Record of Event pg 1 of 4
9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community - Domitila’s Casa (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 11.08.10 11.15 – 2pm
Who: Chela, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), 33 adults incl 3 men, + 11kids, 4 dogs,
Purpose: Review construction of individual cisterns
There were 2 new people here today & 3 who had only attended 1 previous meeting, so we introduced ourselves.
I apologised for not speaking Spanish well, they all joked & said next month’s meeting will be in English…
Chela asked the women to describe for me what had taken place at the previous meeting (I did not attend as I was in NZ).
Last month they talked about
• back yard gardens, why it was better to grow your own food than buy it, including cheaper, more healthy, fewer chemicals, beneficial bacteria, medicinal plants, plants for human & animal food.
• Maintenance of cisterns
• Review of cisterns progress
Domitila was elected as co-ordinator
Analaura records taker.
Agenda points were called for:
• The next stage/Phase II?
• Review of cisterns progress
• Traspatios/back yard gardens
It was noted there is a govt. Oportunidades Program mtg on at the same time which is why some people are not here today.
Re (possible) Phase II Planning
There are currently 11 people on the list, including one woman who came to earlier meetings but was unable to attend re small children, so dropped out, she wants to be re-included. Elizabeth was voted able to go on the list.
There was an old woman (Euphemia), who works very hard & lives alone & was unable to attend previous meetings, she would like to be considered for a tinaco (plastic tank), she has one daughter who comes to visit her. Her only source of water is the river, which is often dry, or dirty with kitchen scraps.
The women at the assembly were asked for their opinions
Tere “ a plastic tank would be a good idea for her”
Wenseslada agreed since it would be hard for her to build a cistern & cisterns should be kept for families.
A plastic tank is less work, but she still needs to help other people & other people will need to help her, like in other communities, come together to help the older people (Tere).
Record of Event pg 2 of 4
Another older woman – mother of Maria Banca (new) has not attended other meetings as they were on too early for her, right when she was working, if they were later in the day she would be able to attend. She is here representing her daughter Maria, who has 2 children.
In the end the Phase II list was amended
17 cisterns, including 2 tinacos, & 1 for pilot at the church. Ie 14 family cisterns, 2 tinacos (plastic tanks) & 1 for the church.
Analaura has the complete list in the records book.
There was some discussion as to whether to close the list or not, & I pointed out since funding has not been secured yet, it is fine to keep it open, as long as the additional people on the list are aware of the commitment & continue to participate in planning meetings in the interim.
Domitila mentioned a representative from the community of El Cortijo (near Montecillo de Nieto) had asked her about joining the project – there are approx. 12 families there, without water, (only delivered irregularly by pipa – water truck), a representative will need to attend an assembly to make contact with us.
Chela mentioned there have been many requests for assistance by many communities & there is the possibility of an extension of this project with the Presidencia.
The first phase has had the experience & training of building cisterns & co-ordinating meetings & workgroups , these people need to assist the next phase…
Revision of Phase I
25 out of 27 cisterns (20 originally planned) have been completed.
The last 2 are finished but are awaiting connection to the roof of the houses, that are being built as part of the Casa Diferente Program (materials provided, people build their own house).
All cisterns are now ½ or more full (depending on size of the roof catchment area).
Any/all problems have been resolved.
Chela & I asked them to describe the difference the cisterns have caused for their families:
“we’re happy we just have to turn the tap & fresh water that tastes good comes out – there is no need to buy water – the flavour is very good & it’s very fresh & cool” – Domitila
Josefina “ very delicious, we’re very happy, it’s worth the hard work”
Tere gave a gift of water in an empty coke bottle to friends & they couldn’t believe it tasted better than bought water.
Jesus “ very convenient, very reliable & safe to drink, a good solution:”
Domi said “it is clean out of the cistern, or black & yellow if it does arrive, out of the other pipes” (some houses in CdP have water on tap, but the delivery is sporadic & the quality is undrinkable)
Record of Event pg 3 of 4
Chela reminded everyone how important the maintenance (as discussed last meeting) is, you must make sure your roofs are free of dust & other rubbish. Domi said she brushes her roof regularly between the rains now.
The subject of coke came up & Chela mentioned some interesting facts
• More than 12 spoons of sugar in one bottle
• The kidneys can’t filter this much sugar & chemicals so it gets into the pancreas & can lead to diabetes, hypertension/high blood pressure.
• 9 pesos for a small bottle of coke, 23 pesos for 2.5 ltr of coke
• 1 2.5 ltr bottle of coke per day = $8395pesos per year (this amazed people!)
• (many families buy 3 2.5ltr bottles per day!)
• Laura mentioned it takes 2.5 litres of good water to make 1 litre of coke
• Giving it to your kids is the same as giving them “poison”
• No-one personally knows the makers of coke, you are not supporting “friends” by buying it, you are supporting an anonymous corporation.
• The plastic bottles are very hard to dispose of in the countryside.
• It’s damaging to your health, then you have to spend money on doctors & clinics
• Coke is a diuretic
Children are becoming accustomed (essentially addicted) to the taste of coke, Chela suggested making fruit waters. Chela proposed they try a week of just drinking water & fruit juices (home made), & give their kidneys a break. …Most thought this was an amusing suggestion, some thought it was a good idea.
Laura & Chela asked how they would describe the experience of working in groups?
Jesus “workgroups are great, every day is different, lots of harmony & singing & laughing, sharing food & drink – cokes!! Also you begin to know people better & begin a relationship.
One woman responded that Jesus likes it for the free food! Everyone laughed & agreed!
“working in groups means you advance faster”
“each group has different experiences of working in a group, some less effective, some helped with the wire weaving but didn’t help with the concrete work.”
Chela asked the community to identify the experts on cisterns in this community.
In other communities – eg Los Torres, there are now 2 or 3 people who have become expert at the process…
This community agreed many men only helped certain days & could not identify experts, they said mainly women did the work, with the men just coming to do the cement application.
They agreed they would probably still need help with tech assistance for any Phase II people.
The Padre of the church has mentioned to some of the families he would like a cistern, they agreed it would be a good place to do the pilot for phase II.
The roll was called, 6 people missing from Phase I (they are @ the Oportunidades Program). All were present from the Phase II list.
Record of Event pg 4 of 4
Traspatio/Back yard gardens
Chela is going to report back about the possibility of a workshop(s) or regular meetings re this topic, there seems to be interest, but in Los Torres for example, the attendance is sporadic.
We finished at 1.15
Next assembly 8th Sept. 11am (Domitila’s house)
Chela asked Jesus if he had a few eggs he could cook up for snack for us, since we were meeting in Capaderillo next & would have no time for lunch. Jesus has many hens & she knew he would have some eggs. We went to his place & he cooked us some rice, & fried eggs & a calabash casserole!
Photos can be on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
or
WWW.02h2o.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 5
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Aug 4th 2010 12.10pm- 2pm
Who: Holly & Jesus, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary),
(Chela was ill & so Jesus attended in her absence), + 39 adults including 9 men.
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 3 communities attending today.
Juan Gonzalez
• Juan Gonzalez (located past Tierra Blanca, on the other side of the river)
• There are approx. 75 families in Juan Gonzalez
• their water comes from Family Pozos (water in the Pozos in this area are fluoride contaminated), not all families have Pozos (wells) but they share.
