Record of Event pg 1 of 1
8th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 05.05.10 12.20 – 1.20pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), 12 women & 1 man.
Purpose: Resolve Group 4 work issues
Meeting was called in answer to a request to help resolve working issues in Group 4. 2 women who are supposed to be part of the group are not working with the group, they simply came to see the work being done & then went home. The women who are working would like help to resolve this, & are suggesting another woman receive the materials of one of these women, since she is working with them of her own accord.
When we arrived the women were ready & waiting. They reported they have completed one cistern already, & it has water in it to stop it cracking, this water will be emptied before the rains, so to not contaminate the drinkable rain water.
Elena opened the discussions with a general description about growth, & not asking or relying on others, but taking responsibility for ones own actions, working in harmony & in peace to make success with your own hands…
The materials for just 3 of the 6 in the group have arrived, this is as planned, ie the first 3 cisterns need to be completed before the materials for the next 3 cisterns will be delivered.
Of the 2 women who have said to be not working, one was present & one came later during the meeting. The one woman attending said she could not work because her son was sick.
The other women in the group said they don’t mind if she receives the materials but they don’t intend to help her build her cistern, & they’re concerned this will create a precedent of others wanting to build their own cisterns without helping or co-operating in a group (one of the main objectives of this project is to learn to work in groups to solve issues).
The 2nd woman arrived, & discussion centred around responsibility & being part of a team.
There was a lot of discussion as to how to resolve this, whether the women should receive the materials or whether the materials be given to people who are working & prepared to work.
The woman with the sick son apparently is married to a “mason” who could help with the work of the cisterns. She would ask him.
A proposal was made - if the women demonstrate their motivation to make up for their lack of involvement, ie by bringing meals to the 3 families on the days she is unable to work, they will consider it..
Woman 1 with the sick son – Cruz Jimenez, will do extra work, ie her husband will help.
Woman 2 – Saleta - will provide food on Sat & Sun to the working party (breakfast & lunch), & will work with the group on Mon, Tues & Wed.
It was then raised that another woman – Consuelo Ramirez, had been working extra hard, despite not being on the list to receive materials for a cistern.
Laura suggested that since we are running slightly under budget there is enough $$ to make her the 27th cistern…
After the meeting was closed, Saleta admitted the reason she had not been involved, is she was afraid she couldn’t actually do the work required, she had never done this type of work before. This is why she had jumped at the chance of providing food, since that’s something she knows very well how to do! The others explained how easy it actually was & that she had to get over her fear & just start doing the work - & she’d soon realize how easy it is.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 16.6.10 12pm at Kinder
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Report of 1st visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – courtyard beside old church, under big tree…
When: 05.05.10 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 34 women, 7 men, 11kids, 7dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues.
Back ground:
Tierra Blanca backs onto Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar. The community of Tierra Blanca has a large sapasma drilled community well which they share with Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo (approx. 30 families).
2 members of TB have attended assemblies in Los Torres & several have attended assemblies in Vivienda de Arriba, to ask about the possibility of having a water project in their community.
2 women were waiting under a tree on the road from Vivienda de Arriba, to show us the way to Tierra Blanca. We drove down the road past VdA & came to a dried river bed full of rocks, in one place there were several deep puddles, this is where we crossed.
Tierra Blanca lies right beside this (dried) river, called “Sandamien Rio” which is apparently the same river as San Marco, further down.
We were greeted by many women, & led to the courtyard beside the old church. There was a very big overhanging tree (shade) & a long concrete ledge (seat) for everyone in the community to sit on.
We were not able to make a circle in the shade, so sat with them on the long ledge & us in front of them on crates.
We all introduced ourselves, & Chela explained about Cedesa & Rotary, & their respective roles, as well as our collaboration.
She asked who was familiar with Los Torres (they all were), & with the project there – again a majority. She said many of them had come to the assembly in VdA & asked for us to visit this community. She asked who were invited to today’s assembly, they advised not all had been informed, just a 1st group to exchange information & see what it’s all about.
One of the comments “we like what Los Torres has, it’s very beautiful, maybe the water is bad here, there have been lots of illnesses & we’re not sure what’s causing it, maybe it is the water. People here have had a lot of lung cancer, starting with sore backs & with a short time, cancer & death, the latest death is a 22 yr old woman, she had pain her back & then was in her grave very quickly”
“we don’t have elders in this community, most people die young here”
We began to ask questions –
• There are approx. 120 families, & in the whole community only 8 people who are older than 70.
• One 70+ woman was at the assembly, she spoke & said the only reason she thinks she is still alive, is that she didn’t come from TB originally, she came here when she was 16, she said both her son & daughter (born in TB) are already dead.
• This has been a problem for 30 yrs or more.
Chela began to speak about bad food, as she looked around & saw many eating “cheetos” & drinking coca cola. They estimated they have had this food in the community for 20 or 30 yrs. It is cheap, light & easy to carry, & easy to access. They eat junk food because they say they don’t have the money for better food.
Chela asked if they eat it every day – “yes or every other day”. They sell it in the school & in all the tiendas (small shops),
Chela – It’s poinsonous – you know that right? “yes but we cant afford the other food”, “we don’t know better, it’s a way of life”, “it’s like an addiction, even if we don’t have the money, we ask for credit & buy it”. “the doctor said not to drink coke when you’re pregnant, but everyone does”
One of the women who has a tienda is obviously angry at Chela for telling her customers not to buy this food, “all communities consume coke, it’s not just this one!”.
This is just part of the problem…
There were more reports of illness & death.
“whole family disappeared, cancer or something”
“amputee uncle, at nopales, agua miel, ate well, but they all died of cancer, all her cousins, her mother died of a big bump in her stomach, they were drinking water from puddles”
“TB has had a well for 10 yrs now”
The tienda owner said “there is a big alcohol problem, & water problem, the whole community has the problem.”
Generally the community gets along well, & they even shake hands when they see eachother, “yes we fight, some agree with me, others don’t (again the tienda owner).
Chela talked about assemblies: they are very helpful for listening & speaking & analysing issues.
You must leave personal issues at home, & just talk about community issues at the assemblies.
We met Susanah (Concha from Los Torres’ s sister, Guillermo’s other daughter)
Chela asked if they would like us to help with the issue of early mortality – they all said yes…
She suggested we need to analyse the water first, although it is strange that the issue only appears to exist in Tierra Blanca yet there are 3 communities sharing the same water source…
We asked if they had taken this issue to the health authorities or asked for help from anyone on this.
