June-July 2011 newsletter
First of all, apologies for the lateness of this newsletter. We had our biggest event of the year, the 12th Annual National Fair “Lucha Rivera” (for a dignified and sustainable life, and for fair trade and solidarity marketing) on August 5-7, with nearly 700 producers coming from 18 states. I was been extremely busy with preparations for that event, about which I will report in the next bi-monthly newsletter, and then catching up with projects and meetings postponed during the preparations.
A second apology: during the month of June, I was recovering from hip surgery and so I did not attend any meetings for the first half of the month and only a few during the second half, though I did receive reports from the my team members, which I will summarize.
Without further ado, notes on our activities in the months of June and July, 2011 follow.
Wednesday, June 1 –Community Assemblies at La Tinaja and Palmita II. These two communities are located on the west side of the highway to Guanajuato, in mountainous terrain (as opposed to the other communities where we have worked, which have been mostly riverside communities). Both La Tinaja and Palmita II are interested in dry toilets, and we hope to include La TInaja in the next International Rotary grant for rain-harvesting cisterns.
Wednesday, June 8 – Inauguration of the Tierra Blanca cisterns. The 40 families of Tierra Blanca completed their rain-harvesting systems in time for the rains expected this month (note: we did have good rains the last week of June, which filled many of the Tierra Blanca cisterns nearly to half-full, but July was an unusually dry month with only occasional light showers). Thank you Laura Stewart for the great photos!
Wednesday, June 15 – Full Council Assembly at Vivienda de Arriba. At this meeting, representatives of all 17 communities of the Citizen’s Council attended, plus two persons from a new community, Los Magueyes were introduced (Los Magueyes is a small community of about 20 families, located near the Atotonilco turnoff on the highway between San Miguel and Dolores Hidalgo).
It was decided that the next communities within the SMA Citizen’s Council to embark on cistern projects will be Presita de Santa Rosa (Rotary), Guerrero (SAPASMA), Cruz del Palmar II (Rotary), Los Torres III (SAPASMA), and La Tinaja (Rotary).
Saul reported on the application for dry toilets referred to the Department of Social Development by the mayor. Social Development proposed 125 dry toilets to be “given” to the “most needy”, financed by the federal SEDESOL program, at a cost of $25,000 per toilet, with a 15% cash contribution by the beneficiaries. Some comments: these types of programs benefit the laziest people and outside contractors (as opposed to our participatory methodology of having the families provide labor rather than cash, and employing local workers), and have no social context or follow-up. All agreed that we want to continue with our application which includes using local construction workers assisted by the families receiving the materials, training and follow-up technical assistance by CEDESA. The council rejected the SEDESOL proposal and voted to send a committee to the Department of Social Development to insist upon our proposal, and if unsuccessful, to the Mayor’s office.
Holly reported on a research project sponsored by CEDESA on medicinal plants – an internationally renowned expert on healing with herbs, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, is gathering information from local healers on plants of Guanajuato for a book in order to preserve knowledge that has traditionally been passed down from generation to generation orally. With the advent of “modern” medicine, this knowledge is in danger of being lost since many people now prefer to go to doctors and buy medicines made in laboratories. Revalorizing traditional knowledge of healing herbs can help families spend less and cure simple ailments in a more natural way with fewer side-effects. Representatives from several communities in the San Miguel Rural Citizen’s Council volunteered to contact their local traditional healers for interviews.
illustration for plant book
Ana of Vivienda de Arriba reported on her meeting with the Cruz del Palmar Ejido Commission regarding donation of land in that community for a meeting room and eco-technology demonstration center for the Citizen’s Council. The Council decided to request a plot next to the Vivienda de Arriba kindergarten, off the main road, rather than a more distant plot next to the football field. Irene of Capaderillo offered a piece of land in her community, but it does not have road access. Emelia of Cienega mentioned that the Cienega Ejido is selling land in the wedge between the old and new Guanajuato roads. For the moment, it was decided to pursue the donation first, and if that does not come through, to consider the purchase possibilities.
Monday, June 20 – Meeting with SAPASMA to review the progress of the cistern-building projects in Villa de Guadalupe and Cienega de Juana Ruiz. Both projects are proceeding on schedule in spite of problems of delivering water during several weeks of construction.
Friday, June 24 – Tierra Blanca: meeting with Dr. Ortega, who reported on the results from the water tests taken at and around Tierra Blanca, and discussed the symptoms of fluorosis (fluoride poisoning). The 80+ people attending were very attentive and expressed interest in knowing more about the quality of all the sources of water in the region. Results from Dr. Ortega’s fluoride tests:
1. Well – Cruz del Palmar: 1.99 mg/L
2. Well – Cruz del Palmar: 0.40 mg/L
3. Spring – Artesano: 2.56 mg/L
4. Well – Presita Santa Rosa: 2.67 mg/L
5. Well – Tierra Blanca de Abajo: 0.86 mg/L
6. Spring – Tierra Blanca d Abajo: 2.72 mg/L
7. Spring – Tierra Blanca de Abajo: 2.40 mg/L
8. Spring – Tierra Blanca de Abajo: 2.36 mg/L
9. River – Tierra Blanca de Abajo: 0.74 mg/L
10. Well – Rancho Nuevo de Banda: 3.47 mg/L
11. Spring – Los Torres: 0.70 mg/L
Wednesday, June 29 – Inauguration of cisterns at Juan Gonzales. The 21 families of this community celebrated the completion of their rain-harvesting systems at the old primary school – literally the day before the heavy rains at the end of June, which half-filled most of the cisterns.
Saturday, July 2 – Founders Day Gathering at CEDESA. From the municipality of San Miguel, representatives from 14 communities attended: Capaderillo, Los Magueyes, VIvienda Urbana, Guerrero, Presita Santa Rosa, Cruz del Palmar, Juan Gonzales, Cinco Señores, Correlejos, San Lorenzo, La Palmita II, Villa de Guadalupe, Cienega de Juana Ruiz, Tierra Blanca. The event included talks, displays and workshops on this year’s theme of natural health as well as activities for children.
