1st – MINI MEETING WITH: Holly & Rafael & Laura
Discussion re the manufacture of doors for the cisterns, & also the ¨niples¨item for the cistern.
Holly, Rafael & Laura met at El Cortijo as Rafael had some questions re the doors & ordering process.
The “nipples” (basically a slice of metal tubing) are to be supplied by the Hardware supplier & taken to the door maker. The door maker solders them onto a piece of rebar & they are used in the construction of the cisterns.
Laura needs to collect the niples from the hardware store (once ordered & paid for) & take them to the door maker - once we decide on the door maker.
In total we will need 82 doors (+niple component).
Juan & Saul are both checking with potential suppliers, re the price & delivery schedule.
We have budgeted $300 pesos so need to get it down to that price, metal has now gone up in price so cost is now being quoted at $350…
Rafael will write up the variable materials order… He is asking for MdN to be delivered in 2 parts, 12 cisterns initially & 13 to conclude.
Rafael will get the Variables order to Materiales Rivera (this was changed & he gave it to Holly to give to me).
Laura will need to organize the money for the doors & place the standard materials order & delivery instructions.
Guillermo & Juan are still working on the Los Torres order.
The order for CdP & VdA will not be made until after the assemblies on the 14th April.
End of mini meeting 11.10am
NEXT MEETING - ASSEMBLY @ CAPADERILLO
Where: Capaderillo Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Wed 7th April 12pm
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), & Chela Martinez (for Cedesa) + 33 adults (including 3 men) & 4 kids.
Purpose: Next Assembly re potential future water project in this community
We arrived & again made our apologies for being late, Chela had thought the meeting was to begin at 12 & so timed our arrival accordingly, actually we were supposed to be there at 11am, so we were an hour late… They were all seated in a circle & waiting for us.
Chela asked for proposals for co-ordinator & record taker for the day.
One woman proposed Lupe, who in turn proposed that woman – lots of giggles.
They were all a little hesitant, not really knowing what the roles entailed.
Chela suggested Saul be co-ordinator for this first time, & so people would learn the role. Everyone happily agreed!
Saul called for Items for the Agenda.
• Presidencia visit update
• Doubts/questions re the previous meeting
• Objective of this meeting
• Planning next steps
• Update of progress of other communities
• Solar distiller workshop
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Chela asked before we start – do we have a list of attendance from the previous assembly & could we do one for today, so we have a record of participation. There was no list taken at the previous assembly, as the meeting was intended to see who was interested only.
A list was created & handed around. 27 people from previous meeting were here, & 3 new ones. (then later 3 more arrived).
Saul made an introduction:
The idea is to make sure everyone knows why we´re here & what we´re trying to achieve.
Brief introduction of :
Laura - & Club Rotario & it´s global function
Chela – re Cedesa & our collaboration, & our history with Saul, he came to various assemblies in Los Torres & began organising in Capaderillo.
Each person attending was asked to introduce themselves, just say their first name. There were a number who were too shy to even say their first name, & they passed onto the next person, but we coaxed them to at last say their name!
Chela said she was so happy to see so many young women ready to take responsibility into their own hands…
Item 1. Doubts/questions re the previous meeting & Objectives
“any questions about what we´re doing here?” “why are you here today”
“I´m interested in this project so my kids can have better health”
“I want to organise for my kids & my grandkids here in this community”
Someone else said ¨ditto¨
“I´m here because I have broken teeth” – everyone laughed!
“to participate”
“principally we are occupied with the health of our people”
“we are here mostly to resolve the water problem”
What is the option for Safe Water?
“rain water”
Chela asked where the water comes from & a young boy said “the sea, because it evaporates, to the clouds, & forms rain clouds”.
Chela explained more, yes, starts off liquid, turns to steam (a gas) & gathers in clouds & arrives back as liquid. Called the cycle of water, & is the same process that happens in a solar distiller.
The objective is to obtain safe drinking water.
Any doubts & questions?
What about single sons who might need a cistern?
Chela said the most important thing is to meet & discuss who wants to participate & then we can decide who gets cistern or not. First we need to decide how we will all work to resolve the problem, the cistern doesn´t just arrive overnight, Los Torres worked for months to get to where they are at.
Who can we work with to ask for resources…Sapasma, Ecologia & Presidencia.
Item 2. Presidencia meeting update
Laura was at a meeting with Ecology & Sapasma on the 11th March & told them of the request by the community of Capaderillo to meet to discuss the issue. Denia of Sapasma made a commitment to sort out a meeting time, but never responded to Laura.
The mini commission who wishes to make a representation to the Presidencia are
Saul, Hermelinda, Elvia, Reina & Reina (2 Reina´s)
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
There was some discussion as to the best method of representation to the govt. departments. Whole group go or just a commission?
“Everyone needs to demonstrate their interest more strongly”, they agreed might be best to all go to Luci to ask for assistance. It is a 1 hr walk to Los Torres, there was a vote to all go. (majority decided yes). IE there is a visit being planned for Luci to Los Torres, & it is suggested that other communities attend & make their representations at the same time.
Item 3 – Planning next steps
There are 2 main options for funding – Municipality & Rotary.
Laura is working on Rotary.
There is also the possibility of doing a pilot project at primary school via San Miguel Community Fund (SMCF).
There are 200 kids at the primary school.
1 ltr per day for 5 days = 1000 ltrs per wk
X 40 weeks = 40,000 ltrs per year.
40,000 / 12,000 = approx 3 cisterns needed for whole school.
Laura will complete an application for grant from SMCF – before 15 April!!!
Chela asked Laura to describe the pilot process – I did, in really bad Spanish, which Chela interpreted into good Spanish… (Chela doesn´t speak English, but she does understand bad Spanish!!, which is a big plus, she managed to relieve some blank faces, & everyone had a good laugh at my attempts)…
A lot of the men in Capaderillo are currently in the States, but the work is not difficult, & it´s a good place to chat & work & eat together.