They have mentioned it at the health clinic in Cruz del Palmar, & were told just to boil their water & add chlorine drops (if it is chemical poisoning, this will worsten the situation!), they also mentioned it to the teachers at the Cruz del Palmar secondaria school, the teachers were empathetic but couldn’t suggest anything.
Water talk.
We talked a little about the potential for a water cistern project, described what it involved & referred to Los Torres. Here are some general water facts from this community
Pimaria approx. 80 kids
Secondaria approx. 50 kids
Kinder approx. 25 kids
Community well, with metal piping to other houses in their community, + 2 other communities (VdA & Espejo),
Well is 10 yrs old
Well is approx. 150 mtrs deep
Water pumped to holding tank & then piped to households, sometimes it works in the morning sometimes in the afternoon
Some people have latrines, most do not & “just go in the wild”
Water is mostly clear & transparent in the lower parts of the community
Water in the higher up parts of the community is often yellow, probably piping problems
The tienda owner, does not have water as she chose not to participate in the sapasma program
(it was insisted that we go to Julia’s house for a snack - tostadas, lettuce, rice, beans)
While we were at Julia’s house they discussed that the whole community was built on an old Otomi burial ground. They said under parts of their house were ruins & graves, & that during the rains often bones & skulls were washed out on the hills.
They also talked about many years ago, people digging for “treasure” buried with the bones, & that pottery & jewellery was found & sold to antique shops in San Miguel. They felt remorse for this & thought it might be a reason for the illnesses.
Next Tierra Blanca meeting was scheduled for 2nd June at 2.30
When: 05.05.10 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 34 women, 7 men, 11kids, 7dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues.
Back ground:
Tierra Blanca backs onto Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar. The community of Tierra Blanca has a large sapasma drilled community well which they share with Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo (approx. 30 families).
2 members of TB have attended assemblies in Los Torres & several have attended assemblies in Vivienda de Arriba, to ask about the possibility of having a water project in their community.
2 women were waiting under a tree on the road from Vivienda de Arriba, to show us the way to Tierra Blanca. We drove down the road past VdA & came to a dried river bed full of rocks, in one place there were several deep puddles, this is where we crossed.
Tierra Blanca lies right beside this (dried) river, called “Sandamien Rio” which is apparently the same river as San Marco, further down.
We were greeted by many women, & led to the courtyard beside the old church. There was a very big overhanging tree (shade) & a long concrete ledge (seat) for everyone in the community to sit on.
We were not able to make a circle in the shade, so sat with them on the long ledge & us in front of them on crates.
We all introduced ourselves, & Chela explained about Cedesa & Rotary, & their respective roles, as well as our collaboration.
She asked who was familiar with Los Torres (they all were), & with the project there – again a majority. She said many of them had come to the assembly in VdA & asked for us to visit this community. She asked who were invited to today’s assembly, they advised not all had been informed, just a 1st group to exchange information & see what it’s all about.
One of the comments “we like what Los Torres has, it’s very beautiful, maybe the water is bad here, there have been lots of illnesses & we’re not sure what’s causing it, maybe it is the water. People here have had a lot of lung cancer, starting with sore backs & with a short time, cancer & death, the latest death is a 22 yr old woman, she had pain her back & then was in her grave very quickly”
“we don’t have elders in this community, most people die young here”
We began to ask questions –
• There are approx. 120 families, & in the whole community only 8 people who are older than 70.
• One 70+ woman was at the assembly, she spoke & said the only reason she thinks she is still alive, is that she didn’t come from TB originally, she came here when she was 16, she said both her son & daughter (born in TB) are already dead.
• This has been a problem for 30 yrs or more.
Chela began to speak about bad food, as she looked around & saw many eating “cheetos” & drinking coca cola. They estimated they have had this food in the community for 20 or 30 yrs. It is cheap, light & easy to carry, & easy to access. They eat junk food because they say they don’t have the money for better food.
Chela asked if they eat it every day – “yes or every other day”. They sell it in the school & in all the tiendas (small shops),
Chela – It’s poinsonous – you know that right? “yes but we cant afford the other food”, “we don’t know better, it’s a way of life”, “it’s like an addiction, even if we don’t have the money, we ask for credit & buy it”. “the doctor said not to drink coke when you’re pregnant, but everyone does”
One of the women who has a tienda is obviously angry at Chela for telling her customers not to buy this food, “all communities consume coke, it’s not just this one!”.
This is just part of the problem…
There were more reports of illness & death.
“whole family disappeared, cancer or something”
“amputee uncle, at nopales, agua miel, ate well, but they all died of cancer, all her cousins, her mother died of a big bump in her stomach, they were drinking water from puddles”
“TB has had a well for 10 yrs now”
The tienda owner said “there is a big alcohol problem, & water problem, the whole community has the problem.”
Generally the community gets along well, & they even shake hands when they see eachother, “yes we fight, some agree with me, others don’t (again the tienda owner).
Chela talked about assemblies: they are very helpful for listening & speaking & analysing issues.
You must leave personal issues at home, & just talk about community issues at the assemblies.
We met Susanah (Concha from Los Torres’ s sister, Guillermo’s other daughter)
Chela asked if they would like us to help with the issue of early mortality – they all said yes…
She suggested we need to analyse the water first, although it is strange that the issue only appears to exist in Tierra Blanca yet there are 3 communities sharing the same water source…
We asked if they had taken this issue to the health authorities or asked for help from anyone on this.
They have mentioned it at the health clinic in Cruz del Palmar, & were told just to boil their water & add chlorine drops (if it is chemical poisoning, this will worsten the situation!), they also mentioned it to the teachers at the Cruz del Palmar secondaria school, the teachers were empathetic but couldn’t suggest anything.
Water talk.