• The wells are approx. 20-35 mtrs deep, some are 7-10 mtrs if they are closer to the river
• Attending were Maria Ramirez ph 415 149 4772, Soledad Lopez, Margarita Hernandez & Salvador Correa
Cinco Senores
• Cinco Senores is in front of Juan Gonzalez but the Vivienda de Arriba side of the river
• There are approx. 20 Families
• They have no wells, their only source of water is the river, which is dry in the dry season (ie most of the year!) they have to dig as much as 1mtr in the river bed to find water. This is their only water.
• Attending were Letitia Lopez, Adelita Gonzalez, Josefina Herrera, & Maria Beatriz Baranca – contact Maria Ramirez (as above) 415 149 4772
San Isidro Capadero
• San Isidro is on the road to Cruz del Palmar, on the left, ie between Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar.
• Approx. 35 families of which there are 30 on the list of potential participants in a water Project.
• They have family wells (also contaminated with fluoride) approx. 10-20 mtrs.
• They buy water to drink
• Attending were Jesus Rico (the sand guy – ph 415 155 9406, 415 112 5703), Roberto Reyes, Roberto Caldino, Jose Rodriguez.
San Lorenzo
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Attending were representatives of Estevan (3), Abel (4), J Piedad (9), Alfredo (4), the contact person is Rosa Maria Ramirez (the sister of Aurelia the young woman attending), 415 114 2539.
• Humberto Alfonzo – a young man, approached us after the assembly & said he was very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter. Holly took his details.
Record of Event pg 2 of 5
We talked with the representatives from the new communities first, we asked them the above details & Jesus explained that we are just at the beginning of a long process, that Rotary & Cedesa do not have a big pile of $$$ to offer. What we are offering is the opportunity to gather together to begin to work on the solution to lack of drinking water.
Jesus specifically emphasised we are not able to guarantee funding, but that we are taking statistics of communities who are motivated to resolve this issue, we are just beginning the process.
He suggested that in the meantime we could do a workshop in Cinco Senores re how to avoid bugs & minimise germs since their only source of water is a dirty river.
Jesus stated we are not a religious organisation or a bank or a source of funds, we are here to talk & begin to organise to find the solution, & we can begin to work to seek resources. We are not many people, for example Chela is not here today because she is sick from working too hard 24/7, & we don’t have 20 Chela’s.
Cedesa is only Benigno, Juanita, Chela, Tere, Pancho, Justy, Abel, Holly, Jesus & part time Saul. & there are more than 140 communities Cedesa is engaged with.
“It is very important you realise this & don’t have unrealistic expectations.”
Annamaria (young leader from Vivienda de Arriba), suggested creating a commission of representatives of all the communities & having just one assembly to discuss all the issues of all the communities.
Holly asked Anna to describe the process of the water project from the beginning to it’s conclusion for the new people attending.
She first visited Los Torres assembly in October 2009 & continued to visit each assembly every month, until we began to visit Vivienda de Arriba & hold assemblies there. After the first assembly she returned to Los Torres the following month with a list of who wanted to be involved, not just in the cistern construction, but also attending & participating in assemblies.
They all kept attending assemblies & were very lucky that $$ came through quickly as a project in another community had cancelled. The pilot was completed at the primary school & then the whole community worked together in groups to construct their cisterns.
Jesus explained the components of commitment required
• Assembly participation
• Taking the roll
• Organising & co-ordinating planning meetings
• Understanding the work process
• Learning the construction process
• Working in groups to complete the cisterns
•
One of the women from Vivienda de Arriba stated, it is more than just getting a list of people’s names, they have to be prepared to come to meetings & participate in the whole process.
We asked for contact details of all the new groups, (some are attending for 2nd or 3rd time).
Holly & Jesus gave their contact details
We then introduced ourselves - a little late!!
Record of Event pg 3 of 5
One of the women from Cinco Senores had come on the first day of the month, thinking the assemblies were then, but they are actually the 1st Wednesday of the month, we reiterated that.
The visiting communities were given the option to leave or stay & observe the process, some had to leave to go back to work, others stayed.
The Vivienda de Arriba Assembly proper, started then
The Roll was called, 1 person was absent, visiting the funeral of a young man that had died in Tierra Blanca (2 have died in the last 2 wks, one age 34 & the other age 38, we are working on the mortality rate issue in Tierra Blanca).
Anna, co-ordinating & record taking for this meeting.
She added 3 new names to the list of people for phase II.
Anna reiterated to someone they can not continue to send representatives on their behalf, they must attend themselves.
The 2nd Phase list is growing.
Holly asked Anna to call for agenda items for this meeting.
• Sanitarios Secos
• Revision of Phase I
• Planning of Phase II
• Assemblies, when to have them in future
• Backyard gardens
Item 1 Phase I revision
All 17 cisterns completed & catching water.
The tinaco is installed, catching water already! (tinaco/plastic water tank installed for the elderly woman who lives on her own)
2 roof replacements, materials have arrived, not fully installed (need screwing on) will be installed by Tuesday.
Item 2 Phase II planning
There are basically 2 lists of people for phase II
1 list of people living in Vivienda de Arriba = 12
The other list of people currently living in the USA, but planning on returning = 10
Living here
Leovardo, Evarista, Francisca R, Nicolasa (absent), Luis, Gloria, Rogelia, Jose, Marta, Urbaldo, Irene, Francisca M, Cristina (12 here)
Living in USA
Juan Carlos, Gerardo, Federico R, Aderina R, Santos T, Noz, Valentino, Soloman, Elias, Marcos.
It should be pointed out that this region has a huge number of men in the USA. The people who stay behind feel very indebted to these guys who make the sacrifice to go to the states, so are petitioning on their behalves to have the cisterns provided for them. We of course think the priority should go to the people who live here & currently have no (or contaminated) water, but have to be diplomatic in conveying this.
Record of Event pg 4 of 5
Jesus explained the Funding situation:
Rotary has a long time frame, we need to wait months for approval & if approved, wait further months before $$ are actually available.
The Green Fund, from the Ecologia is currently funding their first project in Capaderillo, this is a Test Case, & if the people do a good job of the project it will open doors to more projects being funded by the Green Fund.
In the case of the “migrantes” – they’re not here & can’t participate. No one is sure if they’re coming back & when, so because we don’t have certainty it is difficult to plan.
There is the possibility of a “pay it forward” program (Tanda), whereby the first one is co-operatively paid for, then those people pay for the next one, & so on. A period to “payback/forward” would have to be a requirement. This is a suggestion – what do you think?
“We would prefer to wait, & then they could become phase III, we have received assistance with materials, & it would be good for them too”. So the suggestion then became those people would become the phase III list.
Holly reiterated it might be a good option to begin sooner, if the people in the States could send money back for the people in VdA to begin building them now for them…
Item 3 Sanitarios Secos
Anna mentioned they only became interested in Sanitarios Secos when the point was raised by visitors to their assembly from La Tinaja. La Tinaja are aware of sanitarios secos because of a save the laja project going on in a neighbouring community.
Holly suggested delaying discussion on this topic, for Chela since it is her specialty.
Jesus wanted to clarify a few things first
1. The existing model is very expensive (twice the cost of a cistern!)
2. It is important to find & design a cheaper model
3. It is important to understand the importance of toilets re health issues/germs/poo problems etc – to know the way the toilet works re the breakdown of bacteria, diversion of urine & lots of other details
4. If they are interested Jesus suggested a workshop would be a good way to learn these things before beginning a toilet project.
