Record of Event
1st Micro-Region 1 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
When: 12.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, La Tinaja, 5 senores, Juan Gonzalez, Corralejo de Abajo, La Cienega.
Holly, Chela, Saul, Jesus – Cedesa, Laura Rotary, apologies from Mario & Citlali – Gaia (at the eye doctor).
28 adults including 7 men, + 3 kids inside.
Introduction:
Why are you all here?
“to get help with getting water”
Help only?
“no to work together & organize”
Jesus mentioned the objective was to work & organize ourselves to construct sistemas consecha de agua (water systems).
Attendance at the community assemblies is essential.
Chela-
Important for you to learn to co-ordinate & record & conduct your own meetings, the communities representative on the “consejo” is also here. Chela briefly described the “taking the word” ie taking turn to talk process. It was decided that Margarita will co-ordinate.
What next?
“ we have to raise the point to duscuss”
Each community needs to record what is agreed at the assemblies as a record.
Points for the agenda:
• Sanitarios Secos (dry toilets
• Cisterns (“we came to see about cisterns”)
• Priority of communities
• Clarify who is supposed to attend, ie define the rules of participation
• Water issues
The next part of the meeting was very participatory with Chela asking questions & the participants firing responses…
Chela clarified – we have been working with many communities for months & other communities we have just begun with, this is the first meeting grouping you all together in a micro-region.
We are not part of a govt. program, what do you know about the way we work?
“in groups”
“organize” “consciousness of the problem of water”
How is the water here?
“contaminated with fluorie” “ it damages the teeth, & bones, & gives pain in the legs”
“also contaminated through bacteria in the river”
There was then discussion about different forms of contaminants, mineral v bacteria, & different sources of contamination were asked for
“drainage/sewage”, “plastic”, “rubbish” “detergent in the river from washing clothes”
Water is life, animals, trees, vegetation!
Cedesa & Rotary are not just interested in assisting solve the water issue, it’s bigger than that, about encouraging conscientiousness, an approach by the communities that care about the environment, & their people in the community.
“in our Christmas parties we asked our visitors to bring re-usable plates & glasses, to save having to use polyfoam cups & plates” “even if just 20 people do this it save a whole load of rubbish” “polystyrene is the cheapest but it is the most dangerous”.
What is the point of working in a group?
“learn more, achieve faster, have information exchange, improve relationships, help others, harmony, healthy”
Chela
Directly relate & strengthen human relationships. Each one of you has it in yourselves to solve your issues, when you take it in your hands & work in groups, you have better relations with your neighbours & better learning for the whole community.
In the Opportunities program for example – does it strengthen your inter relations?
“no – it’s about what you can get”
“Vendors come from other communities on the day of the opportunities program because they know there will be a big crowd there & they sell us stuff, but this money goes to other communities, the vendors are not from our communities”
It would be better to spend $$ on making/products for local sales, animals for production, seeds, small plants, nopal…
Production is liberty!
For example
Enedina – in this community can produce
Maiz, frijol, calabaza, hortiliza, gallinas, vacas, nopal, chiras, puercas, burro, miel
Jesus in town, can only do work for money, & has to buy everything…
He would be better to spend his effort directly to grow food, instead of having to work for money, & then spend it to buy food…
Each community was asked to present their information, based on the presentation Saul had told the communities about during the weekend…
Rancho Nuevo – approx. 50 families
• No water,
• The pipas come very infrequently, supposedly every 8 days, but often only 1x per month
• They fill the large buckets but it runs out in a few days
• They have to get water from the river
• They have no water to drink or wash
• They have a big sapasma tank, but it is empty, the community of Coralejo refused to share water with them
La Cienega – approx. 105 families
Only one well in the community, beside the river, approx. 2 mtrs deep, hand dug
They carry in buckets, there are usually 4 or 5 pickups & burros waiting
Most people don’t have burros or cars to carry the water
If they have trucks they visit the river 1x per wk
If they have burros they visit every 3 days
Without trucks or burros they carry buckets daily on yokes across their shoulders
They have pipes, but they are only decoration, they don’t have water! The pipes are broken, the pump is broken
Contractor asked for 20,000 per person to repair but they don’t have this kind of money
Concessions to wells have to be bought on the black market, cant buy one legally now.
La Tinaja – approx. 60 families
• They need water but feel the dry toilets are a higher priority as they do have some water.
• Their houses are very close together so not easy to go to the toilet in the “wild”
• They are currently contaminating the river as many go to the river to toilet.
• They have a well with a pump, when no electricity no water, but this is infrequent.
• They assume their water is fluoride contaminated, as others all are, but not tested.
• They have damaged teeth (so fluorosis is likely)
• River is contaminatied
Juan Gonzalez – approx. 70 families
• Some have family wells, some family wells are salty
• New generation (ie the kids) all have bad teeth, so assume fluoride is high
• If they do have family wells, they are approx. 20 mtrs deep
• They use rope to raise the buckets, cant afford pump or electricity
• River is a 20 minute walk, (longer on way back!)
• Some have burros to carry the water or by yoke across shoulders
• They store in small plastic tanks or large buckets
• In April/May the river is dry & they have to go further
• The river is contaminated, sometimes the stones are black & slimy
• They have to do their washing in the river, sometimes when all are washing the dirt from one just goes into the next ones washing!...(they joked)
Cinco Senores – approx. 20 families
• 200 metres to carry the water from the river
• They carry water 2 or 3 times a day, some have burro, others carry on their heads
• 20 litre containers
• River is contaminated with virus & bacteria (they have had it tested)
• They requested trucked water from Sapasma, the truck came once but never again.
• If they have to buy it privately it costs 300 per family to a private contractor, but they can’t afford it, & don’t know where the water comes from
• They made an application 3 yrs ago for well, but were told they have the river
• It is the San Damien river
• When they bathe in the river they often get rashes on their skin
San Lorenzo – 4 families
Closest to Juan Gonzalez, so will join with them & do Pilot at Juan Gonzalez school.
They use water from the river like Juan Gonzalez
Dry in April/May
The water truck comes once per mth, sometimes 1.5 mths, & only fills 2 big buckets.
Corralejo – approx. 70 families
Dry toilets are their priority – their houses are close together & so no room to “poo” outside, they have to go a long way.
They have a sapasma well, & fluoride contaminated water.
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
La Palmita – approx. 23 families (close to Don Francisco) on the road to GTO)
This is their first visit/contact.
They have a sapasma well (& likely fluoride contaminated water)
They would like dry toilets
Their houses close together so no room to “poo” outside, they have a long way to go.
Their closest river is Pena Blanca (on left hand side of Carratera)
They are not part of the consejo – they need to do their establishment paperwork
Next Item – Rules of participation
These were the suggestions from participants:
• Attend meetings & training
• Agree to work in groups
• Work without bad feelings, ie in agreement
• Punctuality
• Be responsible
• In Vivienda they made their rules it’s one community so makes sense to create internal rules by group & community.
Next Item - Priority of Communities
Decision will be based on who needs & who deserves it…
Priority will be given for attendance historically, highest need, ie worst water situation, contaminated water.
A table was drawn up with a list of the criteria, ie participation, river water, pozo but not functioning, contamination, distance to carry water.
