Record of Event pg 1 of 1
40th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Fri 4th June 10-12.20
Who: Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), Chucha, Alejandro, concha, Aurelia, Carolina, & Elena from Los Torres.
Purpose:
Plan for the Mayor Luci’s visit on 10th June
The meeting:
Holly & I arrived .5 hr late, we came via Cruz del Palmar & had traffic issues in centro. Also we stopped to enquire about roofing at a tienda on the way.
Luci is to visit on 10th June at 5.30 – re invitation from Chucha.
The discussion points to raise during the visit will be
Bridge to Cruz del Palmar
Road to Los Torres
Bus to Los Torres
Chucha will talk to the Teachers at school about using the kitchen space for the food section.
& also using the tables & chairs out of that small kitchen.
Alejandro will wait at the curve after MdN, in his grey ram truck.
Then they will be taken
1. To Chucha’s house to see the 3 cisterns in close proximity.
2. To visit a cistern currently in construction at Dona Piedad’s house,(they will especially not finish this cistern so she can see the work in progress).
3. To the school to cut the ribbon on the cisterns, & to hear
4. Welcome by Rafa (current delegado)
5. Speech by Concha on the history of the cistern project (including first in the region, expert team created, how it has now progressed.
6. Present petition (to be signed by all members of the community) re the road into LT
Other topics were discussed as possible to present to Luci, CFE electricity issue & Sapasma piping issue, but it was decided these should be discussed directly with the organisations responsible (ie not Luci, but CFE & Sapasma)\
Holly discussed the format for the petitions, ie text, plus signatures on each page;
Elena (from the community) wrote up 2 of the petitions by the time we left, in time for Holly to take with her & format & return to the community to collect signatures…
Meeting finished at 12.20
Next “meeting” will be Mayor’s visit on 10th June at 5.30
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 2nd June 2010 12.10pm
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 25 adults incl 5 men + Jesus the sand guy from San Isidro Capadero, & 5 people from La Tinaja (community on the Rd to Gto) & 2 people from La Aurora (past Guerrero).
Purpose: Review of progress of construction of individual family cisterns
We arrived to be greeted by people from 3 additional communities other than VdA.
We decided to have the discussion with each of the communities first before we got onto the business for VdA.
La Tinaja
There were 5 people here to represent this community. This community is further out on the GTO road, near Villa Guadalupe & Pena Blanca.
• One of the women has a niece in VdA who told her about the assembly today.
• Approx 49 families in La Tinaja.
• They have a big well, & have not tested the water, but drink it anyway.
• They had no obvious problems with their teeth.
• They don’t believe they need help with water (although they would like us to test their water for confirmation) they are here to see if we can help them with dry toilets, as there is a project going on in Villa Guadalupe providing dry toilets (this is a project we’re aware of, it is costing approx. US$60k to provide 30 dry toilets, funded by Save the Laja, & done by Atajualpa).
• Their well is approx. 300 mtrs deep.
• They share the well with Ejido de Pena Blana (where the well is located).
• They would like us to test their water
We advised them we do not currently do dry toilets, they are almost twice the cost of cisterns to put in, & often are just used for sheds, as people ultimately prefer to toilet in the wild… Our priority is to provide safe drinking water for everyone who needs it first…
We invited them to the next assembly at VdA on 7th July at 12pm, & may have some information for them then on their next course of action.
La Aurora
2 women came from La Aurora to present their request for assistance with water in their community.
La Aurora is the other side of Guerrero 20 mins walk from Guerreo, (which is the other side of Capaderillo), approx. ½ hr walk from Capaderillo, they would have attended Capaderillo’s assembly but did not know the date of it.
La Aurora is a small community, only approx. 10 families.
They have the same situation as Guerrero, ie wells dry in summer, they have to buy water from the pipas (delivery trucks).
Only have wells in the lower area.
Their teeth are all damaged, (Guerrero has highest Fluoride levels in SMA)
La Aurora were invited to attend the assembly in Capaderillo on 9.6.10 at 3pm to continue planning.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
The visitors left & we began the VdA assembly at 12.45.
VdA
Chela asked the meeting in general what they knew of these other communities…
One woman was aunty, not sure why they came since they didn’t want help with water, but with dry toilets.
There was a discussion about the # of children here, seems fewer than in other communities, they joked that it was because all the men were up north, & then joked that they only come back to make babies…
Chela began a discussion about toilets. She asked who had them, the majority did not. Some have latrines, they say they are smelly, & this is because the urine is not separated, & it takes longer to dry.
They need to separate the urine, & add lime & dirt, & make sure the lid is always shut, to reduce flies.
The majority of the community go out in the countryside “behind the Nopal(cactus)”
They joked about the animals following them when they know they are going to go to the toilet, & how people wish them luck when they see the animals following them.
Chela then described the model of dry toilet they propose, with 2 chambers, 1 in use, while the other is drying. The urine is separated & is very good to use in a dilution of 1:10 to fertilize plants, everyone laughed at the thought of this, as no-one knew it was possible.
The dry toilet needs to be well maintained to work well.
Casa apparently came to VdA & did a dry toilets project of 5 toilets, it was a lottery, 2 of the people with dry toilets from that project were at today’s meeting, when Chela asked them how the toilets were going, they said, they weren’t since they weren’t using them, they preferred to go in the “wild”…
One family described digging an 18mtr pit & lining it with concrete, they didn’t hit water.
Chela said digging a hole can contaminate the water table, so better to do dry toilets (above ground).
Chela said that since they have 2 people there with dry toilets not using them they most likely don’t want them, & said maybe we should do a project in La Tinaja & they could see how they function (I think she was using a bit of reverse psychology!)
Anamaria agreed to write a list of people who would truly like dry toilets & we will re-visit this at a later stage.
Review of Project
Group 1 & 2, have completed the first 4 in each (ie half).
They have still to install the piping.
They don’t remember how & need help with this.
We suggested they invite Juan to come & demonstrate at one house how to do this.
It took them 3 wks & 2 days.
They say their cisterns are the most beautiful, better than Cruz del Palmar, who have some wonky ones.
They are still waiting for the cement for the 2nd lot…
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Laura explained, the issue is with the suppliers’ supplier, the quantities were so large the suppliers have had problems keeping up & VdA finished sooner than they estimated.
Cement should be here soon.
Apart from the materials any other probs?
There is interest in a 2nd phase for this community.
1. Consuelo (3 people in family)
2. Nicolasa (6 in family)
3. Francisca (12 in family)
4. Jose Guadalupe (4 in family)
5. Gerardo (anamaria’s brother in law)(just 2 – newly married)
6. Rogelio (3 – young family)
7. Gloria (6 people)
8. Kinder (6 kids)
+ Luisa (2 elderly – rotoplas)
Marcelina was mentioned as she spends some time here, but also some time in Cruz (they have land in both places that they work), I said I thought it unfair to give her a cistern in both places when there are families without even 1)
Laura also pointed out that with such a small group a pilot demo day is more difficult , every person would have to attend everyday & it would be very slow with such small numbers, they had double this number at the first pilot, phase I people would have to help out.
The list was passed around (roll called) we had forgotten to do this at the beginning.
The phase II people were added to the roll.
San Isidro Capadero (Jesus – the sand guy)
The guy who delivered the sand to all the project recipients attended today’s meeting, this is his 2nd meeting, he took time off work to attend today’s meeting.
• There are approx. 30 families.
• He has a list of 10 interested at this time, he didn’t want to disrupt today’s meeting by bringing them.
• They have no running water, small personal wells, & they get water from the river, but there is no water in the dry season.
• Jesus understands the situation, it is a process that takes time, firstly to gather the interest, then the information, & then to write & make the application for funding (Rotary, Ecology or Sapasma)…
• He agreed to gather the info. & we will make a time to visit his community at a later date.
Meeting finished at 2pm.
Next meeting will be at Vivienda de Arriba on 7th July at 12 Midday.
We then went for lunch at one of the houses, during which we saw they had decorated their cistern with 3 elephants on the top, apparently they have decorated each one individually! I will take photos next time! (Very cute!!)
7th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 2nd June 2010 12.10pm
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 25 adults incl 5 men + Jesus the sand guy from San Isidro Capadero, & 5 people from La Tinaja (community on the Rd to Gto) & 2 people from La Aurora (past Guerrero).
Purpose: Review of progress of construction of individual family cisterns
We arrived to be greeted by people from 3 additional communities other than VdA.
We decided to have the discussion with each of the communities first before we got onto the business for VdA.
La Tinaja
There were 5 people here to represent this community. This community is further out on the GTO road, near Villa Guadalupe & Pena Blanca.
• One of the women has a niece in VdA who told her about the assembly today.
• Approx 49 families in La Tinaja.
• They have a big well, & have not tested the water, but drink it anyway.