Tuesday, July 5 – Meeting at Fondo Verde – a commission of six representatives from the Citizens Council visited the Department of Ecology and agreed that the $200,000 pesos that we turned down for another cistern project should be applied to a dry toilet project – pilots in the 15 communities that have requested them.
The written application was submitted on Tuesday, July 12 for fifteen dry toilets.
Thursday, July 7 – Assembly at Tierra Blanca to explain the protocol written by Dr. Georgina Mejia (SMA rep of State Health Dept) for an epidemiological study of the high incidence of cancer in that community. The assembly agreed to send a small committee to the Mayor’s office on July 20 to seek support for the study to be done by the Instituto Biomedico of UNAM .
Monday, July 11 - Visit to Cienega de Juana Ruiz to interview healers for the medicinal plant book. Holly took Dr. Rosita Arvigo to this community in order to interview Emelia, Socorro and Juana about the medicinal plants that they use. Their kids helped out by gathering wild plants.
Saturday, July 16 – Inauguration of cisterns at Cinco Señores. The 11 families of Cinco Señores celebrated the completion of their rainwater-harvesting systems. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Josefina´s and Esther’s homes, a double-barreled system with two cisterns connected to one roof since the roof of Josefina’s house is higher and larger than Esther’s.
Wednesday, July 20 – Meeting with the Mayor. The Council met with Mayor Lucy Nuñez to discuss the application for dry toilets. Lucy supported the Council’s participatory project (over the SEDESOL outside-contractor project) and committed $4 million pesos to the Council project.
On this same day, we had a Community Assembly in Guerrero primarily to discuss the cistern project that we are proposing with SAPASMA.
Monday, July 25 – Visit to La TInaja and Espejo (next to Tierra Blanca). Holly took Dr. Rosita Arvigo to these communities to interview traditional healers about the plants they use.
Thursday, July 28 – Full Council Assembly at Cienega. Approximately 70 people from all the communities except Vivienda de Arriba and Vivienda Urbana attended. The meeting was initiated by Chela with a reflection on the phrase: “Today our Mother Earth is wounded, and the future of humankind is in danger.”
The rest of the meeting mainly dealt with the dry toilet application with the municipality. New clusters were established, and one community within each designated as the site for dry toilet construction training (marked with asterisk below).
Cluster 1 – Capaderillo*, Guerrero, Vivienda Urbana de Abajo, Presita Santa Rosa
Cluster 2 – Cruz del Palmar, Los Torres*, Montecillo de Nieto, Los Magueyes
Cluster 3 – Tierra Blanca, Vivienda de Arriba, Juan Gonzales*, Cinco Señores, Correlejos
Cluster 4 – Cienega de Juana Ruiz, Palmita II*, La Tinaja, Villa de Guadalupe, San Lorenzo
The Council was invited to participate in a panel at the National Fair in Dolores Hidalgo on August 5-7, to discuss the environmental problems of the region and the projects taking place or being proposed to resolve them (rain-harvesting cisterns and dry toilets)
On that same day, the four families of San Lorenzo celebrated the inauguration of their cisterns.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
8th Regional Assembly of the Consejo Ciudadano Rural de Agua de San Miguel de Allende
Regional Assembly of the Consejo Ciudadano Rural de Agua de San Miguel de Allende
(SMA Rural CItizens Council on Water)
Over 70 men and women, plus a dozen children and babes-in-arms, attended this assembly in the chapel patio of Vivienda de Arriba. They represented 18 communities, including a new community, Los Magueyes:
Juan Gonzales – 3
Tierra Blanca – 10
Correlejos – 2
Villa Guadalupe – 2
Capaderillo – 3
Montecillo de Nieto – 6
Vivienda Urbana – 2
Cruz del Palmar – 3
Los Torres – 7
Cinco Señores – 2
Ciénaga de Juana Ruiz – 5
La Tinaja – 8
La Palmita – 4
Presita de Santa Rosa – 4
Guerrero – 5
San Lorenzo – 2
Vivienda de Arriba – 2
Los Magueyes – 6
The Council representatives explained to the newcomers the purpose and objectives of the Council – to represent campesino communities before the government and NGOs, to resolve problems in common, to generate resources for development projects, such as but not limited to rainwater-harvesting systems, dry toilets and health issues. Chela cited two concurrent objectives: organization of (within) the communities and unity among the communities to be able to have a stronger voice in dealing with regional issues.
Saul explained how a community can join the Council – with the Acta de Nombramiento, signed bya majority of members of the community and notarized with the seal of the community’s delegado. There are also application forms for cisterns (community application and family application) and dry toilets (family applications).
Chela asked how long everyone wanted to meet; and given that not everyone was informed that this meeting was “traje” (bring your food), it was decided to adjourn the meeting at 2 p.m. so that everyone can return home to eat. A discussion regarding the question of food ensued. Chela and Holly explained that Vivienda de Arriba hosts many meetings because of its central location and meeting place appropriate for large groups – even more so now since the community has enlarged the patio and built benches along the walls – but that we did not want them to feel obligated to prepare food for the whole regional assembly. Others stated that their community would provide food for people who attend meetings, since travelling to get to the meeting represents a cost that those in the host community don’t incur. Ana noted that they did not prepare any food for today’s meeting because Holly explicitly said not to, but they usually provide food for meetings. The discussion was tabled since it was taking up a good deal of time and since we decided to try to adjourn at 2 p.m., we need to get to other issues.
Ana Torres of VIvienda de Arriba was chosen to coordinate the meeting, and Abraham of Tierra Blanca to take notes.
