Weekly working update 8 June 2010

 Weekly working update 8 June 2010

Stan submitted our grant application for All People Be Happy Foundation.  They have responded with questions to clarify the proposal.  Rick and Stan are working hard on the next grant from Ashoka Change-makers.

The next step in this process is to send letters to the Governor and newly announced candidates in the Oaxaca State government to formally announce the project and design of the constructed wetland/treatment plant for Villa de Etla and Santo Domingo Barrio Bajo Etla.

We have a great opportunity right now we need to take advantage of.  We need to have a full bid proposal ready to submit by Jan 2011, and we need to move rather quickly to meet this deadline.  In support of this we have finally secured our second set of blackwater testing. The Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca (ITO) will be analyzing the samples, and Maria and folks from Santo Domingo will be collecting them along with our staff person Nelly. This test will entail taking 6 samples over a 24 hour period for 5 days in a row.  Along with the blackwater samples they will be measuring the flow rate. The flow rate and water analysis are critical steps to refine the design of the treatment system.

We are planning to launch a fund raising campaign to support the initial design effort.  Part of this fund-raising includes a broadening of the circle of folks and engaging other organizations in or efforts.  Last month, Rick was the panel monitor for the Spring Fulbright Conference held in Seattle.  Rick moderated a panel discussion about social entrepreneurship with three other social entrepreneurs from the Seattle area.  I was fortunate to share the stage with a fellow panelists from the PATH Foundation. PATH supports technology projects for the developing world.  From this event Stan and I have been invited to meet with PATH’s Water and Sanitation group later this week.