This region is a small micro-region, Los Torres, Montecillo de Nieto, Cruz del Palmar, Vivienda de Arriba & Capaderillo, & can have an impact on many other communities, this is the area with bad water & it´s only getting worse. The deeper it gets the more contaminated it gets.
You will learn lots of skills, like how to apply for assistance & to work constructively on other issues, as well as how to improve lifestyles.
Cedesa is interested in promoting integral development, they are having a workshop for “promotores”, in the Cedesa Campesino University.
The first Tuesday of each month, with the first workshop being on the 4th May.
There is also another workshop on this Friday & Sat. from 10-5 on the construction of Solar Distillers. Saul & one other are invited to attend.
Next Assembly in Capaderillo will be Wednesday 5/5 at 11am (10am in El Cortijo)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Thurs 25th March 10.30-12.20
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Rafael Cruz (trainer from Los Torres) & approx 19 adults (about 50/50 men/women).
Purpose: Day 4 of the Pilot – building a cistern & collection system at the Cruz del Palmar Primary school.
Record of Event
I arrived to find a huge buzz in the playground. Kids were eating their mid morning meal (prepared by mothers – I think it’s a feed the hungry site), & there were men inside the cistern plastering, men outside, plastering, & attaching the hose & women mixing plaster & feeding people.
The top was on, the door in place, almost done...
I embarrassingly thought Rafael was his brother Jose Miguel, but that’s a whole other story, could be one of early alzheimers.
I was invited to eat with Rafael, the women feeding the kids had extras, we ate beans & rice & tortillas with a papaya water drink. Rafael thought it hilarious that I’d confused him for his brother.
I wanted to confirm the process with Rafael, re the ordering & checking of measurements etc. So did that, as part of that process we talked about Sand & they would order that direct from supplier in CdP, not in Materiales Rivera.
I asked about the gravel, & he responded something I didn’t understand, I thought there were 2 options, order from CdP or from Materiales Rivera, but neither were correct, I exclaimed in frustration, ahhh, anyone speak English? A couple of women rushed away, & they came back 5 mins later with a very well dressed young man, who apparently spoke English. He translated the simple question I had about gravel & it turned out Rafael was suggesting, since it was such a small quantity required, approx 5 wheelbarrows full, each family could provide it themselves! Ahhh – no wonder I didn’t get it, I was stuck on 2 options, so it was agreed, the families would provide the gravel themselves in Cruz del Palmar.
I thanked the young man (& women who had bought him) & we went on to chat a little more, it turned out he used to work for the Casa Diferente program a program run by DIF, in which community recipients receive materials from the govt. But must build their own house, to the exact design of the DIF program.
He now works in another program to do with schools, but offered his assistance to source cheaper materials, he gave me his email address & (Alfredo Ibarra alfpipo@yahoo.com & said if I sent him a list of materials, he would access a quote for me & email me back...
I thanked my good fortune at not speaking Spanish fluently, & thanked Alfredo again.
(I have since emailed him, but no response yet, maybe because it’s easter, maybe...)
I marvelled at the length of piping they had used to connect both roofs to the cistern, the closer one, & another classroom with a bigger surface area, Rafa & I agreed just a little rain will fill it a lot!!
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
I tried to get a photo of one of the young guys helping in the cistern, he kept bobbing down like a jack-in-the-box, to loud bursts of laughter from all the women watching. Ramon was cajoled & coaxed & “told” to pop his head up for a photo, but refused, so I climbed the ladder & tried to take one from the outside looking in, the result was not very clear, so one of the women volunteered to get in the cistern for the shot, but turned out she couldn’t fit, so got one of her half in half out, then I pretended to go & stayed to take the shot, but somehow Ramon knew, so just popped up a little & whipped back down.... By this stage the whole team was watching this & laughing...
I said goodbye & headed off to hide in the shade of the near by classroom, hoping to get a shot, when he finally believed I had gone, he slowly popped up & looked around, didn’t see me so stayed up, at which time I engaged my zoom & took the shot, I yelled out “gracias!” & he looked over to where I was & couldn’t believe he’d been outsmarted! he whole playground erupted in fits of laughter & I headed off...
Here’s the rub
People were told at the assembly prior to the pilot project, that participation in the pilot would enable them to get on the list of people to get cisterns.
The list now stands at 33 definite families.
We had 39 cisterns for Lomas now divided between Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar, we took 2 off for pilots, leaving 37 cisterns, & needed to use the funds from one more cistern to fund the extra consulting in Lomas & the extra pilot not budgeted for, hence we have 36 cisterns available.
That was to be split 18/18 for each of these neighbouring communities.
Since VdA have just 16 on their list, we may have 20 for CdP, but that still leaves us short by 13 cisterns!!
Ideally we need to find the extra $10k to get these cisterns constructed at the same time (ie before these rains), these people have proven themselves, have all stepped up & volunteered & all think they are in the running for cisterns... what we don’t want is to have to split the community we’ve just spent this effort building, & have to leave 13 families out of this round!
Ahhhh – somehow a solution will present itself, we are working with local govt. & maybe they will come to the party... I hope so!!!!
Next assembly is April 14th at 11am – Yolande’s house
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar Water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Thurs 25th March 10.30-12.20
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Rafael Cruz (trainer from Los Torres) & approx 19 adults (about 50/50 men/women).
Purpose: Day 4 of the Pilot – building a cistern & collection system at the Cruz del Palmar Primary school.
Record of Event
I arrived to find a huge buzz in the playground. Kids were eating their mid morning meal (prepared by mothers – I think it’s a feed the hungry site), & there were men inside the cistern plastering, men outside, plastering, & attaching the hose & women mixing plaster & feeding people.