The agenda was established:
1. Creation of a Regional Center for the Citizens Council.
2. Report on dry toilet applications with the department of Desarrollo Social (Social Development)
3. Encuentro Campesino (Campesino Conference)
4. Research for book on Medicinal Plants
1 Citizen’s Council Regional Center – a place to hold our meetings, for training and workshops, for showcasing model eco-technologies
a. Ana of Vivienda de Arriba reported that she went to the Cruz del Palmar Ejido Commission to find out about donating a piece of ejido land to the Citizens Council. The commissioner told her that the petitioners need to choose a piece of land that is not occupied or disputed, and make a request to the Ejido at their next meeting. Ana then called an community assembly and they chose two pieces of land in and near the community not in use or disputed: one next to the kindergarten on the main road and the other by the football field in the valley.
b. Irene of Capadrillo said that she has a piece of land about 5 minutes from the highway that she would be willing to loan to the Council, near the northern entrance to Capaderillo, but that it does not have road access.
c. Emelia of Cienaga reported that their ejido is selling land near the intersection of the old and new highways to Guanajuato.
d. Roberto of Presita Santa Rosa said that he and Abraham would seek out the owner of the building at the curve of the Vivienda de Arriba road to find out for how much the owner wants to sell it.
e. Chela mentioned that she, Holly and Saul checked out the building near the entrance to VIvienda de Arriba, just off the highway, and got a Mexico City phone number to inquire about the property.
Of all the options, everyone agree that (a) was best since it would be a donation and Vivienda de Arriba is the most central location for all the communities in the Council.
A commission including Ana, Gloria and Angela will find out about the next meeting of the Cruz del Palmar ejido and report back to CEDESA.
After the assembly, a group took a look at the land next to the kindergarten – about a half hectare, partly wooded with mesquite trees and large nopales which we liked. The other location within the community of Vivienda, next to the football field, does not have good road access, so after the meeting, we decided to pursue the possibility of donation of the lot next to the kindergarten.
2. Dry toilet applications.
Saul gave some background on the application that the Council made in March of 2011 (458 dry toilets in 17 communities): at the April meeting with the Presidencia, Lucy referred the Council to the department of Social Development since they have funds for dry toilets as part of a “sustainable campesino home” project. In May, Social Development accepted the applications presented by the Council, which requested funding for materials, construction to be done by local masons, and coordination and consulting by CEDESA for a cost of $11,000 pesos per toilet, with the families providing “chalan” (mason helper) labor.
At the end of May, Social Development told the Council that they needed a few more details, such as the number of people in the families that would benefit from the project. The Council collected this information and Saul went to present it to Social Development yesterday (June 14) and got a big surprise when they told him that they have decided to utilize outside consultants and contractors to build 225 dry toilets, each costing about $25,000 pesos, of which the families will be required to pay 15%, or about $3700 pesos. Furthermore, Social Development would not respect the organizational work already done by the Council, but rather visit the communities and choose whom they felt were“the most needy,” who would get the ready-made toilets.
Saul argued that the applications submitted by the Council represent people who have expressed their interest and motivation by participating in the Council, which would also provide follow-up in terms of training in the use and maintenance of the toilets so the likelihood of their being properly utilized would be much greater than Social Development’s non-participatory plan.
Other members of the Council also expressed their displeasure with Social Development’s first accepting the Council’s dry toilet project, then switching to a typical government-imposed plan that is more costly, less participatory and therefore less likely to succeed.
Discussion ensued as to what to do about this – return to Social Development to negotiate; appeal to the Mayor; publicize the situation through press conferences, interviews, articles and mass demonstrations. It was decided that a committee consisting of at least one member of each Council community will go to the office of Social Development on Tuesday, June 21 – if Social Development does not respond favorably, they will go to the Mayor’s office that same day; if there are still no concrete results, the Council will plan a publicity campaign to pressure the government officials to honor their word.
3. Encuentro Campesino
This was postponed last month due to an unexpectedly large increased workload (SAPASMA’s funding of 54 cistern projects in addition to the four communities funded by Rotary and Fondo Verde). Chela offered CEDESA as the site for the five workshops mentioned at the first Encuentro Campesino: 1) backyard design 2) bio-intensive gardens 3) cultivation of nopal in “tunnels” 4) medicinal plants and 5) terracing. Though CEDESA is in the municipality of Dolores Hidalgo, Chela suggested it would be worth it for participants to see the finished results of these techniques that have been implemented on site at CEDESA for many years. Also, participants can see other eco-technologies that CEDESA has or is testing and promoting in campesino communities.
The date was agreed upon: Saturday, June 25 and it will be an all-day event, starting at 10 a.m. and finishing at 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided by CEDESA, and we will help organize transportation. Roberto of Presita knows a bus driver and will investigate costs; all interested persons should explore ride- and expense-sharing options in their communities. Saul can lead a caravan up the new Guanajuato road to CEDESA via Xoconostle; Los Torres, Montecillo and Los Magueyes can make arrangements to go to CEDESA via the Dolores-SMA highway.
4. Medicinal Plants
Holly explained the book project that CEDESA is collaborating on with Dr. Rosita Arvigo, an international expert on nutrition and alternative medicine. Dr. Arvigo would like to interview healers who have traditional knowledge of plants and their uses for treating and curing common ailments. Her goal is to rescue this folk wisdom that is being abandoned for commercial medicines and doctors. The book will be given to all persons who participate in the project, as a way of sharing information and techniques. Several people from various communities including Los Torres, La Tinaja and Cienaga said they would talk with healers In their communities, and find out if they were willing to participate in the project and will get in touch with Holly.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
(SMA Rural CItizens Council on Water)
Over 70 men and women, plus a dozen children and babes-in-arms, attended this assembly in the chapel patio of Vivienda de Arriba. They represented 18 communities, including a new community, Los Magueyes:
Juan Gonzales – 3
Tierra Blanca – 10
Correlejos – 2
Villa Guadalupe – 2
Capaderillo – 3
Montecillo de Nieto – 6
Vivienda Urbana – 2
Cruz del Palmar – 3
Los Torres – 7
Cinco Señores – 2
Ciénaga de Juana Ruiz – 5
La Tinaja – 8
La Palmita – 4
Presita de Santa Rosa – 4
Guerrero – 5
San Lorenzo – 2
Vivienda de Arriba – 2
Los Magueyes – 6
The Council representatives explained to the newcomers the purpose and objectives of the Council – to represent campesino communities before the government and NGOs, to resolve problems in common, to generate resources for development projects, such as but not limited to rainwater-harvesting systems, dry toilets and health issues. Chela cited two concurrent objectives: organization of (within) the communities and unity among the communities to be able to have a stronger voice in dealing with regional issues.
