation for 4 days, June 4,5,6 & 7, then will be in bed recuperating for 2-4 wks.
B will check emails as often as possible, he doesn’t have email at home, but will check whenever he is at Cedesa.
B will also check that they diverted the first rains at the kinder, he told them they needed to. This is the first visit since some rain.
At the meeting of 28th May we need to discuss:
how many families would like to be involved in phase III.
The plan for the school cisterns (Re the SMCF grant number 2)
There was some problem with the cashing of the cheque that was deposited directly into the account for Hierro Comercial, there is a rumour that the cheque was rejected for some reason, we are therefore not sure if the delivery to the community has been made. B will be checking that today, Holly will check on the Chq when she is in Dolores next.
Later discovered – cheque was rejected, something to do with signatures, not sure why & a fee of $172 was charged, with no proper explanation. A big mystery (& huge hassle!)
Next meeting 28.5.09 Los Torres, 11am @ Chucha’s house.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)