We talked a little about the potential for a water cistern project, described what it involved & referred to Los Torres. Here are some general water facts from this community
Pimaria approx. 80 kids
Secondaria approx. 50 kids
Kinder approx. 25 kids
Community well, with metal piping to other houses in their community, + 2 other communities (VdA & Espejo),
Well is 10 yrs old
Well is approx. 150 mtrs deep
Water pumped to holding tank & then piped to households, sometimes it works in the morning sometimes in the afternoon
Some people have latrines, most do not & “just go in the wild”
Water is mostly clear & transparent in the lower parts of the community
Water in the higher up parts of the community is often yellow, probably piping problems
The tienda owner, does not have water as she chose not to participate in the sapasma program
(it was insisted that we go to Julia’s house for a snack - tostadas, lettuce, rice, beans)
While we were at Julia’s house they discussed that the whole community was built on an old Otomi burial ground. They said under parts of their house were ruins & graves, & that during the rains often bones & skulls were washed out on the hills.
They also talked about many years ago, people digging for “treasure” buried with the bones, & that pottery & jewellery was found & sold to antique shops in San Miguel. They felt remorse for this & thought it might be a reason for the illnesses.
Next Tierra Blanca meeting was scheduled for 2nd June at 2.30
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
38th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
38th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Wed 28th April 12pm – 2.20
Who: Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), & 27 adults (including 6 men)
Chela could not make the assembly today, so Holly & I went alone.
Purpose:
Planning for the Phase III cisterns construction project & general community assembly.
The meeting:
We arrived at 12pm & it took 15mins for set up & prelim discussion.
The discussion centred around the delivery of the first lot of materials for the 1st half of the project.
Talego (our new supplier) had against our instructions, delivered the materials to one location.
This was very inconvenient for the participants since the delivery was to a house in the lower community & the women had to borrow donkeys & wheel barrows to move the cement from the lower community to their houses.
We apologised for this & explained we had instructed the deliveries to be house by house & this was an error.
We also had instructed the wire & chicken wire to be delivered first, as they were needed first.
Meeting call to order: Holly asked who would be co-ordinator & who would take records for this meeting?
Alejandro was voted co-ordinator & Mariana to take records
The roll/list of names was passed while Alejandro called for items for the agenda.
There was a discussion as one person was supposedly representing 2 people who were absent, the members all agreed, one person can only represent one person, not multiples. She was asked to decide who…
There was alco a comment about no excuse for not knowing the date of the assemblies as they are always on the 4th Wednesday of the month for the community of Los Torres. They only need to be advised if there is a change to this…It’s up to everyone to remember.
Agenda
1. Attendance at assemblies
2. Cisterns – 3rd phase
3. Materials – groups.
Attendance – This item had basically been dispensed with during the passing of the list (roll call).
Cisterns – 3rd phase review
Group 1 – Alejandro is the leader.
There are 7 people in this group & 2 people are not able to participate.
Lucia’s daughter in law & Lucia, are sick & only her son can work for them. He is working fulltme & so can only participate on weekends.
Gonzalo Alvarado, can also only work on weekends.
After much discussion, it was decided that a sub group of group 1, Gonzalo, Piedad & Marcelino would all work together, & on weekends.
The other 4 would start Monday.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
Group 2
Also 7 people in this group.
A work strategy was discussed for a long time, some can work during the week, others only at nights & weekends, husbands mostly at nights only – to do the plastering.
The first 3 in this group will work every day, & the others will join in when the materials arrive.
Group 3
There are also 7 in this group. After much discussion, they essentially split into 2 sub groups. Two of the women come from very large families & want to do their cisterns separately. We explained all are responsible for people in their group…
The 3 tinacos (plastic water tanks) included in this phase are for the elderly, each group was given responsibility to ensure the installation of the tinaco for these folk.
Jose Alvarado Group 1
Consuelo Huerta Group 2
Alejandro Gonzalez Group 3
Laura needs to have a list of the variable materials required for the 3 plastic tanks. (Guillermo to co-ordinate this – someone will need to inform him since he is not at the meeting).
It was agreed the people in charge of each group MUST ensure all of the cisterns are completed or assist & get it done, with help from others.
The materials for the remainder of the people from each group, will be delivered once all of the first cisterns are completed.
Ie, 3 cisterns from each group for the first round, then the balance of the 12 remaining cisterns will be constructed.
Extra point raised
The Road
The community have stated in many previous meetings they wish to resolve the issue of the very bad access road to their community.
It was previously thought Luci Nunez (the mayor of San Miguel) wanted to visit Los Torres to view the project, since then, she has instead set up meetings with the parties involved (Rotary, Cedesa, Sapasma, Ecology & Social Development) & has declined the continued invitations to visit the communities first hand.
This has been a little embarrassing as we were led to believe she was coming & the communities had geared up for that.
The question was put to community members “do you still want Luci to visit your community?” & the answer was a resounding yes!
Homework was assigned to the community
1. The mini commission is to write an invitation to Luci
2. Write a report on the cisterns (ie benefits, the project, process, description)
3. Write up a “solicitud” application for repairs to the road.
Next assembly will be 26th May 2010 at 12 pm
38th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Wed 28th April 12pm – 2.20
Who: Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), & 27 adults (including 6 men)
Chela could not make the assembly today, so Holly & I went alone.
Purpose:
Planning for the Phase III cisterns construction project & general community assembly.
The meeting:
We arrived at 12pm & it took 15mins for set up & prelim discussion.
The discussion centred around the delivery of the first lot of materials for the 1st half of the project.
Talego (our new supplier) had against our instructions, delivered the materials to one location.
This was very inconvenient for the participants since the delivery was to a house in the lower community & the women had to borrow donkeys & wheel barrows to move the cement from the lower community to their houses.
We apologised for this & explained we had instructed the deliveries to be house by house & this was an error.
We also had instructed the wire & chicken wire to be delivered first, as they were needed first.
Meeting call to order: Holly asked who would be co-ordinator & who would take records for this meeting?
Alejandro was voted co-ordinator & Mariana to take records
The roll/list of names was passed while Alejandro called for items for the agenda.
There was a discussion as one person was supposedly representing 2 people who were absent, the members all agreed, one person can only represent one person, not multiples. She was asked to decide who…
There was alco a comment about no excuse for not knowing the date of the assemblies as they are always on the 4th Wednesday of the month for the community of Los Torres. They only need to be advised if there is a change to this…It’s up to everyone to remember.
Agenda
1. Attendance at assemblies
2. Cisterns – 3rd phase
3. Materials – groups.
Attendance – This item had basically been dispensed with during the passing of the list (roll call).
Cisterns – 3rd phase review
Group 1 – Alejandro is the leader.
There are 7 people in this group & 2 people are not able to participate.