Saul explained how a community can join the Council – with the Acta de Nombramiento, signed bya majority of members of the community and notarized with the seal of the community’s delegado. There are also application forms for cisterns (community application and family application) and dry toilets (family applications).
Chela asked how long everyone wanted to meet; and given that not everyone was informed that this meeting was “traje” (bring your food), it was decided to adjourn the meeting at 2 p.m. so that everyone can return home to eat. A discussion regarding the question of food ensued. Chela and Holly explained that Vivienda de Arriba hosts many meetings because of its central location and meeting place appropriate for large groups – even more so now since the community has enlarged the patio and built benches along the walls – but that we did not want them to feel obligated to prepare food for the whole regional assembly. Others stated that their community would provide food for people who attend meetings, since travelling to get to the meeting represents a cost that those in the host community don’t incur. Ana noted that they did not prepare any food for today’s meeting because Holly explicitly said not to, but they usually provide food for meetings. The discussion was tabled since it was taking up a good deal of time and since we decided to try to adjourn at 2 p.m., we need to get to other issues.
Ana Torres of VIvienda de Arriba was chosen to coordinate the meeting, and Abraham of Tierra Blanca to take notes.
The agenda was established:
1. Creation of a Regional Center for the Citizens Council.
2. Report on dry toilet applications with the department of Desarrollo Social (Social Development)
3. Encuentro Campesino (Campesino Conference)
4. Research for book on Medicinal Plants
1 Citizen’s Council Regional Center – a place to hold our meetings, for training and workshops, for showcasing model eco-technologies
a. Ana of Vivienda de Arriba reported that she went to the Cruz del Palmar Ejido Commission to find out about donating a piece of ejido land to the Citizens Council. The commissioner told her that the petitioners need to choose a piece of land that is not occupied or disputed, and make a request to the Ejido at their next meeting. Ana then called an community assembly and they chose two pieces of land in and near the community not in use or disputed: one next to the kindergarten on the main road and the other by the football field in the valley.
b. Irene of Capadrillo said that she has a piece of land about 5 minutes from the highway that she would be willing to loan to the Council, near the northern entrance to Capaderillo, but that it does not have road access.
c. Emelia of Cienaga reported that their ejido is selling land near the intersection of the old and new highways to Guanajuato.
d. Roberto of Presita Santa Rosa said that he and Abraham would seek out the owner of the building at the curve of the Vivienda de Arriba road to find out for how much the owner wants to sell it.
e. Chela mentioned that she, Holly and Saul checked out the building near the entrance to VIvienda de Arriba, just off the highway, and got a Mexico City phone number to inquire about the property.
Of all the options, everyone agree that (a) was best since it would be a donation and Vivienda de Arriba is the most central location for all the communities in the Council.
A commission including Ana, Gloria and Angela will find out about the next meeting of the Cruz del Palmar ejido and report back to CEDESA.
After the assembly, a group took a look at the land next to the kindergarten – about a half hectare, partly wooded with mesquite trees and large nopales which we liked. The other location within the community of Vivienda, next to the football field, does not have good road access, so after the meeting, we decided to pursue the possibility of donation of the lot next to the kindergarten.
2. Dry toilet applications.
Saul gave some background on the application that the Council made in March of 2011 (458 dry toilets in 17 communities): at the April meeting with the Presidencia, Lucy referred the Council to the department of Social Development since they have funds for dry toilets as part of a “sustainable campesino home” project. In May, Social Development accepted the applications presented by the Council, which requested funding for materials, construction to be done by local masons, and coordination and consulting by CEDESA for a cost of $11,000 pesos per toilet, with the families providing “chalan” (mason helper) labor.
At the end of May, Social Development told the Council that they needed a few more details, such as the number of people in the families that would benefit from the project. The Council collected this information and Saul went to present it to Social Development yesterday (June 14) and got a big surprise when they told him that they have decided to utilize outside consultants and contractors to build 225 dry toilets, each costing about $25,000 pesos, of which the families will be required to pay 15%, or about $3700 pesos. Furthermore, Social Development would not respect the organizational work already done by the Council, but rather visit the communities and choose whom they felt were“the most needy,” who would get the ready-made toilets.
Saul argued that the applications submitted by the Council represent people who have expressed their interest and motivation by participating in the Council, which would also provide follow-up in terms of training in the use and maintenance of the toilets so the likelihood of their being properly utilized would be much greater than Social Development’s non-participatory plan.
Other members of the Council also expressed their displeasure with Social Development’s first accepting the Council’s dry toilet project, then switching to a typical government-imposed plan that is more costly, less participatory and therefore less likely to succeed.
Discussion ensued as to what to do about this – return to Social Development to negotiate; appeal to the Mayor; publicize the situation through press conferences, interviews, articles and mass demonstrations. It was decided that a committee consisting of at least one member of each Council community will go to the office of Social Development on Tuesday, June 21 – if Social Development does not respond favorably, they will go to the Mayor’s office that same day; if there are still no concrete results, the Council will plan a publicity campaign to pressure the government officials to honor their word.
3. Encuentro Campesino
This was postponed last month due to an unexpectedly large increased workload (SAPASMA’s funding of 54 cistern projects in addition to the four communities funded by Rotary and Fondo Verde). Chela offered CEDESA as the site for the five workshops mentioned at the first Encuentro Campesino: 1) backyard design 2) bio-intensive gardens 3) cultivation of nopal in “tunnels” 4) medicinal plants and 5) terracing. Though CEDESA is in the municipality of Dolores Hidalgo, Chela suggested it would be worth it for participants to see the finished results of these techniques that have been implemented on site at CEDESA for many years. Also, participants can see other eco-technologies that CEDESA has or is testing and promoting in campesino communities.
