BY REBECCA ARENSON

PHILADELPHIA - 144 youth from the United States, five from Philadelphia, journeyed to Cuba for the U.S./Cuba Youth Exchange. Our group came from 26 states, and represented a diverse range of racial, cultural and political backgrounds. The Federation of University Students in Cuba hosted us for two weeks from July 24 to August 6.

Families in Santiago de Cuba opened up their hearts and homes, hosting us for several days. We visited sites which pay homage to Cuba's heroes, such as the grave of Jose Marti and the statue of Antonio Maceo.

We went to the site of the Moncada Garrison, now a school, where every year, school children reenact the battle of July 26, 1953, commemorating the start of the Cuban revolutionary struggle. July 30, the Day of the Martyrs of the Revolution, we walked with Cubans on their traditional pilgrimage to the grave of young revolutionary leader, Frank Pais. We visited Playa Giron, site of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and danced with Cuban Soldiers at the border of the Guantánamo Naval Base. We did voluntary work in the platano fields, and visited hospitals, research centers, orphanages and factories.

We spoke with many Cubans about their system. We saw the unbelievable pride they have in their country and in what they have been able to achieve with their revolution. A system that views healthcare, education. food, housing, employment, and a voice in the decision making of the country. as unalienable rights, deserving of everyone.

The mutual respect that exists for one another in Cuban society is amazing. There is a common link between them that crosses any differences between them. They are all a people in struggle. A people that must figure out how to survive without the resources which are denied their country because of the United States economic blockade against them. March 12, President Clinton signed into law the so-called "Cuban liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act", better known as the Helms/Burton Act, which attempts to limit even further, Cuban's access to the necessities they need such as food and medicines, by tightening the restrictions against other countries who trade with Cuba.

However, no one in Cuba is without the bare necessities. What they have, is divided equally between everyone. When there are scarcities of something very crucial it is given first, to those who need it most. For instance with milk, it is first given to children under seven, the sick and the elderly.

And despite these difficulties, their economy is actually improving. In Fidel Castro's speech during the July 26 celebration in Holguín, he explained that their Gross Domestic Product grew 9.6% in the first half of this year. He says "the 9.6 is a salute. is a message to Mr. Helms and Mr. Burton."

Cuba remains stronger than ever, and its citizens will not allow for the gains they have made over the last 35 years to be taken away so easily. A Cuban from Santiago explains, "We have been able to provide for our people what no other country has been able to do in all of Latin America. All around the world, really. We are the only country which has stood up against U.S. imperialism for over 35 years and have not backed down. And we never will. We will never give up what we have achieved. The right to decide our own future, the free access to health and education. the true participation of our people in the decision making of our country. Our Socialism. This is what we will never give up."

For more information on Cuba Solidarity Work, please contact the Philadelphia Cuba Support Coalition at 215-426-0364.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home