The top was on, the door in place, almost done...
I embarrassingly thought Rafael was his brother Jose Miguel, but that’s a whole other story, could be one of early alzheimers.
I was invited to eat with Rafael, the women feeding the kids had extras, we ate beans & rice & tortillas with a papaya water drink. Rafael thought it hilarious that I’d confused him for his brother.
I wanted to confirm the process with Rafael, re the ordering & checking of measurements etc. So did that, as part of that process we talked about Sand & they would order that direct from supplier in CdP, not in Materiales Rivera.
I asked about the gravel, & he responded something I didn’t understand, I thought there were 2 options, order from CdP or from Materiales Rivera, but neither were correct, I exclaimed in frustration, ahhh, anyone speak English? A couple of women rushed away, & they came back 5 mins later with a very well dressed young man, who apparently spoke English. He translated the simple question I had about gravel & it turned out Rafael was suggesting, since it was such a small quantity required, approx 5 wheelbarrows full, each family could provide it themselves! Ahhh – no wonder I didn’t get it, I was stuck on 2 options, so it was agreed, the families would provide the gravel themselves in Cruz del Palmar.
I thanked the young man (& women who had bought him) & we went on to chat a little more, it turned out he used to work for the Casa Diferente program a program run by DIF, in which community recipients receive materials from the govt. But must build their own house, to the exact design of the DIF program.
He now works in another program to do with schools, but offered his assistance to source cheaper materials, he gave me his email address & (Alfredo Ibarra alfpipo@yahoo.com & said if I sent him a list of materials, he would access a quote for me & email me back...
I thanked my good fortune at not speaking Spanish fluently, & thanked Alfredo again.
(I have since emailed him, but no response yet, maybe because it’s easter, maybe...)
I marvelled at the length of piping they had used to connect both roofs to the cistern, the closer one, & another classroom with a bigger surface area, Rafa & I agreed just a little rain will fill it a lot!!
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
I tried to get a photo of one of the young guys helping in the cistern, he kept bobbing down like a jack-in-the-box, to loud bursts of laughter from all the women watching. Ramon was cajoled & coaxed & “told” to pop his head up for a photo, but refused, so I climbed the ladder & tried to take one from the outside looking in, the result was not very clear, so one of the women volunteered to get in the cistern for the shot, but turned out she couldn’t fit, so got one of her half in half out, then I pretended to go & stayed to take the shot, but somehow Ramon knew, so just popped up a little & whipped back down.... By this stage the whole team was watching this & laughing...
I said goodbye & headed off to hide in the shade of the near by classroom, hoping to get a shot, when he finally believed I had gone, he slowly popped up & looked around, didn’t see me so stayed up, at which time I engaged my zoom & took the shot, I yelled out “gracias!” & he looked over to where I was & couldn’t believe he’d been outsmarted! he whole playground erupted in fits of laughter & I headed off...
Here’s the rub
People were told at the assembly prior to the pilot project, that participation in the pilot would enable them to get on the list of people to get cisterns.
The list now stands at 33 definite families.
We had 39 cisterns for Lomas now divided between Vivienda de Arriba & Cruz del Palmar, we took 2 off for pilots, leaving 37 cisterns, & needed to use the funds from one more cistern to fund the extra consulting in Lomas & the extra pilot not budgeted for, hence we have 36 cisterns available.
That was to be split 18/18 for each of these neighbouring communities.
Since VdA have just 16 on their list, we may have 20 for CdP, but that still leaves us short by 13 cisterns!!
Ideally we need to find the extra $10k to get these cisterns constructed at the same time (ie before these rains), these people have proven themselves, have all stepped up & volunteered & all think they are in the running for cisterns... what we don’t want is to have to split the community we’ve just spent this effort building, & have to leave 13 families out of this round!
Ahhhh – somehow a solution will present itself, we are working with local govt. & maybe they will come to the party... I hope so!!!!
Next assembly is April 14th at 11am – Yolande’s house
Photos can be seen (including the one of the blue hooded head, popping out of the cistern) on this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Thurs 25th March 9-10am
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Juan & Guillermo Alvarado (Trainers from Los Torres) & 14 adults (7 men & 7 women),
Purpose: 4th day of the Pilot – construction of cistern & water collection system at the Vivienda de Arriba primary school.
I arrived to find the work in action, some people were on the roof, painting on the natural lime/cactus mixture to seal the roof, some were mixing & sieving the mixture to replenish the sealant supplies for those on the roof, & the rest were finishing off the plastering on both the inside & outside of the cistern.
The cistern was fully formed, top on, & door in place.
The piping & roof edging were all in place.
I was invited onto the roof, but decided to stop at the top of the ladder! They thought that was a joke!
I bought the missing piece of hose that had been short supplied, Juan had called Holly, who in turn called me to collect it from a different hardware store in town.
I talked at length with Anamaria, she was very happy the project had been bought forward. We had previously told them their funding would unlikely be avail until approx oct or Nov this year – if successful - she agreed they were very fortunate the way things had worked out with the other community declining the project.
She advised the volunteers turnout had been good each day, the list of definite people wanting to participate in the project, who had equally proven themselves by participating, was now 16 people – down from 21. I explained this was completely normal, & as soon as people learn they have to actually do the work themselves there is always a drop off... this is still a good result for the number of people in this small community.
The old cowboys were there every day! They were currently the plaster crew, & 2 were inside the cistern while the others were on the outside, with one brave one up on the roof of the class room!
They asked about Cruz del Palmar, I told them I was going there next, but we all agreed they had it easier with a bigger community to pull from!
I paid & thanked Juan & his dad Guillermo for their fine work over the previous 4 days.