The date was agreed upon: Saturday, June 25 and it will be an all-day event, starting at 10 a.m. and finishing at 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided by CEDESA, and we will help organize transportation. Roberto of Presita knows a bus driver and will investigate costs; all interested persons should explore ride- and expense-sharing options in their communities. Saul can lead a caravan up the new Guanajuato road to CEDESA via Xoconostle; Los Torres, Montecillo and Los Magueyes can make arrangements to go to CEDESA via the Dolores-SMA highway.
4. Medicinal Plants
Holly explained the book project that CEDESA is collaborating on with Dr. Rosita Arvigo, an international expert on nutrition and alternative medicine. Dr. Arvigo would like to interview healers who have traditional knowledge of plants and their uses for treating and curing common ailments. Her goal is to rescue this folk wisdom that is being abandoned for commercial medicines and doctors. The book will be given to all persons who participate in the project, as a way of sharing information and techniques. Several people from various communities including Los Torres, La Tinaja and Cienaga said they would talk with healers In their communities, and find out if they were willing to participate in the project and will get in touch with Holly.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Friday, June 3, 2011
article in atencion 3rd June 2011
Hi all
Please check this link to see the article in Atencion re the Sapasma/Rotary/Cedesa joint project in Cienega & Villa de Guadalupe...
Click here
Also: Scroll down to view the video re this project.
Please check this link to see the article in Atencion re the Sapasma/Rotary/Cedesa joint project in Cienega & Villa de Guadalupe...
Click here
Also: Scroll down to view the video re this project.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Statistics Update 28 May 2011
Below is a list of all the Projects completed, in progress & in planning...
From 4/4 these projects are currently in progress:
Tierra Blanca 28
Juan Gonzalez 22
funded by Global Grant from Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District 6200 US$33,500
Tierra Blanca 14 - direct grant donation from New Braumfels RC $2k, & Port Lavaca RC $7k
San Lorenzo 4
Cinco Senores 11 (incl pilot in JG)
Fondo Verde Mxn$150k
Villa de Guadalupe 27
Cienega Juana Ruiz 26
Sapasma mxn$435k
Villa Pilot x1
Cienega Pilot x 1
Bellingham RC US$1500
Tierra Blanca have completed all 42 cisterns in record time of 5 weeks!!
The rest of the projects are well underway & on target that all will be completed by the end of June (or even earlier - ojala!)...(that will be an additional 134 cisterns & will bring us up to 347 in total)
Projects in planning:
Fingers crossed projects:
$65k global grant application stage with Chinook RC in Calgary Alberta Canada
Previously completed projects listed below:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - March 2011
Grand Total of 213 cisterns: 8 projects US$125,153
Los torres 52 cisterns - done in several phases.
Phase II Project : $21,200
Direct Grant Rotary Club Partners amount committed:
RC SMA Midday Mexico 200
Tallahassee RC USA (Bill Webb) 4000
RC of Sechelt BC Canada (Tom Pinfold) 5000
Paso Robles RC USA (Robert Lata) 500
Tyron RC (Jerry Atkins) 5000
RC of Ann Arbor (Len Stringer) 6000
US$ Total of Rotary funds committed 20700
Plus! $500 donation from Skymed/Linda Scholey $500
Phase III project: $12,200
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 1000 DDF 2000
Tyron RC 2500 DDF 2500
Ann Arbour 1500
Sechelt 1500
Trail BC 1000 N/A
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 7700 4500
smcf funding grant 1 $2468 smcf funding grant 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 cisterns $16700
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 5000 DDF 11500
Vivienda de Arriba 17 cisterns & Cruz del Palmar 28 cisterns for a combined $24700
SMA Midday $200
RC West U $4500
RC Richmond $3500 District 5890 8,000
RC Tallahassee 2000 DDF 6940 6,500
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 10200 14,500
Capaderillo 40 cisterns $21850
Fondo Verde (Municipal funding)
Palencia 21 cisterns $7k Tallahassee RC(+ balance of excess from other projects)
Vivienda Urbana (Cap II) 25 cisterns $3800 dsg Tallahassee, $6k Tallahassee, $7k Walla Walla
Grand Total of 213 cisterns:
From 4/4 these projects are currently in progress:
Tierra Blanca 28
Juan Gonzalez 22
funded by Global Grant from Baton Rouge Capitol City RC & District 6200 US$33,500
Tierra Blanca 14 - direct grant donation from New Braumfels RC $2k, & Port Lavaca RC $7k
San Lorenzo 4
Cinco Senores 11 (incl pilot in JG)
Fondo Verde Mxn$150k
Villa de Guadalupe 27
Cienega Juana Ruiz 26
Sapasma mxn$435k
Villa Pilot x1
Cienega Pilot x 1
Bellingham RC US$1500
Tierra Blanca have completed all 42 cisterns in record time of 5 weeks!!
The rest of the projects are well underway & on target that all will be completed by the end of June (or even earlier - ojala!)...(that will be an additional 134 cisterns & will bring us up to 347 in total)
Projects in planning:
Fingers crossed projects:
$65k global grant application stage with Chinook RC in Calgary Alberta Canada
Previously completed projects listed below:
Water Projects completed from 1st Jan 2009 - March 2011
Grand Total of 213 cisterns: 8 projects US$125,153
Los torres 52 cisterns - done in several phases.
