Community Outreach Group

Mtg.minutes/ideas outline  9-23-08

Key aspects:

--Language

--Culture

--Education

--Communication

--Environment

Project scope:

§   work with Wuku Kawoq (group of doctors concerned with health situations in Central and South America)

§ Health education

§ System Management

§ Language and cultural studies

§ Financing (budgeting to maintain system; bookkeeping; accounting)

§ Provide and establish communication

Ø Teach how to maintain , build and improve system/be able

to provide information for future building and construction

Ø information, including progress reports, will also be provided in Spanish

Provide for Community:

§ motivation for system upkeeping

§ teach health, sanitation, hygiene via classes and informational materials (i.e. handouts)

§ a link between Guatemala and UIUC

To achieve this:

§ We will undergo cultural studies, studying the community’s language and culture, in order to effectively:

Ø connect with them

Ø communicate with them

Ø know how to present information

§

§ Establish communication to be able to implement system

§ Help Establish maintenance/leadership for system upkeep (e.g. positions such as treasurer)

Questions pondered:

Does community have established government/governing entities or governing bodies? If so, what type of government?

Goal: use the already established government practices, such as elections, to create a water system governing plan. This way, several people provide structure; not just one person will be in charge.

Other, free-flowing ideas:

--using the governing system already implemented

--we will be educating the citizens of Socorro, Guatemala on sanitation, hygiene, sustaining and maintaining the system.