Lucia’s daughter in law & Lucia, are sick & only her son can work for them. He is working fulltme & so can only participate on weekends.
Gonzalo Alvarado, can also only work on weekends.
After much discussion, it was decided that a sub group of group 1, Gonzalo, Piedad & Marcelino would all work together, & on weekends.
The other 4 would start Monday.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
Group 2
Also 7 people in this group.
A work strategy was discussed for a long time, some can work during the week, others only at nights & weekends, husbands mostly at nights only – to do the plastering.
The first 3 in this group will work every day, & the others will join in when the materials arrive.
Group 3
There are also 7 in this group. After much discussion, they essentially split into 2 sub groups. Two of the women come from very large families & want to do their cisterns separately. We explained all are responsible for people in their group…
The 3 tinacos (plastic water tanks) included in this phase are for the elderly, each group was given responsibility to ensure the installation of the tinaco for these folk.
Jose Alvarado Group 1
Consuelo Huerta Group 2
Alejandro Gonzalez Group 3
Laura needs to have a list of the variable materials required for the 3 plastic tanks. (Guillermo to co-ordinate this – someone will need to inform him since he is not at the meeting).
It was agreed the people in charge of each group MUST ensure all of the cisterns are completed or assist & get it done, with help from others.
The materials for the remainder of the people from each group, will be delivered once all of the first cisterns are completed.
Ie, 3 cisterns from each group for the first round, then the balance of the 12 remaining cisterns will be constructed.
Extra point raised
The Road
The community have stated in many previous meetings they wish to resolve the issue of the very bad access road to their community.
It was previously thought Luci Nunez (the mayor of San Miguel) wanted to visit Los Torres to view the project, since then, she has instead set up meetings with the parties involved (Rotary, Cedesa, Sapasma, Ecology & Social Development) & has declined the continued invitations to visit the communities first hand.
This has been a little embarrassing as we were led to believe she was coming & the communities had geared up for that.
The question was put to community members “do you still want Luci to visit your community?” & the answer was a resounding yes!
Homework was assigned to the community
1. The mini commission is to write an invitation to Luci
2. Write a report on the cisterns (ie benefits, the project, process, description)
3. Write up a “solicitud” application for repairs to the road.
Next assembly will be 26th May 2010 at 12 pm
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 19 May 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 19 May 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 21 April 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
7th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 21.4.2010 12.15 – 2pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), Chela (Cedesa), 19women, 2 men, 8 kids & 2 dogs!
Purpose: Planning of the next phase – ie individual cisterns per families.
Item 1 – Co-ordinator, note taker
Eva was nominated with Margarita taking notes...Margarita was happy to say she remembered the book this time!
Roll was called
Chela prompted Eva to ask her fellow attendees for items for today’s agenda...
Agenda items
1. Who is missing materials
2. Plan the work schedule
3. What to do with those not participating
4. Revision of the work groups
5. Opinions & suggestions
6. Training days in Los Torres (traspatios, backyard production)
7. General
Item 1 – who is missing materials
The crowd was disturbed that only cement, sand & cal has been delivered so far. They are ready for work but are waiting for the balance of the materials.
I explained that Talego had been appointed the new supplier, & they were working hard to get the materials to them. Talego had said all would be delivered Sat, Mon & Tues..
I asked Elena to call Talego while we were in the meeting. She spoke to Fernanda (the daughter of the owner) & impressed upon her the importance of receiving the materials asap. Fernanda said the rest of the materials would be delivered in 2 hours by Rutilio (the owner himself).
Item 2 – planning the work schedule
Chela asked what the benefit of working in groups was called, & various terms were mentioned, including solidarity, & mutual work groups.
They agreed that each group would work on the first 3 cisterns in their group, complete those & move onto the next 3.
Chela asked if everyone agreed – all said yes.
They were asked if they all knew how to do the work – some said they had forgotten, & I mentioned Rafael (the LT technician) is available to assist for 1 day of troubleshooting for each group. Hence they could call on him to come one day & visit all groups, at each stage of construction, or however they chose.
After some prodding they agreed they probably did know how to do it, but felt a little under confident.
Gaston said he knew the process & I lent him the copy of the Cedesa Cistern construction booklet as a refresher.
They have Rafael’s contact details & will co-ordinate with him. They were clear on the 1 day per group allowance...
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
There was then discussion on which day to begin the work, at which time Elena suggested calling Talego again, to confirm absolutely their commitment to the delivery of the rest of the materials.
We called again, this time Elena then Chela spoke to Rutilio, the owner, who said all but one of the products was able to be delivered today, but they were waiting on one type of wire from San Luis Potosi, & that all should be delivered in fact by Friday latest.
The groups then decided best to start work on Monday 26th April, to be certain all materials were received. Incidentally, the MdN primary school is closed & kids off school, on Thurs & Friday, so not so easy to start while they are off school anyway.
There was discussion about the start time each day, Group 1 was asked first, but couldn’t decide, it took more than 5 mins with no answer, Elena & I had been sitting next to Gaston, & prompting him for answers, Elena quickly & quietly asked Gaston what time Group 3 wanted to start & he was very decisive with his response of 9am, with that Chela asked the rest of the groups, “so do you want to start work at 9am too?” all agreed except group 2, they will start at 1pm (?!).
Group1 – Margarita, Eva, Cacilda, Blanca, Michaela, Irene start 26/4 9am
Group 2 - Carmen, Nanci, Baseliza, Leonor V, Secundino, Victoria Start 26/4 1pm
Group 3 – Gaston, Aurelia, Enedina, Leonor R, Soledad, Hermilinda Start 26/4 9am
Group 4 – Griselda, Ma Elena, Lorena, Ma Cruz, Alicia, Saleta Start 26/4 9am
Eva will call Rafa & ask if he is able to come to MdN on Monday, & then they will have 3 more days of his assistance at their disposal.
They estimate it will take about 3 wks for each group to complete all 3 cisterns. So should have them completed by the next assembly.
Steps are
Crocheting
Putting the cylinder in place & leveling it.
Husbands will help in the afternoons. (chela said it’s still daylight at 10pm)
With one month to complete all the first lot of cisterns do you think you can do it? They all answered SI!!
Item 3 – what to do with people not participating
There are 2 people that have not been attending meetings.
1 without any excuse is Victoria.
The community would like to know what to do about Victoria.
Sand has been delivered to her.
