Project Description
Help for Cuba
In the shadow of the major global crises and wars, the Caribbean island of Cuba is unfortunately also experiencing a small drama: the decades-long trade blockade by the USA, mismanagement in Cuba and the loss of mass tourism since the coronavirus crisis have driven this island to the brink of collapse.
Even if this has been longed for and provoked by many Western countries, above all the USA, since the 1960s, it is above all the ordinary population – the mothers, fathers and children – who now have to live in unimaginable conditions. Although the socialist system in Cuba still maintains a kind of emergency provision, the state resources are no longer sufficient for a decent life, as was largely possible until 2020. Many Cubans no longer know how to get through the next month. There is a shortage of everything: food, clothing, medicine and even sugar is scarce on the sugar cane island due to failed harvests caused by drought. The state wage is often not even enough for the daily commute to work, as transportation has become expensive or rare due to a lack of fuel.
ESCAPE AS A WAY OUT
Almost every Cuban under the age of 40 is thinking about emigrating. Around 10% of the population have embarked on an often life-threatening escape from the island in recent years. Whether on self-built boats across the sea to the USA or on illegal routes to Mexico, where the trafficking gangs of the cartels there lurk and take the Cubans’ hard-earned money out of their pockets, “kidnap” them and then extort even more money from the victims’ families.
CONNECTION WITH THE PEOPLE
As our two Caravanis Pascal and Bruno have been very fond of this island for over 20 years (both have reported on Cuba for many years in their travel reports and illustrated books), they did not want to stand idly by and watch their “compañeros” and “compañeras” suffer hardship and started this small caravan project for Cuba. With donations that they were able to collect at their lectures, they traveled to the island again in spring 2024 to give a boost to small projects of hope there too. At a time when nothing seems to be moving forward and everyone seems to be thinking only of emigrating, they were able to provide a little confidence in some places. The following were supported:
– A carnival comparsa in Havana for street children, who can now continue to dance and perform.
– A socio-cultural center in Viñales, which is finally able to complete its covered stage.
– The meeting place for musicians “La Luna Naranja” in Santa Clara, which now has the necessary technology to open the space
– The agricultural project “El Caliman” in the mountains of Guantanamo province, which now has enough space to grow vegetables for impoverished pensioners thanks to a new field
– And other small initiatives and families in Cuba, who have prospects in their own country again thanks to our support.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Karawani Bruno has published a detailed report on these projects on his website:
- And here too, on the Caravan website, we have put all the projects and our impressions on site online in several articles under“News“.
We at the “Caravan of Humanity” would like to continue to support these projects in the future! If you want to help us with this, you can make a donation to our donation account with the keyword “Help for Cuba” – we are happy about every single contribution! Muchísimas gracias! La caravana de la humanidad
“Cuba needs our attention today, the country is in a serious crisis.“