• They had no obvious problems with their teeth.
• They don’t believe they need help with water (although they would like us to test their water for confirmation) they are here to see if we can help them with dry toilets, as there is a project going on in Villa Guadalupe providing dry toilets (this is a project we’re aware of, it is costing approx. US$60k to provide 30 dry toilets, funded by Save the Laja, & done by Atajualpa).
• Their well is approx. 300 mtrs deep.
• They share the well with Ejido de Pena Blana (where the well is located).
• They would like us to test their water
We advised them we do not currently do dry toilets, they are almost twice the cost of cisterns to put in, & often are just used for sheds, as people ultimately prefer to toilet in the wild… Our priority is to provide safe drinking water for everyone who needs it first…
We invited them to the next assembly at VdA on 7th July at 12pm, & may have some information for them then on their next course of action.
La Aurora
2 women came from La Aurora to present their request for assistance with water in their community.
La Aurora is the other side of Guerrero 20 mins walk from Guerreo, (which is the other side of Capaderillo), approx. ½ hr walk from Capaderillo, they would have attended Capaderillo’s assembly but did not know the date of it.
La Aurora is a small community, only approx. 10 families.
They have the same situation as Guerrero, ie wells dry in summer, they have to buy water from the pipas (delivery trucks).
Only have wells in the lower area.
Their teeth are all damaged, (Guerrero has highest Fluoride levels in SMA)
La Aurora were invited to attend the assembly in Capaderillo on 9.6.10 at 3pm to continue planning.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
The visitors left & we began the VdA assembly at 12.45.
VdA
Chela asked the meeting in general what they knew of these other communities…
One woman was aunty, not sure why they came since they didn’t want help with water, but with dry toilets.
There was a discussion about the # of children here, seems fewer than in other communities, they joked that it was because all the men were up north, & then joked that they only come back to make babies…
Chela began a discussion about toilets. She asked who had them, the majority did not. Some have latrines, they say they are smelly, & this is because the urine is not separated, & it takes longer to dry.
They need to separate the urine, & add lime & dirt, & make sure the lid is always shut, to reduce flies.
The majority of the community go out in the countryside “behind the Nopal(cactus)”
They joked about the animals following them when they know they are going to go to the toilet, & how people wish them luck when they see the animals following them.
Chela then described the model of dry toilet they propose, with 2 chambers, 1 in use, while the other is drying. The urine is separated & is very good to use in a dilution of 1:10 to fertilize plants, everyone laughed at the thought of this, as no-one knew it was possible.
The dry toilet needs to be well maintained to work well.
Casa apparently came to VdA & did a dry toilets project of 5 toilets, it was a lottery, 2 of the people with dry toilets from that project were at today’s meeting, when Chela asked them how the toilets were going, they said, they weren’t since they weren’t using them, they preferred to go in the “wild”…
One family described digging an 18mtr pit & lining it with concrete, they didn’t hit water.
Chela said digging a hole can contaminate the water table, so better to do dry toilets (above ground).
Chela said that since they have 2 people there with dry toilets not using them they most likely don’t want them, & said maybe we should do a project in La Tinaja & they could see how they function (I think she was using a bit of reverse psychology!)
Anamaria agreed to write a list of people who would truly like dry toilets & we will re-visit this at a later stage.
Review of Project
Group 1 & 2, have completed the first 4 in each (ie half).
They have still to install the piping.
They don’t remember how & need help with this.
We suggested they invite Juan to come & demonstrate at one house how to do this.
It took them 3 wks & 2 days.
They say their cisterns are the most beautiful, better than Cruz del Palmar, who have some wonky ones.
They are still waiting for the cement for the 2nd lot…
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Laura explained, the issue is with the suppliers’ supplier, the quantities were so large the suppliers have had problems keeping up & VdA finished sooner than they estimated.
Cement should be here soon.
Apart from the materials any other probs?
There is interest in a 2nd phase for this community.
1. Consuelo (3 people in family)
2. Nicolasa (6 in family)
3. Francisca (12 in family)
4. Jose Guadalupe (4 in family)
5. Gerardo (anamaria’s brother in law)(just 2 – newly married)
6. Rogelio (3 – young family)
7. Gloria (6 people)
8. Kinder (6 kids)
+ Luisa (2 elderly – rotoplas)
Marcelina was mentioned as she spends some time here, but also some time in Cruz (they have land in both places that they work), I said I thought it unfair to give her a cistern in both places when there are families without even 1)
Laura also pointed out that with such a small group a pilot demo day is more difficult , every person would have to attend everyday & it would be very slow with such small numbers, they had double this number at the first pilot, phase I people would have to help out.
The list was passed around (roll called) we had forgotten to do this at the beginning.
The phase II people were added to the roll.
San Isidro Capadero (Jesus – the sand guy)
The guy who delivered the sand to all the project recipients attended today’s meeting, this is his 2nd meeting, he took time off work to attend today’s meeting.
• There are approx. 30 families.
• He has a list of 10 interested at this time, he didn’t want to disrupt today’s meeting by bringing them.
• They have no running water, small personal wells, & they get water from the river, but there is no water in the dry season.
• Jesus understands the situation, it is a process that takes time, firstly to gather the interest, then the information, & then to write & make the application for funding (Rotary, Ecology or Sapasma)…
• He agreed to gather the info. & we will make a time to visit his community at a later date.
Meeting finished at 2pm.
Next meeting will be at Vivienda de Arriba on 7th July at 12 Midday.
We then went for lunch at one of the houses, during which we saw they had decorated their cistern with 3 elephants on the top, apparently they have decorated each one individually! I will take photos next time! (Very cute!!)
Report of 2nd visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – under big trees down by the river…
When: 02.06.10
Who: Chela, Jesus, Holly (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 38 adults incl, 4 men, 8kids, at least 7dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
Introduction
Chela asked us to introduce ourselves & then gave the meeting a bit of background about Cedesa, & also about the collaboration between Rotary & Cedesa starting in Los Torres, 18mths ago, working on the solution to the problem of contaminated water (by fluoride, arsenic & in some cases manganese). She explained we began training & teaching people to build cisterns.
3 Women from the Tierra Blanca community began to visit the assemblies in Los Torres & then in Vivienda de Arriba & asked us to visit Tierra Blanca. This is our 2nd meeting, last time they mentioned the mortality rate issue & asked for our help.
We came initially to talk about water issues, & many other issues were raised, nutrition, alcoholism & the cancer issue. We are here to talk more about this issue as it worries us & we would like to work with you to resolve this issue.
Do you want to work with us or not? “SI”
The problems you have raised are serious, do you want an organised assembly or disorganised?
“organised!”
To organise we need to appoint a co-ordinator, to control the speakers & raise points for the agenda – who do you propose?
Veronica was proposed, & all voted yes.
The principal function of the co-ordinator was explained as to keep order & make sure everyone has a chance to be heard, & also to raise points for discussion today.
Points for discussion
• Cisterns for above & below communities.
• The problem of cancer/health
• Why doesn’t someone help us with a bridge for the rainy season?
• Interested in dry toilets (we don’t have them)
Cisterns
Contaminated water info was provided, ie fluoride & it’s symptoms.
They just began to drink the water from the deep well 10 years ago, so the symptoms are not obvious in the adults, & are more obvious in the kids. The small 3 or 4 year olds’ teeth are crumbling & falling out.
The water has not been tested yet, but is assumed to be contaminated.
Jesus – ususally the deeper the well, the more contaminated the water, also there is a strong relationship between arsenic & cancer, so arsenic is a potential cause.
Step 1 will be to analyse the water, we didn’t bring water sample bottles today as we are waiting for new ones for the lab.
The water from the pozo (deep well) only runs between 12 – 4pm daily (when the pump is switched on), people with roof top tinacos (plastic tanks) collect water in them, & then use it from there, when the pump is switched off.
Jesus suggested a commission to accompany us to the well to take the tests (when we return with the sample bottles)
Estela, Enedina, Lucia, Pedro & Vero will help take tests.
Vero 415 155 9410
Pedro 414 153 5862
Action Jesus When we have the bottles we will ring to make a time to come to do the test.
The water from the well is cold not warm when it comes up.
We need the keys to the enclosure to enter the well (community will organise these)
Chela – This program is not a govt. or Santa Claus program, you need to participate & ultimately build your own cisterns within groups.
Vero was asked to describe what she knows about the project.
She said they organised well, & began learning when they built one at the kinder, & then worked well in groups to build their own cisterns – Dona Julia reiterated this too.
Chela - If you demonstrate your motivation we can help, it’s not easy for Laura to knock on doors for money, she doesn’t have a big pile of money in her big bag (my bag is always full of files, kind of my portable office, so I carry a big bag to the communities)… she has to go & find avenues of help for you.