I congratulated the community team on their huge efforts, declined their kind lunch invitation & headed to Cruz del Palmar.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next assembly Wed April 14th at 3pm at the Church
4th Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba Water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Thurs 25th March 9-10am
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Juan & Guillermo Alvarado (Trainers from Los Torres) & 14 adults (7 men & 7 women),
Purpose: 4th day of the Pilot – construction of cistern & water collection system at the Vivienda de Arriba primary school.
I arrived to find the work in action, some people were on the roof, painting on the natural lime/cactus mixture to seal the roof, some were mixing & sieving the mixture to replenish the sealant supplies for those on the roof, & the rest were finishing off the plastering on both the inside & outside of the cistern.
The cistern was fully formed, top on, & door in place.
The piping & roof edging were all in place.
I was invited onto the roof, but decided to stop at the top of the ladder! They thought that was a joke!
I bought the missing piece of hose that had been short supplied, Juan had called Holly, who in turn called me to collect it from a different hardware store in town.
I talked at length with Anamaria, she was very happy the project had been bought forward. We had previously told them their funding would unlikely be avail until approx oct or Nov this year – if successful - she agreed they were very fortunate the way things had worked out with the other community declining the project.
She advised the volunteers turnout had been good each day, the list of definite people wanting to participate in the project, who had equally proven themselves by participating, was now 16 people – down from 21. I explained this was completely normal, & as soon as people learn they have to actually do the work themselves there is always a drop off... this is still a good result for the number of people in this small community.
The old cowboys were there every day! They were currently the plaster crew, & 2 were inside the cistern while the others were on the outside, with one brave one up on the roof of the class room!
They asked about Cruz del Palmar, I told them I was going there next, but we all agreed they had it easier with a bigger community to pull from!
I paid & thanked Juan & his dad Guillermo for their fine work over the previous 4 days.
I congratulated the community team on their huge efforts, declined their kind lunch invitation & headed to Cruz del Palmar.
Photos can be seen at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
Next assembly Wed April 14th at 3pm at the Church
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
37th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Record of Event pg 1 of 3
37th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Wed 24th March 3-5.40pm
Who: Chela, Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), & 26 adults & 10kids, (Incl 3 men)
Purpose:
Planning for the Phase III cisterns construction project & general community assembly.
This assembly was changed to a later start time of 3pm, as there was a govt program visiting in Cruz del Palmar which the Los Torres community was required to attend.
The govt. Program – Oportunidades, a work program, started at 8am & didn’t finish until 2pm with no break for food, & CdP is a 20 minute walk away, the Los Torres people made it to the meeting around 3.20 looking very tired & hungry, & we agreed to try to keep the assembly brief, so people could get home.
We didn’t want to take up their time, but discovered the Oportunidades program offers work for a minimal assistance subsidy of $700 pesos bi-monthly, & also offers a beca (scholarship) for children of $500 pesos in high school, bi-monthly.
General discussion.
We asked about the Sapasma well, apparently it has not been opened yet, despite being completed for around 1 year. They have visited the new administration to ask & were told the new administration needs to settle in first before any action will be taken to get the water to the houses.
Julio from the Ecology department visited during the water info day, & said the tests of the water from the well had come back showing the water is contaminated & not fit for drinking.
Chela invited the LT community to a workshop they are holding at Cedesa to produce solar distillers, the only way to effectively remove fluoride from water.
The workshop is on April 9&10 for only 15 people, during which they will hands-on construct 2 working distillers, that can distill up to 9 litres per day.
The assembly began at 3.40
Chela introduced, & said we would keep it short today as everyone was already looking exhausted.
She said she would co-ordinate & Concha was voted to take note/records.
Discussion points were called for
• How to advance the 3rd phase
• What needs doing?
• What’s missing? someone responded, “we’re willing to work, as long as they give us some limonada!”
• Co-operation payment – still to be paid.
• Distiller workshop – who wants to participate
• The road mini-commission, - who’s working on it?
• Review of traspatio workshops
Item 1. How to advance the 3rd Phase.
At the last assembly people were tasked with taking measurements of the piping they require & getting the info to the group leaders, who in turn will give it to Guillermo (who will be co-ordinating the technical aspect of the 3rd phase in Los Torres).
Group 1 – Alejandro has the info & will give it to Guillermo
Group 2 – Jose Cruz also has the info & will give it to Guillermo
Group 3 – Gilberto? – Laura mentioned Jose Matilde had the info at the Water info day & wanted to give it to someone then, so he will need to be directed to give it to Guillermo
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Primo, Fabiana & Guillermo all offered to assist with Phase III.
Group 1 – one member – Veronica still owes her $450 co-operation payment re not attending training in the School demonstration cistern construction. She can not afford this payment so has passed on her cistern to her sister – Maria, who happens to be getting married to Gonzalo on Saturday. Everyone voted for this action.
Gonzalo is Rafael & Jose Miguel’s younger brother.
Item 2 – Materials – when will they be available?
Laura described the process…
1. Guillermo to receive the measurements of the variable materials required by each family (by group).
2. Guillermo to make a day possibly 5th April to visit each house to check the measurements.
3. Guillermo to spend a day collating the grand order, ie 21 x standard materials, & a compilation of the variable materials into one large order.
4. Guillermo is to place the order at the supplier. He should place it in several parts, 1 bulk order of the variable materials to be delivered in bulk to one location.
5. & then order the standard materials to be delivered 3 cisterns per group at a time, with another 3 more per group, once each cistern is completed (Guillermo will give delivery location instructions when he places order for the next partial delivery).
6. The variable materials will have to be collected from the designated delivery location in Los Torres, by each family as they come to construct their cistern. They should come to collect their items, eg 3 elbows, 2 lengths of pvc piping, etc.
7. This way the standard materials order can be placed by phone to the Supplier when the community is ready for the next lot.
(I confirmed this with Juan & Guillermo in Vivienda de Arriba during the pilot build meeting – this will work for them).
