Updates on San José Las Flores

Last saturday, Arely Ortega (the sistering representative from CCR) joined me in a trip to San José Las Flores. There, we were met by Zoila Guardado and Dora Serrano and both of them provided some news on the situation of Las Flores.

The board – the board is still strong and will be in place until may 26th of 2019. All members are eligible for up to two terms.

 

The mayor. Currently a woman that is still supporting them. He office will support the association during their christmas dinner with elderly people.

Politics. They have different commisions. They are going house to house to remind people of the benefits they have received since the FMLN held the presidency.

 

 

Housing project. This month they will be receiving materials from the Housing Ministry. 20 beneficiaries will be able to have a prefabricated house. They only have to support the construction of all the houses. If one of the participants is a mason, there is no need to pay someone to fill this role. The mayor’s office will pay for welding the roofs.

Elderly people. In July they held a gathering in the turistic center. There was a raffle and piñatas. The center gave the funds for their lunches and the municipality helped with transportation.

They are grateful for the support they receive when it comes to treat people like Cesar, Marcos and don Chepe. The funds provided help them to purchase diapers, milk and medicine. Currently, they are taking care of a couple that are in bed: Manuel López and Albertina Casco. Zoila Centeno also remains in bed, but they manage to take her out in a wheelchair.

 

Marcos Guardado (above) was living alone when he fell of a truck. They are taking care of him at the home. Two ladies are in charge of him in a 24-hour shift each.

Miguel Guardado is also in a wheelchair due to overweight and his advanced age and there is another man that is currently at the Rosales Hospital because a motorcycle ran over him when he was drunk.

 

 

Livestock project. With the support of SOLMAN, the association now has a livestock project. They currently have 19 milking cows. Three young men are paid to take care of it. This project provided one of the 3 cows used during the repopulation anniversary (on June 20th). One other cow was provided by the tourism project and the third was purchased.

 

 

Sewing cooperative. Up until now they had been granted the project of making school uniforms. They don’t know what is going to happen with the upcoming elections.

Historic memory. They are planning to create a memorial space with flame trees in Las Aradas.

Water situation.The mayor’s office is in talks with ANDA to make a new well, since more houses will be built over the school area. They still have running water but they are prepared for rationing during the dry season. Each sector gets an hour of water.

Asper bamboo was  planted near the springs. This kind of bamboo fills with water and releases it during the summer. Its roots also help keeping humidity.

They have supported CCR’s initiatives against water privatization. They also got some signatures to show support, although some people did not want to sign stating that water is already privatized because they have to pay for it.