5. Other things to learn would be eg, the number of litres to flush a flush toilet, & the expense to maintain a flush toilet
6. Lots of people use toilets as chicken houses or storage sheds because the decide not to use the toilets
2 of the women from Juan Gonzalez mentioned they have dry toilets, they have had them more than 12 years & use them properly. “the materials from the dry toilets are a great fertilizer, if you use them properly” “it converts to dirt & where you put the dirt from the toilet the corn grows bigger!”
Item 4 – assemblies
Holly asked “how do you want to keep having your assemblies?”
Anna responded “we’d like to continue with backyard gardens, the possibility of dry toilets & other things”
Jesus talked about regional meetings – assemblies bringing together multiple communities.
It was suggested that we do 2 more assemblies as training, & then they would take up the reins on their own.
Record of Event pg 5 of 5
Item 5 – extra point – maintenance of cisterns & Sodis
Holly handed out the final information sheet containing information re on-going maintenance of the cisterns & also the SODIS method of purifying the water.
Next assembly was planned for Wednesday 1st September at 11am
(other communities were invited to attend then too)
Next we headed off for Tierra Blanca for our 3pm Assembly there.
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
10th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed Aug 4th 2010 12.10pm- 2pm
Who: Holly & Jesus, (Cedesa) Laura, (Rotary),
(Chela was ill & so Jesus attended in her absence), + 39 adults including 9 men.
Purpose: The water project funded by Rotary has concluded, with the successful completion of 17 cisterns (1 school & 16 individual family).
This meeting is continuing relations & development in the community & neighbouring communities. There were representatives from 3 communities attending today.
Juan Gonzalez
• Juan Gonzalez (located past Tierra Blanca, on the other side of the river)
• There are approx. 75 families in Juan Gonzalez
• their water comes from Family Pozos (water in the Pozos in this area are fluoride contaminated), not all families have Pozos (wells) but they share.
• The wells are approx. 20-35 mtrs deep, some are 7-10 mtrs if they are closer to the river
• Attending were Maria Ramirez ph 415 149 4772, Soledad Lopez, Margarita Hernandez & Salvador Correa
Cinco Senores
• Cinco Senores is in front of Juan Gonzalez but the Vivienda de Arriba side of the river
• There are approx. 20 Families
• They have no wells, their only source of water is the river, which is dry in the dry season (ie most of the year!) they have to dig as much as 1mtr in the river bed to find water. This is their only water.
• Attending were Letitia Lopez, Adelita Gonzalez, Josefina Herrera, & Maria Beatriz Baranca – contact Maria Ramirez (as above) 415 149 4772
San Isidro Capadero
• San Isidro is on the road to Cruz del Palmar, on the left, ie between Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar.
• Approx. 35 families of which there are 30 on the list of potential participants in a water Project.
• They have family wells (also contaminated with fluoride) approx. 10-20 mtrs.
• They buy water to drink
• Attending were Jesus Rico (the sand guy – ph 415 155 9406, 415 112 5703), Roberto Reyes, Roberto Caldino, Jose Rodriguez.
San Lorenzo
• San Lorenzo is close to Juan Gonzalez (makes more sense to combine JG & SL, than with Vivienda 2nd phase).
• Approx. 4 families
• Attending were representatives of Estevan (3), Abel (4), J Piedad (9), Alfredo (4), the contact person is Rosa Maria Ramirez (the sister of Aurelia the young woman attending), 415 114 2539.
• Humberto Alfonzo – a young man, approached us after the assembly & said he was very interested in doing social development work & learning how to be a promoter. Holly took his details.
Record of Event pg 2 of 5
We talked with the representatives from the new communities first, we asked them the above details & Jesus explained that we are just at the beginning of a long process, that Rotary & Cedesa do not have a big pile of $$$ to offer. What we are offering is the opportunity to gather together to begin to work on the solution to lack of drinking water.
Jesus specifically emphasised we are not able to guarantee funding, but that we are taking statistics of communities who are motivated to resolve this issue, we are just beginning the process.
He suggested that in the meantime we could do a workshop in Cinco Senores re how to avoid bugs & minimise germs since their only source of water is a dirty river.
Jesus stated we are not a religious organisation or a bank or a source of funds, we are here to talk & begin to organise to find the solution, & we can begin to work to seek resources. We are not many people, for example Chela is not here today because she is sick from working too hard 24/7, & we don’t have 20 Chela’s.
Cedesa is only Benigno, Juanita, Chela, Tere, Pancho, Justy, Abel, Holly, Jesus & part time Saul. & there are more than 140 communities Cedesa is engaged with.
“It is very important you realise this & don’t have unrealistic expectations.”
Annamaria (young leader from Vivienda de Arriba), suggested creating a commission of representatives of all the communities & having just one assembly to discuss all the issues of all the communities.
Holly asked Anna to describe the process of the water project from the beginning to it’s conclusion for the new people attending.
She first visited Los Torres assembly in October 2009 & continued to visit each assembly every month, until we began to visit Vivienda de Arriba & hold assemblies there. After the first assembly she returned to Los Torres the following month with a list of who wanted to be involved, not just in the cistern construction, but also attending & participating in assemblies.
They all kept attending assemblies & were very lucky that $$ came through quickly as a project in another community had cancelled. The pilot was completed at the primary school & then the whole community worked together in groups to construct their cisterns.
Jesus explained the components of commitment required
• Assembly participation
• Taking the roll
• Organising & co-ordinating planning meetings
• Understanding the work process
• Learning the construction process
• Working in groups to complete the cisterns
•
One of the women from Vivienda de Arriba stated, it is more than just getting a list of people’s names, they have to be prepared to come to meetings & participate in the whole process.
We asked for contact details of all the new groups, (some are attending for 2nd or 3rd time).
Holly & Jesus gave their contact details
We then introduced ourselves - a little late!!
Record of Event pg 3 of 5
One of the women from Cinco Senores had come on the first day of the month, thinking the assemblies were then, but they are actually the 1st Wednesday of the month, we reiterated that.
The visiting communities were given the option to leave or stay & observe the process, some had to leave to go back to work, others stayed.
The Vivienda de Arriba Assembly proper, started then
The Roll was called, 1 person was absent, visiting the funeral of a young man that had died in Tierra Blanca (2 have died in the last 2 wks, one age 34 & the other age 38, we are working on the mortality rate issue in Tierra Blanca).
Anna, co-ordinating & record taking for this meeting.
She added 3 new names to the list of people for phase II.
Anna reiterated to someone they can not continue to send representatives on their behalf, they must attend themselves.
The 2nd Phase list is growing.
Holly asked Anna to call for agenda items for this meeting.
• Sanitarios Secos
• Revision of Phase I
• Planning of Phase II
• Assemblies, when to have them in future
• Backyard gardens
Item 1 Phase I revision
All 17 cisterns completed & catching water.
The tinaco is installed, catching water already! (tinaco/plastic water tank installed for the elderly woman who lives on her own)
2 roof replacements, materials have arrived, not fully installed (need screwing on) will be installed by Tuesday.
