NEW YORK — Pathfinder Press has participated in the annual Grenada Day Festival, held in Brooklyn, since 2014. Inspired by news of the recent “Grateful Grenada Gives Back to Cuba” fundraising campaign on the island, volunteers at this year’s Pathfinder booth Aug. 23 distributed Global Health Partners flyers and raised funds for its “Neonatal and Maternal Healthcare Initiative” for Cuba.
We introduced everyone who visited the table to the campaign and asked if they’d like to contribute. Taking a cue from the Grenada Trades’ Union Council that passed around “beautifully decorated boxes” to collect donations across the country, an embellished jar was given pride of place on our front table. By the end of the day, the jar was stuffed and $410 had been raised.
Not one passerby said they supported Washington’s brutal economic blockade of Cuba. A number told us they’d studied medicine or dentistry in Cuba.
“Cuba was always there for Grenada,” said Shirelynn George. “They provided doctors, gave people back their eyesight. They built the airport and then, when the Americans attacked, they were the ones who put up a fight. For me to be able to help Cuba is really an act of love.”
Many donors expressed anger over what they’ve seen on the news about the dire economic situation in Cuba today. “Cuba gave us solidarity, we have a duty as Grenadians to show them that same solidarity,” said one woman who stuffed a $20 bill into the jar.
The “Gives Back” campaign in Grenada raised close to $250,000 for Cuba, punching above its weight when you consider Grenada’s population is just 117,000!
These efforts, great and small, are part of broad solidarity work with the Cuban people to help mitigate the humanitarian crisis brought on by six decades of U.S. sanctions and the more recent oil blockade of the island. If you’d like to take up a collection in your area, contact Global Health Partners at ghpartners.org.