The participants were asked if they would prefer private or public vote.
They agreed on public vote.
A list of the communities was created, with 2 votes for each community, 1 vote for themselves & 1 vote for another community,
Saul, pointed out that the new communities, Corralejo, La Cienega & La Palmita are not part of the consejo that was established in December & as such are not officially able to vote. Everyone agreed, they need to join the consejo to have a voice.
The toilet communities have only 1 vote since they wont be voting for themselves.
The following priority was decided:
1. Juan Gonzalez/San Lorenzo
2. Rancho Nuevo Villa de Guadalupe
3. 5 Senores
4. La Cienega
Dry Toilets:
Coralejo & Palmita were invited to do the paperwork to join the Consejo before they can go on the list to solicit the govt. for dry toilets.
Action – Saul will visit to assist organization of this
General
We decided to explain SODIS – the method of solar disinfection, since so many of the communities are drinking bacterially affected water. Holly & Chela did the demonstration.
Chela informed the group that there is a Workshop on climate change at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 all are invited to attend & stay the night. Anyone interested in attending will advise Saul.
Action
Chela suggested they all have their water tested – they will have to pay a small contribution towards the consumables, she will bring water bottles to the next meeting & take samples.
Next Micro-region 1 meeting 2nd Wednesday ie 9/2 at Cinco Senores at 12 midday.
Next Regional meeting (Consejo), Presita de Santa Rosa at 2pm
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Capaderillo (private house)
When: 19.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa, Guerrero, La Aurora, Capaderillo
Holly, Chela, Saul, – Cedesa, Laura Midday Rotary, & visiting was Tom Pinfold from Sechelt BC RC,
Ended up with 49 adults attending, including 4 men & innumerable kids & dogs!
We asked permission to take photos to record the process, all agreed it was worthwhile.
There was a delay in starting as we had forgotten sheets of paper & pens to write up agenda etc.
Saul ran home to get them.
There was loose discussion while we were waiting on number of people attending from which communities, their reasons for being there etc. Then the meeting began.
Introductions all round:
Each person said their names & where they were from, I explained we were from Rotary, & Chela explained a little more about my role finding resources for the projects.
Chela – Let’s begin!
During the loose discussion someone had inadvertently referred to the projects as a program, Chela used this to explain the difference between a project & a govt program.
What’s the difference between a project & a program?
“a program is by the govt?” “true?”
“ Project is something that you do?
Who? “the communities”
The people of the communities will determine the necessities, what comes first, the money or the project, with the govt. the $$ comes first. A project responds to the necessities, ie is recipient driven, not donor driven, who organizes the people? “us – the people”, based on the necessities the people decide , analyse their necessities & decide what to do to resolve them.. who does this? “Us!”
Opportunidades program, do you have control? “no” . Why do you do it? “we need the $$ help”, what is the fundamental need of your now? “agua”, to be able to drink clean water, through your own organization.
Chela – What other necessities do you have? “dry toilets”
Why? Then there was a big discussion about the different words for poo, & a bit of hilarity… & reasons were asked for why it’s not a good idea to toilet in the “wild”, reaons like contamination of water, air & earth.
We then began work on the water issues.
In your own organization you decide & solve your own issues, we Cedesa/Rotary are assisting but who’s development is it? “ours – our communities”, with “solidarity” you solve your issues, do Rotary have any obligation to help? “no”, do Cedesa have any obligation to help? “no”, they do it out of good conscience & heart, do the govt have an obligation to help? “yes” the govt. has an obligation to return our money in services to the people.
The resources come directly to assist you with materials, who deserves this? “those that volunteer & work & participate in groups”
Are there many issues in the world? “si – MANY!”, who is going to solve your issues, Santa Claus? Virgen de Guadalupe? No – yourselves! When you begin to organize you create a force for change & achieve solutions.
This micro-region is your own to organize.
We were at the other micro region last week & visited the communities, next week we will be at the 3rd micro region. Resolving the issues will be by micro-region & together.
Saul
Began asking each community to describe their water situation, one community had prepared a poster with their issues listed, this was used as a template for the others to make their presentation.
This was needed to determine the priority amongst the communities, ie who will receive the resources first.
4 communities are attending re cisterns, & 1 (Capaderillo) for dry toilets.
Man – “we have to all be very honest & listen well to everyone’s needs & make sure we understand every issue of each community”
Holly explained each community has 2 votes, 1 for their own community & 1 for another.
Chela in this meeting you will get to hear the info & decide, yes we need water but maybe there are others more urgent than us, & she reiterated how the 2 vote system worked.
Holly clarified, yes a scientific study has been done already & the results showed back contamination of water by fluoride in this region, all of the communities are suffering from this so it is not the decider point, a study needs to be done by the participants of today’s meeting after hearing all the issues presented by each community.
Chela – we are working on the solution for all, but in parts because we don’t have the money to work on all concurrently. We’re like a train, each community is part of the train but we need to decide which cars come before the others.
Vivienda de Urbana (preferred name for Viviendilla, Vivienda de Abajo)– approx. 60 families,
• approx. 15 family wells
• They had prepared the poster listing the details/issues
• Pipa (water truck) comes every 15-30 days, & fills big buckets which are gone within 3-5 days
• There are some family pozos that are shared
• They take burros to irrigation wells of the big farmers near by
• They do their washing at the irrigation wells
• Approx. ½ hr each way to the wells
• Carry water by hand or wheelbarrow, or yokes on shoulders with bucket each side
• Only drink pipa water (cant afford to buy water), not well water
• Store in big buckets
• High fluoride levels
• Sapasma told them to put chlorine in the well water to combat the fluoride! (this is incorrect, chlorine does not remove fluoride or it’s symptoms)
Presita de Santa Rosa – 44 families
• Some pipas (water trucks)
• Sometimes sapasma well water (but infrequent as it is shared with 6 other communities)
• often not enough water in the well
• They go to the river when no well or truck water
• Avg. 3 days a week they have no water
• They go to the river with buckets, trucks & burros
• A big bucket will last approx. 1 wk depending on size of family
• The walk to the river is approx. 20-30 mins depending on the mood of the burro!
• In the hot season they have to go to other communities to borrow water as the river is dry
• They go to the outlets of the thermal pools & wash in their drain water
• In the high area of the community no piped water, only water truck (infrequently 15-30days)
• 3 big buckets of water is too little for washing, drinking, feeding livestock & watering crops
Guerrero – approx. 45-50 families (only 26 forms)
• Some family wells
• Most wells contaminated – dead dogs or rubbish, many smell bad
• Pipa sometimes 1x per month, but mostly just pass them by
• 45 mins to the river to drink – very contaminated with fertilizer, near the Presa, dry season very shallow
• They go for water every day, sometime 2x per day, don’t have burros or trucks
• Don’t have trucks as no money for gas
• Store in big buckets
• It should be noted the levels of fluoride in Guerrero are the highest in our region, there is obvious reduced brain function in the people in this area!
Chela – one of the affects of high fluoride is teeth & bones, but it also affects the brain badly & affects the attitude of the people, & their ability to learn & function.
