TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword......................................................................................................................1 Introduction...............................................................................................................2 Encuentro 1: El Centro Memorial MLK.........................................................3 Encuentro 2: Centro Muraleando..................................................................4 Encuentro 3: Cuban History..............................................................................5 Encuentro 4: Cuban Women and Gender Issues.................................6 Encuentro 5: Cuban Constitution..................................................................7 Encuentro 6: Cuban Healthcare.....................................................................8 Encuentro 7: Urban Agriculture......................................................................9 Encuentro 8: Race Relations in Cuba.........................................................10
Reflections On What we Learned...................................................................................11 On The Virtual Aspect..................................................................................12 Acknowledgments................................................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................14
FOREWORD The Field Trip has been the heart of North South Studies since its beginnings. It has been the setting for learning experiences that have transformed the relationship of students and teachers with the Global South. It has been a space for the development of everlasting friendships and for the forging of a commitment to global social justice. This is why when Covid 19 shook our world, the possibility that NSS would not have a Field Trip felt as a great lost. In the midst of moving to emergency on-line teaching, a difficult task for us all (students, teachers and all of Dawson’s staff, it was difficult to master creativity to figure out our predicament. The most obvious option seemed to be to cancel the Field Trip. The most obvious but not the easiest decision to make. After Plan B and C were not workable, we came up with a final plan, to design a Virtual Field Trip to Cuba. What followed this decision was a collaborative process. The Virtual Field Trip to Cuba worked, it was a small success in a semester full of challenges.
The design of the Virtual Field Trip was a collaborative effort between NSS’s coordination and the Memorial Martin Luther King Center (CMMLK) in Havana. We set out to imagine how to create a space for experiential learning and the building of solidarity. Based on student interests we identified a series themes that we explore together. These included gender and sexuality, race relations, food sovereignty, Cuba’s new constitution, how their highly acclaimed health care system has fared in the face of Covid 19 and the embargo, and others. We set out to figure out how to use Zoom. For our Cuban friends, this was a big challenge considering limited access to internet connection, and the regulations around the use of American technology posed by the embargo. Let's just say that planning was a rollercoaster ride, with high peaks of enthusiasm and fear of it not working out! A week before the Virtual Field Trip was set to begin, we were troubleshooting connectivity and offering interpretation services.
On February 1st we were set to go! Joined by Sandor (our guide) and Polo (interpreter) we all gathered via Zoom for our first “encuentro”. In the new reality of Zoom learning, we wanted to go beyond having a webinar, a one-way transfer of information and instead we wanted to engage. The “encuentros” became a point of gathering to share knowledge and experience, to establish new friendships. This Virtual Trip could not replace the experience of traveling to Cuba, but the warmth of our Cuban friends came through the Zoom “encuentros” and left us not only knowing more but also inspired by their experience. It was an opportunity for solidarity. Covid and the embargo are weighing heavily on the lives of Cubans. This Virtual Field Trip provided the CMMLK an opportunity to explore new ways of doing international outreach and we feel proud to have been a part of it. The 2019-2021 NSS cohort had a lot to deal with. Many stud ents struggled with on line learning and with learning in general in the middle of a global health crisis. Some students put their studies on hold, others slowed down and some pushed forward. It is my hope that the Virtual Field Trip to Cuba was something to look forward to every Monday and that the learning will stay close to the heart of each student. I know I am thankful for having the opportunity to be involved in the creation of change. The virtual aspect of it does not make it any less real. Gisela Frias NSS Coordinator
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Introduction FROM CANADA TO CUBA THROUGH ZOOM It is safe to say that this year was unlike any other year. With the unexpected shift to online school because of the unfortunate spread of the Covid-19, the field trip that marks our profile had to be adapted. The students of the North South Studies profile at Dawson College have agreed to do their unique trip to Cuba differently. Every year, a group of selected students have the opportunity to visit and further their knowledge on cultural, social, historical, economical, and political issues of the country. Unlike the past years, the profile and its students have decided to experience Cuba in a more virtual -but no less enriching- way. Due to the pandemic, we worried about how it might affect this unique experience since the North and South student body was unfortunately unable to fly and organize the overseas trip. However, by the efforts of the students, our Cuban guides, and our program coordinator, we were blessed with the opportunity of being the only cohort to participate in a virtual field trip. Welcome to our 2021 Cuban virtual field trip!
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ENCUENTRO 1 FEBRUARY 8TH EL CENTRO MEMORIAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - JOEL RUIZ The virtual field was possible thanks to the Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (CMMLK). Joel Suarez, the centre’s general coordinator, explains that although this organization started with the support of a Baptist Church in 1987, CMMLK is a secular nonprofit organization. The church was marked by the social revolution, igniting the belief that the Christian faith should be lived through social responsibility. Today, through CMMLK, more than 50 groups have been organized by popular educators. The center trains people with the political and social skills for social work. They’re also involved in international solidarity work.
