When I was at a Rotary Foundation get together I learned of the Grapevine Rotary Clubs Trip to Cuba. I was interested in hearing about it, but had no thoughts of going because as an American I had memories of firing squads and businesses, even homes being “nationalized” ( taken from the owner) and had no interest in helping the Cuban government.
Rotarians Bruce Staley and Conrad Heede were the leaders and Bruce gave me his opinion of the opportunity. He agrees with my view of the country, and he said he understands people opposed to their project, but he can separate that from the reality that people are suffering and we can help them. So Kay Kay and I signed on.
Travel to Cuba for Americans is very limited, but the Rotary Club meets the provisions for support of the Cuban People outlined by the US State Department.
We brought wheel chairs for needy people and each of the twenty attendees brought suitcases filled with all manner of things like post it notes, calculators , 7 donated computers, clothing, toys, office supplies, thousands of pairs of glasses donated by the Lions Club, and most left the suitcases. All was donated to the Catholic Charity in Havana. We learned young people leaving foster care most often leave with a plastic bag filled with belongings, so the suitcases will be welcomed.
We stayed at the Hotel National overlooking the ocean and except for breakfasts at the hotel dined in private paladars while in Havana. We went out to the homes of the people receiving the wheel chairs which was tearful for all in attendance. One man, perhaps in his sixties, with just stumps for legs was in his small ( maybe 200 sq ft) apartment. One stump was infected and he was rocking back and forth in pain waiting for some meds for 3 days. His niece was his care giver. When 4 of us showed up with the wheel chair he looked up to the ceiling and raised his hands in prayer and said his thanks to God and to us.
We also visited Private Art galleries, a private tobacco farm, and sampled rum and cigars. One take away for me was the comments of Rotarians who had been there 5 years ago. They said since Fidel is gone the government has loosened up the provisions for private businesses and that has resulted in many small entrepreneurs getting started in restaurants, and other businesses. In addition the government is entering into partnerships with developers from Europe and Asia to build Hotels.
Our local connection was a former Grapevine Resident, Dr Graham Sowa, a former Rotary Scholar who went to medical school in Cuba, married a Cuban woman and he and his wife spend half time in Havana and half time in Florida.
My overall take away, our heath care is far from ideal and very expensive, but I sure would not want the “free” medical care that is touted about the Cuban system.
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