La Aurora approx. 10 families (only 5 interested)
• 3 pozos, 7 families don’t have wells,
• The wells are approx. 40 mtrs deep
• No trucked water
• They borrow water from neighbours wells
• Sometimes they go to irrigation wells or the river
• 15 mins to a well, usually go 2x per wk in a borrowed truck
• Aurora will combine with Guerrero
Holly discussed to points – necessity & deservedness
Priority will be given on a combination of both, ie necessity & those who have participated longer & proven their motivation.
Chela drew up a table
Communities Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa & Guerrero/La Aurora, VdU & Presita had been attending longest, since July 2010.
Saul pointed out La Aurora had not entered in the consejo yet & so should not have a vote. All agreed.
Capaderillo can vote (despite not needing water).
The results of the vote
1. Vivienda de Urbana
2. Presita de Santa Rosa
3. Guerrero/La Aurora
Chela informed the communities we urgently need to plan a community meeting for Vivienda de Urbana as funds are in hand to begin a project (funding by Tallahassee & district, Walla Walla, & SMA midday)
SODIS, method of purifying the water, was explained, as people are currently drinking bacterially affected water.
The negative effects of chlorine were explained, & the fact it does nothing to combat fluoride, & is yet another contaminant the body has to filter.
Chela advised of the climate change conference at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 & all were invited, interested people to advise Saul.
Presita Santa Rosa explained Lucy Nunez (mayor) was supposed to be visiting their community today to talk on the subject of transport & improving the bus service, all were invited to attend, after the assembly.
He suggested if Lucy did not show, they would put a representative group together & make a visit to the Presidencia.
Action: La Aurora need to fill in their paperwork to become part of the Consejo – Saul will assist.
Next Project/Community meeting Vivienda de Urbana 26.1.11 10.30am
Next regional meeting Presita de Santa Rosa 12pm 2/2/11
Next micro region 2 meeting (3rd Wednesday) 16/2/11 Capaderilo 1pm
1st Micro-Region 2 Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Capaderillo (private house)
When: 19.1.11
Who: Communities represented:
Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa, Guerrero, La Aurora, Capaderillo
Holly, Chela, Saul, – Cedesa, Laura Midday Rotary, & visiting was Tom Pinfold from Sechelt BC RC,
Ended up with 49 adults attending, including 4 men & innumerable kids & dogs!
We asked permission to take photos to record the process, all agreed it was worthwhile.
There was a delay in starting as we had forgotten sheets of paper & pens to write up agenda etc.
Saul ran home to get them.
There was loose discussion while we were waiting on number of people attending from which communities, their reasons for being there etc. Then the meeting began.
Introductions all round:
Each person said their names & where they were from, I explained we were from Rotary, & Chela explained a little more about my role finding resources for the projects.
Chela – Let’s begin!
During the loose discussion someone had inadvertently referred to the projects as a program, Chela used this to explain the difference between a project & a govt program.
What’s the difference between a project & a program?
“a program is by the govt?” “true?”
“ Project is something that you do?
Who? “the communities”
The people of the communities will determine the necessities, what comes first, the money or the project, with the govt. the $$ comes first. A project responds to the necessities, ie is recipient driven, not donor driven, who organizes the people? “us – the people”, based on the necessities the people decide , analyse their necessities & decide what to do to resolve them.. who does this? “Us!”
Opportunidades program, do you have control? “no” . Why do you do it? “we need the $$ help”, what is the fundamental need of your now? “agua”, to be able to drink clean water, through your own organization.
Chela – What other necessities do you have? “dry toilets”
Why? Then there was a big discussion about the different words for poo, & a bit of hilarity… & reasons were asked for why it’s not a good idea to toilet in the “wild”, reaons like contamination of water, air & earth.
We then began work on the water issues.
In your own organization you decide & solve your own issues, we Cedesa/Rotary are assisting but who’s development is it? “ours – our communities”, with “solidarity” you solve your issues, do Rotary have any obligation to help? “no”, do Cedesa have any obligation to help? “no”, they do it out of good conscience & heart, do the govt have an obligation to help? “yes” the govt. has an obligation to return our money in services to the people.
The resources come directly to assist you with materials, who deserves this? “those that volunteer & work & participate in groups”
Are there many issues in the world? “si – MANY!”, who is going to solve your issues, Santa Claus? Virgen de Guadalupe? No – yourselves! When you begin to organize you create a force for change & achieve solutions.
This micro-region is your own to organize.
We were at the other micro region last week & visited the communities, next week we will be at the 3rd micro region. Resolving the issues will be by micro-region & together.
Saul
Began asking each community to describe their water situation, one community had prepared a poster with their issues listed, this was used as a template for the others to make their presentation.
This was needed to determine the priority amongst the communities, ie who will receive the resources first.
4 communities are attending re cisterns, & 1 (Capaderillo) for dry toilets.
Man – “we have to all be very honest & listen well to everyone’s needs & make sure we understand every issue of each community”
Holly explained each community has 2 votes, 1 for their own community & 1 for another.
Chela in this meeting you will get to hear the info & decide, yes we need water but maybe there are others more urgent than us, & she reiterated how the 2 vote system worked.
Holly clarified, yes a scientific study has been done already & the results showed back contamination of water by fluoride in this region, all of the communities are suffering from this so it is not the decider point, a study needs to be done by the participants of today’s meeting after hearing all the issues presented by each community.
Chela – we are working on the solution for all, but in parts because we don’t have the money to work on all concurrently. We’re like a train, each community is part of the train but we need to decide which cars come before the others.
Vivienda de Urbana (preferred name for Viviendilla, Vivienda de Abajo)– approx. 60 families,
• approx. 15 family wells
• They had prepared the poster listing the details/issues
• Pipa (water truck) comes every 15-30 days, & fills big buckets which are gone within 3-5 days
• There are some family pozos that are shared
• They take burros to irrigation wells of the big farmers near by
• They do their washing at the irrigation wells
• Approx. ½ hr each way to the wells
• Carry water by hand or wheelbarrow, or yokes on shoulders with bucket each side
• Only drink pipa water (cant afford to buy water), not well water
• Store in big buckets
• High fluoride levels
• Sapasma told them to put chlorine in the well water to combat the fluoride! (this is incorrect, chlorine does not remove fluoride or it’s symptoms)
Presita de Santa Rosa – 44 families
• Some pipas (water trucks)
• Sometimes sapasma well water (but infrequent as it is shared with 6 other communities)
• often not enough water in the well
• They go to the river when no well or truck water
• Avg. 3 days a week they have no water
• They go to the river with buckets, trucks & burros
• A big bucket will last approx. 1 wk depending on size of family
• The walk to the river is approx. 20-30 mins depending on the mood of the burro!
• In the hot season they have to go to other communities to borrow water as the river is dry
• They go to the outlets of the thermal pools & wash in their drain water
• In the high area of the community no piped water, only water truck (infrequently 15-30days)
• 3 big buckets of water is too little for washing, drinking, feeding livestock & watering crops
Guerrero – approx. 45-50 families (only 26 forms)
• Some family wells
• Most wells contaminated – dead dogs or rubbish, many smell bad
• Pipa sometimes 1x per month, but mostly just pass them by
• 45 mins to the river to drink – very contaminated with fertilizer, near the Presa, dry season very shallow
• They go for water every day, sometime 2x per day, don’t have burros or trucks
• Don’t have trucks as no money for gas
• Store in big buckets
• It should be noted the levels of fluoride in Guerrero are the highest in our region, there is obvious reduced brain function in the people in this area!