Gaston suggested visiting her, asking why she´s not coming & if she´s still interested si or no…if no we should give it to someone else.
Another commented “she should show up, we shouldn´t have to chase her.”
Someone else suggested we give her cistern to someone else.
Chela pulled the conversation back to – do you think Victoria is entitle to a cistern si or no?
“if we leave her out of the project it will be an example to others, participate or you´re out!”
It was to be a decision of the whole group, so each person was questioned in turn, & each in turn said, si, she should be removed from the list, then one woman said she had spoken with Victoria who had said she wasn´t interested (we wished she´d spoken first!), so all voted, remove her from the list.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Victoria was in Group 2.
The new person in group 2 was decided – Alejandro Garcia, has a family of 6 or 7, from Los Torres originally, have lived in MdN for 3 yrs.
Item 4. Revision of work groups (completed above)
Item 5. Opinions & suggestions
(not really discussed as a separate topic.
Item 6 Traspastios (back yard production) workshops
Benigno from Cedesa has been going to Los Torres on 1st Wednesday of the month, for 2 months. The MdN community was invited but through a series of miscommunications have not been attending. Chela asked who was interested, & suggested Benigno could stop in MdN on his way to Los Torres for a couple of hours each month.
She reiterated, this is for free, Cedesa are not paid for this, & are happy to do it but only if the people are motivated to attend & learn & put the methods into practice. There needs to be a group of more than 10 to be worthwhile driving all the way from Dolores Hidalgo.
People volunteered, Leonor R, Lorena, Vaselisa, Leonor V, Aurelia, Micaela, Ma Elena, Ma Cruz, Griselda, Eva, Hermelinda & Enedina.
Chela will check with Benigno & advise MdN next month.
Item 7 General
What´s pending apart from materials…
Will need to move the sand from Victoria´s to Alejandro & advise them both.
Doors are in production & will be delivered (once the ordered “niples” have arrived & I deliver them the door guy).
Info – there are approx 60-70 families in MdN.
Rafa has the list of the balance of the measurements for the 2nd delivery of the final 13 cisterns in the project. That needs to be given to Laura to place the next variables order.
Next assembly 19.5.10 at 12pm
Ma Elena is excused – she has a doctor´s appt, she jokingly asked that they don´t give her cistern away since she wont be attending the assembly, everyone had a good laugh.
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 21 April 12pm at Kinder
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 4
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 14th April 2010 2pm – 4.30 (+ taco’s until 6pm)
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18 adults + Juan Alvarado (technician visiting from Los Torres).
Purpose: Review of the pilot project5 & planning for the next phase...
This meeting was originally scheduled for 3pm, but Anamaria rang Holly to ask if the community of VdA could meet earlier at a different location, since they needed to talk to us without the presence of Tierra Blanca community members.
First thing Anamarie mentioned was that she has 18 on the list now, not 16 as earlier mentioned.
However there are only 12 here today of the people on that list!
Chela began with the question
“why are we here at this house meeting, & not meeting at the Church at 3pm as planned?”
A few women had comments to make.
“Tierra Blanca is supposed to observe & not participate in our assemblies, they talk in our place, it’s not bad that they come, but they have no place talking for us, we’re having the meeting at this house so we have more privacy without them.”
Chela asked if it was a decision by the whole group – they all agreed.
The Chapel/church is open to Tierra Blanca, here is specific to Vivienda de Arriba.
“the people of Tierra Blanca answer, they don’t let us answer, we don’t like that they give their opinions about what we’re doing, they don’t allow us to talk”
“they were welcome to the training, but no-one came to help, just to look”
Chela – so we’re saying to TB we don’t want you to come anymore?
“if we do that, they might exclude us from the joint water meetings held in Tierra Blanca!”
“When we attended assemblies in Los Torres, it was only 3 or 4 of us, we didn’t give our opinions or interfere, we waited until after the assemblies to ask questions.”
Chela – we’re hiding from them... we should have met as planned, see how many people turn up & discuss the issue in open. We shouldn’t damage the relationship re water & on a human level. You can take control & tell them to limit their representation to 2 or 3 people, & ask that they observe & ask questions but not inflict their opinions.
Juan – no particular view is right or better, but is better to have the assembly at the same agreed place & time & discuss it there.
“when we say things they argue with our opnion”
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
Chela – you all have the same rights, Tierra Blanca, Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo re the use of the well in Tierra Blanca. You need to ask them to wait, when you are dealing with a VdA issue.
If they say “shut up” just say I’m sorry I am entitled to my opinion.
You have every right to speak re water or whatever issues you have. This is a process you can learn by, little by little.
Voting for Co-ordinator & notes taker for today
They all voted for Juan, they were shy to do it themselves, but agreed to do it next time after seeing how it’s done.
Juan suggested – if they don’t respect your word, choose a representative & this person will have more strength. Raise your hand & speak, (Juan has had a lot of experience in co-ordinating).
Juan asked for proposal for someone to take notes.
Ana was voted note taker.
Juan called for items for the agenda
1. Review of the training
2. Planning the next step.
Review of training.
General consensus – it was very good!
“I learnt a little, but I liked it”
“everyone was very united, all working, all eating together, people bringing food”
Juan suggested each person in turn give their opinion (to encourage them to speak for themselves).
Each person gave their opnion...
My son helped out – he bought beer!
I didn’t go I sent my husband!
I bought food & water...
Juan – foods very important – gives us more energy!
My daughter left & I can’t leave the house alone.
If you don’t participate in training you have no right to the materials, she didn’t come to the training, didn’t know about it (supposedly), said she couldn’t come, that she didn’t have time, well all of us have houses we don’t want to leave unattended...
Chela – we all need to have respect.
There are 2 important points, 1 participation in training, & the 2nd attendance at these meetings...If you’re not trained you can’t participate or receive materials because you wont know what to do with them.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
There is someone that didn’t/couldn’t participate in the training, but just provided food & water, there was discussion as to if she would be eligible or not, & a suggestion maybe should provide a monetary contribution to make up for lack of work.
This was discussed, but everyone agreed it was too easy to just give money, & that if everyone gave money there would be no-one to do the work, & there would be no team building.
Chela – when you make a rule, you have to follow it, even it it’s a tough rule, you have to stick to your guns.