Item 2 Phase II planning
There are basically 2 lists of people for phase II
1 list of people living in Vivienda de Arriba = 12
The other list of people currently living in the USA, but planning on returning = 10
Living here
Leovardo, Evarista, Francisca R, Nicolasa (absent), Luis, Gloria, Rogelia, Jose, Marta, Urbaldo, Irene, Francisca M, Cristina (12 here)
Living in USA
Juan Carlos, Gerardo, Federico R, Aderina R, Santos T, Noz, Valentino, Soloman, Elias, Marcos.
It should be pointed out that this region has a huge number of men in the USA. The people who stay behind feel very indebted to these guys who make the sacrifice to go to the states, so are petitioning on their behalves to have the cisterns provided for them. We of course think the priority should go to the people who live here & currently have no (or contaminated) water, but have to be diplomatic in conveying this.
Record of Event pg 4 of 5
Jesus explained the Funding situation:
Rotary has a long time frame, we need to wait months for approval & if approved, wait further months before $$ are actually available.
The Green Fund, from the Ecologia is currently funding their first project in Capaderillo, this is a Test Case, & if the people do a good job of the project it will open doors to more projects being funded by the Green Fund.
In the case of the “migrantes” – they’re not here & can’t participate. No one is sure if they’re coming back & when, so because we don’t have certainty it is difficult to plan.
There is the possibility of a “pay it forward” program (Tanda), whereby the first one is co-operatively paid for, then those people pay for the next one, & so on. A period to “payback/forward” would have to be a requirement. This is a suggestion – what do you think?
“We would prefer to wait, & then they could become phase III, we have received assistance with materials, & it would be good for them too”. So the suggestion then became those people would become the phase III list.
Holly reiterated it might be a good option to begin sooner, if the people in the States could send money back for the people in VdA to begin building them now for them…
Item 3 Sanitarios Secos
Anna mentioned they only became interested in Sanitarios Secos when the point was raised by visitors to their assembly from La Tinaja. La Tinaja are aware of sanitarios secos because of a save the laja project going on in a neighbouring community.
Holly suggested delaying discussion on this topic, for Chela since it is her specialty.
Jesus wanted to clarify a few things first
1. The existing model is very expensive (twice the cost of a cistern!)
2. It is important to find & design a cheaper model
3. It is important to understand the importance of toilets re health issues/germs/poo problems etc – to know the way the toilet works re the breakdown of bacteria, diversion of urine & lots of other details
4. If they are interested Jesus suggested a workshop would be a good way to learn these things before beginning a toilet project.
5. Other things to learn would be eg, the number of litres to flush a flush toilet, & the expense to maintain a flush toilet
6. Lots of people use toilets as chicken houses or storage sheds because the decide not to use the toilets
2 of the women from Juan Gonzalez mentioned they have dry toilets, they have had them more than 12 years & use them properly. “the materials from the dry toilets are a great fertilizer, if you use them properly” “it converts to dirt & where you put the dirt from the toilet the corn grows bigger!”
Item 4 – assemblies
Holly asked “how do you want to keep having your assemblies?”
Anna responded “we’d like to continue with backyard gardens, the possibility of dry toilets & other things”
Jesus talked about regional meetings – assemblies bringing together multiple communities.
It was suggested that we do 2 more assemblies as training, & then they would take up the reins on their own.
Record of Event pg 5 of 5
Item 5 – extra point – maintenance of cisterns & Sodis
Holly handed out the final information sheet containing information re on-going maintenance of the cisterns & also the SODIS method of purifying the water.
Next assembly was planned for Wednesday 1st September at 11am
(other communities were invited to attend then too)
Next we headed off for Tierra Blanca for our 3pm Assembly there.
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
Report of 4th visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – In front of old Church,
When: 04.08.10
Who: Saul, Jesus, Holly (Chela was ill) (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 41 adults incl, 5 men, 13kids, at least 8 dogs & 3 sheep!
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.
Introductions:
Saul, Jesus, Holly & Laura introduced ourselves.
The “roll” was called (passed the list)
Agenda was set
1. Results of water samples taken
2. Advances re funding
3. Interviews/surveys
4. Method of interview/survey
Jesus explained that water test samples were taken, from 4 different levels, & different times.
Unfortunately the levels of fluoride in all the samples were higher than 3 (almost 4mg/l). Safe max. is 1.5mg/l.
Arsenic tests have also been done & we are still awaiting results.
For clarification, fluoride is not the cause of the cancer, it is still a serious health issue, but not the cause, so we have to things to solve.
Tierra Blanca has not been drinking this water for too long (well is approx. 10 yrs old), so the symptoms are not obvious in the adults yet, but it is definitely affecting the children already, especially since they are so small it is concentrated in their bodies. It is worse in Los Torres, where they have been drinking this water for many more years.
We can have a workshop at Cedesa & demonstrate how to construct a solar distiller, the only effective way to remove fluoride from water.
We suggest the creation of a committee to work on water options, discuss the options & look at alternatives, unfortunately there is no option for the people living at the top of the hill as they have no water…
It was suggested that the same people carrying out the census/interviews can do the stats re the water, there are already 2 sets of census takers appointed for each side of the community.
Laura suggested each person at this meeting could learn the details & be the ones to transfer the information to the rest of their community.
One man came forward & spoke about his ill health, he has the beginnings of the symptoms that people complain of before dying of cancer & was obviously worried about it. He was planning to visit the clinic in SMA “Similares” this afternoon.
Jesus,& Laura discussed the possibility of finding a doctor in SMA willing to take all the cases in TB, so there is consistency & medical expertise. Jesus has a friend who is a Doctor & naturopath, he will approach him.
Jesus explained he had spoken with the Secretary of Salud to have a mobile Cancer clinic (normally for breast cancer testing) come to the community to take blood samples for antigens which would be the first indicator of the presence of cancer… The blood tests would be on a voluntary basis, for everyone over the age of 16.
The plan therefore is
1. Census for all
2. At same time explain water issues to all
3. Lab test/blood test for those who want it.
Estela volunteered to receive info re who would like to go on the list for giving blood. She will not take names (as she can’t read or write) but will record the number of people.
Boys 15 & older, Girls 16 & older
She will collect the numbers before Saturday & give this information to Jesus.
Once the information is received Jesus, thought the clinic would take approx. 2-3 wks to schedule the visit.
Jesus explained Genetics & family trees & the reason for collecting census info that may point to a genetic origin of this issue. It is also important to describe the geographical limits the people move about in in their daily lives. Eg house, fields, river
Saul suggested creating a “map” so people can demonstrate pictorially where they move.
One woman spoke “ a friend told her there were some people that came with big machines & they had a hand held device with a needle that moved a lot, she assumed it was measuring radiation”
Jesus described the form the census takers will use.
The house, who lives there, general info per household, rooms for sleeping, rooms for kitchen, material of the house (ie adobe/brick), Electricity si/no, gas si/.no, use wood for fires? Etc
There are 3 pages for the genealogical tree. The oldest person in the house should answer the questions.
Main assembly finished at this point 4.20
The census committee stayed for extra training, including each completing one census.
Marisol & Vero
Pedro & Lucia
Enedina & Reyna
Session ended 5.45pm
(we arrived back in SMA at 6.40)
Next assembly in Tierra Blanca 4th Sept at 2pm
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
When: 04.08.10
Who: Saul, Jesus, Holly (Chela was ill) (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 41 adults incl, 5 men, 13kids, at least 8 dogs & 3 sheep!