Chela – one of the affects of high fluoride is teeth & bones, but it also affects the brain badly & affects the attitude of the people, & their ability to learn & function.
La Aurora approx. 10 families (only 5 interested)
• 3 pozos, 7 families don’t have wells,
• The wells are approx. 40 mtrs deep
• No trucked water
• They borrow water from neighbours wells
• Sometimes they go to irrigation wells or the river
• 15 mins to a well, usually go 2x per wk in a borrowed truck
• Aurora will combine with Guerrero
Holly discussed to points – necessity & deservedness
Priority will be given on a combination of both, ie necessity & those who have participated longer & proven their motivation.
Chela drew up a table
Communities Vivienda de Urbana, Presita de Santa Rosa & Guerrero/La Aurora, VdU & Presita had been attending longest, since July 2010.
Saul pointed out La Aurora had not entered in the consejo yet & so should not have a vote. All agreed.
Capaderillo can vote (despite not needing water).
The results of the vote
1. Vivienda de Urbana
2. Presita de Santa Rosa
3. Guerrero/La Aurora
Chela informed the communities we urgently need to plan a community meeting for Vivienda de Urbana as funds are in hand to begin a project (funding by Tallahassee & district, Walla Walla, & SMA midday)
SODIS, method of purifying the water, was explained, as people are currently drinking bacterially affected water.
The negative effects of chlorine were explained, & the fact it does nothing to combat fluoride, & is yet another contaminant the body has to filter.
Chela advised of the climate change conference at Cedesa on the 28&29/1 & all were invited, interested people to advise Saul.
Presita Santa Rosa explained Lucy Nunez (mayor) was supposed to be visiting their community today to talk on the subject of transport & improving the bus service, all were invited to attend, after the assembly.
He suggested if Lucy did not show, they would put a representative group together & make a visit to the Presidencia.
Action: La Aurora need to fill in their paperwork to become part of the Consejo – Saul will assist.
Next Project/Community meeting Vivienda de Urbana 26.1.11 10.30am
Next regional meeting Presita de Santa Rosa 12pm 2/2/11
Next micro region 2 meeting (3rd Wednesday) 16/2/11 Capaderilo 1pm
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Water Project Stats to date Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Here's an update of where we're at, we essentially began the first water project in Nov 2008, the first funding came through in March 2009, so am counting it from 1st Jan 2009 to now...
We now have 330 Families asking for help with drinking water in this region.
They are in 18 different communities that we are now engaged with, from the initial project in Los Torres. All of these communities have come to us, they have seen the results proven & want to be part of the solution.
Following are the statistics:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Los torres 52 $21,700 + 12,200 + smcf 1 $2468 smcf 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 $16700
Vivienda de Arriba 17
Cruz del Palmar 28 combined $24700
Capaderillo 40 $21850
Palencia 21 $7k (+ balance of excess from other projects)
Total 188 cisterns
More than 1500 people have safe drinking water now & for generations to come!!!
funding
Rotary$81,800
SMCF$4,703
Eco Verde$21,850
Skymed $500
total funding = USD $108,853
A BIG THANK YOU to all the hardworking men & women belonging to the Rotary Clubs & Districts who have been part of this solution:
Tallahassee RC
Trail BC RC
Sechelt BC RC
Tyron RC
Ann Arbor RC
Paso Robles RC
West U RC TX
Richmond RC TX
San Miguel Midday RC Mexico
Districts 4160, 6940, 7670
Current upcoming water projects
Capaderillo II approx $14k (Rotary funding secured)
to commence end of January.
Pipeline projects
Global Grant for $33,500 (Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District(s)
Pending approval from TRF.
Quantified Need:
Current applications in hand from Families in need 309 from 18 different communities.(excluding the upcoming project of 21 cisterns)
Interested in helping fund the simple solution to this need, please email me... Lauramex@gmail.com
We now have 330 Families asking for help with drinking water in this region.
They are in 18 different communities that we are now engaged with, from the initial project in Los Torres. All of these communities have come to us, they have seen the results proven & want to be part of the solution.
Following are the statistics:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Los torres 52 $21,700 + 12,200 + smcf 1 $2468 smcf 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 $16700
Vivienda de Arriba 17
Cruz del Palmar 28 combined $24700
Capaderillo 40 $21850
Palencia 21 $7k (+ balance of excess from other projects)
Total 188 cisterns
More than 1500 people have safe drinking water now & for generations to come!!!
funding
Rotary$81,800
SMCF$4,703
Eco Verde$21,850
Skymed $500
total funding = USD $108,853
A BIG THANK YOU to all the hardworking men & women belonging to the Rotary Clubs & Districts who have been part of this solution:
Tallahassee RC
Trail BC RC
Sechelt BC RC
Tyron RC
Ann Arbor RC
Paso Robles RC
West U RC TX
Richmond RC TX
San Miguel Midday RC Mexico
Districts 4160, 6940, 7670
Current upcoming water projects
Capaderillo II approx $14k (Rotary funding secured)
to commence end of January.
Pipeline projects
Global Grant for $33,500 (Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District(s)
Pending approval from TRF.
Quantified Need:
Current applications in hand from Families in need 309 from 18 different communities.(excluding the upcoming project of 21 cisterns)
Interested in helping fund the simple solution to this need, please email me... Lauramex@gmail.com
Thursday, November 25, 2010
3rd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event
3rd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community Park & “Salon”
When: 25.11.10
Who: Communities represented: More than 25 Adults including 5 men + 3 kids
Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui,- Cedesa, Laura – Rotary, Mario & Citlali from Gaia,
Purpose: To continue work on resolving the water issues with these communities
Jesus gave a brief introductin.
A co-ordinator (Ana from VdA) & records taker (Isabel from 5 Senores) were elected
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves & said why they were here today.
Reasons included – we don’t have safe drinking water, our wells are dry, we have to carry water from the river & it’s very far & very heavy & not often safe to drink.
“thank god we have water, but unfortunately it is not safe to drink, it is contaminated with fluoride so we need help with drinking water…” “we are struggling for water, having to carry it for people, animals, to clean the house etc”
Why are we here?
Agenda was formed:
Cisterns
Q&A re Cisterns
How to find resources
How to work to construct a cistern
What we need for cisterns
How much they cost?
Now many cisterns needed per community
One representative from Montecillo de Nieto & one from Vivienda de Arriba (previous project sites) described the process of projects in their communities.
From Training days @ schools to receiving their materials, to constructing the cisterns in groups, weaving the cylinders & mixing cement & placing on the lined cylinder…
The woman from Vivienda de Arriba explained it in great detail, she knows the process very well & including “everyone needed their own tools for the work”
The question of why work in groups was raised, “to be united & work together”, it was explained some have tinacos if they live alone or have very small families & are unable to construct their own, but they still contribute however they can, for example bringing food & drink to share.
Montecillo de Nieto described the case in their community where one family did not participate, despite meeting & encouragement & they offered to provide food to make up for it but didn’t follow through on their promise, so the material were given to another family.
Cost to Families
There is no $$ cost but families must participate & provide all the labour, not $$$ but it’s lots of work.
