A Special Invitation to Volunteer in Cuba

Transcription

1 A Special Invitation to Volunteer in Cuba The Cuba Service Program is a terrific way to help set a new standard of friendship between our people. We don t impose an agenda, but serve only under the direction of local leaders, to lend a hand and to enjoy the exchange. With Global Volunteers, you can be an agent for peace and justice in Cuba. - Carol Conzelman, Ph.D., team leader and Global Volunteers board member A mere 90 miles off the southeastern shore of the United States is the island nation of Cuba, a country of 11 million rightfully proud people and an enormously rich culture. But until recently, it s been a forbidden destination for Americans. Now that s changed. Americans still aren t permitted to be tourists, but you can support the Cuban people, engage in humanitarian projects, and participate in people-to-people programs. Global Volunteers is committed to improving our relationship with the Cuban people and helping their children thrive. Our Cuban community partners have asked for volunteers to help in several areas. You can serve in these ways: Help men and women expand their job and education opportunities by improving their English through one-on-one conversations. Plant, weed, or harvest community gardens. Sew and knit with a women s cooperative. Assist with programs for the elderly. Repair and paint community buildings. This is a relatively new experience for Cubans and Americans alike. As such, there are many unknowns, and flexibility is key to every successful Cuba service program. We have adapted some of our standard operating procedures to comply with certain U.S. and Cuban government restrictions. We ve developed a program to meet those requirements while enabling us to bring people together around service. We know that ordinary people can build bridges of love and understanding through which governments can walk. Our objective is to share who we are as a symbol of the American people s authentic spirit and solidarity with the Cuban people. Our goal is to support the Cuban people, and to help them with humanitarian projects and civil society as they deem appropriate. Our Cuban friends say: We ve never met a stranger, and that is exactly how you feel the moment you arrive in the country. - Pam Cromer, Cuba Team Leader

2 Cuba Host Organization & Community Partners Community leaders in Havana and Ciego de Ávila, a vibrant community in the central region of the island, have requested assistance with humanitarian projects to overcome decades of economic isolation and poverty. Our host organization is Coordinación Obrero- Estudiantil Bautista de Cuba (Baptist Worker and Student Coordination of Cuba), generally referred to as COEBAC. Our primary partner is Eduardo González, the secretary general of COEBAC and a Baptist pastor who first invited Global Volunteers to Cuba in Our primary community partner in Havana is the Council of Churches of Cuba and in Ciego de Ávila the Emanuel Baptist Church. Community Work Projects The following describes the community work projects on which we ve been asked to offer assistance in Ciego de Ávila and Havana, as noted: English Conversation English is the international language of commerce, technology, and opportunity. Large numbers of Cubans want to learn English to improve their job opportunities and to connect with the English-speaking world through the internet, tourism, art, music, and other emergent avenues. Native English speakers are a precious resource to learners. You ll have the opportunity to engage students and adults in conversations in English, in small groups and one-on-one. Some students are beginners, while others are proficient but want to improve their conversational skills. You can be involved in this service project either part time or full time in Ciego de Ávila, or part time in Havana. Those who participate in conversational English part time are assigned to one of the other community projects as well. (Ciego de Ávila and Havana) General Labor The condition of a community s common spaces and public buildings contributes to civil society and its identity and reputation. As in many communities where Global Volunteers serves, you have the opportunity to work alongside local people on projects that are important to the community, especially as they relate to civil society. If you can swing a hammer or wield a paintbrush, you can be helpful. The work isn t difficult or strenuous. Moreover, you can work with, and learn from and about new Cuban friends as they learn from and about you. No professional experience is necessary. (Ciego de Ávila and Havana)

3 Craft Group & Sewing Bee Emanuel Baptist Church in Ciego de Ávila and the Council of Churches of Cuba in Havana facilitate women s cooperatives which create aprons, clothing, purses, and other items that they sell to help provide for their families. Volunteers who have experience in sewing, crafting, or knitting are needed to work alongside these women for several hours each day to help improve skills and offer ideas about the types of local crafts Americans are most likely to purchase. This is a great opportunity to chat with Cuban women and learn about their culture, history, and daily lives all while working together towards a shared goal. (Ciego de Ávila & Havana) Community Gardens In Ciego de Ávila, volunteers work hand-in-hand with local people on community gardens planting, weeding, or harvesting depending on the season. The fruits and vegetables grown are given to child day care centers and sold to the community at large. Proceeds from the sales and surplus produce are shared among the community members who work in the gardens. Produce harvested from these gardens is essential to the health and well-being of the children, elderly, and families of this community. As a short-term volunteer in Cuba, you can be a vital resource in supporting civil society and creating bridges of friendship and understanding through service. (Ciego de Ávila) Programs for the Elderly The Cuban government has requested the help of the Council of Churches of Cuba to conduct programs for the elderly at senior centers in Havana. There are many elderly and the government is ill-equipped to provide meaningful services or engagement. Volunteers work with the elderly playing games, engaging in conversation, providing basic care, and offering physical therapy. (Havana) If you think you understand how Cuba has transitioned through history, join (this) program and become enlightened. Global Volunteer s Cuba program will open your heart to the Cuban people. The Cuban people s hearts are waiting for you. - Dan Niedbalski, seven-time Global Volunteer Team Leader Global Volunteers Cuba Service Programs are led by staff and volunteer team leaders experienced in managing and engaging diverse groups of people. In cooperation with our community partners, your team leader will facilitate your team s orientation, assist you in becoming fully engaged in the work project, and manage all logistical issues. Your team leader will introduce you to the community, help acclimate you to the local culture, invite you to community events, and engage you in the day-to-day life of the community.