Alejandro offered to help Guillermo if it’s too much work for him.
We mentioned that the measuring & ordering & tech assistance is paid work for Guillermo, as technical advisor on this project.
Item 3 – the co-operation – who’s paid & who hasn’t?
The community came up with the solution that anyone from phase III who was unable to attend the demonstration pilot at the primary school, needs to pay a “co-operation” as their contribution.
At the last assembly there were 4 people still to pay.
• Cristina – has since paid.
• Veronica – Mariana (her sister) paid instead & now is on the list to receive the cistern.
• Patricia Nolesco has since paid.
• Maria de Jesus (not the delegada) has paid.
All are now paid up!
The families at the school who were not part of the project, but who’s children benefit from the cisterns built by the community were to pay $50 pesos contribution, some have, there are others still to be chased…
Item 4 – Workshop on distillers at Cedesa
Chela explained more about this workshop
Purpose
• Train people about the issues of contamination
• Practically demonstrate & actually construct 2 solar distillers (to purify the water)
• Only 15 people can attend, anyone who attends will then be expected to be the community expert & show the rest of the community.
• It is actual hands on construction (the best way to learn)
• It costs $4000pesos for one distiller
• These distillers remove all contaminants, bacterial & mineral,
• In case there is no cistern, or no rain, or an empty cistern!
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Chela asked who would like to come, to learn & then to teach.
Someone volunteered Rafael – because he wasn’t there – for a joke!!
Someone else volunteered Gonzalo, the young guy getting married on Saturday “the one getting married this weekend, since he’ll be having kids soon!”
The community will confirm with Chela or Holly
Item 5 Traspatios (back yards) workshops
Benigno has been to Los Torres for 2 backyard workshops so far.
The first one was to teach design (ie placement of animals, fruit trees, plants, rubbish & other components)
Then 2nd how to prepare the ground for planting, including soil & making paths.
In a couple of months they will be able to plant seeds & or plants for eating. They will then have access to good quality food & if they have excess they can trade it or sell it.
Chela asked how many people participated, a show of hands showed around 12-14 people.
Chela explained it costs Cedesa money for petrol & car maint. & also Benigno’s time, so you must prove you’re interested by participating, or he will go somewhere else.
Someone asked if it was just for people in the cistern project, & Chela replied it’s for the whole community, not just project people.
She went on to talk again about the dangers of eating junk food & how it is ruining the health of Mexicans, with high rates of diabetes etc resulting. She decried Coke, & one of the oldest women, said “she can’t live without it!”.
Chela pointed out that Junk food is sold to poor people, “the owners of the companies don’t eat this junk – they just make money off you guys – it’s only for poor people.
Item 6 – the Road
During the rains the road into Los Torres gets even worse (hard to imagine!) how can we get this fixed? It takes more than ½ hr to transverse!
“We need to begin the solicitude to the municipality”
Chela asked if anyone had ever made a solicitude to govt. before?
Chucha answered yes, they asked to be part of the Piso Firme (concrete floors) program.
Rafael Cruz has been previously to ask for assistance, but that was with the previous administration, so need to go again with the new one.
It was pointed out that Luci (the Mayor) & Helio from the ecology department have both asked to visit the community of Los Torres to see the project. We are currently attempting to schedule that visit with the various secretaries organizing…
It would be ideal to have the solicitude ready to present when the VIP’s visit.
Concha, Chucha & Alejandro all volunteered to get a solicitude together
write up reasons why road needs to be repaired including safety (takes too long in medical emergency), time it takes for people to get to work or to town etc.
what you would like done
write up who signed
Taxes are received by you & should be paid in works & services to the communities not just for the center of town!
The meeting concluded approx 5.40pm
Next Assembly Wed 28th April at 12 pm at Chucha’s house
37th Event of the SMA Midday Rotary Water Project Los Torres
Where: Los Torres Chucha’s house
When: Wed 24th March 3-5.40pm
Who: Chela, Holly, (Cedesa), Laura (Rotary), & 26 adults & 10kids, (Incl 3 men)
Purpose:
Planning for the Phase III cisterns construction project & general community assembly.
This assembly was changed to a later start time of 3pm, as there was a govt program visiting in Cruz del Palmar which the Los Torres community was required to attend.
The govt. Program – Oportunidades, a work program, started at 8am & didn’t finish until 2pm with no break for food, & CdP is a 20 minute walk away, the Los Torres people made it to the meeting around 3.20 looking very tired & hungry, & we agreed to try to keep the assembly brief, so people could get home.
We didn’t want to take up their time, but discovered the Oportunidades program offers work for a minimal assistance subsidy of $700 pesos bi-monthly, & also offers a beca (scholarship) for children of $500 pesos in high school, bi-monthly.
General discussion.
We asked about the Sapasma well, apparently it has not been opened yet, despite being completed for around 1 year. They have visited the new administration to ask & were told the new administration needs to settle in first before any action will be taken to get the water to the houses.
Julio from the Ecology department visited during the water info day, & said the tests of the water from the well had come back showing the water is contaminated & not fit for drinking.
Chela invited the LT community to a workshop they are holding at Cedesa to produce solar distillers, the only way to effectively remove fluoride from water.
The workshop is on April 9&10 for only 15 people, during which they will hands-on construct 2 working distillers, that can distill up to 9 litres per day.
The assembly began at 3.40
Chela introduced, & said we would keep it short today as everyone was already looking exhausted.
She said she would co-ordinate & Concha was voted to take note/records.
Discussion points were called for
• How to advance the 3rd phase
• What needs doing?
• What’s missing? someone responded, “we’re willing to work, as long as they give us some limonada!”
• Co-operation payment – still to be paid.
• Distiller workshop – who wants to participate
• The road mini-commission, - who’s working on it?