A man from Presita suggested we do a study – we agreed it was a good idea, if he was willing to co-ordinate it (he was not more explicit on the subject of the study he was suggesting).
Requisites
That the community be united, minimum of 20 per pilot, share work & share everything.
It’s difficult to co-ordinate if there is not community unity.
Discussion re how to Prioritise the communities involved
The issues were raised again
Pipas (water trucks) only coming 1x per month
Pipas bring likely contaminated water
Some wells have water but no pipes
Some wells have pipes but no water
The well in San Isidro Capadero has been capped since a dispute of land ownership re the location of the well.
The communites were divided into Clusters/micro regions
Group 1 –
La Cienega, Cinco Senores, Villa Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, Juan Gonzalez
1st meeting 2nd Wednesdays 12.1.11 1pm Villa de Guadalupe
Group 2
Capaderillo, vivienda de Abajo, Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan, Presita de Santa Rosa
1st meeting 3rd Wednesdays 19.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Abajo kinder
Group 3
CdP, Los Torres, vivienda de Arriba, Montecillo de Nieto, San Isidro, Tierra Blanca
1st meeting 4th Wednesdays 26.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Arriba @ Capilla
Meeting finished around 4pm.
Next ones as above!
3rd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community Park & “Salon”
When: 25.11.10
Who: Communities represented: More than 25 Adults including 5 men + 3 kids
Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui,- Cedesa, Laura – Rotary, Mario & Citlali from Gaia,
Purpose: To continue work on resolving the water issues with these communities
Jesus gave a brief introductin.
A co-ordinator (Ana from VdA) & records taker (Isabel from 5 Senores) were elected
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves & said why they were here today.
Reasons included – we don’t have safe drinking water, our wells are dry, we have to carry water from the river & it’s very far & very heavy & not often safe to drink.
“thank god we have water, but unfortunately it is not safe to drink, it is contaminated with fluoride so we need help with drinking water…” “we are struggling for water, having to carry it for people, animals, to clean the house etc”
Why are we here?
Agenda was formed:
Cisterns
Q&A re Cisterns
How to find resources
How to work to construct a cistern
What we need for cisterns
How much they cost?
Now many cisterns needed per community
One representative from Montecillo de Nieto & one from Vivienda de Arriba (previous project sites) described the process of projects in their communities.
From Training days @ schools to receiving their materials, to constructing the cisterns in groups, weaving the cylinders & mixing cement & placing on the lined cylinder…
The woman from Vivienda de Arriba explained it in great detail, she knows the process very well & including “everyone needed their own tools for the work”
The question of why work in groups was raised, “to be united & work together”, it was explained some have tinacos if they live alone or have very small families & are unable to construct their own, but they still contribute however they can, for example bringing food & drink to share.
Montecillo de Nieto described the case in their community where one family did not participate, despite meeting & encouragement & they offered to provide food to make up for it but didn’t follow through on their promise, so the material were given to another family.
Cost to Families
There is no $$ cost but families must participate & provide all the labour, not $$$ but it’s lots of work.
A man from Presita suggested we do a study – we agreed it was a good idea, if he was willing to co-ordinate it (he was not more explicit on the subject of the study he was suggesting).
Requisites
That the community be united, minimum of 20 per pilot, share work & share everything.
It’s difficult to co-ordinate if there is not community unity.
Discussion re how to Prioritise the communities involved
The issues were raised again
Pipas (water trucks) only coming 1x per month
Pipas bring likely contaminated water
Some wells have water but no pipes
Some wells have pipes but no water
The well in San Isidro Capadero has been capped since a dispute of land ownership re the location of the well.
The communites were divided into Clusters/micro regions
Group 1 –
La Cienega, Cinco Senores, Villa Guadalupe, San Lorenzo, Juan Gonzalez
1st meeting 2nd Wednesdays 12.1.11 1pm Villa de Guadalupe
Group 2
Capaderillo, vivienda de Abajo, Guerrero, La Aurora, Don Juan, Presita de Santa Rosa
1st meeting 3rd Wednesdays 19.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Abajo kinder
Group 3
CdP, Los Torres, vivienda de Arriba, Montecillo de Nieto, San Isidro, Tierra Blanca
1st meeting 4th Wednesdays 26.1.11 1pm Vivienda de Arriba @ Capilla
Meeting finished around 4pm.
Next ones as above!
Friday, November 19, 2010
2nd Regional Mtg of the Communities requesting assistance with water
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community “Salon”
When: 19th November 2010
Who: Communities represented: More than 52 Adults including 17 men from:
CdP, Vivienda de Abajo, Tierra Blanca, Presita de Santa Rosa, Juan Gonzalez, Villa de Guadalupe, Los Torres, Capaderillo, La Tinaja, 5 Senores, Guerrero, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba,
NGOs :CEDESA (Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, ), Laura – Rotary, Irma Rosado – Representing the municipality, Mario & from Gaia,
Purpose: To plan & create a Citizens Water Board..& work together to resolve the issues raised as important by the communities represented.
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves.
2. Consejo de Agua Jesus spoke about forming a Consejo de agua, citizens group re water. Working with communities, govt. organizations & NGO’s who are working in this area. There is a need for sustainability & ownership by the communities so that they are not reliant on the team currently working with them (ie Cedesa, Rotary).
The “acta” (official wording”) was handed out & explained.
It is to form an entity to be recognized as representative of their communities by the govt.
Irma further explained that the formation of this Consejo will strengthen the ability of the people to work on the total water issues.
I mentioned the commitment made by Desarollo Social re the “package” they were proposing for 150 families, including dry toilets, solar water heating etc, & suggested that a better use of the funds might be to concentrate on the list of 323 families who have applied by completing forms, for assistance with water.
Irma/Jesus responded that the consejo’s purpose would be to decide/prioritise & propose requests to Govt. & collaborate with all parties.
There were various side discussions about other water issues, some wells not functioning for example.
Jesus proposed having different committees formed for different areas/issues, ie extraction, contamination, environment, capture of water.
The representative consejo group was formed, & President & Secretary were elected.
There was some confusion amongst the participants (including Laura & Holly) as to the process of this meeting, it was not the normal meeting where agenda was decided by participants & run by person elected that day at the meeting. Jesus had created an agenda in advance & was running the meeting.
As a result many of the attendees were confused as to what was going on.
Jesus needed to leave early & left with Irma.
Mario took over the meeting & scheduled the next series of “special purpose” meetings,
Captacion – Thurs 25/11 1pm CdP
Health – Monday 22/11 1pm CdP
Extraction 2/12 1pm Cdp
Dry Toilets – 29/11 1pm
Environment 30/11 1pm Cdp
The meeting disbanded.
(side note, Laura, Holly, Jesus, Chela & Saul, later had a meeting to discuss this departure from the norm. the other issue meeting were later “scrapped” & it has now reverted back to 1 mtg for Regional representatives of the formed Consejo & 1 meeting per micro region (6 communities grouped together).