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.
Introductions:
Saul, Jesus, Holly & Laura introduced ourselves.
The “roll” was called (passed the list)
Agenda was set
1. Results of water samples taken
2. Advances re funding
3. Interviews/surveys
4. Method of interview/survey
Jesus explained that water test samples were taken, from 4 different levels, & different times.
Unfortunately the levels of fluoride in all the samples were higher than 3 (almost 4mg/l). Safe max. is 1.5mg/l.
Arsenic tests have also been done & we are still awaiting results.
For clarification, fluoride is not the cause of the cancer, it is still a serious health issue, but not the cause, so we have to things to solve.
Tierra Blanca has not been drinking this water for too long (well is approx. 10 yrs old), so the symptoms are not obvious in the adults yet, but it is definitely affecting the children already, especially since they are so small it is concentrated in their bodies. It is worse in Los Torres, where they have been drinking this water for many more years.
We can have a workshop at Cedesa & demonstrate how to construct a solar distiller, the only effective way to remove fluoride from water.
We suggest the creation of a committee to work on water options, discuss the options & look at alternatives, unfortunately there is no option for the people living at the top of the hill as they have no water…
It was suggested that the same people carrying out the census/interviews can do the stats re the water, there are already 2 sets of census takers appointed for each side of the community.
Laura suggested each person at this meeting could learn the details & be the ones to transfer the information to the rest of their community.
One man came forward & spoke about his ill health, he has the beginnings of the symptoms that people complain of before dying of cancer & was obviously worried about it. He was planning to visit the clinic in SMA “Similares” this afternoon.
Jesus,& Laura discussed the possibility of finding a doctor in SMA willing to take all the cases in TB, so there is consistency & medical expertise. Jesus has a friend who is a Doctor & naturopath, he will approach him.
Jesus explained he had spoken with the Secretary of Salud to have a mobile Cancer clinic (normally for breast cancer testing) come to the community to take blood samples for antigens which would be the first indicator of the presence of cancer… The blood tests would be on a voluntary basis, for everyone over the age of 16.
The plan therefore is
1. Census for all
2. At same time explain water issues to all
3. Lab test/blood test for those who want it.
Estela volunteered to receive info re who would like to go on the list for giving blood. She will not take names (as she can’t read or write) but will record the number of people.
Boys 15 & older, Girls 16 & older
She will collect the numbers before Saturday & give this information to Jesus.
Once the information is received Jesus, thought the clinic would take approx. 2-3 wks to schedule the visit.
Jesus explained Genetics & family trees & the reason for collecting census info that may point to a genetic origin of this issue. It is also important to describe the geographical limits the people move about in in their daily lives. Eg house, fields, river
Saul suggested creating a “map” so people can demonstrate pictorially where they move.
One woman spoke “ a friend told her there were some people that came with big machines & they had a hand held device with a needle that moved a lot, she assumed it was measuring radiation”
Jesus described the form the census takers will use.
The house, who lives there, general info per household, rooms for sleeping, rooms for kitchen, material of the house (ie adobe/brick), Electricity si/no, gas si/.no, use wood for fires? Etc
There are 3 pages for the genealogical tree. The oldest person in the house should answer the questions.
Main assembly finished at this point 4.20
The census committee stayed for extra training, including each completing one census.
Marisol & Vero
Pedro & Lucia
Enedina & Reyna
Session ended 5.45pm
(we arrived back in SMA at 6.40)
Next assembly in Tierra Blanca 4th Sept at 2pm
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
Report of 4th visit to Tierra Blanca
Where: Tierra Blanca – In front of old Church,
When: 04.08.10
Who: Saul, Jesus, Holly (Chela was ill) (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), 41 adults incl, 5 men, 13kids, at least 8 dogs & 3 sheep!
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.
Introductions:
Saul, Jesus, Holly & Laura introduced ourselves.
The “roll” was called (passed the list)
Agenda was set
1. Results of water samples taken
2. Advances re funding
3. Interviews/surveys
4. Method of interview/survey
Jesus explained that water test samples were taken, from 4 different levels, & different times.
Unfortunately the levels of fluoride in all the samples were higher than 3 (almost 4mg/l). Safe max. is 1.5mg/l.
Arsenic tests have also been done & we are still awaiting results.
For clarification, fluoride is not the cause of the cancer, it is still a serious health issue, but not the cause, so we have to things to solve.
Tierra Blanca has not been drinking this water for too long (well is approx. 10 yrs old), so the symptoms are not obvious in the adults yet, but it is definitely affecting the children already, especially since they are so small it is concentrated in their bodies. It is worse in Los Torres, where they have been drinking this water for many more years.
We can have a workshop at Cedesa & demonstrate how to construct a solar distiller, the only effective way to remove fluoride from water.
We suggest the creation of a committee to work on water options, discuss the options & look at alternatives, unfortunately there is no option for the people living at the top of the hill as they have no water…
It was suggested that the same people carrying out the census/interviews can do the stats re the water, there are already 2 sets of census takers appointed for each side of the community.
Laura suggested each person at this meeting could learn the details & be the ones to transfer the information to the rest of their community.
One man came forward & spoke about his ill health, he has the beginnings of the symptoms that people complain of before dying of cancer & was obviously worried about it. He was planning to visit the clinic in SMA “Similares” this afternoon.
Jesus,& Laura discussed the possibility of finding a doctor in SMA willing to take all the cases in TB, so there is consistency & medical expertise. Jesus has a friend who is a Doctor & naturopath, he will approach him.
Jesus explained he had spoken with the Secretary of Salud to have a mobile Cancer clinic (normally for breast cancer testing) come to the community to take blood samples for antigens which would be the first indicator of the presence of cancer… The blood tests would be on a voluntary basis, for everyone over the age of 16.
The plan therefore is
1. Census for all
2. At same time explain water issues to all
3. Lab test/blood test for those who want it.
Estela volunteered to receive info re who would like to go on the list for giving blood. She will not take names (as she can’t read or write) but will record the number of people.
Boys 15 & older, Girls 16 & older
She will collect the numbers before Saturday & give this information to Jesus.
Once the information is received Jesus, thought the clinic would take approx. 2-3 wks to schedule the visit.
Jesus explained Genetics & family trees & the reason for collecting census info that may point to a genetic origin of this issue. It is also important to describe the geographical limits the people move about in in their daily lives. Eg house, fields, river
Saul suggested creating a “map” so people can demonstrate pictorially where they move.
One woman spoke “ a friend told her there were some people that came with big machines & they had a hand held device with a needle that moved a lot, she assumed it was measuring radiation”
Jesus described the form the census takers will use.
The house, who lives there, general info per household, rooms for sleeping, rooms for kitchen, material of the house (ie adobe/brick), Electricity si/no, gas si/.no, use wood for fires? Etc
There are 3 pages for the genealogical tree. The oldest person in the house should answer the questions.
Main assembly finished at this point 4.20
The census committee stayed for extra training, including each completing one census.