There was a revised list of the people working (15 of them here now)
AnaLorena, Carmen, MaryAngel, Julia Rz, Aurelia R, Andreis, Cevila, Luz Maria, Annamaria Torres, AnaIsabel, Theresa, Maria de Jesus, Agripina, Gloria, Maria de la Luz
There were 2 people extra, not here today, but who want cisterns.
Tomasa & Maricel, & only 1 space for cistern (ie we have 16 not 17).
There was a lot of debate, & no-one could decide who to exclude, there were pros & cons for each. In the end we wrote names onto a piece of paper & one was chosen, the winner was Tomasa. Which would mean Maricel would miss out.
The winner was conditional on participation in her group, if not it would go to the other person.
One of the woman on the list (Maria de la Luz) mentioned she couldn’t make it to all meetings as she has health issues & needs to go to the Doctor, we asked if she could send a family rep in her place, she said she had no family… at this point we decided she didn’t need a cistern, just a plastic tank of 1500 litres would suffice, hence her cistern then went to Tomasa & it all ended happily!
The groups are divided as follows
Group 1 - Ana, Julia, Ana Isabel, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Maria de Jesus
Group 2 – Angela, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cevila, Andreis, Tomasa, Maricela
(Ma de la Luz – Tinaco)
Juan asked who knows the whole process? Some timidly spoke up.
They also volunteered their partners!
One guy came & worked hard – Carlos, but didn’t represent anyone, he is currently going through a divorce & just wanted to help. There was a suggestion they could take a contribution to pay him to assist, since he is so expert.
Delivery instructions
The delivery will be in 2 parts.
1st 4 in each group (ie 8)
2nd 4 in each group (the balance of 8)
The variables order will be placed in one total.
To be delivered to Julia Ramirez Ramirez’s casa
They will meet in groups & decide how to start & organize process.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
During the meeting Anamaria had gone to the Church a couple of times to tell the Tierra Blanca people to wait.
New roof needed
We then went to view the roof of Lorena’s house, as Juan had said it was substandard & not a suitable surface to channel water.
Lorena is a young woman with one small daughter, & a husband. I had observed her during the training day visits, she was very shy but incredibly hard working. Her house was constructed of crumbling adobe blocks, black building paper, & a blanket for her front door. There was a section of the roof with terracotta tiles, another section with black paper & rocks, & a little section of tin roofing. She definitely needs a new roof if we are going to collect water from it, I will need to find a cheap solution to a 25m2 roof for her & still stay in budget!! Or maybe raise another few bucks to pay for this roof… I will include photos of the house. I can only imagine what living in this house must be like with a young daughter, in winter & in the rainy season…!!!
Brief catchup with Tierra Blanca
We met with 3 representatives of Tierra Blanca (including the elderly mother of one of the women on the list for Vivienda de Arriba)… They were very keen for us to go to their community to start the process with them, & asked when we could have an assembly there.
We agreed that on the day of the next Capaderillo assembly (5th May),
we would go to Tierra Blanca afterwards (ie Capaderillo at 11am & Tierra Blanca 1.30pm – en la Pasada de Vivenda)
We were invited to eat at someone’s house, she made us blue maize gorditas, filled with nopal, beans & rice… with Atole (for those who like it!)…
There was much to discuss!
Finally left around 6pm for our drive home.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next Vivienda de Arriba Assembly 12th May 3pm
First Tierra Blanca Assembly 5th May 1.30 pm en la Pasada de Vivienda
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 14th April 2010 2pm – 4.30 (+ taco’s until 6pm)
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18 adults + Juan Alvarado (technician visiting from Los Torres).
Purpose: Review of the pilot project5 & planning for the next phase...
This meeting was originally scheduled for 3pm, but Anamaria rang Holly to ask if the community of VdA could meet earlier at a different location, since they needed to talk to us without the presence of Tierra Blanca community members.
First thing Anamarie mentioned was that she has 18 on the list now, not 16 as earlier mentioned.
However there are only 12 here today of the people on that list!
Chela began with the question
“why are we here at this house meeting, & not meeting at the Church at 3pm as planned?”
A few women had comments to make.
“Tierra Blanca is supposed to observe & not participate in our assemblies, they talk in our place, it’s not bad that they come, but they have no place talking for us, we’re having the meeting at this house so we have more privacy without them.”
Chela asked if it was a decision by the whole group – they all agreed.
The Chapel/church is open to Tierra Blanca, here is specific to Vivienda de Arriba.
“the people of Tierra Blanca answer, they don’t let us answer, we don’t like that they give their opinions about what we’re doing, they don’t allow us to talk”
“they were welcome to the training, but no-one came to help, just to look”
Chela – so we’re saying to TB we don’t want you to come anymore?
“if we do that, they might exclude us from the joint water meetings held in Tierra Blanca!”
“When we attended assemblies in Los Torres, it was only 3 or 4 of us, we didn’t give our opinions or interfere, we waited until after the assemblies to ask questions.”
Chela – we’re hiding from them... we should have met as planned, see how many people turn up & discuss the issue in open. We shouldn’t damage the relationship re water & on a human level. You can take control & tell them to limit their representation to 2 or 3 people, & ask that they observe & ask questions but not inflict their opinions.
Juan – no particular view is right or better, but is better to have the assembly at the same agreed place & time & discuss it there.
“when we say things they argue with our opnion”
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
Chela – you all have the same rights, Tierra Blanca, Vivienda de Arriba & Espejo re the use of the well in Tierra Blanca. You need to ask them to wait, when you are dealing with a VdA issue.
If they say “shut up” just say I’m sorry I am entitled to my opinion.
You have every right to speak re water or whatever issues you have. This is a process you can learn by, little by little.
Voting for Co-ordinator & notes taker for today
They all voted for Juan, they were shy to do it themselves, but agreed to do it next time after seeing how it’s done.
Juan suggested – if they don’t respect your word, choose a representative & this person will have more strength. Raise your hand & speak, (Juan has had a lot of experience in co-ordinating).
Juan asked for proposal for someone to take notes.
Ana was voted note taker.
Juan called for items for the agenda
1. Review of the training
2. Planning the next step.
Review of training.
General consensus – it was very good!
“I learnt a little, but I liked it”
“everyone was very united, all working, all eating together, people bringing food”
Juan suggested each person in turn give their opinion (to encourage them to speak for themselves).
Each person gave their opnion...
My son helped out – he bought beer!
I didn’t go I sent my husband!
I bought food & water...