How many families are there in Tierra Blanca (approx. 125)
How many families are interested in this moment in starting a cistern project?
Jesus – water, toilets & health are in truth, all related. We need to ask questions to find info & resolve the issues, to begin a plan of management for this community, important to begin in these themes/issues.
We need to take a census - how –any families, how many inhabitants…
# of houses 125
# of persons avg 5 per house – 625
# men/women
Where the water is sourced, what types of water are drunk…
Action It was agreed that at the next assembly they would come with a list of who would like cisterns.
Action: Jesus proposed coming on the day they test water, with a rough map of the community & divide into roughly 3 areas of 40 families in each area.
Suggested 3 Teams in charge of the census
Marisol (& Vero)
Lucia/Pedro
Enedina/Reina & Carmela
Before the well people were still dying young, so it is unlikely to be the well water, but it is causing other issues (fluoride contamination). People were drinking from the river
Jesus asked everyone in the meeting
“raise your hand if you have a direct family member who has died from the cancer problem”
17 out of 43 people, raised their hands (ie approx. 40%)
How far back does this problem go? Grandparents, great grandparents?
“both grandparents & uncles died”
“here is a drastic situation, on my wife’s side all the people have died, relatives as young as 23 & people in their 30’s”
“I don’t think it’s the water, other communities are also drinking this water & they have old people & we don’t!”
“Dr’s are all surprised why people are dying here in Tierra Blanca”
“I am not sure how much you can all do to help us deal with this”
Jesus answered –
We will do an epidemiological study to determine the causes of the sickness’s, once we have the information we will be able to see the relationships/patterns, & maybe it’s external causes, or maybe it’s bloodlines, or a propensity to the problem.
Once we have the information we can work with medical experts to determine the cause & possibly prevention or cure…
If you are interested in learning the cause we will work with you buy only if you are interested, with your participation only. Are you interested in working with us? “Si”
Jesus suggested the 17 people who raised their hands could be the first to fill in the interview forms we have to begin gathering statistics & data.
“There is a young man who is sick with “bumps” under his lungs they say he is sick & cant do anything about it…”
The Bridge
Chela – did you ask for help at the municipality re this issue – “si but no-one came”
When it rains there is no access here, it’s blocked in all directions. It’s up to your chest if you try to cross the river.
There is a footbridge in neighbouring Espejo to cross on, but no-where for vehicle access.
Jesus suggested the community needs to appoint a commission to look at the problem & potential options to resolve it, including possible diversion of the course of the river with large rocks etc. & looking at not removing sand (preventing excavation & continued erosion/worsening of the problem).;
La Campana (another community Jesus is aware of) had a similar problem, they began with analysis, then diverted the river & had no need for a bridge.
The Bridge commission needs to consider
History of the river flow
Make suggestions for solution
Be prepared to meet with govt (public works) but have done the work in advance.
Commission for the bridge is
Estela, Augustine, Isabel Garcia
On the day Jesus comes for the water samples he will also meet with
1. Commission for the census/health
2. Commission for the bridge
3. Commission for water
Next assembly will be cisternas list.
Dry toilets
5 out of 44 people at the meeting have toilets,
3 people have flush toilets that flush into septic tank.
1 has latrine & 1 has dry toilet
Chela suggested that at the next assembly we discuss options, what works best & what people want.
Doubts & Questions
None…
Next assembly in Tierra Blanca 7th July at 3pm (commissions visit by Jesus to be advised)
The 17 people were then interviewed & stats info sheets completed by Jesus, Chela & Holly.
We then went to the house of Pedro & had gorditas, beans, nopal, rice & Alfalfa juice. We arrived home around 7.30 pm.
When: 02.06.10
Who: Chela, Jesus, Holly (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 38 adults incl, 4 men, 8kids, at least 7dogs
Purpose: We were invited to visit this community to talk about water issues & discovered they have a major health issue, the community has requested our help to resolve the early mortality rate.
Introduction
Chela asked us to introduce ourselves & then gave the meeting a bit of background about Cedesa, & also about the collaboration between Rotary & Cedesa starting in Los Torres, 18mths ago, working on the solution to the problem of contaminated water (by fluoride, arsenic & in some cases manganese). She explained we began training & teaching people to build cisterns.
3 Women from the Tierra Blanca community began to visit the assemblies in Los Torres & then in Vivienda de Arriba & asked us to visit Tierra Blanca. This is our 2nd meeting, last time they mentioned the mortality rate issue & asked for our help.
We came initially to talk about water issues, & many other issues were raised, nutrition, alcoholism & the cancer issue. We are here to talk more about this issue as it worries us & we would like to work with you to resolve this issue.
Do you want to work with us or not? “SI”
The problems you have raised are serious, do you want an organised assembly or disorganised?
“organised!”
To organise we need to appoint a co-ordinator, to control the speakers & raise points for the agenda – who do you propose?
Veronica was proposed, & all voted yes.
The principal function of the co-ordinator was explained as to keep order & make sure everyone has a chance to be heard, & also to raise points for discussion today.
Points for discussion
• Cisterns for above & below communities.
• The problem of cancer/health
• Why doesn’t someone help us with a bridge for the rainy season?
• Interested in dry toilets (we don’t have them)
Cisterns
Contaminated water info was provided, ie fluoride & it’s symptoms.
They just began to drink the water from the deep well 10 years ago, so the symptoms are not obvious in the adults, & are more obvious in the kids. The small 3 or 4 year olds’ teeth are crumbling & falling out.
The water has not been tested yet, but is assumed to be contaminated.
Jesus – ususally the deeper the well, the more contaminated the water, also there is a strong relationship between arsenic & cancer, so arsenic is a potential cause.
Step 1 will be to analyse the water, we didn’t bring water sample bottles today as we are waiting for new ones for the lab.
The water from the pozo (deep well) only runs between 12 – 4pm daily (when the pump is switched on), people with roof top tinacos (plastic tanks) collect water in them, & then use it from there, when the pump is switched off.
Jesus suggested a commission to accompany us to the well to take the tests (when we return with the sample bottles)
Estela, Enedina, Lucia, Pedro & Vero will help take tests.
Vero 415 155 9410
Pedro 414 153 5862
Action Jesus When we have the bottles we will ring to make a time to come to do the test.
The water from the well is cold not warm when it comes up.
We need the keys to the enclosure to enter the well (community will organise these)
Chela – This program is not a govt. or Santa Claus program, you need to participate & ultimately build your own cisterns within groups.
Vero was asked to describe what she knows about the project.
She said they organised well, & began learning when they built one at the kinder, & then worked well in groups to build their own cisterns – Dona Julia reiterated this too.
Chela - If you demonstrate your motivation we can help, it’s not easy for Laura to knock on doors for money, she doesn’t have a big pile of money in her big bag (my bag is always full of files, kind of my portable office, so I carry a big bag to the communities)… she has to go & find avenues of help for you.
How many families are there in Tierra Blanca (approx. 125)
How many families are interested in this moment in starting a cistern project?
Jesus – water, toilets & health are in truth, all related. We need to ask questions to find info & resolve the issues, to begin a plan of management for this community, important to begin in these themes/issues.
We need to take a census - how –any families, how many inhabitants…
# of houses 125
# of persons avg 5 per house – 625
# men/women
Where the water is sourced, what types of water are drunk…
Action It was agreed that at the next assembly they would come with a list of who would like cisterns.
Action: Jesus proposed coming on the day they test water, with a rough map of the community & divide into roughly 3 areas of 40 families in each area.
Suggested 3 Teams in charge of the census
Marisol (& Vero)
Lucia/Pedro
Enedina/Reina & Carmela
Before the well people were still dying young, so it is unlikely to be the well water, but it is causing other issues (fluoride contamination). People were drinking from the river
Jesus asked everyone in the meeting
“raise your hand if you have a direct family member who has died from the cancer problem”
17 out of 43 people, raised their hands (ie approx. 40%)
How far back does this problem go? Grandparents, great grandparents?
“both grandparents & uncles died”
“here is a drastic situation, on my wife’s side all the people have died, relatives as young as 23 & people in their 30’s”
“I don’t think it’s the water, other communities are also drinking this water & they have old people & we don’t!”
“Dr’s are all surprised why people are dying here in Tierra Blanca”
“I am not sure how much you can all do to help us deal with this”
Jesus answered –
We will do an epidemiological study to determine the causes of the sickness’s, once we have the information we will be able to see the relationships/patterns, & maybe it’s external causes, or maybe it’s bloodlines, or a propensity to the problem.
Once we have the information we can work with medical experts to determine the cause & possibly prevention or cure…
If you are interested in learning the cause we will work with you buy only if you are interested, with your participation only. Are you interested in working with us? “Si”
Jesus suggested the 17 people who raised their hands could be the first to fill in the interview forms we have to begin gathering statistics & data.