Marisol & Vero
Pedro & Lucia
Enedina & Reyna
Session ended 5.45pm
(we arrived back in SMA at 6.40)
Next assembly in Tierra Blanca 4th Sept at 2pm
(report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart)
Friday, July 23, 2010
9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Fri 23rd July 2010 12.10pm
Who: Holly, Chela, Jesus, & Gerardo (Cedesa) Laura, Kerry, Walter, Enrique, (Rotary), Gary & Sue Reid, Manuel Agri(sp?), (Rotary Guests), Roberto Andre – (Presidencia, now subdirector of Desarollo Rural ), the film & photography crew of the Presidencia, the community of Vivienda de Arriba including the Padre of the church, & Victor – Maestro of the primary school
Purpose: Celebration of the completion of the project to construct 17 cisterns (1 at the school & 16 family cisterns) at Vivienda de Arriba.
Cedesa, Rotary & the Presidencia were invited by the project participants of Vivienda de Arriba to participate in the celebration of the completion of the water project in this community.
We arrived in convoy & it was pouring with rain. The community had strung up tarps across the courtyard & set up tables & chairs.
We were invited to view a Photoboard the teacher & his pupils had created to document the process of constructing the cistern at the school. The photos were in black & white & excellent. Anamaria (the young community leader) explained to the guests the process & answered questions.
The Padre then invited us to another room where we all discussed the project & the benefits to this community, way beyond just the completion of the cisterns, the organisation & solidarity it had created, & the willingness & motivation of the community to resolve their own issues. There were many “speeches” in Spanish, by Chela & the Padre & others, essentially explaining the ideals of development & the advantage of this “hand up” not “hand out” approach.
Roberto from Desarollo Social, now Rural, said they have only 5 promoters for a region of 500 communities & so welcomed initiatives like this one… Chela described the benefits of this development approach, from where it had started & what it is growing into (now more than 18 communities have requested a water project in their community!), it all started in Los Torres & has grown from the success there.
She mentioned Los Torres now has a team of 4 tech advisers & Vivienda de Arriba has 2, we also have identified 4 excellent potential community promoters from the leaders of the projects, Saul, Juan & Concha & AnaMaria (& others)…
Los Torres have now completed 2 phases of water projects & the experience gained from successfully executing those projects has enabled them to tackle other issues of importance in their community, for example they have petitioned the presidencia to mend their road & the petition has been accepted. They continue to work in the area of back yard production & are planning workshops in health.
Working together on positive issues, also creates a distraction from other less desirable activities, the teachers in the communities also provide an excellent way to continue the growth.
The community said, they have gotten to know others in their community, they now have experience & focus, & a can do attitude.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
“more than a beautiful experience, now we have water but we also have good relationships with the people we have been working with” “we enjoyed working in groups it is much easier & faster, by ourselves it would have been too heavy, but with everyone working it was much easier & fun” “good helping eachother” “good sharing the workload”.
The community & team was congratulated, Rotary & Cedesa were thanked for the opportunity of this project. Members of the community were asked to describe how it was for them, & their responses were filmed by the film crew for local television broad cast, & update for the presidencia.
We then attended mass in the Chapel, & after were treated to a huge banquet… This is the smallest community we are working with, but by far the biggest “spread”, every family had contributed with huge pots full of delicious food, including corn on the cob, chicherone (pork rind), wild greens, barbacoa (pit cooked sheep), as well as the usual delicious rice, beans & home made & grown, tortillas… Walter exclaimed he didn’t like Mexican food, but that this was something different! He had never experienced the like of it in any Mexican restaurant in San Miguel, & proclaimed it to all be delicious!!
We were then given a tour of some of the cisterns, including 2 that had been decorated, one with 3 ceramic stampeding elephants on the top & a large drawing of an African elephant on the side, the other with a light attached to the top of the cistern, with electrics stringing back into the house, & a large picture of a shepherd & sheep on the side!!! You can see photos on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com in the Montecillo de Nieto slideshow.
We also visited the house of Lorena, where before the project she had a roof made of black cardboard & bamboo canes, now she has a tin roof & it is effectively channelling the water to the cistern now.
We said our happy farewells & bundled back into our cars, happy & full.
The water project is concluded in this community, the assemblies are continuing with Cedesa (& Laura) attending, until a big picture plan is made which may include more planned development projects.
It should also be noted, that we have come in under budget on the combined Cruz del Palmar/Vivienda de Arriba project (which started out as Lomas de San Jose)…This was achieved due to many hours of comparative quotes & maximising the bulk purchases with other community projects in process at the same time. Economy of scale.
We are currently in the process of working with TRF to determine the best way to spend these funds.
Although the Vivienda de Arriba Water project is officially concluded, I will continue to update via mthly reports until the project is officially closed & financial reports provided to TRF as required.
Next assembly 4th August @ 12midday.
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
9th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Fri 23rd July 2010 12.10pm
Who: Holly, Chela, Jesus, & Gerardo (Cedesa) Laura, Kerry, Walter, Enrique, (Rotary), Gary & Sue Reid, Manuel Agri(sp?), (Rotary Guests), Roberto Andre – (Presidencia, now subdirector of Desarollo Rural ), the film & photography crew of the Presidencia, the community of Vivienda de Arriba including the Padre of the church, & Victor – Maestro of the primary school
Purpose: Celebration of the completion of the project to construct 17 cisterns (1 at the school & 16 family cisterns) at Vivienda de Arriba.
Cedesa, Rotary & the Presidencia were invited by the project participants of Vivienda de Arriba to participate in the celebration of the completion of the water project in this community.
We arrived in convoy & it was pouring with rain. The community had strung up tarps across the courtyard & set up tables & chairs.
We were invited to view a Photoboard the teacher & his pupils had created to document the process of constructing the cistern at the school. The photos were in black & white & excellent. Anamaria (the young community leader) explained to the guests the process & answered questions.
The Padre then invited us to another room where we all discussed the project & the benefits to this community, way beyond just the completion of the cisterns, the organisation & solidarity it had created, & the willingness & motivation of the community to resolve their own issues. There were many “speeches” in Spanish, by Chela & the Padre & others, essentially explaining the ideals of development & the advantage of this “hand up” not “hand out” approach.
Roberto from Desarollo Social, now Rural, said they have only 5 promoters for a region of 500 communities & so welcomed initiatives like this one… Chela described the benefits of this development approach, from where it had started & what it is growing into (now more than 18 communities have requested a water project in their community!), it all started in Los Torres & has grown from the success there.
She mentioned Los Torres now has a team of 4 tech advisers & Vivienda de Arriba has 2, we also have identified 4 excellent potential community promoters from the leaders of the projects, Saul, Juan & Concha & AnaMaria (& others)…
Los Torres have now completed 2 phases of water projects & the experience gained from successfully executing those projects has enabled them to tackle other issues of importance in their community, for example they have petitioned the presidencia to mend their road & the petition has been accepted. They continue to work in the area of back yard production & are planning workshops in health.
Working together on positive issues, also creates a distraction from other less desirable activities, the teachers in the communities also provide an excellent way to continue the growth.
The community said, they have gotten to know others in their community, they now have experience & focus, & a can do attitude.
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
“more than a beautiful experience, now we have water but we also have good relationships with the people we have been working with” “we enjoyed working in groups it is much easier & faster, by ourselves it would have been too heavy, but with everyone working it was much easier & fun” “good helping eachother” “good sharing the workload”.
The community & team was congratulated, Rotary & Cedesa were thanked for the opportunity of this project. Members of the community were asked to describe how it was for them, & their responses were filmed by the film crew for local television broad cast, & update for the presidencia.
