Team Meeting Update - October 8, 2008

The last meeting was held at CDM.

The main objective of the meeting was to explore potential projects and approaches for our work with the Miraflores community. It was decided that due to a lack of clear community connectivity our initial approach will be to work to improve the communal resources of the village, such as the health clinic and school. Elements and considerations relating to these projects include:

Expand the existing clinic:
- Improve ventilation of the clinic (ceiling and walls)
- Create more spaces for patient care and lab work; Create a space for community education on health issues.

Design a water distribution system using the clinic well as a source:
- Use the clinic well as a water source; Improve the existing pump area to avoid standing water
- Build an elevated tank at the clinic to distribute water to the clinic, school, and nutrition center
- Protect the well from possible contamination sources

Design a community gathering spot near the clinic and nutrition center:
- Benches and/or tables may be considered in addition to other options that make resourceful use of local materials and craftmanship.

Throughout the implementation of these projects it is our hope that our group will build relationships and establish credibility with community members - both which would facilitate more expansive projects, such as clean water distribution to individual homes.

Various approaches to projects were considered and research tasks were delegated. Research areas identified included community involvement, public health, pump and storage tanke design, electric voltage availability, etc. Team members also took on responsibilities for specific team functions (ie. treasurer, secretary) and began forming subcommittees, such as fundraising, logistics coordination, and finances.