• Review of traspatio workshops
Item 1. How to advance the 3rd Phase.
At the last assembly people were tasked with taking measurements of the piping they require & getting the info to the group leaders, who in turn will give it to Guillermo (who will be co-ordinating the technical aspect of the 3rd phase in Los Torres).
Group 1 – Alejandro has the info & will give it to Guillermo
Group 2 – Jose Cruz also has the info & will give it to Guillermo
Group 3 – Gilberto? – Laura mentioned Jose Matilde had the info at the Water info day & wanted to give it to someone then, so he will need to be directed to give it to Guillermo
Record of Event pg 2 of 3
Primo, Fabiana & Guillermo all offered to assist with Phase III.
Group 1 – one member – Veronica still owes her $450 co-operation payment re not attending training in the School demonstration cistern construction. She can not afford this payment so has passed on her cistern to her sister – Maria, who happens to be getting married to Gonzalo on Saturday. Everyone voted for this action.
Gonzalo is Rafael & Jose Miguel’s younger brother.
Item 2 – Materials – when will they be available?
Laura described the process…
1. Guillermo to receive the measurements of the variable materials required by each family (by group).
2. Guillermo to make a day possibly 5th April to visit each house to check the measurements.
3. Guillermo to spend a day collating the grand order, ie 21 x standard materials, & a compilation of the variable materials into one large order.
4. Guillermo is to place the order at the supplier. He should place it in several parts, 1 bulk order of the variable materials to be delivered in bulk to one location.
5. & then order the standard materials to be delivered 3 cisterns per group at a time, with another 3 more per group, once each cistern is completed (Guillermo will give delivery location instructions when he places order for the next partial delivery).
6. The variable materials will have to be collected from the designated delivery location in Los Torres, by each family as they come to construct their cistern. They should come to collect their items, eg 3 elbows, 2 lengths of pvc piping, etc.
7. This way the standard materials order can be placed by phone to the Supplier when the community is ready for the next lot.
(I confirmed this with Juan & Guillermo in Vivienda de Arriba during the pilot build meeting – this will work for them).
Alejandro offered to help Guillermo if it’s too much work for him.
We mentioned that the measuring & ordering & tech assistance is paid work for Guillermo, as technical advisor on this project.
Item 3 – the co-operation – who’s paid & who hasn’t?
The community came up with the solution that anyone from phase III who was unable to attend the demonstration pilot at the primary school, needs to pay a “co-operation” as their contribution.
At the last assembly there were 4 people still to pay.
• Cristina – has since paid.
• Veronica – Mariana (her sister) paid instead & now is on the list to receive the cistern.
• Patricia Nolesco has since paid.
• Maria de Jesus (not the delegada) has paid.
All are now paid up!
The families at the school who were not part of the project, but who’s children benefit from the cisterns built by the community were to pay $50 pesos contribution, some have, there are others still to be chased…
Item 4 – Workshop on distillers at Cedesa
Chela explained more about this workshop
Purpose
• Train people about the issues of contamination
• Practically demonstrate & actually construct 2 solar distillers (to purify the water)
• Only 15 people can attend, anyone who attends will then be expected to be the community expert & show the rest of the community.
• It is actual hands on construction (the best way to learn)
• It costs $4000pesos for one distiller
• These distillers remove all contaminants, bacterial & mineral,
• In case there is no cistern, or no rain, or an empty cistern!
Record of Event pg 3 of 3
Chela asked who would like to come, to learn & then to teach.
Someone volunteered Rafael – because he wasn’t there – for a joke!!
Someone else volunteered Gonzalo, the young guy getting married on Saturday “the one getting married this weekend, since he’ll be having kids soon!”
The community will confirm with Chela or Holly
Item 5 Traspatios (back yards) workshops
Benigno has been to Los Torres for 2 backyard workshops so far.
The first one was to teach design (ie placement of animals, fruit trees, plants, rubbish & other components)
Then 2nd how to prepare the ground for planting, including soil & making paths.
In a couple of months they will be able to plant seeds & or plants for eating. They will then have access to good quality food & if they have excess they can trade it or sell it.
Chela asked how many people participated, a show of hands showed around 12-14 people.
Chela explained it costs Cedesa money for petrol & car maint. & also Benigno’s time, so you must prove you’re interested by participating, or he will go somewhere else.
Someone asked if it was just for people in the cistern project, & Chela replied it’s for the whole community, not just project people.
She went on to talk again about the dangers of eating junk food & how it is ruining the health of Mexicans, with high rates of diabetes etc resulting. She decried Coke, & one of the oldest women, said “she can’t live without it!”.
Chela pointed out that Junk food is sold to poor people, “the owners of the companies don’t eat this junk – they just make money off you guys – it’s only for poor people.
Item 6 – the Road
During the rains the road into Los Torres gets even worse (hard to imagine!) how can we get this fixed? It takes more than ½ hr to transverse!
“We need to begin the solicitude to the municipality”
Chela asked if anyone had ever made a solicitude to govt. before?
Chucha answered yes, they asked to be part of the Piso Firme (concrete floors) program.
Rafael Cruz has been previously to ask for assistance, but that was with the previous administration, so need to go again with the new one.
It was pointed out that Luci (the Mayor) & Helio from the ecology department have both asked to visit the community of Los Torres to see the project. We are currently attempting to schedule that visit with the various secretaries organizing…
It would be ideal to have the solicitude ready to present when the VIP’s visit.
Concha, Chucha & Alejandro all volunteered to get a solicitude together
write up reasons why road needs to be repaired including safety (takes too long in medical emergency), time it takes for people to get to work or to town etc.
what you would like done
write up who signed
Taxes are received by you & should be paid in works & services to the communities not just for the center of town!
