DONE! MUCH NEEDED CHANGES TO ATZIN INFRASTRUCTURE
As readers will appreciate, good programs can only run with certain supports in place, like the right personnel and also, the right physical structures. Here is run-down on major rehabilitation and construction activities, installations and general improvements carried out over the past three months.
Rehabilitation of the Atzin Centre in Tlamacazapa
The rehab started with a massive de-cluttering of accumulated program-related materials (what a difference!), removal of old paint on concrete floors (a tedious scraping effort undertaken by many) followed by the painting of walls and floors by the promoters and team.
Then,
Installation of a satellite dish on the centre’s roof after much deliberation of how to best make internet happen. Installation of four electrical outlets with grounding. Now for organizing and funding office equipment setup, and security measures. This will be a communication breakthrough.
Replacement of the leaking vinyl roof (the famous “lona”) over the terrace (which, depending on the day, serves as a classroom, a meeting space, an outdoor kitchen, and a prenatal waiting area). The original roof lasted 15 years, and its metal frame remains sturdy. The new roof lets in more sunlight yet keeps out rain, and looks super.
Purchase of a new 18’ fridge for the kitchen – getting it to Tlama and into the Centre was a task in itself! The old one was on its last legs, having been hauled to Cuernavaca twice for repairs.
Pending: annual cleaning of rainwater catchment cistern and dry toilet vaults; funding search for replacement of the old and well-used but deteriorating kitchen counter with cupboards (yes, still the same one for those who recall pouring water down the sink, overflowing the bucket underneath); and the painting of kitchen floor. Someone stole (siphoned) all of our cistern water in mid-December – an annoying blow; everyone went into ultra-conservation mode, relying on rainwater stored in three additional tanks to get us through the dry season – a “pipa” of water will be purchased after Easter, trucked in from Taxco.