“There is a young man who is sick with “bumps” under his lungs they say he is sick & cant do anything about it…”
The Bridge
Chela – did you ask for help at the municipality re this issue – “si but no-one came”
When it rains there is no access here, it’s blocked in all directions. It’s up to your chest if you try to cross the river.
There is a footbridge in neighbouring Espejo to cross on, but no-where for vehicle access.
Jesus suggested the community needs to appoint a commission to look at the problem & potential options to resolve it, including possible diversion of the course of the river with large rocks etc. & looking at not removing sand (preventing excavation & continued erosion/worsening of the problem).;
La Campana (another community Jesus is aware of) had a similar problem, they began with analysis, then diverted the river & had no need for a bridge.
The Bridge commission needs to consider
History of the river flow
Make suggestions for solution
Be prepared to meet with govt (public works) but have done the work in advance.
Commission for the bridge is
Estela, Augustine, Isabel Garcia
On the day Jesus comes for the water samples he will also meet with
1. Commission for the census/health
2. Commission for the bridge
3. Commission for water
Next assembly will be cisternas list.
Dry toilets
5 out of 44 people at the meeting have toilets,
3 people have flush toilets that flush into septic tank.
1 has latrine & 1 has dry toilet
Chela suggested that at the next assembly we discuss options, what works best & what people want.
Doubts & Questions
None…
Next assembly in Tierra Blanca 7th July at 3pm (commissions visit by Jesus to be advised)
The 17 people were then interviewed & stats info sheets completed by Jesus, Chela & Holly.
We then went to the house of Pedro & had gorditas, beans, nopal, rice & Alfalfa juice. We arrived home around 7.30 pm.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 4
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project
Pre planning meeting:
Where: El Cortijo Hotel
When: Wed 26th May at 10-11.10am
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa), Saul (capaderillo Community co-ordinator), Laura (rotary) – Elena – apologies,
Purpose: To plan topics for the assembly today.
Discussion points
Saul reported the Capaderillo primary school has 117 kids so 2 cisterns will be sufficient.
There is the possibility of 2 @ school and 1 @ kinder, to be discussed with community, depending on number of families intending to be part of the project, as we have 40 cisterns in total.
Ecology have advised Jesus, that the Cheque is expected to be available today for collection & banking, & therefore cash should be available tomorrow for payment of the 50% of the 40 cisterns (to enable delivery deadlines to be met).
Proposed pilot begin date is therefore 31st May, & order will need to be made at Talego urgently with stress on delivery of Saturday latest.
Meeting closed as we were running late for the assembly already.
Capaderillo Assembly
Where: Capaderillo Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 26th May supposed to begin at 11am – we arrived at 11.30.
Who: Holly & Chela (Cedesa) Laura, (& later) Elena (Rotary), Rafael & Miguel Cruz (Los Torres Tech team)+ 40 adults (including 6 men) +12kids (& 2 dogs) (+ a rooster!)
Purpose: Reporting on successful application to Ecology green fund, & subsequent Planning of implementation of the project
Everyone was ready & waiting for us on arrival.
Saul called the attendance roll - 34 in attendance who are on the roll, + 2 from Vivienda de Abajo (neighbouring community) & 1 on the pending list, + 3 first time visitors.
Important note – Saul has agreed to take on the roll of Community Co-ordinator for this community – he is also doing this project as part of his Cedesa University Course, which offers extremely reduced tuition fees to attendees who are running a project in their community.
The 3 people attending for the first time are 1 from Capaderillo & 2 new people from Vivienda de Abajo, (the 2 people from Vivienda de Abajo at the last assembly have not returned).
The woman from Guerrero is here again today, she was at the first & then not the subsequent meetings as she was not aware of the dates of those meetings.
Chela led off with the routine call for co-ordinator for this meeting.
Elena explained it is important for everyone to take turns at this role, & hence receive training.
Saul proposed Hermelinda – everyone agreed, Hermelinda said she didn’t know how & Chela explained she would learn by doing it.
Chela prompted her to ask for points for discussion at today’s assembly.
• Plan the next steps
• Revise the work groups
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
We jumped straight into reiteration/revision of work groups
Group 1
Cruz * +
Saul *
Enedina
Elvia +
Emma
Reinalda
Group 2
Timoteo *+
Estelo *+
Maria concha
Julia
Luz
Elena Group 3
Consuelo+
Remedios +
Margarita(martin)
Juana Valdez
Cristina *
Maria Lupe* Group 4
Carolina*
Lucia
Adriana
Nicolasa(Gustavo)
Francisca
Marino* Group 5
Juana A*
Lucia A+
Hermelinda*
Lilia
Martha
Noema
Salud (Gro)+ Group 6
Eva *
Juana R +
Alicia *
Marina/(braulio)+
Francisca
Herminia
Pulcheria/(not here)
*=group leader += abanile/mason (husband)
All were asked to raise their hands by group & all (except Pulcheria with a sick son) were present.
It was reiterated if you are not able to attend you must send a representative, “not present – not interested”
There was discussion about attendance & some comments were
• Everyone has difficulty in attending sometimes, but it’s important to send someone in your place.
• You need to be here to plan & make sure the work runs smoothly, at this point we have a group of interested people, all interested in beginning work.
• Maybe the group can decide because it is the group that is mostly affected.
• Of group 6 they were all asked if they thought the person not present should be allowed a cistern, the majority said yes, one woman said she would go with the group, but Saul reiterated everyone’s point of view can be different & respected, & that she was entitled to her point of view, she was asked again her opinion & again said – yes, since the group says yes!
Since there are potentially 38 cisterns available to families, Holly suggested one of the groups could offer to take another family & they were asked to consider whether to accept the woman from Guerrero in their group.
Group 5 agreed.
Plan the next steps
Pilot location options were discussed
Since there are now 38 people on the list, we have only 2 cisterns available for the pilot.
Introductions & explanation of project
Chela realised at this point there were new people at the assembly & they needed introductions from us & what the project is about, Holly, Chela, Elena & I, introduced ourselves & gave the usual talk about the history of the collaborative project with Los Torres, & the issue of fluoride contamination etc. Including the fact that Rotary has funded all 4 projects to date, but that the Ecology Dept green fund has now approved funding for this project in Capaderillo, having had the concept demonstrated & proven by the hard work of the Los Torres community.
Elena reiterated the fact that the projects are not easy, they involve participation & hard work & that personalities have to be left at the door…
The director of the Primary school introduced himself (Jaime), he volunteered the school classrooms for future assemblies, & also agreed to the school being the “distribution centre” for delivery of bulk materials to be distributed.
He will be busy in July with the end of the school year, but will give Saul the key & access. He “Jaime Cruces Perez” is at our service… He also said he has a program on Saturdays for at risk children, during which he does extra tutoring.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
Chela asked the assembly if they would like to have future assemblies at the same house or at the school? (responses varied)
• “better in a public place”
• Time of day, need to consider kids might be in school & little kids might wreck the school gardens
• Jaime said not a problem, he has an empty classroom & all kids are welcome at school.
There was a vote & the majority agreed to meet at school.
Introduction of Trainers
Rafael & Miguel Cruz – expert trainers from Los Torres Tech team, were officially introduced to the community. They received a big round of applause. It was explained that they were part of the original project & are now part of the team of experts in Los Torres who train other communities.
Saul described them as being part of the spirit of help & assistance which demonstrates solidarity & a desire to unite & resolve issues.
When do you want to begin the project?
“tomorrow!”
“when the materials arrive”
“the sooner the better, so we can be finished before the rain arrives”
Work Plan
Description of the process
We will build 2 cisterns at the primary school as the pilot, Rafa described the process of the pilot, crocheting of the malla can be done by everyone regardless of age, or skill level, there are some abaniles who can not work all 4 days, & Holly suggested it would be most beneficial for them to work the final 2 days. Don Julio suggested the abaniles should ideally come to all days so they can learn the process from start to finish. The more people that learn the whole process the faster the project will progress.
• The groups will decide amongst themselves who will bring food & drinks etc. & who will work the full 4 days & learn the whole process. There will be a minimum of 1 abanile per group per day.
• One woman proposed that everyone should come every day… Rafael pointed out that in Montecillo de Nieto there was 30 people per day, & they only built 1 cistern, this is to build 2.
• A minimum of 2 days work for each person in each group was agreed.
• Rafa suggested splitting the work groups, 3 groups for him & 3 for Jose Miguel.
• Rafa will take groups 1,2 & 3 & Miguel groups 4,5,& 6
• Each group will keep a list of attendance for each day.
• The person in contact re delivery of the materials for the school is Saul.
• It was agreed that the maximum length of PVC to be covered by the project will be 6 mtrs, if more than that is required the people will provide it for themselves.
