 |
Cuba : Community Development and Humanitarian Aid
December 27, 2009
- January 05, 2010
One of several options for rural transportation in Cuba.
Cuba has a very sophisticated system of community-based programs that deal with ongoing neighborhood, family and individual needs and issues as well as general emergency response. This system is a key component explaining how the country has managed to survive, and even thrive, in times of crisis, whether natural (hurricanes) or human-made (the U.S. embargo).
This research tour will focus on the Cuban organizations and institutes involved in humanitarian relief, crisis intervention, and community development, as well as foreign-based organizations, private, governmental and religious, that participate with Cuba in its efforts.
The itinerary will include a tour of community development projects in Havana and in a rural province and meetings with humanitarian and crisis intervention organizations addressing all sectors of Cuban society, including: food rationing system; health care system; urban gardens and agriculture; special needs children and the disabled; social and psychological disorders; the very young, the very old; hurricane responsiveness.
ACLIFIM
In particular, we will explore Cuba's policies and programs for the integration and development of citizens with special needs through the eyes of Cuba's physically disabled community, assisted by the Cuban NGO, ACLIFIM, a 25 year old organization founded by and for Cubans living with physical disabilities.
Participants will be encouraged to collect humanitarian donations for ACLIFIM and will spend several days learning about their work and exploring ways to further assist them in their remarkable interaction with the members of the Cuban children's theatre organization, LA COLMENITA, a company that includes many children with special needs.
We will explore in depth, Cuba's policies and programs for meeting the daily and crisis needs of communities, from the neighborhood to the national and even international level.
Program Highlights:
- City Tour of Havana and Old Havana
- Visits to centers of emergency preparedness at government and community level
- Visits with foreign relief organizations operating in Cuba
- Visits to health care, food, and educational facililities
- Visits with community leaders involved in ongoing and emergency neighborhood organizations
- Two day tour of rural setting with volunteer work possibility
- New Years Eve celebration in Havana
- Cultural events
- Small group meetings according to interest
Cost:
$2550
Price Includes:
- Flight from Cancun to Havana
- Flight from Havana to Cancun
- Two meals per day
- Three-four star hotel accommodations
- Translation of all programs
- In-country transportation (with group)
- Program fees and Honoraria
- Cuban Visa
- Price is based on double room accommodations; add $300 for single room
- Price does NOT include airfare to/from Cancun, beverages, gratuities, travel insurance, personal expenditures, etc.
How to Register:
We would like to receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $500 by October 31 and your full payment by November 15. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard, Visa or Discover are welcome.
Please read our Important Travel Guidelines and Cancellation Policy.
Make your reservation online now!
Contact Leslie with any questions about this trip,
or call toll-free 1-800-497-1994 ext. 242.
Trips on related issues: Environment and Sustainability
Health and Healing
Labor and Economy
|
|
OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN CUBA
ACLIFIM
ACLIFIM Web Site, (in Spanish)
ACLIFIM Web Site (in English)
LA COLMENITA
La Colmenita in Cuba and California!
"Dangerous Beehive by Rosa Miriam Elizarde, The Nation, May 17, 2007,
|
|