Juan – foods very important – gives us more energy!
My daughter left & I can’t leave the house alone.
If you don’t participate in training you have no right to the materials, she didn’t come to the training, didn’t know about it (supposedly), said she couldn’t come, that she didn’t have time, well all of us have houses we don’t want to leave unattended...
Chela – we all need to have respect.
There are 2 important points, 1 participation in training, & the 2nd attendance at these meetings...If you’re not trained you can’t participate or receive materials because you wont know what to do with them.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
There is someone that didn’t/couldn’t participate in the training, but just provided food & water, there was discussion as to if she would be eligible or not, & a suggestion maybe should provide a monetary contribution to make up for lack of work.
This was discussed, but everyone agreed it was too easy to just give money, & that if everyone gave money there would be no-one to do the work, & there would be no team building.
Chela – when you make a rule, you have to follow it, even it it’s a tough rule, you have to stick to your guns.
There was a revised list of the people working (15 of them here now)
AnaLorena, Carmen, MaryAngel, Julia Rz, Aurelia R, Andreis, Cevila, Luz Maria, Annamaria Torres, AnaIsabel, Theresa, Maria de Jesus, Agripina, Gloria, Maria de la Luz
There were 2 people extra, not here today, but who want cisterns.
Tomasa & Maricel, & only 1 space for cistern (ie we have 16 not 17).
There was a lot of debate, & no-one could decide who to exclude, there were pros & cons for each. In the end we wrote names onto a piece of paper & one was chosen, the winner was Tomasa. Which would mean Maricel would miss out.
The winner was conditional on participation in her group, if not it would go to the other person.
One of the woman on the list (Maria de la Luz) mentioned she couldn’t make it to all meetings as she has health issues & needs to go to the Doctor, we asked if she could send a family rep in her place, she said she had no family… at this point we decided she didn’t need a cistern, just a plastic tank of 1500 litres would suffice, hence her cistern then went to Tomasa & it all ended happily!
The groups are divided as follows
Group 1 - Ana, Julia, Ana Isabel, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Maria de Jesus
Group 2 – Angela, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cevila, Andreis, Tomasa, Maricela
(Ma de la Luz – Tinaco)
Juan asked who knows the whole process? Some timidly spoke up.
They also volunteered their partners!
One guy came & worked hard – Carlos, but didn’t represent anyone, he is currently going through a divorce & just wanted to help. There was a suggestion they could take a contribution to pay him to assist, since he is so expert.
Delivery instructions
The delivery will be in 2 parts.
1st 4 in each group (ie 8)
2nd 4 in each group (the balance of 8)
The variables order will be placed in one total.
To be delivered to Julia Ramirez Ramirez’s casa
They will meet in groups & decide how to start & organize process.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
During the meeting Anamaria had gone to the Church a couple of times to tell the Tierra Blanca people to wait.
New roof needed
We then went to view the roof of Lorena’s house, as Juan had said it was substandard & not a suitable surface to channel water.
Lorena is a young woman with one small daughter, & a husband. I had observed her during the training day visits, she was very shy but incredibly hard working. Her house was constructed of crumbling adobe blocks, black building paper, & a blanket for her front door. There was a section of the roof with terracotta tiles, another section with black paper & rocks, & a little section of tin roofing. She definitely needs a new roof if we are going to collect water from it, I will need to find a cheap solution to a 25m2 roof for her & still stay in budget!! Or maybe raise another few bucks to pay for this roof… I will include photos of the house. I can only imagine what living in this house must be like with a young daughter, in winter & in the rainy season…!!!
Brief catchup with Tierra Blanca
We met with 3 representatives of Tierra Blanca (including the elderly mother of one of the women on the list for Vivienda de Arriba)… They were very keen for us to go to their community to start the process with them, & asked when we could have an assembly there.
We agreed that on the day of the next Capaderillo assembly (5th May),
we would go to Tierra Blanca afterwards (ie Capaderillo at 11am & Tierra Blanca 1.30pm – en la Pasada de Vivenda)
We were invited to eat at someone’s house, she made us blue maize gorditas, filled with nopal, beans & rice… with Atole (for those who like it!)…
There was much to discuss!
Finally left around 6pm for our drive home.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next Vivienda de Arriba Assembly 12th May 3pm
First Tierra Blanca Assembly 5th May 1.30 pm en la Pasada de Vivienda
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed April 14 11.40-2pm
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 23 incl 2 men.
Purpose: Review of Pilot project & planning of next phase of the project.
We arrived late, I was held up for 1.5hrs changing US$ chqs in preparation for today´s visit. There were suppliers that needed to be paid.
Proposals for Co-ordinator & records taker were called for.
AnaLaura – ws voted Co-ordinator & writer! (someone helped her)
The roll was called, 19 from the list were present today.
Review of the work on Pilot Project
“some came for 1 day, watched & left”
“some didn´t come at all¨¨
“29 families were represented at the training – 20 of those are here today”
Chela asked how people felt about the training, there was general happy consensus, some people left because the thought it was too hard.
I noted on the first & last days a much better than average involvement. Everyone there appeared to be hands on (maybe just when I was there, but at other pilots there were often people just sitting watching)…
There are now 23 people on the list for the first phase, we have only cisterns for 20…
Interlude
Holly & I left the discussion at this point, Guillermo Alvarado (one of the LT technical team) had come especially to talk with us. He had a number of questions about the organisational side of the projects.He had gone house by house, checking the measurements & had a list of the variable materials required for Los Torres phase III (by family)…
We discussed possible procedure re the delivery of the variables & other materials orders. Benigno from Cedesa had taken charge of this process during Phase II at Los Torres.
We have now changed suppliers (to a local hardware supplier) & the LT tech team is now responsible.
We agreed to ask the supplier to deliver the standard materials (ie cement, wire etc) to each house, as per a list provided.
We also agreed to have the variables order (ie all the pvc piping, elbows, tee joints etc) delivered to 1 house at each project, & for each family to come & collect their items as per the list.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
We debated this a little, as the other option was to have the supplier send the variables for each family with each standard materials delivery. This would likely slow down deliveries though, & may not be possible, since the lengths of pvc tube would require cutting…
I also explained to Guillermo that we have in the budget 2 days payment for the checking of the measurements & placing of the order to the supplier…ie each technician will be paid 2 days for this for each project.