Phase II Project : $21,200
Direct Grant Rotary Club Partners amount committed:
RC SMA Midday Mexico 200
Tallahassee RC USA (Bill Webb) 4000
RC of Sechelt BC Canada (Tom Pinfold) 5000
Paso Robles RC USA (Robert Lata) 500
Tyron RC (Jerry Atkins) 5000
RC of Ann Arbor (Len Stringer) 6000
US$ Total of Rotary funds committed 20700
Plus! $500 donation from Skymed/Linda Scholey $500
Phase III project: $12,200
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 1000 DDF 2000
Tyron RC 2500 DDF 2500
Ann Arbour 1500
Sechelt 1500
Trail BC 1000 N/A
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 7700 4500
smcf funding grant 1 $2468 smcf funding grant 2 2235,
Montecillo de Nieto 30 cisterns $16700
SMA Midday 200
Tallahassee 5000 DDF 11500
Vivienda de Arriba 17 cisterns & Cruz del Palmar 28 cisterns for a combined $24700
SMA Midday $200
RC West U $4500
RC Richmond $3500 District 5890 8,000
RC Tallahassee 2000 DDF 6940 6,500
Subtotals, Cash and DDF 10200 14,500
Capaderillo 40 cisterns $21850
Fondo Verde (Municipal funding)
Palencia 21 cisterns $7k Tallahassee RC(+ balance of excess from other projects)
Vivienda Urbana (Cap II) 25 cisterns $3800 dsg Tallahassee, $6k Tallahassee, $7k Walla Walla
Grand Total of 213 cisterns:
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
2nd Mtg Cienega Juana Ruiz
Record of Event
Where: Salon de Lectura Cienega Juana Ruiz
When: Wed 4.5.11 5pm (we were late coming from our planning meeting) – 8pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly + (Cedesa), Laura, (Rotary), 3 Sapasma Promoters + 30 adults (incl 4 men) from Community of Cienega.
Purpose: 2nd planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Villa de Guadalupe) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 26 family cisterns in Cienega + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
Chela explained why we were late, we had had 3 meetings prior to this one.
A co-ordinator was elected – Adriana & secretary (?)
Introductions by Sapasma, & the Roll was called. Chela asked who else was attended (other than those on the list) & why they were here – they responded they were interested in getting water.
One person who is on the list does not have space for the cistern so is donating her place. Chela asked who agreed & who want3ed to comment. Amelia (consejo rep) explained that it was a decision for the whole group to discuss & make.
Chela wanted to clarify that the project is not a normal program/handout but an involved process. She asked if anyone wanted to talk about the water situation in general to know more.
The discussion then covered the topics of contaminants, bacterial v chemical/mineral. The contaminant fluoride was discussed, along with the symptoms. & the method of killing bacteria with the Sodis (www.sodis.ch) was briefly explained.
Chela asked why Sapasma was there – the crowd responded to learn the process along side us & to provide resources, & also to talk about the pozo issue.
Chela “so you have your resources organized already?” si, but we need to organize the work groups, & plan the project, we have done that already, for our homework! We have 5 groups organized…
We then had a discussion as we had only budgeted on 4 work groups (ie each work group needs their own set of plywood & water truck deliveries – in this case). So we needed to reorganize the work groups into just 4 groups.
There was discussion about the water situation, as there is none in this community (only irrigation wells from which they have to “borrow” water, or dry river beds where they excavate approx. 1mtr to collect the water from the muddy puddle), we need to organize with Sapasma to have pipas (water trucks), & these cost money – so a solicitude needs to be made (with Sapasma’s promoters assistance) to the municipality to cover the cost of these water truck deliveries, which are essential for the construction of the cisterns.
Holly spent many hours working on the solution, she estimated the qty of water for each cistern to be approx. 2400 cisterns, ie 12 tambos (big buckets), each truck can be 5000 or 10,000 ltrs so need to arrange for deliveries sufficient for 2400 per family per group. A schedule has been drawn up to ensure the construction of the cisterns is not held up for lack of water deliveries.
Chela asked who at Sapasma is responsible for ensuring the water deliveries, & the promoters responded Waldo.
The groups were then formed - 4 groups (formatting lost in this blog!)
Luis Gonz
Ricardo Guerrero ©
Soccorro Soria ©
Adriana Ramirez
Veronica Torres
Abelina Soria
Emelia Gonz (CC)/A
Audencia
Marina Ramz.
Elisa Martinez©
Jose Soria
Victoria Vargas
Rosalia Vargas ©
Rutilia Ramz
Luisa Guerrero
Calina Vasquez (a)
Javier Guerrero ©
Carmela Guerrero©
Estela Monton
Sanjuana Torres
Almadelia ©
Paulina (a)
Juana Vazquez
Imelda Martinez ©
Victoria Vazquez
Consuelo Juarez
There was a discussion about the need for a minimum of 1-2 abaniles per each group, if they are not available on afternoons or weekends even, they will need, as a group to contribute to pay someone. Emelia pointed out that many people can be abaniles, they don’t need a degree in it she asked Sergio “have you got a degree?” everyone laughed.
Sapasma asked if they can take photos to record the process, Emelia began preening herself & again everyone cracked up laughing.
The co-ordinator role for the groups was explained, ie they are the go-to people for deliveries, short deliveries, issues etc, 2 co-ordinators were appointed for each group.
Emelia was appointed as community co-ordinator (ie overall co-ordinator).
Saul explained that the abanile involvement is very important, it is essential to make the best possible cistern so it does not fail you…
Emelia mentioned how much she is enjoying the thought of working together in groups, this community have worked together before & have achieved a lot, they have facilities we have not seen in other communities, eg a community kitchen, a health clinic, a library, & even a small bull ring… they enjoy working together, Emelia “it is one thing to be talking about work, but it really lifts your spirits when you work together & slap on the cement!”
Saul reiterated – it really is a joy to work in teams on these projects – developing harmony.
Saul mentioned the chain of command re the group work, re errors or issues, try to resolve them amongst your group, then with your group co-ordinators, then with the community co-ordinator & as a last resort call him.
Hours of work re the Pilot
The pilot is to begin in Cienega on the 9th May. There was discussion about starting time for the day’s work. Some wanted to start at 7am, others 8am & others 9am. 8 am was the consensus.
When deliveries are ready they call Saul, & Saul will all the leaders of the project to meet the trucks to tell them where to go.