4 Meals, Lodging & Transportation Cuisine Cuban cuisine is distinctive an amalgamation of Spanish, African, French, Portuguese, and Caribbean influences. Traditional Cuban dishes are flavorful, but generally not highly seasoned. Black beans, stews, and meats are the most popular foods. Root vegetables are most often flavored with mojo, a combination of olive oil, lemon juice, onions, garlic, and cumin. Other common dishes in Cuba are ajiaco (a typical meat, garlic, and vegetable stew); fufú (boiled plantains mashed into a paste), which is often eaten alongside meat; empanadas de carne (meat-filled patties); and picadillo (a snack of spiced beef, onion, and tomato). Three meals a day are included in your service program contribution. Breakfast is served at your lodging, lunch is at the work site, and dinner is at local restaurants; your team leader will organize all the logistics. Desserts, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are readily available for an additional charge. Lodging In both service program locations, volunteers are lodged double occupancy in comfortable casas particulares, which are homes in which Cubans rent out rooms to travelers giving you an insight to real Cuban living. All rooms have private baths, hot water, showers, air conditioning, 110 outlets, and television. The casas particulares found in Havana are located near delightful and entertaining parks, cafés, taverns, and merchants. Many homes are located within walking distance to views of the Caribbean Sea, quaint restaurants, and cultural activities. In both locations standard lodging is double occupancy, but single rooms are available for an additional fee. Transportation All in-country transportation is included in your service program contribution. In Ciego de Ávila: You ll be transported by air-conditioned bus from the Santa Clara airport on the arrival date to Ciego de Ávila. During the week, you will either walk, ride by horse-drawn carriages, or take cars/vans to work projects. When the group walks to community work project sites or restaurants, horse carriages and pedi-bikes can be arranged, if desired. Comfortable air-conditioned buses are used for the people-to-people day-time activities in Morón and Havana. You ll also be transported by bus to the airport on the last day of the program. Note: Those who volunteer for one week do not visit Havana or Morón. In Havana: You ll be transported from the Havana airport on the arrival date to the casas particulares. Transportation to community project sites and people-to-people activities is in cars, buses, or vans. Some meeting points, such as the Council of Churches of Cuba and restaurants for team dinners, are located within short walking distance from the casas. You ll also be transported to the airport on the last day of the program from the lodging.

5 People-to-People Exchanges On the middle weekend of the two-week service program and in compliance with U.S. law, Global Volunteers arranges a variety of meaningful educational exchanges with local people at venues including homes, theatres, museums, and music clubs. Ciego de Ávila Two-week program If you register for the two-week Ciego de Ávila program, on the middle weekend you will take a daytrip to Morón near the north coast and experience even more of this fascinating island nation including an interactive performance at a community theatre, and wonderful Cuban music at the home of a local poet. You will also visit a local museum and have the opportunity to attend a local church service. Two-week volunteers in Ciego de Ávila serve through Wednesday of the second week. On Thursday, the team departs for Havana and then participates in two days of people-to-people activities there. See below for a description of these activities. One-week program If serving for one week in Ciego de Ávila, you may choose to add on the weekend stay (until Monday) so as to participate in these engaging people-to-people activities. The non-tax-deductible fee for this option is $300. When choosing this option, you will be in Cuba for a total of ten days and nine nights. Global Volunteers will transport you to the Santa Clara airport on Monday. Havana Two-week program When serving for two weeks in Havana, you will participate in many different cultural and people-to-people activities on the middle weekend. You will visit the Hemingway Home Museum, the Museum of the Revolution, Muraleando a community development effort, local artists workshops, and enjoy guided walking tours of Old Havana and a driving tour of Havana in 1950s vintage U.S. cars. In addition, you have the opportunity to discuss with a history professor the past and future of U.S.-Cuban relations from the Cuban perspective, and learn about the Cuban education system and its culture and traditions from a local educator. One-week program If serving for one week in Havana, you will have the option of adding on two days to participate in these people-to-people activities and depart from Havana on Monday morning. The non-taxdeductible fee for this option is $300. When choosing this option, you will be in Cuba for a total of ten days and nine nights. Global Volunteers will transport you to the Havana airport on Monday.

6 Service Program Contribution Global Volunteer s service program contribution covers all lodging in double accommodations, three meals a day, in-country team transportation, emergency medical evacuation insurance, all preparatory materials, onsite orientation in Ciego de Ávila or Havana, a full-time team leader, and administration costs. Single rooms are available for an additional fee. The service program contribution for Ciego de Ávila or Havana is $2,995 for one week and $3,395 for two weeks. Please ask your volunteer coordinator about student, companion, group, and alumni discounts, as well as referral credits. Airfare is your responsibility and is not included in the service program contribution. Tax Deductibility Ciego de Ávila Program: One-week volunteers: Your airfare and entire service program contribution are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. (The optional two-day people-to-people add-on fee of $300 is not tax deductible.) Two-week volunteers: Your airfare and the service program contribution, less $400 for people-topeople activities (two days on the middle weekend and the two final days in Havana), are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. Havana Program: One-week volunteers: Your airfare and entire service program contribution are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. (The optional two-day people-to-people add-on fee of $300 is not tax deductible.) Two-week volunteers: Your airfare and service program contribution, less $200 for people-to-people activities, are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. You may use Global Volunteer s online fundraising tool to create a personalized webpage to request partially tax-deductible donations from family and friends to help cover your service program contribution. Reserve your spot today! You will make a difference! Call one of our volunteer coordinators at to register. 375 E. Little Canada Rd. St. Paul, MN info@globalvolunteers.org