* REPORT : 33

REPORT TO SHACK/SLUM DWELLERS INTERNATIONAL

SAVERS' NETWORK
"Tres Fronteras"

LETICIA - AMAZONAS

PRESENTED BY:
TRES FRONTERAS-LETICIA
WALTER LOPEZ-PROCO
MARITZA LOZANO-GAIA AMAZONAS

AUGUST 2002

INTRODUCTION
The network of savers "Tres Fronteras" (Three borders) is initiative led by women, mainly heads-of-household, in the Amazon town of Leticia. It was started over two years ago, by a group of people from thepoorer sector of town, who through a process of daily savings, solidarity and mutual support, have managed to consolidate a dynamic of savings and credit-loans. Their aim is to seek alterantives to satisfy their own daily needs, and to solve their housing problems.

The group of savers involves people of all ages, and from the three countries that form this border region (Colombia, Brazil, Peru). This motivates a harmony between generations, equality among members,and promotes a spirit of cooperation in areas such as imiproving living conditions in harmony with their surroundings.

1. HOW DOES THE NETWORK OF SAVERS OPERATE?

Since 1999, this group has been carrying out a series of activities which draw together those people to participate in the benefits of a Savers' Network. The principles, the structure and all decision-making that enables the functioning of the network, are defined in a collective and participatory way without external intervention. The savesr have identified the benefits of the network as follows:

* Savings - as a means of discipline to achieve goals
* Loans - as a means of support in difficult times, in a dignified way and appropriate to their needs
* Friendship - the result of establishing relations of trust and respect with other members of the network.

The Savers' Network is presently formed by a base group of 120 people, divided into ten smaller groups known as "savings circles". These circles are formed depending on the proximity of places of residence or work, and are led by a "collector" who is responsible for the daily collection of monies and for making a daily register.

The monies collected by each "collector" is handed to the "main treasurer" who manages the accounting for the Association. S/he receives money from the collectors of each circle, deposits the money, withdraws funds needed for loans, keeps a record of the personal contributions of each saver, arranges the credit-loans that have been requested and approved by the relevant savings circle, and makes a general balance of funds for the organisation. The treasurer is assisted in this work by two "assistant treasurers".

Within the network there are two positions responsible for monitoring and control, both of the collected monies and the management of credit-loans and general funds, to ensure the growth of the network's funds. There are called "fiscales".

Coordination of the Savers' Network, and the highest level of authority, is the General Assembly. This is formed by active members of the group, and is considered a space for consultation and decision-making. The association also has a "legal representative", who is responsible for coordination and representation of the group.

All these positions are taken on by savers who have been working constantly with the group and who, through their responsibility and commitment, have the support of other members. The savers who hold these positions are elected in the General Assembly, from amongst a group who put themselves forward as candidates, and those with the greatest number of votes are elected.

The association has the following structure:

2. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE SAVERS' NETWORK?

The following principles have become the working guideline for the group of savers. Each new member must promise to carry out and promote these practices.

The principles of the "Tres Fronters" Savers' Network are:

* Save every day, no matter what amount.
* Do not hide problems. It is important to communicate our problems to the collector, and jointly seek solutions.
* We should be responsible with commitments acquired through the network, pay loans that we have, and attend meetings.
* We should keep clear accounts; also attent meetings, as in this way we can find out how our savings are progressing and fix common goals.
* Revise our weaknesses and strengths as a group, at the meetings, and seek alternatives that can benefit everyone.
* Savers have the right to paricipate in different political, religious and community activities in the town, but should not promote these activities at the network meetings.
* The most vulnerable members of our network will be the first beneficiaries, providing they fulfil their responsibilties. Solidarity, mutual support, friendship and respect are our pillars.
* It is from our good example that new members will feel confident and trusting.

3. WHAT ACTIVITIES DOES THE SAVERS' NEWORK CARRY OUT?
Activities carried out by the Savers' Network, outside of the collection of daily savings, are focussed on strategies for participation and integration of the members of the association. These strategies have arisen through the daily dynamic of the group, and can be classified as follows:

STRATEGIES FOR PARTICIPATION AND INTEGRATION

4. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE DIFFICULTIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GROUP?
It is important to take into account the social and economic conditions under which the group of savers have been working since they started, to then identify why?, their difficulies, and the goals reached.
Problem-solving with creativity

Stimulus for participation and decision-making

Awareness of responsibility as citizens

Efforts have been made by the savers to keep stability in the group and consolidate a responsible network; with members taking voluntary
responsibility for tasks and committing themselves to the goal of achieving a significant fund of savings, to then start a project that will enable them to have dignified housing and access to subsudies authorised by the government for housing and social programmes.

