Notes from 12/6/2011: The Semester Finale!

The skype session with Polin last night concluded our semester on a cliff hanger. After introductions with Polin, the team learned the following information:

1. SC's proposed amendment to Project Wildsmile- asks for a reduction in number of biogas digesters subsidized (from 60 to 40) and requests to use the excess funds to purchase cows and other farm animals to enhance their Agricultural Training Center- a place where villagers can go to get technical support. The team will review this amendment and respond to Polin with our decision via email by Friday. Since the funds would still be used in the spirit of the project and would keep things moving, the team is leaning towards accepting the amendment.
2. Biogas digesters: due to rainy season and lack of contractor, only 8 digesters have been completed. According to Polin, there is not a list of families signed up and waiting for their digesters. If the amendment to the project is accepted by the team, however, then SC will begin advertising the digesters to the community and families will sign up. Polin was receptive to the idea of sending a community member for contractor training.

The team presented to Polin the process of EWB projects and examples of successful projects. Polin could not tell us any needs of the community or potential projects we could work on at this time. He said he will send us the 3H latrine report for us to look at the latrine design and provide feedback. This week, Aleco will send additional EWB documents for Polin's reference and the digester forms.