We then attended mass in the Chapel, & after were treated to a huge banquet… This is the smallest community we are working with, but by far the biggest “spread”, every family had contributed with huge pots full of delicious food, including corn on the cob, chicherone (pork rind), wild greens, barbacoa (pit cooked sheep), as well as the usual delicious rice, beans & home made & grown, tortillas… Walter exclaimed he didn’t like Mexican food, but that this was something different! He had never experienced the like of it in any Mexican restaurant in San Miguel, & proclaimed it to all be delicious!!
We were then given a tour of some of the cisterns, including 2 that had been decorated, one with 3 ceramic stampeding elephants on the top & a large drawing of an African elephant on the side, the other with a light attached to the top of the cistern, with electrics stringing back into the house, & a large picture of a shepherd & sheep on the side!!! You can see photos on the blog www.02h2o.blogspot.com in the Montecillo de Nieto slideshow.
We also visited the house of Lorena, where before the project she had a roof made of black cardboard & bamboo canes, now she has a tin roof & it is effectively channelling the water to the cistern now.
We said our happy farewells & bundled back into our cars, happy & full.
The water project is concluded in this community, the assemblies are continuing with Cedesa (& Laura) attending, until a big picture plan is made which may include more planned development projects.
It should also be noted, that we have come in under budget on the combined Cruz del Palmar/Vivienda de Arriba project (which started out as Lomas de San Jose)…This was achieved due to many hours of comparative quotes & maximising the bulk purchases with other community projects in process at the same time. Economy of scale.
We are currently in the process of working with TRF to determine the best way to spend these funds.
Although the Vivienda de Arriba Water project is officially concluded, I will continue to update via mthly reports until the project is officially closed & financial reports provided to TRF as required.
Next assembly 4th August @ 12midday.
Report respectfully submitted by Laura Stewart
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
42nd Meeting at Los Torres 21.07.10
Laura was absent for the assembly on the 21st July.
The community of Los Torres has essentially completed their water project, & it culminated with a Fiesta/inauguration on the 11th June at the Los Torres Primary school.
Holly provided a brief summary to Laura, since Cedesa are continuing to work with Los Torres,(on other than the Cistern Project).
The Phase II/III cistern project is essentialy done (a few small loose ends, a few cisterns not waterproofed, but all are catching rain; a problem with lamina for one roof and one faucet on a tinaco) ... we talked mostly about the road project for a couple hours and traspatio design about a half hour. We are hesitant about an additional Phase in Los Torres (there were 7 new people interested) because Phase II/III has been a little problematic with people not working together as well as previous phases.
It seems the first phase of a community is generally the most enthusiastic & motivated, with the "slower adopters" being less motivated & less participatory. For this reason it is ideal to have a thorough saturation at phase I stage, & reach as many as possible for the first "push".
Next assembly for Cedesa/Los Torres (not Rotary water project)
August 18th 3pm
The community of Los Torres has essentially completed their water project, & it culminated with a Fiesta/inauguration on the 11th June at the Los Torres Primary school.
Holly provided a brief summary to Laura, since Cedesa are continuing to work with Los Torres,(on other than the Cistern Project).
The Phase II/III cistern project is essentialy done (a few small loose ends, a few cisterns not waterproofed, but all are catching rain; a problem with lamina for one roof and one faucet on a tinaco) ... we talked mostly about the road project for a couple hours and traspatio design about a half hour. We are hesitant about an additional Phase in Los Torres (there were 7 new people interested) because Phase II/III has been a little problematic with people not working together as well as previous phases.
It seems the first phase of a community is generally the most enthusiastic & motivated, with the "slower adopters" being less motivated & less participatory. For this reason it is ideal to have a thorough saturation at phase I stage, & reach as many as possible for the first "push".
Next assembly for Cedesa/Los Torres (not Rotary water project)
August 18th 3pm
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
8th Cruz del Palmar community meeting, 14 de julio del 2010
8th Cruz del Palmar community meeting, 14 de julio del 2010
Where: Cruz del Palmar, casa de Domitilia
When: Wed, July 14, 11 a.m.
Who: Chela and Holly and Saul Juarez (Cedesa), 36 people including a number of children. 20 people from the first phase, 5 from the 7 families added in June, 5 new people (see list at end of this report).
Mere Banca was designated as coordinator of the assembly, Ana Laura took roll and added new people to the roll. Saul was introduced as a new promoter in the region. Chela asked the new people why they came to the meeting. Josefina said they want to cisterns in order to have clean water to drink and for cooking; Angela said they don’t want to have to buy water in garrafones. Holly mentioned that there is also a social objective, to work in presta-fuerza groups, to encourage community development and values. Ismael said he thought the idea was to have a good environment to work in, to help each other and his wife Catalina said that she wanted to participate but she was pregnant with the small baby she held – she participated in the training at the school but couldn’t continue.
Chela asked if the people in the meeting knew each other, and people said that now they know each other by sight if not by name. All but a few are from the upper part of Cruz [where there are more problems with the supply of water]. Chela noted that in large communities (comunidades, often translated “villages”) like Cruz there is less convivencia, less personal relationships between neighbors, like in cities.
Ana Laura and her aunt said that the people in Cruz are more friendly than in cities (they are from Irapuato). Mere said her daughters-in-law are from other communities (villages) and they consider Cruz to be a city (it is the second largest town in the municipality of San Miguel).
Chela explained how Yolanda, Lucia and Tere visited assemblies at Los Torres for several months before we started visiting Cruz del Palmar, and she asked Holly to explain how the Rotary grant was made. Holly explained that 50 cisterns had been approved for a Rotary project in a suburb of the city of San Miguel at the beginning of this year, but the people there were unable to make the commitment to work in mutual-aid groups, so the funds for the 50 cisterns got divided between Cruz del Palmar and Vivienda de Arriba. Saul explained the process at Capaderillo; how he first visited assemblies at Los Torres, then Vivienda de Arriba and how CEDESA and Rotary applied for a grant from the Fondo Verde, which was approved in May but the money was not available until a week ago. They are planning to have the training next week and start construction on family cisterns the week after. Holly emphasized that the fund-raising process takes several months, that the Rotary deadline for Nov-Dec projects is already past, that people who want to participate in a possible Phase II will need to help us to put together applications to other sources, such as Desarrollo Social (municipal department of Social Development) or SAPASMA (San Miguel water utility).
The conversation then turned to other projects that can be implemented without the outside funds, such as traspatio design (backyard gardens). Chela asked how many people grow nopal in their yards, and nearly all said they have nopal but not all of them use it for food. Chela emphasized the importance of growing your own food, especially native plants like nopal which is very healthy. She asked how many people had vegetable gardens, and a few raised their hands; and one family has a farmacia viva (medicinal plants). Chela talked about rescuing the knowledge of our grandmothers, how to cure ourselves and not get sick, as opposed to depending on the clinic and doctors and expensive packaged medicine. She said people in the country are fortunate to have space in which to grow food all year round, and not eat food like Maruchan (instant noodles), which is full of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Wenceslada said that she used to grow vegetables, but her children wouldn’t eat them, they like junk food. Yolanda agreed, her children don’t like vegetables. Saul said it is important to get kids accustomed to eating vegetables from a young age, his 2-year old son likes fruit and vegetables and he doesn’t let him eat junk food. Chela said that if kids see their parents eating well and drinking fresh juice instead of refrescos (bottled sodas), we can escape the trap of eating and drinking what they sell to us instead of what we produce. Also now people are growing dependent upon government programs that provide cash to buy food, but what will happen when there is no more government money? People in rural communities have the possibility of growing their own food instead of buying it, so can be less dependent and more autonomous. That is what we call food sovereignty.