As the group has strengthened, it has gradually worked to secure a suitable plot of land for the development of a housing programme that will include productive projects and enable the savers to seek new means to improve their incomes, in harmony with their environmental surroundings and the tropical forest.

5. WHAT ACTIONS HAVE THE SAVERS' NETWORK CARRIED OUT TO SECURE A SUITABLE PLOT OF LAND FOR A HOUSING PROGRAMME?
The following table shows detail of the most relevant actions and processes that have been carried out by the Tres Fronteras Savers' Network, accompanied by Gaia Amazonas, to secure a plot of land and the necessary concepts from state entities that will enable a programme of housing in Leticia.

It should be mentioned that this has been a slow process, due to the fact that the Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial - P.O.T. (Plan for Territorial Ordering), the instrument that regulates planning and land use in the municipal district of Leticia, has not yet been approved.

Savers Network “Tres Fronteras”- actions for the purchase of their plot of land
Document/Process
Theme Observations
Date

P.O.T. state document Drafting of Plan of Territorial Ordering. It was proposed to re-take the process of formulating a basic Plan for Territorial Ordering (P.O.T. – plan for land use and environmental management), to ensure citizen participation.
21 June, 2000

Report by Dr. Walter López (Fundación Procco) Programme for new, sustainable housing, and housing improvement – for Savers’ Group in Leticia. This document contains:
Report on visit by Fundaicón Proco to daily savers in Leticia.
Copies of correspondence with the Rotary Fund of the Naval Armed Forces, with the aim of buying a plot – La Esperanza.
Technical details on visits carried out to houses of daily savers, by Architect Walter Lopez (Proco).
Topography of plot – La Esperanza.
Documents from the group of savers: principles, housing project profile, asepcts for housing construction, beneficiaries from first stage, methodology of participation, investment of savings, sujpport from outside the saver’s group, socio-economic information on savers, 2000-2001 financial report, map showing location of Naval plot of land.
9 July, 2001

Report on Workshop – presented by Rodolfo Álvarez (Gaia Amazonas) Workshop for Tres Fronteras group on accounting and administration. The workshop was aimed at strengthening skills for the recording and management of accounts, and administrative skills.Through an exercise carried out in the workhop, a general balance of funds was achieved for the ÒTres FronterasÓ saversÕ network, upto 31 December 2000. Recommendations were made for the following aspects: credit-loan policies, and responsibilities among network members.
25-30 August, 2001

from Jaime Barbosa Offer of sale, for rural plot of land. The following offer of sale was presented:
- Value per hectare: $8,000.000
- Forms of payment
- Validity of 60 days.

Annexed documents:
- Plan showing localistion of plot.
- Copy of land ownership title.
- Photocopy of cedula (citizen identity card)
4 October, 2001

Letter of intent to purchase plot of land. Purchase of plot of land owned by Sr. Jaime Barbosa. The Savers’ Network made clear their intention to purchase the plot, with support from Gaia Amazonas.

4 March, 2002

Letter from Corpo-Amazonia Concept about possible land-use of the plot, with regards to no. of houses per hectare, restrictions, etc.
Technical report no.004 Technical report carried out by Luis Carlos Trujillo Morales, environmental expert for Corpo-Amazonia. The concept paper determines the permitted land-use for the plot, which is located in San Sebastian (km4, towards the lakes, rural zone to the municipality of Leticia)

Description: the plot has 14 hectares, low vegetation cover, some high trees, stable and firm soil.

Conclusions: According to article 31 (no.31 of Law 99/93), the regional autonomous corporations will establish general norms and maximum density for housing in sub-urban areas, in order to protect the environment and natural resources. In this case, it is necessary to protect 9.8 hectares of the total plot, and the remaining area can be used for housing and production.
14 March, 2002

Letter from Edwin Augusto Rengifo Quote for topographical study of plot. This includes the cost of a study into the topography and planning for the plot.
14 March, 2002

Letter from Arq. Walter Lopez-Proco Architects drawing of the plot. Architects drawing with possible division of housing units.
14 March, 2002

Letter from Juan C. Murillo Concept on Technical Report No.004, from Corpo-Amazonia. Background: the concept paper from Corpo-Amazonia made reference to restrictions that are subject to the P.O.T, which is still being defined.
Current status of the P.O.T.: the Mayor’s Office requested that a non-government organisations, ISANA, should modify the P.O.T., so that it can then be approved by the Municipal Council. Although, there is a lack of administrative capacity for approving the P.O.T. at this time.
The stituation of territory in the sector of Yahuarcaca lakes, within the P.O.T.: within the plan, the need was highlighted for 120 hectares to be set aside for housing projects. The onlyzone that could be used for housing is within this area of lakes; land that has been converted to fields, but where there is no current economic activity of interest for the town. The concept of Arch. Murillo is that it is unbelievable that Corpo-Amazonia does not recognise the seriousness of the lack of land available for housing only zone that In the P.O.T., alternative technologies are proposed as the solution to systems for basic sanitation and drinking water in the zone.