• Miguel & Rafa will review the roofs, a couple of women think theirs are not suitable. (Subsequently discovered that 3 roofs need replacing – we have a budget allowance for this)
• The distribution centre option was discussed & ultimately they decided it should be the house of Timoteo & Mariana (& Elvia & Yolanda) for the main project – they will receive PVC, puertas, Grava, Triplay & people will need to come there to collect there materials.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
Doubts & Questions section
A visitor asked if there was any chance of a project in her community (vivienda de Abajo). Chela said it’s up to you whether you participate, you can attend the assemblies & Saul, said in order to begin work with Cedesa/Rotary you need to begin to organise, call a meeting & invite Chela..
Approx 40-60 families in VdAbajo, approx. 40 in Guerrero.
Next assembly 9th June at 3pm at the School
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Capaderillo potential water Project
Pre planning meeting:
Where: El Cortijo Hotel
When: Wed 26th May at 10-11.10am
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa), Saul (capaderillo Community co-ordinator), Laura (rotary) – Elena – apologies,
Purpose: To plan topics for the assembly today.
Discussion points
Saul reported the Capaderillo primary school has 117 kids so 2 cisterns will be sufficient.
There is the possibility of 2 @ school and 1 @ kinder, to be discussed with community, depending on number of families intending to be part of the project, as we have 40 cisterns in total.
Ecology have advised Jesus, that the Cheque is expected to be available today for collection & banking, & therefore cash should be available tomorrow for payment of the 50% of the 40 cisterns (to enable delivery deadlines to be met).
Proposed pilot begin date is therefore 31st May, & order will need to be made at Talego urgently with stress on delivery of Saturday latest.
Meeting closed as we were running late for the assembly already.
Capaderillo Assembly
Where: Capaderillo Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 26th May supposed to begin at 11am – we arrived at 11.30.
Who: Holly & Chela (Cedesa) Laura, (& later) Elena (Rotary), Rafael & Miguel Cruz (Los Torres Tech team)+ 40 adults (including 6 men) +12kids (& 2 dogs) (+ a rooster!)
Purpose: Reporting on successful application to Ecology green fund, & subsequent Planning of implementation of the project
Everyone was ready & waiting for us on arrival.
Saul called the attendance roll - 34 in attendance who are on the roll, + 2 from Vivienda de Abajo (neighbouring community) & 1 on the pending list, + 3 first time visitors.
Important note – Saul has agreed to take on the roll of Community Co-ordinator for this community – he is also doing this project as part of his Cedesa University Course, which offers extremely reduced tuition fees to attendees who are running a project in their community.
The 3 people attending for the first time are 1 from Capaderillo & 2 new people from Vivienda de Abajo, (the 2 people from Vivienda de Abajo at the last assembly have not returned).
The woman from Guerrero is here again today, she was at the first & then not the subsequent meetings as she was not aware of the dates of those meetings.
Chela led off with the routine call for co-ordinator for this meeting.
Elena explained it is important for everyone to take turns at this role, & hence receive training.
Saul proposed Hermelinda – everyone agreed, Hermelinda said she didn’t know how & Chela explained she would learn by doing it.
Chela prompted her to ask for points for discussion at today’s assembly.
• Plan the next steps
• Revise the work groups
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
We jumped straight into reiteration/revision of work groups
Group 1
Cruz * +
Saul *
Enedina
Elvia +
Emma
Reinalda
Group 2
Timoteo *+
Estelo *+
Maria concha
Julia
Luz
Elena Group 3
Consuelo+
Remedios +
Margarita(martin)
Juana Valdez
Cristina *
Maria Lupe* Group 4
Carolina*
Lucia
Adriana
Nicolasa(Gustavo)
Francisca
Marino* Group 5
Juana A*
Lucia A+
Hermelinda*
Lilia
Martha
Noema
Salud (Gro)+ Group 6
Eva *
Juana R +
Alicia *
Marina/(braulio)+
Francisca
Herminia
Pulcheria/(not here)
*=group leader += abanile/mason (husband)
All were asked to raise their hands by group & all (except Pulcheria with a sick son) were present.
It was reiterated if you are not able to attend you must send a representative, “not present – not interested”
There was discussion about attendance & some comments were
• Everyone has difficulty in attending sometimes, but it’s important to send someone in your place.
• You need to be here to plan & make sure the work runs smoothly, at this point we have a group of interested people, all interested in beginning work.
• Maybe the group can decide because it is the group that is mostly affected.
• Of group 6 they were all asked if they thought the person not present should be allowed a cistern, the majority said yes, one woman said she would go with the group, but Saul reiterated everyone’s point of view can be different & respected, & that she was entitled to her point of view, she was asked again her opinion & again said – yes, since the group says yes!
Since there are potentially 38 cisterns available to families, Holly suggested one of the groups could offer to take another family & they were asked to consider whether to accept the woman from Guerrero in their group.
Group 5 agreed.
Plan the next steps
Pilot location options were discussed
Since there are now 38 people on the list, we have only 2 cisterns available for the pilot.
Introductions & explanation of project
Chela realised at this point there were new people at the assembly & they needed introductions from us & what the project is about, Holly, Chela, Elena & I, introduced ourselves & gave the usual talk about the history of the collaborative project with Los Torres, & the issue of fluoride contamination etc. Including the fact that Rotary has funded all 4 projects to date, but that the Ecology Dept green fund has now approved funding for this project in Capaderillo, having had the concept demonstrated & proven by the hard work of the Los Torres community.
Elena reiterated the fact that the projects are not easy, they involve participation & hard work & that personalities have to be left at the door…
The director of the Primary school introduced himself (Jaime), he volunteered the school classrooms for future assemblies, & also agreed to the school being the “distribution centre” for delivery of bulk materials to be distributed.
He will be busy in July with the end of the school year, but will give Saul the key & access. He “Jaime Cruces Perez” is at our service… He also said he has a program on Saturdays for at risk children, during which he does extra tutoring.
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
Chela asked the assembly if they would like to have future assemblies at the same house or at the school? (responses varied)
• “better in a public place”
• Time of day, need to consider kids might be in school & little kids might wreck the school gardens
• Jaime said not a problem, he has an empty classroom & all kids are welcome at school.
There was a vote & the majority agreed to meet at school.
Introduction of Trainers
Rafael & Miguel Cruz – expert trainers from Los Torres Tech team, were officially introduced to the community. They received a big round of applause. It was explained that they were part of the original project & are now part of the team of experts in Los Torres who train other communities.
Saul described them as being part of the spirit of help & assistance which demonstrates solidarity & a desire to unite & resolve issues.
When do you want to begin the project?
“tomorrow!”
“when the materials arrive”
“the sooner the better, so we can be finished before the rain arrives”
Work Plan
Description of the process
We will build 2 cisterns at the primary school as the pilot, Rafa described the process of the pilot, crocheting of the malla can be done by everyone regardless of age, or skill level, there are some abaniles who can not work all 4 days, & Holly suggested it would be most beneficial for them to work the final 2 days. Don Julio suggested the abaniles should ideally come to all days so they can learn the process from start to finish. The more people that learn the whole process the faster the project will progress.
• The groups will decide amongst themselves who will bring food & drinks etc. & who will work the full 4 days & learn the whole process. There will be a minimum of 1 abanile per group per day.
• One woman proposed that everyone should come every day… Rafael pointed out that in Montecillo de Nieto there was 30 people per day, & they only built 1 cistern, this is to build 2.
• A minimum of 2 days work for each person in each group was agreed.
• Rafa suggested splitting the work groups, 3 groups for him & 3 for Jose Miguel.
• Rafa will take groups 1,2 & 3 & Miguel groups 4,5,& 6
• Each group will keep a list of attendance for each day.
• The person in contact re delivery of the materials for the school is Saul.
• It was agreed that the maximum length of PVC to be covered by the project will be 6 mtrs, if more than that is required the people will provide it for themselves.
• Miguel & Rafa will review the roofs, a couple of women think theirs are not suitable. (Subsequently discovered that 3 roofs need replacing – we have a budget allowance for this)
• The distribution centre option was discussed & ultimately they decided it should be the house of Timoteo & Mariana (& Elvia & Yolanda) for the main project – they will receive PVC, puertas, Grava, Triplay & people will need to come there to collect there materials.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
Doubts & Questions section
A visitor asked if there was any chance of a project in her community (vivienda de Abajo). Chela said it’s up to you whether you participate, you can attend the assemblies & Saul, said in order to begin work with Cedesa/Rotary you need to begin to organise, call a meeting & invite Chela..
Approx 40-60 families in VdAbajo, approx. 40 in Guerrero.
Next assembly 9th June at 3pm at the School
Report 39 on Los Torres assembly Wed., May 26,
Report on Los Torres assembly
Wednesday, May 26, 3:00 p.m.