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community “Salon”
When: 19th November 2010
Who: Communities represented: More than 52 Adults including 17 men from:
CdP, Vivienda de Abajo, Tierra Blanca, Presita de Santa Rosa, Juan Gonzalez, Villa de Guadalupe, Los Torres, Capaderillo, La Tinaja, 5 Senores, Guerrero, Montecillo de Nieto, Vivienda de Arriba,
NGOs :CEDESA (Jesús Guitierrez, Holly Yasui, ), Laura – Rotary, Irma Rosado – Representing the municipality, Mario & from Gaia,
Purpose: To plan & create a Citizens Water Board..& work together to resolve the issues raised as important by the communities represented.
!. Introductions everyone introduced themselves.
2. Consejo de Agua Jesus spoke about forming a Consejo de agua, citizens group re water. Working with communities, govt. organizations & NGO’s who are working in this area. There is a need for sustainability & ownership by the communities so that they are not reliant on the team currently working with them (ie Cedesa, Rotary).
The “acta” (official wording”) was handed out & explained.
It is to form an entity to be recognized as representative of their communities by the govt.
Irma further explained that the formation of this Consejo will strengthen the ability of the people to work on the total water issues.
I mentioned the commitment made by Desarollo Social re the “package” they were proposing for 150 families, including dry toilets, solar water heating etc, & suggested that a better use of the funds might be to concentrate on the list of 323 families who have applied by completing forms, for assistance with water.
Irma/Jesus responded that the consejo’s purpose would be to decide/prioritise & propose requests to Govt. & collaborate with all parties.
There were various side discussions about other water issues, some wells not functioning for example.
Jesus proposed having different committees formed for different areas/issues, ie extraction, contamination, environment, capture of water.
The representative consejo group was formed, & President & Secretary were elected.
There was some confusion amongst the participants (including Laura & Holly) as to the process of this meeting, it was not the normal meeting where agenda was decided by participants & run by person elected that day at the meeting. Jesus had created an agenda in advance & was running the meeting.
As a result many of the attendees were confused as to what was going on.
Jesus needed to leave early & left with Irma.
Mario took over the meeting & scheduled the next series of “special purpose” meetings,
Captacion – Thurs 25/11 1pm CdP
Health – Monday 22/11 1pm CdP
Extraction 2/12 1pm Cdp
Dry Toilets – 29/11 1pm
Environment 30/11 1pm Cdp
The meeting disbanded.
(side note, Laura, Holly, Jesus, Chela & Saul, later had a meeting to discuss this departure from the norm. the other issue meeting were later “scrapped” & it has now reverted back to 1 mtg for Regional representatives of the formed Consejo & 1 meeting per micro region (6 communities grouped together).
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
2nd Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Palencia
2nd Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Palencia
Where: Community House in Palencia – 1hr north of Dolores Hidalgo,
When: 27.10.10 12.30 meeting began (left SMA at 10am)
Who: Bill & Monse Webb, & Dr Larry Kubiak from Tallahassee Rotary, Laura from San Miguel Midday Rotary, Chela & Saul – Cedesa & 19 women, 6 kids from the Palencia Community
Purpose:
Since we last met in January this year, & the announcement of Future Vision & it’s ramifications, Bill Webb has been working very hard to secure funding for this project, the $$ are finally arranged, $7k from Tallahassee (Direct Grant), $7k approved to be spent on this project (excess funds from the 4 SMA water projects completed this year), + $200 from San Miguel Midday Rotary, will fund the project of 21 cisterns (1 pilot & 20 individual family cisterns).
This meeting was for the Tallahassee partners to meet the community, for Laura to know better this community & for the community to receive the news re the $$ & begin planning the logistics of the project.
Background.
Chela, Elena & Laura met with this community in January, after Chela had alerted us to the fact this community has the highest levels of Fluoride & arsenic than any in SMA. They had heard of the projects in SMA & petitioned us for assistance. See report 1, for more information.
Some brief facts about the community were raised in the previous meeting, included again here for ease of reference
• Approx 80 families /500 people
• Cedesa have been working with this community for 22 years
• Palencia is approx 1 hr from Cedesa in Dolores Hidalgo
• The community well was drilled 18 years ago, they have been drinking contaminated water for 18years
• There are smaller family wells that fill up when it rains, but they do not last the dry season
• There was a cacique (self appointed boss) when cedesa began work here, he is still apart from the community
• They have worked on many community projects together, including fighting for land rights, building a community centre (with funding for materials from local govt.), obtaining electricity
Item 1 – introductions all round:
Bill, Monse, Laura & Larry introduced themselves. Chela is well known, she also took time to describe a little about what/who Rotary is & does.
Chela – has been working with this community for more than 20 years, less frequent visits lately as she is concentrating in the San Miguel region where they also have fluoride issues.
Saul introduced himself & gave a little summary of how he came to be working with Cedesa (through assemblies at Los Torres) & has recently completed a 40 cistern project funded by the municipality , in Capaderillo (his wife’s community).
Chela mentioned Saul is one of the promoters at Cedesa, learning the work, & he has a good heart & knows the issues, which is essential to be a good promoter.
20 years ago they were fighting to get water, now they are striving to find an alternative, since the water they have is contaminated, ironic!
The women introduced themselves, some of them took it upon themselves to thank us for being here, for travelling so far & for helping them to get the materials they need for this project.
Chela described the water situation in the region, the aquifer in general.
They chose a co-ordinator for the day – Victoria.
The women were asked to describe the history, how they began to become organized.
History
In another community “Mulata” they heard of a person who was working to provide water there, so they went to see her, that was Chela.
They didn’t have enough water, only shallow wells & those wells dried up when the agri business people drilled very deep wells nearby. They had to ask the agribusiness – deep well owners for water.
After a struggle, they received their own community well, unfortunately this water is highly contaminated with naturally occurring fluoride & arsenic. So now they have badly damaged teeth (& probably bones), & many are buying water in 20 litre containers (garafones).
At the time they began to drink the well water they noticed more illiness.
One woman described aches & pain in her feet, she went to the doctor, & then stopped drinking the well water, the pain went away.
They tested the water during the water diploma course held at Cedesa in 2008. At that time they discovered the extremely high levels, sometimes as high as 8mg/l (1.5 is max safe level).
Dr Kubiak asked if they had sought govt. assistance with this issue –
The response was that the govt. have been denying this issue.
A professor at UNAM discovered this issue & alerted the communities, this study was denied & called false. It has been very contentious, with a lot of negative attention, & accusations of corruption.
These questions were asked
What is your number 1 priority? – Water
What is your number 2 priority? – food production
Where are the men in your community? Many are in the USA, of the 19 women attending 7 of their husbands were in the US.
If you have no men here to help, who will build these cisterns? ..it’s heavy work - There was a resounding response, “we will build them, we can mix cement, & do heavy work, we built the maize grinder, we helped build this salon, we will work together, if we have to we could contribute to pay for masons to help us.
One woman said her husband was aware of the project & has said he will return from the US to help, another agreed re her husband too would help, once they had the materials & were ready to begin.
Another woman responded “we learnt about cisterns in a workshop at Cedesa approx. 8 years ago, we build 5 then”
They have asked for financial assistance for materials for cisterns & dry toilets from the Dolores Hidalgo municipality, but have had no response.
Bill responded
Congratulations on taking responsibility for your own lives, the health & future of your kids, & not relying on the govt for help. We are honoured to be your partner (along with Cedesa & SMA Midday Rotary) in your water project. Today I want to announce that Tallahassee RC has made available the $$ to the SMA club to assist you to do your project.