Attendance at the pilot is ideal for all members all days, ie to learn the process fully. Those that really can not attend need to send representatives, &/or provide food & drink.
PVC limit 2.5 tramos per family
Saul mentioned there is a limit to the qty of PVC piping that will be supplied by the project, many people want to have their cisterns way away from the house & this costs more in piping. The new method is to build the cistern as close as poss. Or where they desire, then measure the piping requirements once the cistern is in place, this is a more precise method.
The location of the cistern is important & needs to take into account the overall plan for the whole backyard, including gardens, rubbish, compost, animals, fruit trees, etc.
Some people paint pictures or decorate their cisterns, in Vivienda Urbana someone has drawn a picture of jesus on the cross, in Vivienda Arriba they have elephants on the side & stampeding up the top! The cistern is there for your whole life so it’s important to accommodate it in the best possible spot.
It is 2.5 mtrs high + .7 more for the peak.
No throwaway cups & plates – the volume of rubbish created during the communal meetings is immense & everyone is encouraged to bring re-usable plates & cups to cut down waste.
Tools – the tools required for the first day were listed, including ladders, wheelbarrows, big buckets, wire cutters, grinder, sieves
End of planning session for the Water Project
Pozo…
Discussion/plans were made re the situation with the Pozo.
Piping was put in place approx. 3 yrs ago, after working on the issue for 7 yrs, but now the pipes are in a state of disrepair & they are still not hooked up to the well.
There is an issue re the concession holder for the well, he went to the USA, they have been working on changing the ownership of the concession.
Sapasma asked if they had a water committee, the delegado said yes they have been appointed but have never received training, Sapasma explained they may have been missed, they have trained 83 communities in the region but must have missed this one.
A phone number was exchanged so the delegado can co=ordinate a training session for the water committee.
The Delegado mentioned they have been working for many years on the issue of provision of water with Sapasma, but have not got anywhere.
Chela said there are many responsible, not just Sapasma, that the whole community needs to take responsibility to push this forward. (I missed the end of the meeting as had to take a phone call)
Meeting finished at 7.20pm & a big feast was provided!
Next meeting 9/5/11 – pilot construction at Casa de Salud begins 8am.
Where: Salon de Lectura Cienega Juana Ruiz
When: Wed 4.5.11 5pm (we were late coming from our planning meeting) – 8pm
Who: Saul, Chela, Holly + (Cedesa), Laura, (Rotary), 3 Sapasma Promoters + 30 adults (incl 4 men) from Community of Cienega.
Purpose: 2nd planning meeting for the Water Cistern project, funded as part of the US$35k Sapasma grant. This project (along with the one in Villa de Guadalupe) will be considered a training program for Sapasma promoters to learn the Cedesa method & overall operations of the water projects. It will be to provide 26 family cisterns in Cienega + 1 pilot will be funded by the Bellingham Rotary Club direct grant.
Sapasma will be attending all planning meetings as well as training pilot & various individual family work sessions, to learn the process from beginning to end.
Chela explained why we were late, we had had 3 meetings prior to this one.
A co-ordinator was elected – Adriana & secretary (?)
Introductions by Sapasma, & the Roll was called. Chela asked who else was attended (other than those on the list) & why they were here – they responded they were interested in getting water.
One person who is on the list does not have space for the cistern so is donating her place. Chela asked who agreed & who want3ed to comment. Amelia (consejo rep) explained that it was a decision for the whole group to discuss & make.
Chela wanted to clarify that the project is not a normal program/handout but an involved process. She asked if anyone wanted to talk about the water situation in general to know more.
The discussion then covered the topics of contaminants, bacterial v chemical/mineral. The contaminant fluoride was discussed, along with the symptoms. & the method of killing bacteria with the Sodis (www.sodis.ch) was briefly explained.
Chela asked why Sapasma was there – the crowd responded to learn the process along side us & to provide resources, & also to talk about the pozo issue.
Chela “so you have your resources organized already?” si, but we need to organize the work groups, & plan the project, we have done that already, for our homework! We have 5 groups organized…
We then had a discussion as we had only budgeted on 4 work groups (ie each work group needs their own set of plywood & water truck deliveries – in this case). So we needed to reorganize the work groups into just 4 groups.
There was discussion about the water situation, as there is none in this community (only irrigation wells from which they have to “borrow” water, or dry river beds where they excavate approx. 1mtr to collect the water from the muddy puddle), we need to organize with Sapasma to have pipas (water trucks), & these cost money – so a solicitude needs to be made (with Sapasma’s promoters assistance) to the municipality to cover the cost of these water truck deliveries, which are essential for the construction of the cisterns.
Holly spent many hours working on the solution, she estimated the qty of water for each cistern to be approx. 2400 cisterns, ie 12 tambos (big buckets), each truck can be 5000 or 10,000 ltrs so need to arrange for deliveries sufficient for 2400 per family per group. A schedule has been drawn up to ensure the construction of the cisterns is not held up for lack of water deliveries.
Chela asked who at Sapasma is responsible for ensuring the water deliveries, & the promoters responded Waldo.
The groups were then formed - 4 groups (formatting lost in this blog!)
Luis Gonz
Ricardo Guerrero ©
Soccorro Soria ©
Adriana Ramirez
Veronica Torres
Abelina Soria
Emelia Gonz (CC)/A
Audencia
Marina Ramz.
Elisa Martinez©
Jose Soria
Victoria Vargas
Rosalia Vargas ©
Rutilia Ramz
Luisa Guerrero
Calina Vasquez (a)
Javier Guerrero ©
Carmela Guerrero©
Estela Monton
Sanjuana Torres
Almadelia ©
Paulina (a)
Juana Vazquez
Imelda Martinez ©
Victoria Vazquez
Consuelo Juarez
There was a discussion about the need for a minimum of 1-2 abaniles per each group, if they are not available on afternoons or weekends even, they will need, as a group to contribute to pay someone. Emelia pointed out that many people can be abaniles, they don’t need a degree in it she asked Sergio “have you got a degree?” everyone laughed.
