13 Cistern Inaugurations for 3 Communities of San Miguel de Allende

By Eddie Colbeth

​​On Saturday, September 9th, Carla Cardena led 9 Rotarians and friends on an adventure to the campo to inaugurate 13 cisterns from the communities of La Niveña, El Rufigio, and Cerro Blanco. There were more than 50 folks from 4 generations of the communities in attendance. We were greeted by smiling faces, and everyone had gone beyond expectations with decorations and hospitality. There was a wall of photos, balloons, streamers, and knitted gifts. Our hosts set up large shade structures, tables, and chairs.
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The cistern building teams did presentations, a poetry reading, and a line dance! The builders all received diplomas from our partner, CEDESA. The teams created knitted gifts, from miniatures to pots of flowers and needlepoint. The quality and quantity of food they prepared with love, warmed our hearts. The gratitude that these communities expressed was overwhelming. For many builders, it was their first time speaking in public. Now, these folks have fresh, safe water for generations to come, and they’ve learned the power of communities working together. It’s humbling to watch Rotary in action!