This weekend I was working with one of the artisans in my community to present her idea of a community based project to a group of the highest community leaders within the Northeastern Sector of Santiago. The proplem: La cañada, or stream, running through my community, Hoya de Caimito. It was covered years back and the overcongestion of poor quality houses but when it rains it overflows and runs into all of the homes, destroying everything on the ground. This is a grave problem. The black water of the crick is contaminated by excessive polution and causes health problems when it floods, as well as security problems that result (three children have died in the past couple years as a result of being trapped in their houses during the floods.
I helped type a 8 page report of the problem, the causes, and the steps needed to take in order to find a solution. I went to la cañada, took pictures, spent time talking to the community about what was happening there and why no body does anything about it and created a presentation to present to these community leaders. I went with Lourdes, the artisan, to present the ideas and solutions to the leaders at the Centro Leon. They included capacitating, or teaching, the public about what´s going on and what they can do within their own community. Continuing to search for governmental aid and international institutions to fund the project is also essential. The presentation went very well, but still much work is needed to be done. I have much more specific information if anyone knows of anyone who can help.
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