Chela said that CEDESA is teaching traspatio design (how to make plant beds, use less water) in Los Torres and Montecillo, and if Cruz is interested, can start a workshop here. Many people said they are interested in learning how to grow vegetables and medicinal plants in their yards, also nopal all year round.
Moving to the subject of the cisterns, we then reviewed the progress of the mutual-aid groups.
Group 1 – all the cisterns are finished and connected, and all but one of them is filling up with rainwater (there are problems with the connections)
Group 2 – three are done and collecting water, but one lacks the tubing.
Group 3 – ten are more-or-less working; one lacks the “cap” and several lack waterproofing paint and tubes.
Group 4 – five are done and collecting water, two need to be connected to the roof.
Group 5 – (split off from group 2) – two are done and working
In total, 22 are done and 5 are to be finished and/or connected. Mere said that the tubes are too small for the amount of rain that is falling on the laminas, the water doesn’t enter. Others agreed that the water is backing up and only a small part of it enters the cistern. Chela said that they need to contact their asesor (consultant – Rafael Cruz) to solve these problems.
The list of families that want cisterns in Phase II are:
1. Hermelinda Ramirez (rotoplas?)
2. Maria Dolores Ramirez Botello
3. Teresa Salazar
4. Adriana Patlan
5. Laura Ramirez Enfante
6. Catalina Melendez
7. Angeles Ramirez
8. Ismael Mendez
9. Josefina Ramirez
10. Emma Susana Orduña
11. Amada for Ana Olivia Torres
The first six people have attended a previous community meeting; the last five are attending for the first time. Chela emphasized that it is necessary that people participate in the meetings as a condition for receiving a cistern.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 11 at 11 a.m.
Where: Cruz del Palmar, casa de Domitilia
When: Wed, July 14, 11 a.m.
Who: Chela and Holly and Saul Juarez (Cedesa), 36 people including a number of children. 20 people from the first phase, 5 from the 7 families added in June, 5 new people (see list at end of this report).
Mere Banca was designated as coordinator of the assembly, Ana Laura took roll and added new people to the roll. Saul was introduced as a new promoter in the region. Chela asked the new people why they came to the meeting. Josefina said they want to cisterns in order to have clean water to drink and for cooking; Angela said they don’t want to have to buy water in garrafones. Holly mentioned that there is also a social objective, to work in presta-fuerza groups, to encourage community development and values. Ismael said he thought the idea was to have a good environment to work in, to help each other and his wife Catalina said that she wanted to participate but she was pregnant with the small baby she held – she participated in the training at the school but couldn’t continue.
Chela asked if the people in the meeting knew each other, and people said that now they know each other by sight if not by name. All but a few are from the upper part of Cruz [where there are more problems with the supply of water]. Chela noted that in large communities (comunidades, often translated “villages”) like Cruz there is less convivencia, less personal relationships between neighbors, like in cities.
Ana Laura and her aunt said that the people in Cruz are more friendly than in cities (they are from Irapuato). Mere said her daughters-in-law are from other communities (villages) and they consider Cruz to be a city (it is the second largest town in the municipality of San Miguel).
Chela explained how Yolanda, Lucia and Tere visited assemblies at Los Torres for several months before we started visiting Cruz del Palmar, and she asked Holly to explain how the Rotary grant was made. Holly explained that 50 cisterns had been approved for a Rotary project in a suburb of the city of San Miguel at the beginning of this year, but the people there were unable to make the commitment to work in mutual-aid groups, so the funds for the 50 cisterns got divided between Cruz del Palmar and Vivienda de Arriba. Saul explained the process at Capaderillo; how he first visited assemblies at Los Torres, then Vivienda de Arriba and how CEDESA and Rotary applied for a grant from the Fondo Verde, which was approved in May but the money was not available until a week ago. They are planning to have the training next week and start construction on family cisterns the week after. Holly emphasized that the fund-raising process takes several months, that the Rotary deadline for Nov-Dec projects is already past, that people who want to participate in a possible Phase II will need to help us to put together applications to other sources, such as Desarrollo Social (municipal department of Social Development) or SAPASMA (San Miguel water utility).
The conversation then turned to other projects that can be implemented without the outside funds, such as traspatio design (backyard gardens). Chela asked how many people grow nopal in their yards, and nearly all said they have nopal but not all of them use it for food. Chela emphasized the importance of growing your own food, especially native plants like nopal which is very healthy. She asked how many people had vegetable gardens, and a few raised their hands; and one family has a farmacia viva (medicinal plants). Chela talked about rescuing the knowledge of our grandmothers, how to cure ourselves and not get sick, as opposed to depending on the clinic and doctors and expensive packaged medicine. She said people in the country are fortunate to have space in which to grow food all year round, and not eat food like Maruchan (instant noodles), which is full of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Wenceslada said that she used to grow vegetables, but her children wouldn’t eat them, they like junk food. Yolanda agreed, her children don’t like vegetables. Saul said it is important to get kids accustomed to eating vegetables from a young age, his 2-year old son likes fruit and vegetables and he doesn’t let him eat junk food. Chela said that if kids see their parents eating well and drinking fresh juice instead of refrescos (bottled sodas), we can escape the trap of eating and drinking what they sell to us instead of what we produce. Also now people are growing dependent upon government programs that provide cash to buy food, but what will happen when there is no more government money? People in rural communities have the possibility of growing their own food instead of buying it, so can be less dependent and more autonomous. That is what we call food sovereignty.
Chela said that CEDESA is teaching traspatio design (how to make plant beds, use less water) in Los Torres and Montecillo, and if Cruz is interested, can start a workshop here. Many people said they are interested in learning how to grow vegetables and medicinal plants in their yards, also nopal all year round.
Moving to the subject of the cisterns, we then reviewed the progress of the mutual-aid groups.
Group 1 – all the cisterns are finished and connected, and all but one of them is filling up with rainwater (there are problems with the connections)
Group 2 – three are done and collecting water, but one lacks the tubing.
Group 3 – ten are more-or-less working; one lacks the “cap” and several lack waterproofing paint and tubes.
Group 4 – five are done and collecting water, two need to be connected to the roof.
Group 5 – (split off from group 2) – two are done and working
In total, 22 are done and 5 are to be finished and/or connected. Mere said that the tubes are too small for the amount of rain that is falling on the laminas, the water doesn’t enter. Others agreed that the water is backing up and only a small part of it enters the cistern. Chela said that they need to contact their asesor (consultant – Rafael Cruz) to solve these problems.
The list of families that want cisterns in Phase II are:
1. Hermelinda Ramirez (rotoplas?)
2. Maria Dolores Ramirez Botello
3. Teresa Salazar
4. Adriana Patlan
5. Laura Ramirez Enfante
6. Catalina Melendez
7. Angeles Ramirez
8. Ismael Mendez
9. Josefina Ramirez
10. Emma Susana Orduña
11. Amada for Ana Olivia Torres
The first six people have attended a previous community meeting; the last five are attending for the first time. Chela emphasized that it is necessary that people participate in the meetings as a condition for receiving a cistern.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 11 at 11 a.m.
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