He went on to talk more about the situation in the USA (Chela had asked during our drive, for Bill to inform the community about the hardships of working in the USA, that it is not the land of milk & honey they all dream it is)… “In this period of our history in the USA, the economic situation is very difficult, many people have no work & hope for their families. It’s very difficult in the areas of agriculture, construction, hotels & service industry, it’s very hard & your husbands are there. I think you know these things, the economic experts are predicting things are going to stay difficult for many years, in the USA people are saying we have to help ourselves & for people coming from other countries this is difficult since priority is given to people from the US.
It’s our honour to be with you today & know you are working hard to provide for yourselves.
There was discussion about discrimination in the US, & from the US perspective how it is difficult to provide services for immigrants as well as a large population, there are all sorts of complexities, obligations,etc.
Chela joined the discussion by saying “there is no work in the USA, but there is no work here either, so what can we do? We have our hands , we can produce food for ourselves & reduce the amount of money we need to live, we can become self sufficient. How to convince people to do this is the issue.
One woman said “we have to tell our families not to sell our land but to retain it to remain more productive”.
Chela “USA is finished for us, it is no longer a viable alternative, the $$ our husbands send is not worth it now.”
One woman talked of a family she had heard about, where the grandparents in Mexico had had to send money to the US to support their Mexican family there…
Bill – “we have said many things about the difficulties of finding work in the USA, I want you to also know we have a lot of respect for the people who come & work so hard in the USA.”
Planning of the project
21 Cisterns – 1 pilot to be constructed at the Salon (community meeting space), & 20 individual family cisterns.
They had pre decided to build the pilot at the salon, apparently the children pass there on their way home from school & currently take water from the tap (which is fluoride contaminated) they want them to drink the rain water instead.
Benigno will come to Palencia to do the training, they have created their work groups already, as follows
The names in bold, are the co-ordinators
Group1. Margarita, Estela, Raquel, Olga, Goya
Group2. Victoria, Jesus, Carmela B, Luca + 1 other
Group 3 Lucia, Dolores, Martina, Belen, Constancia
Group4. Luz, Maira, Lidia, Carmela S, Leticia (not sure who is co-ord)
There were only 19 names as they thought the 20 included the pilot, but it is 20 + pilot so they will find an extra family.
They asked “when can we start?” I responded – when do you want to & they all said “now!”
Larry spoke
“when I look around & see the kids here today, I am reminded I became a grandparent 3 mths ago, I am honoured that our club can help provide resources for you to have safe water for your kids & babies.”
Chela spoke about a woman who took a bucket of honey she had produced with her bees, to town to barter & how she was able to receive much more for a bucket of honey than she would have with a few $$. She reiterated money was less important than produce.
Fruit of your own work/hands gives you a better quality of life.
She reminded them that if they have the opportunity to buy even 1 hectare of land they should take it, they can produce a lot with 1 hectare & wild areas.
Doubts & questions time
I asked if now was a good time to begin the project, ie if they were busy harvesting or …
They all agreed they would work in the fields in the morning & work on the cisterns in the afternoons.
One woman asked about the necessity of water in the cisterns to prevent cracking (very good question), they will need to put water in from an external source, but then remove it before the good rain water comes, to keep the cistern water pure.
Saul described the process he used to complete the 40 cisterns, said that it was a little complicated to have materials arriving for different groups at different times, he suggested they all do the work at the same time, & receive the wire first, finish that stage, before receiving the cement, & completing the next stage.
They will plan with Benigno.
There was discussion about which days suit them better for Benigno to come.
They suggested Thursdays, as that’s the day the community meets to plant trees & do community tasks.
Chela will organize with Benigno.
They explained that their Salon was widely used, for meetings, fiestas etc.
The first Tuesday of every month they have a community meeting, often this big building is full. They share their problems, talk about issues but also make rules, they make sure everyone can attend, attendance is compulsory – 1 rep. per family, they talk about issues, administer resources, inform people.
We asked who is the leader – they responded “all of them!” there in no one person in charge, a true democracy, everyone is responsible”
They also create mini commissions to achieve specific things. Even when Cedesa is not present they continue to have meetings & organize themselves. They are not just doing projects, but have a process in place to take care of ongoing issues.
Chela officially thanked Tallahassee RC on behalf of Cedesa for the wonderful assistance they have made possible for these projects.
Another woman spoke & was very emotional, she said she did not have the words to describe her heartfelt thanks, & that she truly hoped they would visit again.
Bill & Monse said they would come back when the cisterns are finished.
The Next assembly is to be arranged with Benigno (to be advised)
There are no cell phones in the community, contact is made through the phone kiosk provided by telmex.
Where: Community House in Palencia – 1hr north of Dolores Hidalgo,
When: 27.10.10 12.30 meeting began (left SMA at 10am)
Who: Bill & Monse Webb, & Dr Larry Kubiak from Tallahassee Rotary, Laura from San Miguel Midday Rotary, Chela & Saul – Cedesa & 19 women, 6 kids from the Palencia Community
Purpose:
Since we last met in January this year, & the announcement of Future Vision & it’s ramifications, Bill Webb has been working very hard to secure funding for this project, the $$ are finally arranged, $7k from Tallahassee (Direct Grant), $7k approved to be spent on this project (excess funds from the 4 SMA water projects completed this year), + $200 from San Miguel Midday Rotary, will fund the project of 21 cisterns (1 pilot & 20 individual family cisterns).
This meeting was for the Tallahassee partners to meet the community, for Laura to know better this community & for the community to receive the news re the $$ & begin planning the logistics of the project.
Background.
Chela, Elena & Laura met with this community in January, after Chela had alerted us to the fact this community has the highest levels of Fluoride & arsenic than any in SMA. They had heard of the projects in SMA & petitioned us for assistance. See report 1, for more information.
Some brief facts about the community were raised in the previous meeting, included again here for ease of reference
• Approx 80 families /500 people
• Cedesa have been working with this community for 22 years
• Palencia is approx 1 hr from Cedesa in Dolores Hidalgo
• The community well was drilled 18 years ago, they have been drinking contaminated water for 18years
• There are smaller family wells that fill up when it rains, but they do not last the dry season
• There was a cacique (self appointed boss) when cedesa began work here, he is still apart from the community
• They have worked on many community projects together, including fighting for land rights, building a community centre (with funding for materials from local govt.), obtaining electricity
Item 1 – introductions all round:
Bill, Monse, Laura & Larry introduced themselves. Chela is well known, she also took time to describe a little about what/who Rotary is & does.
Chela – has been working with this community for more than 20 years, less frequent visits lately as she is concentrating in the San Miguel region where they also have fluoride issues.
Saul introduced himself & gave a little summary of how he came to be working with Cedesa (through assemblies at Los Torres) & has recently completed a 40 cistern project funded by the municipality , in Capaderillo (his wife’s community).
Chela mentioned Saul is one of the promoters at Cedesa, learning the work, & he has a good heart & knows the issues, which is essential to be a good promoter.
20 years ago they were fighting to get water, now they are striving to find an alternative, since the water they have is contaminated, ironic!
The women introduced themselves, some of them took it upon themselves to thank us for being here, for travelling so far & for helping them to get the materials they need for this project.