Sapasma asked if they can take photos to record the process, Emelia began preening herself & again everyone cracked up laughing.
The co-ordinator role for the groups was explained, ie they are the go-to people for deliveries, short deliveries, issues etc, 2 co-ordinators were appointed for each group.
Emelia was appointed as community co-ordinator (ie overall co-ordinator).
Saul explained that the abanile involvement is very important, it is essential to make the best possible cistern so it does not fail you…
Emelia mentioned how much she is enjoying the thought of working together in groups, this community have worked together before & have achieved a lot, they have facilities we have not seen in other communities, eg a community kitchen, a health clinic, a library, & even a small bull ring… they enjoy working together, Emelia “it is one thing to be talking about work, but it really lifts your spirits when you work together & slap on the cement!”
Saul reiterated – it really is a joy to work in teams on these projects – developing harmony.
Saul mentioned the chain of command re the group work, re errors or issues, try to resolve them amongst your group, then with your group co-ordinators, then with the community co-ordinator & as a last resort call him.
Hours of work re the Pilot
The pilot is to begin in Cienega on the 9th May. There was discussion about starting time for the day’s work. Some wanted to start at 7am, others 8am & others 9am. 8 am was the consensus.
When deliveries are ready they call Saul, & Saul will all the leaders of the project to meet the trucks to tell them where to go.
Attendance at the pilot is ideal for all members all days, ie to learn the process fully. Those that really can not attend need to send representatives, &/or provide food & drink.
PVC limit 2.5 tramos per family
Saul mentioned there is a limit to the qty of PVC piping that will be supplied by the project, many people want to have their cisterns way away from the house & this costs more in piping. The new method is to build the cistern as close as poss. Or where they desire, then measure the piping requirements once the cistern is in place, this is a more precise method.
The location of the cistern is important & needs to take into account the overall plan for the whole backyard, including gardens, rubbish, compost, animals, fruit trees, etc.
Some people paint pictures or decorate their cisterns, in Vivienda Urbana someone has drawn a picture of jesus on the cross, in Vivienda Arriba they have elephants on the side & stampeding up the top! The cistern is there for your whole life so it’s important to accommodate it in the best possible spot.
It is 2.5 mtrs high + .7 more for the peak.
No throwaway cups & plates – the volume of rubbish created during the communal meetings is immense & everyone is encouraged to bring re-usable plates & cups to cut down waste.
Tools – the tools required for the first day were listed, including ladders, wheelbarrows, big buckets, wire cutters, grinder, sieves
End of planning session for the Water Project
Pozo…
Discussion/plans were made re the situation with the Pozo.
Piping was put in place approx. 3 yrs ago, after working on the issue for 7 yrs, but now the pipes are in a state of disrepair & they are still not hooked up to the well.
There is an issue re the concession holder for the well, he went to the USA, they have been working on changing the ownership of the concession.
Sapasma asked if they had a water committee, the delegado said yes they have been appointed but have never received training, Sapasma explained they may have been missed, they have trained 83 communities in the region but must have missed this one.
A phone number was exchanged so the delegado can co=ordinate a training session for the water committee.
The Delegado mentioned they have been working for many years on the issue of provision of water with Sapasma, but have not got anywhere.
Chela said there are many responsible, not just Sapasma, that the whole community needs to take responsibility to push this forward. (I missed the end of the meeting as had to take a phone call)
Meeting finished at 7.20pm & a big feast was provided!
Next meeting 9/5/11 – pilot construction at Casa de Salud begins 8am.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Report of 12th Event Re Tierra Blanca
Record of Event
Where: Car journey on the way to Unam in Juriquilla
When: May 3rd 9.15-10.15.
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), Abraham, Estela (Tierra Blanca), Roberto (Presita Santa Rosa) & Cata (Cruz del Palmar)
Purpose: We were on our way to UNAM in Juriquilla to meet with Dr Ortega (resident ground water expert in this state) on the subject of the higher than normal mortality rate in Tierra Blanca as well as information regarding the water situation in this region.
Informal Update:
I asked Saul & the Tierra Blanca community reps. how the project in Tierra Blanca (constructing 42 cisterns) was coming along… The 2 pilots have been finished, & the 40 other cisterns are almost finished. We have altered the method of ordering the PVC, Saul has found that placing the order in advance results in waste or shortage of PVC, as many families change their minds about the position of the cistern when they actually come to build them.
For this reason we now wait until the cisterns are built so they measurements can be more accurate.
The PVC order has since been placed & delivered, so the cisterns are almost complete. They estimate 1 wk more & all will be finished in Tierra Blanca.
The pilot started on 4th April so this has been an extremely speedy project, the community have really pulled together well to ensure these have been built so quickly!
Where: Car journey on the way to Unam in Juriquilla
When: May 3rd 9.15-10.15.
Who: Saul (Cedesa) Laura (Rotary), Abraham, Estela (Tierra Blanca), Roberto (Presita Santa Rosa) & Cata (Cruz del Palmar)
Purpose: We were on our way to UNAM in Juriquilla to meet with Dr Ortega (resident ground water expert in this state) on the subject of the higher than normal mortality rate in Tierra Blanca as well as information regarding the water situation in this region.
Informal Update:
I asked Saul & the Tierra Blanca community reps. how the project in Tierra Blanca (constructing 42 cisterns) was coming along… The 2 pilots have been finished, & the 40 other cisterns are almost finished. We have altered the method of ordering the PVC, Saul has found that placing the order in advance results in waste or shortage of PVC, as many families change their minds about the position of the cistern when they actually come to build them.
For this reason we now wait until the cisterns are built so they measurements can be more accurate.
The PVC order has since been placed & delivered, so the cisterns are almost complete. They estimate 1 wk more & all will be finished in Tierra Blanca.
The pilot started on 4th April so this has been an extremely speedy project, the community have really pulled together well to ensure these have been built so quickly!
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