The meeting was postponed from the usual meeting time at 12 noon because of a meeting for “Opportunities” (a government give-away program) in the morning. At 3:30 there were about 20 people present, and though that was not a quorum, we started the assembly. Another 5-6 people arrived during the course of the meeting. Since Laura likes to count children and animals, for the record there were three kids, two dogs, a skinny black cat and several chickens in the vicinity.
The agenda was established:
1. Review the progress of the cisterns
2. Visit by the Mayor Luci Nuñez
3. Traspatio workshop
I. CISTERNS
Group 1 –group coordinator Alejandro reported that the three families that have received all their materials have finished their cisterns (Alejandro, Manuel and Gonzalo). Of those who have not received their materials, Jesus has been working with Alejando and Manuel, and Piedad and Lucia have been working with Gonzalo. The seventh person in this group, Dimas, has not worked with anyone, nor has he attended assemblies (his mother, Filomena, was present).
Group 2 – group coordinator Cruz reported that three cisterns are finished (Cristina, Dulce, Francisco/Ma Jesus), and four still do not have materials (Cruz, Juana, Elena and Arturo). Cruz, Juana and Elena have been helping the others, but Arturo is working alone with his wife, Maribel, who was present at the assembly.
Group 3 – group coordinator José Matilde reported that his cistern in done, working with Aurelia, Josefina, Guadalupe and Rosa/Cruz but there has been a problem with the triplay … since the groups have divided into sub-groups, there isn´t enough, so the other cisterns are still not finished. Nicolasa has not worked with the others, and Caratine is working alone with her husband Gil; according to them, both of whom were present at the assembly, they were not informed of where and when the work was taking place.
Chela insisted that if people wanted to work on their own and not in presta-fuerza groups, they should just buy their own materials and work alone. She asked each representative of the non-cooperating families (Dimas /Philomena, Arturo/Maribel, Nicolasa and Caritina/Gil) if they were willing to work with others, and they said yes, and agreed to form a fourth group. Holly suggested that these families should not receive the rest of their materials (cement and lime) until they have all helped each other to finish weaving their mallas, and the assembly agreed it was important to insure that these families work together. Ironically, the cement was being delivered at the very time that this decision was being made!
Several people complained about having to go to the asesor’s house (Guillermo) to get their PVC, saying it was inconvenient and that Guillermo arbitrarily changed the lengths that the families requested so that they came out short and had to buy extra. Alejandro agreed and said it wasn’t fair that Guillermo decided how much tubing each family received. Concha defended Guillermo (her dad) saying that Rotary, not Guillermo, decided to have all the PVC delivered to his house, and he spent a lot of time making calculations in order to not waste tubing. Chela supported her, saying that in this phase we are being more economical and purchasing more precise amounts of materials instead of giving away extra, so that more families can participate in the cistern projects.
Alejandro asked about the rotoplas tinacos that will be installed in the homes of three elderly persons and Holly said they would be delivered at the end of the process. Alejandro noted that they will need materials to make a base for the tinaco (Chela agreed it was necessary to protect it from humidity), and also PVC tubing. Holly suggested that Guillermo measure the roofs and make the order for PVC and cement needed for the base, but there was notable resistance to this, so she decided not to insist. This problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible since the regular deliveries to Los Torres are now finished. Perhaps one of the other asesores can be recruited to do this job.
II: VISIT BY MAYOR LUCI NUNEZ
Chucha reported that Mayor Luci Nuñez will visit Los Torres on Thursday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. Chucha made the invitation under the pretext / upon the occasion of the inauguration of the school cisterns.
The hour being late, and having attended a long meeting in the morning, people were not as enthusiastic as one might expect. Chela asked the assembly if they wanted Luci to visit, and they said yes; and why? The assembly came up with three reasons:
1. To tell her about the problems in the community
2. To show her the cisterns
3. To find out what is happening with the well
Problems in the community:
#1 the road … since she will be experiencing it first-hand, it will be very apt to present a petition to get it fixed – graded and pave at least the ford.
#2 – problems with electricity
#3 – need for a bridge to Cruz del Palmar
Show (off) the cisterns – short inauguration ceremony
1. Benvenida – Concha Alvarado and Rafael Cruz (new delegado)
2. History of the cisterns – Chucha and Carol, Los Torres project; Juan – diffusion in the region
3. Presentation of petitions – Alejandro, Elena, Jesus, Aurelia
4. Convivencia (food and drink, pot-luck)
4. Tour – Nicolasa ARRIBA, Caritina ABAJO
Question of whether the tour should be first or last. Those from Abajo say if it is last, Luci may never make it to Abajo. Those from Arriba say they if Luci goes to Abajo first, it will take too much time away from the inauguration. At this time (6 p.m.) Holly suggested that a committee, made up of the people responsible for the various activities, make the decisions about the logistics of the visit. A woman asked how long the visit would be, and Chucha said she forgot to ask: Holly was asked to inquire at the Presidencia, and also to help them with the presentations on Monday, May 31 at noon.
Next Mini Meeting May 31 12 noon.
Next assembly ??
Wednesday, May 26, 3:00 p.m.
The meeting was postponed from the usual meeting time at 12 noon because of a meeting for “Opportunities” (a government give-away program) in the morning. At 3:30 there were about 20 people present, and though that was not a quorum, we started the assembly. Another 5-6 people arrived during the course of the meeting. Since Laura likes to count children and animals, for the record there were three kids, two dogs, a skinny black cat and several chickens in the vicinity.
The agenda was established:
1. Review the progress of the cisterns
2. Visit by the Mayor Luci Nuñez
3. Traspatio workshop
I. CISTERNS
Group 1 –group coordinator Alejandro reported that the three families that have received all their materials have finished their cisterns (Alejandro, Manuel and Gonzalo). Of those who have not received their materials, Jesus has been working with Alejando and Manuel, and Piedad and Lucia have been working with Gonzalo. The seventh person in this group, Dimas, has not worked with anyone, nor has he attended assemblies (his mother, Filomena, was present).
Group 2 – group coordinator Cruz reported that three cisterns are finished (Cristina, Dulce, Francisco/Ma Jesus), and four still do not have materials (Cruz, Juana, Elena and Arturo). Cruz, Juana and Elena have been helping the others, but Arturo is working alone with his wife, Maribel, who was present at the assembly.
Group 3 – group coordinator José Matilde reported that his cistern in done, working with Aurelia, Josefina, Guadalupe and Rosa/Cruz but there has been a problem with the triplay … since the groups have divided into sub-groups, there isn´t enough, so the other cisterns are still not finished. Nicolasa has not worked with the others, and Caratine is working alone with her husband Gil; according to them, both of whom were present at the assembly, they were not informed of where and when the work was taking place.
Chela insisted that if people wanted to work on their own and not in presta-fuerza groups, they should just buy their own materials and work alone. She asked each representative of the non-cooperating families (Dimas /Philomena, Arturo/Maribel, Nicolasa and Caritina/Gil) if they were willing to work with others, and they said yes, and agreed to form a fourth group. Holly suggested that these families should not receive the rest of their materials (cement and lime) until they have all helped each other to finish weaving their mallas, and the assembly agreed it was important to insure that these families work together. Ironically, the cement was being delivered at the very time that this decision was being made!
Several people complained about having to go to the asesor’s house (Guillermo) to get their PVC, saying it was inconvenient and that Guillermo arbitrarily changed the lengths that the families requested so that they came out short and had to buy extra. Alejandro agreed and said it wasn’t fair that Guillermo decided how much tubing each family received. Concha defended Guillermo (her dad) saying that Rotary, not Guillermo, decided to have all the PVC delivered to his house, and he spent a lot of time making calculations in order to not waste tubing. Chela supported her, saying that in this phase we are being more economical and purchasing more precise amounts of materials instead of giving away extra, so that more families can participate in the cistern projects.
Alejandro asked about the rotoplas tinacos that will be installed in the homes of three elderly persons and Holly said they would be delivered at the end of the process. Alejandro noted that they will need materials to make a base for the tinaco (Chela agreed it was necessary to protect it from humidity), and also PVC tubing. Holly suggested that Guillermo measure the roofs and make the order for PVC and cement needed for the base, but there was notable resistance to this, so she decided not to insist. This problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible since the regular deliveries to Los Torres are now finished. Perhaps one of the other asesores can be recruited to do this job.
II: VISIT BY MAYOR LUCI NUNEZ
Chucha reported that Mayor Luci Nuñez will visit Los Torres on Thursday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. Chucha made the invitation under the pretext / upon the occasion of the inauguration of the school cisterns.