The meeting concluded approx 5.40pm
Next Assembly Wed 28th April at 12 pm at Chucha’s house
Monday, March 22, 2010
2 more Pilot projects started today!
Another brief update, (full reports to follow)...
Both Cruz del Palmar & Vivienda de Arriba began their pilot projects at their respective primary schools today.
During the pilot projects all of the participants learn each of the steps involved in constructing these ferro cement cisterns.
Those that can, help, those that can't, contribute in other ways, they bring food & drinks & help mind children...
A collaborative effort.
Both Cruz del Palmar & Vivienda de Arriba began their pilot projects at their respective primary schools today.
During the pilot projects all of the participants learn each of the steps involved in constructing these ferro cement cisterns.
Those that can, help, those that can't, contribute in other ways, they bring food & drinks & help mind children...
A collaborative effort.
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba potential water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 2
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba potential water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Monday 22nd March 11am – 2.10pm
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Juan & Guillermo Alvarado (Trainers from Los Torres) & 7 adults (5 men & 7 women), by the time I left at 2pm.
Purpose: Pilot – construction of cistern & water collection system at the Vivienda de Arriba primary school.
Background: This pilot was “bought forward”, Juan & Guillermo liaised with the community directly to begin earlier than previously planned. As a result the order for the materials was placed hurriedly by me last Saturday. I had given a typed list of the standard materials required + a list of the variable materials (ie the piping & bricks etc, that changes depending on the location of the cistern in relation to the roof, & roof size etc).
Observations of the day
The supplier, Materiales Rivera – in San Miguel, had assured us the delivery could be made before 9.30 on Monday – it was now 11am & no sign of the materials.
There were 5 men (plus Guillermo & Juan – the trainers), all digging a hole for the pad for the cistern, with shovels & picks. The men were all grandfathers, & none had been at the assemblies, so was good to see them involved. These were all old cowboys, complete with cowboy hats & boots...
Again, they all asked if it was only me – (& my less than fluent Spanish!), & Juan broke out a few words from his English vocab in solidarity.
I met the Maestro (teacher) who was very happy for this project to be happening in his school. They have a small school of just 19 kids, in contrast to Cruz del Palmar, who have around 200 kids!!
I called Holly & asked her to call Materiales Rivera to see what was going on, she called back to say the truck drivers’ mother had died & he had not made it into work today, so they were just sending another truck now. (that was at 11am, & the drive is only 40 mins or so, so we remained hopeful).
Around 11.30 some women arrived laden with buckets, filled with plates, cups, & food.
We assumed it was for almuerzo for the kids but after 20mins the women finally told us they were waiting for us, & that it was to feed the workers...
The cowboys downed shovels & we ate delicious lunch of rice, beans, tortillas & some hot vegetable soup that was described as a hangover cure!! All very delicious & nutritious & washed down with water flavoured with guava (or coke, but the coke bottles remained closed while there was agua fresco available)...
Still we waited, & joked about the truck being lost, until I decided it was time to make another check up call, 2 hrs after the other one!
Again I called Holly, who in turn called Materiales Rivera, to be told the truck had left 15mins ago... hmmmm....
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
The cowboys finished the preparation for the pad, & began to sift the sand for the cement, & finally, with a lot of hurrah! The truck arrived at around 1.15...
By 2.10 when I left, the materials had been unloaded (those old cowboys can carry 8 bricks in one go!), & the mesh was rolled out & being crocheted... More women arrived when the materials go there, & there were 12 people working (+ Juan & Guillermo) when I left...This is a much smaller community than Cruz del Palmar, so a good turnout!
Click on this link to see Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
I couldn’t help thinking those old cowboys would have some interesting stories to tell about their lives & adventures in the States, but bid them farewell & congrats on the first stage of their mission, & headed back into town.
Next event – day 4 of the pilot 25th March 2010
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Vivienda de Arriba potential water Project
Where: Vivienda de Arriba (40 mins from SMA)
When: Monday 22nd March 11am – 2.10pm
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Juan & Guillermo Alvarado (Trainers from Los Torres) & 7 adults (5 men & 7 women), by the time I left at 2pm.
Purpose: Pilot – construction of cistern & water collection system at the Vivienda de Arriba primary school.
Background: This pilot was “bought forward”, Juan & Guillermo liaised with the community directly to begin earlier than previously planned. As a result the order for the materials was placed hurriedly by me last Saturday. I had given a typed list of the standard materials required + a list of the variable materials (ie the piping & bricks etc, that changes depending on the location of the cistern in relation to the roof, & roof size etc).
Observations of the day
The supplier, Materiales Rivera – in San Miguel, had assured us the delivery could be made before 9.30 on Monday – it was now 11am & no sign of the materials.
There were 5 men (plus Guillermo & Juan – the trainers), all digging a hole for the pad for the cistern, with shovels & picks. The men were all grandfathers, & none had been at the assemblies, so was good to see them involved. These were all old cowboys, complete with cowboy hats & boots...
Again, they all asked if it was only me – (& my less than fluent Spanish!), & Juan broke out a few words from his English vocab in solidarity.
I met the Maestro (teacher) who was very happy for this project to be happening in his school. They have a small school of just 19 kids, in contrast to Cruz del Palmar, who have around 200 kids!!
I called Holly & asked her to call Materiales Rivera to see what was going on, she called back to say the truck drivers’ mother had died & he had not made it into work today, so they were just sending another truck now. (that was at 11am, & the drive is only 40 mins or so, so we remained hopeful).
Around 11.30 some women arrived laden with buckets, filled with plates, cups, & food.
We assumed it was for almuerzo for the kids but after 20mins the women finally told us they were waiting for us, & that it was to feed the workers...
The cowboys downed shovels & we ate delicious lunch of rice, beans, tortillas & some hot vegetable soup that was described as a hangover cure!! All very delicious & nutritious & washed down with water flavoured with guava (or coke, but the coke bottles remained closed while there was agua fresco available)...