Chela described the water situation in the region, the aquifer in general.
They chose a co-ordinator for the day – Victoria.
The women were asked to describe the history, how they began to become organized.
History
In another community “Mulata” they heard of a person who was working to provide water there, so they went to see her, that was Chela.
They didn’t have enough water, only shallow wells & those wells dried up when the agri business people drilled very deep wells nearby. They had to ask the agribusiness – deep well owners for water.
After a struggle, they received their own community well, unfortunately this water is highly contaminated with naturally occurring fluoride & arsenic. So now they have badly damaged teeth (& probably bones), & many are buying water in 20 litre containers (garafones).
At the time they began to drink the well water they noticed more illiness.
One woman described aches & pain in her feet, she went to the doctor, & then stopped drinking the well water, the pain went away.
They tested the water during the water diploma course held at Cedesa in 2008. At that time they discovered the extremely high levels, sometimes as high as 8mg/l (1.5 is max safe level).
Dr Kubiak asked if they had sought govt. assistance with this issue –
The response was that the govt. have been denying this issue.
A professor at UNAM discovered this issue & alerted the communities, this study was denied & called false. It has been very contentious, with a lot of negative attention, & accusations of corruption.
These questions were asked
What is your number 1 priority? – Water
What is your number 2 priority? – food production
Where are the men in your community? Many are in the USA, of the 19 women attending 7 of their husbands were in the US.
If you have no men here to help, who will build these cisterns? ..it’s heavy work - There was a resounding response, “we will build them, we can mix cement, & do heavy work, we built the maize grinder, we helped build this salon, we will work together, if we have to we could contribute to pay for masons to help us.
One woman said her husband was aware of the project & has said he will return from the US to help, another agreed re her husband too would help, once they had the materials & were ready to begin.
Another woman responded “we learnt about cisterns in a workshop at Cedesa approx. 8 years ago, we build 5 then”
They have asked for financial assistance for materials for cisterns & dry toilets from the Dolores Hidalgo municipality, but have had no response.
Bill responded
Congratulations on taking responsibility for your own lives, the health & future of your kids, & not relying on the govt for help. We are honoured to be your partner (along with Cedesa & SMA Midday Rotary) in your water project. Today I want to announce that Tallahassee RC has made available the $$ to the SMA club to assist you to do your project.
He went on to talk more about the situation in the USA (Chela had asked during our drive, for Bill to inform the community about the hardships of working in the USA, that it is not the land of milk & honey they all dream it is)… “In this period of our history in the USA, the economic situation is very difficult, many people have no work & hope for their families. It’s very difficult in the areas of agriculture, construction, hotels & service industry, it’s very hard & your husbands are there. I think you know these things, the economic experts are predicting things are going to stay difficult for many years, in the USA people are saying we have to help ourselves & for people coming from other countries this is difficult since priority is given to people from the US.
It’s our honour to be with you today & know you are working hard to provide for yourselves.
There was discussion about discrimination in the US, & from the US perspective how it is difficult to provide services for immigrants as well as a large population, there are all sorts of complexities, obligations,etc.
Chela joined the discussion by saying “there is no work in the USA, but there is no work here either, so what can we do? We have our hands , we can produce food for ourselves & reduce the amount of money we need to live, we can become self sufficient. How to convince people to do this is the issue.
One woman said “we have to tell our families not to sell our land but to retain it to remain more productive”.
Chela “USA is finished for us, it is no longer a viable alternative, the $$ our husbands send is not worth it now.”
One woman talked of a family she had heard about, where the grandparents in Mexico had had to send money to the US to support their Mexican family there…
Bill – “we have said many things about the difficulties of finding work in the USA, I want you to also know we have a lot of respect for the people who come & work so hard in the USA.”
Planning of the project
21 Cisterns – 1 pilot to be constructed at the Salon (community meeting space), & 20 individual family cisterns.
They had pre decided to build the pilot at the salon, apparently the children pass there on their way home from school & currently take water from the tap (which is fluoride contaminated) they want them to drink the rain water instead.
Benigno will come to Palencia to do the training, they have created their work groups already, as follows
The names in bold, are the co-ordinators
Group1. Margarita, Estela, Raquel, Olga, Goya
Group2. Victoria, Jesus, Carmela B, Luca + 1 other
Group 3 Lucia, Dolores, Martina, Belen, Constancia
Group4. Luz, Maira, Lidia, Carmela S, Leticia (not sure who is co-ord)
There were only 19 names as they thought the 20 included the pilot, but it is 20 + pilot so they will find an extra family.
They asked “when can we start?” I responded – when do you want to & they all said “now!”
Larry spoke
“when I look around & see the kids here today, I am reminded I became a grandparent 3 mths ago, I am honoured that our club can help provide resources for you to have safe water for your kids & babies.”
Chela spoke about a woman who took a bucket of honey she had produced with her bees, to town to barter & how she was able to receive much more for a bucket of honey than she would have with a few $$. She reiterated money was less important than produce.
Fruit of your own work/hands gives you a better quality of life.
She reminded them that if they have the opportunity to buy even 1 hectare of land they should take it, they can produce a lot with 1 hectare & wild areas.
Doubts & questions time
I asked if now was a good time to begin the project, ie if they were busy harvesting or …
They all agreed they would work in the fields in the morning & work on the cisterns in the afternoons.
One woman asked about the necessity of water in the cisterns to prevent cracking (very good question), they will need to put water in from an external source, but then remove it before the good rain water comes, to keep the cistern water pure.
Saul described the process he used to complete the 40 cisterns, said that it was a little complicated to have materials arriving for different groups at different times, he suggested they all do the work at the same time, & receive the wire first, finish that stage, before receiving the cement, & completing the next stage.
They will plan with Benigno.
There was discussion about which days suit them better for Benigno to come.
They suggested Thursdays, as that’s the day the community meets to plant trees & do community tasks.
Chela will organize with Benigno.
They explained that their Salon was widely used, for meetings, fiestas etc.
The first Tuesday of every month they have a community meeting, often this big building is full. They share their problems, talk about issues but also make rules, they make sure everyone can attend, attendance is compulsory – 1 rep. per family, they talk about issues, administer resources, inform people.
We asked who is the leader – they responded “all of them!” there in no one person in charge, a true democracy, everyone is responsible”
They also create mini commissions to achieve specific things. Even when Cedesa is not present they continue to have meetings & organize themselves. They are not just doing projects, but have a process in place to take care of ongoing issues.
Chela officially thanked Tallahassee RC on behalf of Cedesa for the wonderful assistance they have made possible for these projects.
Another woman spoke & was very emotional, she said she did not have the words to describe her heartfelt thanks, & that she truly hoped they would visit again.
Bill & Monse said they would come back when the cisterns are finished.
The Next assembly is to be arranged with Benigno (to be advised)
There are no cell phones in the community, contact is made through the phone kiosk provided by telmex.
Monday, October 25, 2010
District 6940 newsletter Article
Tallahassee Rotary Club Supports Rotary Clubs and
International Partners to Change Lives...
Go to page 7 of this link & you'll find Tallahassee's story...
Click here
International Partners to Change Lives...
Go to page 7 of this link & you'll find Tallahassee's story...
Click here
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