Return to the meeting
We had missed the majority of the meeting, but when we returned there was discussion about who would receive the first 20 cisterns.
One woman volunteered to come off the list since she said people in the upper area have more problems with water & she will wait for the next phase.
Others argued with her, that she should stay since she has a large extended family & there are others with just 1 or 2 in theirs.
I explained that the future for the next phases looked good, that there was interest from Intl. clubs to continue to support these projects, & we are attempting to engage the Municipality in this project, as well, there is the possibility of funding from the NZ & Canadian Embassies in Mexico City…(each has a discretionary community development fund for which we may apply).
Chela – if you work hard each family could have a cistern, we have to work little by little to find the solution.
It was mentioned that 2 people from Cruz del Palmar attended the solar distiller construction workshop at Cedesa the previous weekend.
There were proposals about how to solve the issue of too many people & too few cisterns.
Suggestions included –
• it should depend on the number of people in the family
• families living near by could share in the meantime
• Irene went to training but not at meeting, she has 2 daughters here, maybe she can wait until next phase, or share.
What´s needed for the next step
1. Decide where to place your cistern (close to incline of roof)
2. Measure the qty of pipes & elbows etc you need for your cistern
3. write a note of this, give to Rafael Cruz to check
4. Rafa will check measurements at each house
5. Rafa will compile a list by house & in total for the variable materials order
6. Rafa will get that list to Laura to place with the supplier
7. Supplier will deliver those materials to one place, & each family will come to collect what they need (re their list). The house of Diana Gonzalez.
8. There were a couple of volunteers who will help with the distribution of the variable materials process.
When can the materials arrive?
If steps 1-5 can be done before 21/4 then the list can be given to Laura at the Montecillo de Nieto assembly on that day.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Delivery instructions
Deliver to 1st 4 people of each group. Ie materials for 12 cisterns for first delivery to CdP.
One change to the groups
From Group 3 take out Herminia & put in Victor.
Herminia will wait until Phase II, since they are currently in the middle of Casa Diferente (a govt. program that provides materials for the family to construct their own house!).
3 people volunteered to go into the next phase, so the list was down to 20 as required.
Next Assembly - 12.5.2010 at 11am
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
5th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed April 14 11.40-2pm
Who: Chela, Holly (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 23 incl 2 men.
Purpose: Review of Pilot project & planning of next phase of the project.
We arrived late, I was held up for 1.5hrs changing US$ chqs in preparation for today´s visit. There were suppliers that needed to be paid.
Proposals for Co-ordinator & records taker were called for.
AnaLaura – ws voted Co-ordinator & writer! (someone helped her)
The roll was called, 19 from the list were present today.
Review of the work on Pilot Project
“some came for 1 day, watched & left”
“some didn´t come at all¨¨
“29 families were represented at the training – 20 of those are here today”
Chela asked how people felt about the training, there was general happy consensus, some people left because the thought it was too hard.
I noted on the first & last days a much better than average involvement. Everyone there appeared to be hands on (maybe just when I was there, but at other pilots there were often people just sitting watching)…
There are now 23 people on the list for the first phase, we have only cisterns for 20…
Interlude
Holly & I left the discussion at this point, Guillermo Alvarado (one of the LT technical team) had come especially to talk with us. He had a number of questions about the organisational side of the projects.He had gone house by house, checking the measurements & had a list of the variable materials required for Los Torres phase III (by family)…
We discussed possible procedure re the delivery of the variables & other materials orders. Benigno from Cedesa had taken charge of this process during Phase II at Los Torres.
We have now changed suppliers (to a local hardware supplier) & the LT tech team is now responsible.
We agreed to ask the supplier to deliver the standard materials (ie cement, wire etc) to each house, as per a list provided.
We also agreed to have the variables order (ie all the pvc piping, elbows, tee joints etc) delivered to 1 house at each project, & for each family to come & collect their items as per the list.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
We debated this a little, as the other option was to have the supplier send the variables for each family with each standard materials delivery. This would likely slow down deliveries though, & may not be possible, since the lengths of pvc tube would require cutting…
I also explained to Guillermo that we have in the budget 2 days payment for the checking of the measurements & placing of the order to the supplier…ie each technician will be paid 2 days for this for each project.
Return to the meeting
We had missed the majority of the meeting, but when we returned there was discussion about who would receive the first 20 cisterns.
One woman volunteered to come off the list since she said people in the upper area have more problems with water & she will wait for the next phase.
Others argued with her, that she should stay since she has a large extended family & there are others with just 1 or 2 in theirs.
I explained that the future for the next phases looked good, that there was interest from Intl. clubs to continue to support these projects, & we are attempting to engage the Municipality in this project, as well, there is the possibility of funding from the NZ & Canadian Embassies in Mexico City…(each has a discretionary community development fund for which we may apply).
Chela – if you work hard each family could have a cistern, we have to work little by little to find the solution.
It was mentioned that 2 people from Cruz del Palmar attended the solar distiller construction workshop at Cedesa the previous weekend.
There were proposals about how to solve the issue of too many people & too few cisterns.
Suggestions included –
• it should depend on the number of people in the family
• families living near by could share in the meantime
• Irene went to training but not at meeting, she has 2 daughters here, maybe she can wait until next phase, or share.
What´s needed for the next step
1. Decide where to place your cistern (close to incline of roof)
2. Measure the qty of pipes & elbows etc you need for your cistern
3. write a note of this, give to Rafael Cruz to check
4. Rafa will check measurements at each house
5. Rafa will compile a list by house & in total for the variable materials order
6. Rafa will get that list to Laura to place with the supplier
7. Supplier will deliver those materials to one place, & each family will come to collect what they need (re their list). The house of Diana Gonzalez.
8. There were a couple of volunteers who will help with the distribution of the variable materials process.
When can the materials arrive?
If steps 1-5 can be done before 21/4 then the list can be given to Laura at the Montecillo de Nieto assembly on that day.
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Delivery instructions
Deliver to 1st 4 people of each group. Ie materials for 12 cisterns for first delivery to CdP.
One change to the groups
From Group 3 take out Herminia & put in Victor.
Herminia will wait until Phase II, since they are currently in the middle of Casa Diferente (a govt. program that provides materials for the family to construct their own house!).
3 people volunteered to go into the next phase, so the list was down to 20 as required.
Next Assembly - 12.5.2010 at 11am
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
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