Still we waited, & joked about the truck being lost, until I decided it was time to make another check up call, 2 hrs after the other one!
Again I called Holly, who in turn called Materiales Rivera, to be told the truck had left 15mins ago... hmmmm....
Record of Event pg 2 of 2
The cowboys finished the preparation for the pad, & began to sift the sand for the cement, & finally, with a lot of hurrah! The truck arrived at around 1.15...
By 2.10 when I left, the materials had been unloaded (those old cowboys can carry 8 bricks in one go!), & the mesh was rolled out & being crocheted... More women arrived when the materials go there, & there were 12 people working (+ Juan & Guillermo) when I left...This is a much smaller community than Cruz del Palmar, so a good turnout!
Click on this link to see Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/ViviendaDeArribaWaterProject?feat=directlink
I couldn’t help thinking those old cowboys would have some interesting stories to tell about their lives & adventures in the States, but bid them farewell & congrats on the first stage of their mission, & headed back into town.
Next event – day 4 of the pilot 25th March 2010
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar potential water Project
Record of Event pg 1 of 1
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar potential water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Mon 22nd March 9am-10.40
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Rafael Cruz (trainer from Los Torres) & by 9.30 29adults, approx 50/50 men/women. (7 kids, plus interested onlookers – kids from the primary school).
Purpose: 4 Day Pilot – building a cistern & collection system at the Cruz del Palmar Primary school.
Record of Event
I arrived on time at 9am to find Rafael (the trainer) & around 8 people gathering for the Pilot. By 9.30 there were 29 people, all occupied in the first steps of the construction.
They all asked where Holly, Chela or Elena were, they are nervous when it’s only me, because my Spanish is limited, but we managed to convey all we needed to.
The wire was laid out with the mesh on top & the wire on top of that, there were more people than tools, so one of the guys went to get a grinder & they cut off a strip of the mesh & made more ganchos (hooks), so that everyone could work on this task.
The “crocheting” begins at one side of the roll, by row, & ends at the other, with 4 diamonds of wire mesh “crocheted” in each square of mesh.
Everyone was in good spirit & all eager to learn.
There was a strange “bucket of water” ritual going on at the primary school, it took me a while to work out why there were kids criss-crossing the courtyard carrying buckets of water, in what seemed to be a random way. Turns out, these kids were all going to the toilet, & they needed to first take the bucket & fill it at various taps & mini tanks, then carry it to the toilet, to use to flush, then carry the water back to the mini tank, & the bucket back to the classroom.
I remembered how we as kids used to ask to be excused so we could get some time out of the classroom, & was giggling to myself that so many of these kids were doing the same, then it struck me that many of these kids probably don’t have toilets at home, & so save their “routine” for school.
I don’t know if there were more bucket carriers than usual because they were interested to see what was going on in their playground, many did decide to detour close to the action!
Rafael was very organised & had everyone occupied. I took a few photos, & bid them a successful mission, & headed off to their neighbouring community – Vivienda de Arriba, who were beginning their Pilot at their primary school today too.
One reason for the good turnout - it had been decided by the people at the previous assembly that whoever participates in the training will be on the list of the people to receive their cisterns first.
I noticed Analaura had the attendance list in the records book.
Next visit will be on the last day of the Pilot, 25th March at 9am
Photos on this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
3rd Mtg of the SMA Midday Rotary Cruz del Palmar potential water Project
Where: Cruz del Palmar Community (40 mins from SMA)
When: Mon 22nd March 9am-10.40
Who: Laura Stewart (Rotary), Rafael Cruz (trainer from Los Torres) & by 9.30 29adults, approx 50/50 men/women. (7 kids, plus interested onlookers – kids from the primary school).
Purpose: 4 Day Pilot – building a cistern & collection system at the Cruz del Palmar Primary school.
Record of Event
I arrived on time at 9am to find Rafael (the trainer) & around 8 people gathering for the Pilot. By 9.30 there were 29 people, all occupied in the first steps of the construction.
They all asked where Holly, Chela or Elena were, they are nervous when it’s only me, because my Spanish is limited, but we managed to convey all we needed to.
The wire was laid out with the mesh on top & the wire on top of that, there were more people than tools, so one of the guys went to get a grinder & they cut off a strip of the mesh & made more ganchos (hooks), so that everyone could work on this task.
The “crocheting” begins at one side of the roll, by row, & ends at the other, with 4 diamonds of wire mesh “crocheted” in each square of mesh.
Everyone was in good spirit & all eager to learn.
There was a strange “bucket of water” ritual going on at the primary school, it took me a while to work out why there were kids criss-crossing the courtyard carrying buckets of water, in what seemed to be a random way. Turns out, these kids were all going to the toilet, & they needed to first take the bucket & fill it at various taps & mini tanks, then carry it to the toilet, to use to flush, then carry the water back to the mini tank, & the bucket back to the classroom.
I remembered how we as kids used to ask to be excused so we could get some time out of the classroom, & was giggling to myself that so many of these kids were doing the same, then it struck me that many of these kids probably don’t have toilets at home, & so save their “routine” for school.
I don’t know if there were more bucket carriers than usual because they were interested to see what was going on in their playground, many did decide to detour close to the action!
Rafael was very organised & had everyone occupied. I took a few photos, & bid them a successful mission, & headed off to their neighbouring community – Vivienda de Arriba, who were beginning their Pilot at their primary school today too.
One reason for the good turnout - it had been decided by the people at the previous assembly that whoever participates in the training will be on the list of the people to receive their cisterns first.
I noticed Analaura had the attendance list in the records book.
Next visit will be on the last day of the Pilot, 25th March at 9am
Photos on this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/lauramex/CruzDelPalmarWaterProject?feat=directlink
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