The hour being late, and having attended a long meeting in the morning, people were not as enthusiastic as one might expect. Chela asked the assembly if they wanted Luci to visit, and they said yes; and why? The assembly came up with three reasons:
1. To tell her about the problems in the community
2. To show her the cisterns
3. To find out what is happening with the well
Problems in the community:
#1 the road … since she will be experiencing it first-hand, it will be very apt to present a petition to get it fixed – graded and pave at least the ford.
#2 – problems with electricity
#3 – need for a bridge to Cruz del Palmar
Show (off) the cisterns – short inauguration ceremony
1. Benvenida – Concha Alvarado and Rafael Cruz (new delegado)
2. History of the cisterns – Chucha and Carol, Los Torres project; Juan – diffusion in the region
3. Presentation of petitions – Alejandro, Elena, Jesus, Aurelia
4. Convivencia (food and drink, pot-luck)
4. Tour – Nicolasa ARRIBA, Caritina ABAJO
Question of whether the tour should be first or last. Those from Abajo say if it is last, Luci may never make it to Abajo. Those from Arriba say they if Luci goes to Abajo first, it will take too much time away from the inauguration. At this time (6 p.m.) Holly suggested that a committee, made up of the people responsible for the various activities, make the decisions about the logistics of the visit. A woman asked how long the visit would be, and Chucha said she forgot to ask: Holly was asked to inquire at the Presidencia, and also to help them with the presentations on Monday, May 31 at noon.
Next Mini Meeting May 31 12 noon.
Next assembly ??
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
9th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
9th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 19.05.10 12.30 – 2.10pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), 23 adults including 2 men
Purpose: review of family cistern construction in progress
We arrived late at 12.30, supposed to be 12midday.
The group was assembled & waiting when we arrived.
Elena opened with a blessing, she explained this was a personal thing, not a Rotary thing.
She gave thanks for uniting us in this opportunity, & the harmony gained from working together in a team etc.
Chela called for proposals for a co-ordinator for today’s meeting.
“you have been working in groups so have experience in working in harmony, who do you propose?”
“does everyone know what a co-ordinator is & does now?” Si!!!
Carmela was voted Co-ordinator, with Margarita taking notes.
Agenda
• Revision of work groups/teams
• Revision of progress
• Plan next phase (completion of the remaining cisterns)
• Arrival of materials
• Traspatio (backyard) workshops, do you want them?
Chela asked, “do you want a fast meeting?” – Si!!
“then what do you need to do to ensure a fast efficient meeting?” – Participate!
Revision of work groups
Group 1
The first ½ of the cisterns are constructed, piping not in place yet.
All 6 have been working together with no big problems, all friendly…
Elena mentioned that problems can occur, but they should be considered an opportunity to get together & solve, with the right balance of good & bad progress is achievable.
They have constructed 1 cistern per week for 3 wks, so have now completed 3 cisterns. One has put her pipes in place, but it was after the rain a few days ago, so no water collected.
Group 2
This group is working ok together, it’s taking a while, about 1 mth.
Elena said it doesn’t have to be done fast, just well & with patience, she gave an example of her bougainvillea vine, it’s flowering beautifully, but it is 40 years old, so has taken time to get to this point.
2 cisterns have been installed 1 still awaiting piping to be installed, has worked well because they’ve been having a few drinks because it’s so hot right now!! (all had a good laugh at that)
Group 3
All have been working well, started well & are finishing well! One of the women complimented one of the young men that has been helping, she said thanks to him working really hard, they have progressed well. Everyone gave him (Gaston) a big round of applause!!
This is really unusual, to have someone not related compliment someone else publicly on their efforts is a first for the meetings we have attended. Chela reiterated the importance of volunteering & helping others, a huge show of respect & solidarity for the community.
They have installed 2 cisterns & just have one cistern piping to install.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Group 4
This group is working well now, there were only 4 working but after the mini meeting to resolve this, now 1 of the women not working, is joining in, but one is still not joining in. Maria Cruz is not interested in participating, & the community was asked if there was anyone else in their community who was more worthy to receive these materials…
After discussion, the community decided to build a cistern at the church with the materials originally intended for Maria Cruz.
The church is well attended, & it was agreed the whole community would benefit from this.
Planning Phase II
Group 1, Casilda Micaela & Irene
Group 2 Basilisa , Alejandro, Leonore RV
Group 3 Leonore RR, Soledad, Hermelinda
Group 4, ?? & Consuelo & Church
The cistern at the school will be the last one constructed.
It was agreed ½ of the groups would work on the church & ½ on the school.
Chela asked, at the end of all of this, what are you planning to do?
Someone responded “have a lot of drinks!!” “go to the beach & have drinks” Everyone cracked up, most have never even been to the beach!
Chela reiterated that the people of MdN are a good testimony of triumph of harmony, they have been working well in groups, & it has bought with it a reward, they have achieved a lot!!
They seem to have found it easy, when there were obstacles or problems, to ask questions, & work on things to resolve the issues.
Materials for next phase
Materials were to have been delivered 2 days ago, so should be here any day. They are to be delivered house to house…
Variable materials will be going to Eva’s house again, people need to come there quickly to collect them, rather than leave them there lying around.
Filtration question
One of the women asked if there was a need to filter the water.
Chela pointed out they have been drinking water from puddles in the river & from contaminated wells so this water is 100 x better, & then to be super secure they can use the SODIS method of purification of water.
Laura & Elena explained the very simple SODIS method (www.sodis.ch)
& that it is important to clean your roof between rain falls, ie divert the first rain after a long dry spell, & make sure the containers they use are clean & kept for drinking water only.
Chela - There is a new SAPASMA well being drilled near by. This well will without doubt be contaminated with Fluoride (all water supplies in the area are contaminated). They contain poisons that are slow killers, fluoride, arsenic, manganese, you can not see or taste them, but bit by bit they accumulate in your major organs & do damage.
Traspatios workshop
As promised Chela talked to Benigno about coming to MdN to do the traspatios workshops.
She asked if anyone currently grows their own food, no, they all buy their veges.
Chela asked if anyone has a lot of nopal growing near their place so they could bring the “paddles” to share, to get people growing nopal. There were 1 or 2 people.
Chela has asked Benigno to come to MdN on his way to Los Torres. He will come at 11am – 1pm on 2nd June 2010.
The list of people interested are:
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Leonore RV, Basilisa, Leonore RR, Eva, Micaela, Audelia, Griselda, Ma Elena, Hermelinda, Elena, Enedina, Lorena, Leonore RM, Maria Blanca, Irene
The traspatio workshop will be at the house of Leonore Medina. They will start on a house in the lower community & then one in the upper one.
At the end of the workshops hopefully everyone will have a beautiful functional backyard & in 1-2 years they will be producing their own food!
Traspatio workshop 2 June 11am-1pm
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 16 June 12pm at Kinder
(Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
9th report of the SMA Midday Rotary Montecillo de Nieto Water Project
Where: Montecillo de Nieto Kindergarten
When: 19.05.10 12.30 – 2.10pm
Who: Elena & Laura (Rotary), 23 adults including 2 men
Purpose: review of family cistern construction in progress
We arrived late at 12.30, supposed to be 12midday.
The group was assembled & waiting when we arrived.
Elena opened with a blessing, she explained this was a personal thing, not a Rotary thing.
She gave thanks for uniting us in this opportunity, & the harmony gained from working together in a team etc.
Chela called for proposals for a co-ordinator for today’s meeting.
“you have been working in groups so have experience in working in harmony, who do you propose?”
“does everyone know what a co-ordinator is & does now?” Si!!!
Carmela was voted Co-ordinator, with Margarita taking notes.
Agenda
• Revision of work groups/teams
• Revision of progress
• Plan next phase (completion of the remaining cisterns)
• Arrival of materials
• Traspatio (backyard) workshops, do you want them?
Chela asked, “do you want a fast meeting?” – Si!!
“then what do you need to do to ensure a fast efficient meeting?” – Participate!
Revision of work groups
Group 1
The first ½ of the cisterns are constructed, piping not in place yet.
All 6 have been working together with no big problems, all friendly…
Elena mentioned that problems can occur, but they should be considered an opportunity to get together & solve, with the right balance of good & bad progress is achievable.
They have constructed 1 cistern per week for 3 wks, so have now completed 3 cisterns. One has put her pipes in place, but it was after the rain a few days ago, so no water collected.
Group 2
This group is working ok together, it’s taking a while, about 1 mth.
Elena said it doesn’t have to be done fast, just well & with patience, she gave an example of her bougainvillea vine, it’s flowering beautifully, but it is 40 years old, so has taken time to get to this point.
2 cisterns have been installed 1 still awaiting piping to be installed, has worked well because they’ve been having a few drinks because it’s so hot right now!! (all had a good laugh at that)
Group 3
All have been working well, started well & are finishing well! One of the women complimented one of the young men that has been helping, she said thanks to him working really hard, they have progressed well. Everyone gave him (Gaston) a big round of applause!!