1 April, 2002

Letter from Savers’ Network to Municipal Planning Request for opinion. The savers group requested that municipal planning give their opinion about the concept presented by Corpo-Amazonia, and the viability of converting this plot from a rural to urban category.
11 April, 2002

Letter from Corpo-Amazonia Technical Report No.007 Technical report carried out by Ana Lucia Zorro, Programme for Water and Clearn Production.
The conclusions of this report make reference to the body of water within the plot, and that there should be some protection of this area (ref. Article 14, decree 1541 of 1978). The plot is located in a sub-urban zone, and as such reference was made of the need for environment and natural resource protection (ref. article 31, Law 99 of 1993). According to this, no less than 70% of the land should be destined for the conservation of existing vegetation (i.e. 9.89 hectares). This area can, however, be used for productive systems, providing there is an appropriate management of the natural resources, and with a protective boundary for the body of water.
NOTE: on the basis of this, it was decided that a study would be made of the vegetation, and that housing will seek to minimise impact. An area of 4.2 hectares will allow housing units of 15m x 30m, including access ways. Due to the lack of public services at the plot, a system of treatment of domestic waste will be installed (using appropriate technology).
26 April, 2002

Savers Network Search for new options. Given the delay in both state concepts and necessary documentation from the owner of the plot, the group of savers started a search for alteranative plots that are for sale and comply with the characteristics required for their housing programme.

22-30 May, 2002

Letter from the Savers Network to Sr. Jaime Barbosa Request to clarify the documentation and land titles for the plot of land. The group of savers asked Sr. Barbosa to clarify his reasons for the delay in necessary paperwork, especially regarding land title.

30 May, 2002

Letter from the Savers Network to Sr. Jaime Barbosa
Request for a concept on maximum housing density. The group of savers asked Corpo-Amazonía, the entity responsible for natural resource conservation, to provide their concept on the maximum density of housing for the zone where the plot is located.
30 May, 2002

Letter from the Savers Network to Sec. for Planning Request for a concept on maximum housing density. The group of savers asked the Secretary for Municipal Planning, the entity responsible for land use within the municipal district, to provide their concept on the maximum density of housing for the zone where the plot is located.

30 May, 2002

Letter from Sr. Jaime Barbosa
Presentation of new papers. Sr. Barbosa presented the Savers’ Network with the necessary papers for the plot, and clarified their concerns about ownership and land titles. (note. Confusion was caused by papers referring to another plot of land).

4 June, 2002

Letter for Sec. for Planning
Response to request for a concept on density of housing. The Secretary for Municipal Planning replied that there is no specific concept with regards to housing density for the zone where the plot is located, and that within Leticia’s P.O.T. the area is defined as sub-urban. In other words, it is defined as a location on rural land, in which there is a mix of rural and urban land use and lifestyles.
The Secretary for Municipal Planning requested to know the type and dimensions of housing being proposed, before a concept could be issued.

19 June, 2002

Letter from Corpo-Amazonia
Response to request for a concept on density of housing. Corpo-Amazonnia replied that such a concept is the responsibility of the Secretary for Municipal Planning, which manages Leticia’s P.O.T. and related information.

25 June, 2002

Topographical study Start of topographical study The Savers Network contracted a topographical and planning survey to be carried out. Results were presented to the group on 19 July 2002.

11 July, 2002

Biological study
Start of biological study. A group from Gaia Amazonas carried out a biological survey of the plot. Results were presented to the savers’ network on 7 August 2002. This contained a list and inventory of the species of flora and faune found in the area.

29 July 2002

Demarcation of plot
Demarcation, using wooden posts. A group from the Savers’ Network worked for three days on demarcating their plot of land, using wooden posts to mark the area.

8 August, 2002

Presentation of designs to Corpo-Amazonia and the Sec. Of Planning
Presentation of possible designs for the housing and development (i.e. productive projects) of the plot, to both public entities. A group from the Savers’ Network, accompanied by Arch. Walter López (Proco) and Maritza Lozano (Gaia Amazonas), presented their designs for the housing programme at their plot of land, to Corpo-Amazonia and the Secretary for Municipal Planning. The designs show the proposal for urban development, and comply with the requirements of both entities.

8-9 August, 2002

Promise of Purchase-Sale A purchase-sale document, signed by both parties. In Leticia, a document to confirm the purchase-sale of the plot of land was signed by both parties. The plot is located at: - Km 3.5, vía Los Lagos, Leticia
13 August, 2002