This is really unusual, to have someone not related compliment someone else publicly on their efforts is a first for the meetings we have attended. Chela reiterated the importance of volunteering & helping others, a huge show of respect & solidarity for the community.
They have installed 2 cisterns & just have one cistern piping to install.
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Group 4
This group is working well now, there were only 4 working but after the mini meeting to resolve this, now 1 of the women not working, is joining in, but one is still not joining in. Maria Cruz is not interested in participating, & the community was asked if there was anyone else in their community who was more worthy to receive these materials…
After discussion, the community decided to build a cistern at the church with the materials originally intended for Maria Cruz.
The church is well attended, & it was agreed the whole community would benefit from this.
Planning Phase II
Group 1, Casilda Micaela & Irene
Group 2 Basilisa , Alejandro, Leonore RV
Group 3 Leonore RR, Soledad, Hermelinda
Group 4, ?? & Consuelo & Church
The cistern at the school will be the last one constructed.
It was agreed ½ of the groups would work on the church & ½ on the school.
Chela asked, at the end of all of this, what are you planning to do?
Someone responded “have a lot of drinks!!” “go to the beach & have drinks” Everyone cracked up, most have never even been to the beach!
Chela reiterated that the people of MdN are a good testimony of triumph of harmony, they have been working well in groups, & it has bought with it a reward, they have achieved a lot!!
They seem to have found it easy, when there were obstacles or problems, to ask questions, & work on things to resolve the issues.
Materials for next phase
Materials were to have been delivered 2 days ago, so should be here any day. They are to be delivered house to house…
Variable materials will be going to Eva’s house again, people need to come there quickly to collect them, rather than leave them there lying around.
Filtration question
One of the women asked if there was a need to filter the water.
Chela pointed out they have been drinking water from puddles in the river & from contaminated wells so this water is 100 x better, & then to be super secure they can use the SODIS method of purification of water.
Laura & Elena explained the very simple SODIS method (www.sodis.ch)
& that it is important to clean your roof between rain falls, ie divert the first rain after a long dry spell, & make sure the containers they use are clean & kept for drinking water only.
Chela - There is a new SAPASMA well being drilled near by. This well will without doubt be contaminated with Fluoride (all water supplies in the area are contaminated). They contain poisons that are slow killers, fluoride, arsenic, manganese, you can not see or taste them, but bit by bit they accumulate in your major organs & do damage.
Traspatios workshop
As promised Chela talked to Benigno about coming to MdN to do the traspatios workshops.
She asked if anyone currently grows their own food, no, they all buy their veges.
Chela asked if anyone has a lot of nopal growing near their place so they could bring the “paddles” to share, to get people growing nopal. There were 1 or 2 people.
Chela has asked Benigno to come to MdN on his way to Los Torres. He will come at 11am – 1pm on 2nd June 2010.
The list of people interested are:
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Leonore RV, Basilisa, Leonore RR, Eva, Micaela, Audelia, Griselda, Ma Elena, Hermelinda, Elena, Enedina, Lorena, Leonore RM, Maria Blanca, Irene
The traspatio workshop will be at the house of Leonore Medina. They will start on a house in the lower community & then one in the upper one.
At the end of the workshops hopefully everyone will have a beautiful functional backyard & in 1-2 years they will be producing their own food!
Traspatio workshop 2 June 11am-1pm
Next Assembly in Montecillo de Nieto 16 June 12pm at Kinder
(Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
6th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
6th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 12th May 2010 3.30pm
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18adults, 3 kids & 3 dogs.
Purpose: Review of progress of construction of individual family cisterns
Review of work groups
We began immediately with the review of the work groups.
Group 1.
Ana, Julia, Anaisable, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Ma de Jesus
The 1st set have all finished the wire crocheting stage. The masonry on one has also been completed.
They are all working well together. In each group they have taken up a contribution to pay an abanile (experience carpenter), in group 1, one woman is paying for Lupe, as her contribution. In group 2 they are paying for Carlos.
Carlos was trained during the pilot, as he worked voluntarily.
Many women are taking food to each of the groups.
Juan has worked with both Group 1 & 2.
Group 2
Angelina, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cirila, Andres, Tomasa & Maricela (Ma de La Luz, will receive a tinaco).
No-one in Group 2 has access to Abanile, group 1 have loaned Carlos to Group 2, & a group 2 person has helped in group 1.
Everyone is participating well.
Talego tried to deliver the materials in one load, but Ana told them no it is to be delivered casa por casa!!!! (great – she stood up for her community!)
We congratulated them for sticking up for themselves & resolving their own issue.
Lupe (working in group 1) would like some help, since he is the only abanile. They will work to resolve this.
The women said they have learnt how to do the main application of the cement/concrete, & how to mix it, but that they let the abaniles finish it so that it doesn’t crack.
They all agreed paying another person to help would make sense if they can not find anyone amongst their families.
There are 3 people who have roof issues, we need to find a good roofing supplier & provide minimum 25m2 of roof to collect the rain needed.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
We asked if we provide the roofing can they put the roofing up themselves – they responded yes.
There was a question about filters & bacteria. We gave another demonstration & explanation of SODIS, solar disinfection, www.sodis.ch .
Ma de La Luz (the woman to receive the tinaco) will need help to install her piping, her piping order was included in the original variables order.
We need to ask Juan/Rafael
• about the necessity of a concrete pad for people with Tinacos.
• How to plumb in the tubing & tap for the cistern (it comes with a tap right at the base of the tinaco, too low down to get a bucket under).
• Recommended least expensive roofing (& from where?)
There was a new person at the assembly, asking to go into the next phase, this is a small community so not likely to have a 2nd phase.
There is the possibility of her getting a tinaco – I suspect she lives alone. (Donya Nicolasa)
Next Vivienda de Arriba assembly June 2nd at 12pm
We gave a ride home to one of the young women & she insisted we come in for some food, her mother had especially donated a chicken & she had made delicious papaya water, so we could not refuse her.
We had a delicious Chicken mole & rice & papaya water, & drove home with full tummies…
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
6th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 12th May 2010 3.30pm
Who: Holly, Chela (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 18adults, 3 kids & 3 dogs.
Purpose: Review of progress of construction of individual family cisterns
Review of work groups
We began immediately with the review of the work groups.
Group 1.
Ana, Julia, Anaisable, Aurelia, Gloria, Carmen, Luz Maria, Ma de Jesus
The 1st set have all finished the wire crocheting stage. The masonry on one has also been completed.
They are all working well together. In each group they have taken up a contribution to pay an abanile (experience carpenter), in group 1, one woman is paying for Lupe, as her contribution. In group 2 they are paying for Carlos.
Carlos was trained during the pilot, as he worked voluntarily.
Many women are taking food to each of the groups.
Juan has worked with both Group 1 & 2.
Group 2
Angelina, Lorena, Teresa, Agripina, Cirila, Andres, Tomasa & Maricela (Ma de La Luz, will receive a tinaco).
No-one in Group 2 has access to Abanile, group 1 have loaned Carlos to Group 2, & a group 2 person has helped in group 1.
Everyone is participating well.
Talego tried to deliver the materials in one load, but Ana told them no it is to be delivered casa por casa!!!! (great – she stood up for her community!)
We congratulated them for sticking up for themselves & resolving their own issue.
Lupe (working in group 1) would like some help, since he is the only abanile. They will work to resolve this.
The women said they have learnt how to do the main application of the cement/concrete, & how to mix it, but that they let the abaniles finish it so that it doesn’t crack.
They all agreed paying another person to help would make sense if they can not find anyone amongst their families.
There are 3 people who have roof issues, we need to find a good roofing supplier & provide minimum 25m2 of roof to collect the rain needed.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
We asked if we provide the roofing can they put the roofing up themselves – they responded yes.
There was a question about filters & bacteria. We gave another demonstration & explanation of SODIS, solar disinfection, www.sodis.ch .
Ma de La Luz (the woman to receive the tinaco) will need help to install her piping, her piping order was included in the original variables order.
We need to ask Juan/Rafael
• about the necessity of a concrete pad for people with Tinacos.
• How to plumb in the tubing & tap for the cistern (it comes with a tap right at the base of the tinaco, too low down to get a bucket under).
• Recommended least expensive roofing (& from where?)
There was a new person at the assembly, asking to go into the next phase, this is a small community so not likely to have a 2nd phase.
There is the possibility of her getting a tinaco – I suspect she lives alone. (Donya Nicolasa)
Next Vivienda de Arriba assembly June 2nd at 12pm
We gave a ride home to one of the young women & she insisted we come in for some food, her mother had especially donated a chicken & she had made delicious papaya water, so we could not refuse her.
We had a delicious Chicken mole & rice & papaya water, & drove home with full tummies…
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
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