Joel Suarez. CMMLK’s general coordinator
Joel Suarez went to lengths to describe Cuba’s current situation. The halt to tourism and lack of security due to the pandemic has created severe economic damage not only for the average Cuban but also to the entire state’s budget. Moreover, the blockade and the crisis are causing supply shortages in the medical field. On a positive note, Cuba has developed four vaccines against COVID despite the obstacles they’re facing. The discussion about the relationship between the revolution and the church brought forth by Joel Suarez was engaging. Marxism/communism and the church are against one another. As Marx puts it, “religion is the opium of the masses.” However, in Cuba, religion was entrenched in people’s lives and the principles of the revolution, so they managed to form a mutual alliance and have worked closely with each other since then. This gave more political support to the Castro’s and ultimately aided in the victory against the proAmerican government. Though there were hardliners in the Castro regime who didn’t want the church to involve itself, they were forced to compromise in the hopes that it would unite all of society and not only one part of it. This unnatural alliance gave legitimacy and popular support to Castro at a critical time in the revolution’s development. This ultimately shows the lengths to which compromise in society, however radical, can create solid and lasting foundations of unity. 3
By: Samuel, Samiha
ENCUENTRO 2 FEBRUARY 15TH CENTRO MURALEANDO - VICTOR RODRIGUEZ In this encuentro, we got the opportunity to discover the beauty of Muraleando and its history through our online visit. During our guided tour we learned that the site where Muraleando was built on, used to be a water tank and then became a dump. The creation of this place is mainly due to the fact that the community was willing to help creating it from scratch. We had the privilege to see even from the comfort of our households the beauty of the artworks in that building, as well as the exhibition that is outside. The kids in the neighborhood of Lawton can spend time there, and adults also have the possibility to attend dance classes. With all the activities that are hosted there, Muraleando funds itself by selling artworks, with the gatherings that take place there and we can not forget the generosity of the Lawton community. In 2014, Muraleando won the prize of premio national, and it is understandable due to the diversity and amazing works shown there. The artworks in there are unique, because they use materials that are not usual. Some objects that are exhibited in Muraleando, come from the pile of 15 meters of trash that used to be in the dump. Some artists from all around the world meet there each year to work on a new project and create a new masterpiece. The beauty of Muraleando is mainly due to the Cuban population. They created a site where people could feel safe and just enjoy themselves. Muraleando doesn’t even need insurance, because people do everything in their power to keep this place running. Muraleando isn’t only a site for the Cuban population to gather, it is the pride of the Cuban population. They made this site a place where people must go to if they visit Cuba one day.
By: Ariela
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ENCUENTRO 3 - FEBRUARY 22 EARLY CUBAN HISTORY - RENE GONZALEZ Cuban history is like any other nation's history, complex with many twists and turns. Since 1982 old Havana has been in poor condition. When it was designated a world heritage site restoration immediately took off, however they found a lot of trouble finding the resources to restore it, because of the blockade. Over time most of the buildings have been restored and are quite beautiful with each building being unique in its color size and architecture as shown in a short clip and virtual tour of old Havana brought to us by Sandor. Before, during, and after the war of independence (1868–78) the sugar aristocracy dominated the island. They held vast influence over policy decisions chief among them being slavery. They didn’t all go against Spain during the war of independence and not all sided with Cuba, however, the majority went for an independent Cuban state. The leaders of Cuba during the independence war were anti-slavery to a degree wanting to phase it out, and trying to move past such a harsh institution. Unfortunately for Cuba, this did not happen in the way it was wished, slow was the progress, shunted were the soldiers who made up 80% of their veterans, and no control over policy regarding themselves without the foreign intervention of the United States. The war of independence dragged on as neither side could gain an advantage. The Americans decided to aid the Cubans, but at the end of the war, the United States had effectively annexed it. The Paris accords ended the war between the United States, Cuba, and Spain. After the war, the US created a new constitution for Cuba that allowed the United States to veto any proposal that they disliked. This would eventually lead to the Cuban revolution and the freedom from foreign domination after almost 70+ years of American dominance. This would also be the beginning of the blockade which has lasted more than 65 years at this point. After the war of independence the sugar elite which dominated the island before the war slowly vanished, this cause severe capital shortages for the island which forced it to be dominated by foreign players primarily the United States. This isn't the full story however as those elite were not solely Cuban, but also Spanish, thus foreign domination of Cuba whether it be forced upon them through war or through investment and capital was probable even if you change key events. Both the Spanish and the Americans wanted that island, and in the end no amount of unity could ever prevent and keep away foreigner. The Cuban leadership looked to its ideological partner, the Soviet Union for assistance. The end result of the Cuban missile crisis would be the United State's guarantee of Cuban sovereignty which persists to this day.
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By: Samuel
ENCUENTRO 4 - MARCH 8TH
CUBAN WOMEN AND GENDER ISSUES - NAILA TORRES & YOHANA LAVANDERA
For this encuentro we had the opportunity to speak with two strong and empowering women about the reality of being a woman in Cuba. We first experienced a virtual tour of the Women’s Sewing Collective (Atrevete) and then had a period for questions about it with Naila Torres. This was followed by a conference with Johana Lezcano about feminism and Cuba’s response to women’s rights. Atrevete Atrevete was started with the goal of helping women who were experiencing violence, it has now turned into a community of women learning, working and trying to help train other women to recognize the different types of violence they may be facing. Initially, the collective also worked with disabled youth to reintegrate them into society but since then they have focused more on educating women on empowerment. The seamstresses, who very generously filmed a video for us, told us that Alena is the one who found the workshop after being helped by the MLK center. She, herself, was a victim of abuse and wanted to help other women identify the violence they might be living in their households. These women are glad the workshop also gave them work as it is a way for them to be more financially independent, live less violence and feel more included in the community. It was a very special video as we got to see the impact the workshop has on Cuban women's lives. A solidarity-based collective We learned that atrevete operates on the concept of solidarity-based economy. Seamstresses explained to us that this kind of economy allows the profit to be shared amongst all the women who work at the collective. A part of their profit is also set aside into a fund they use for donations to other organizations but more often when they are struggling financially. This system ensures that everyone’s needs are taken into account and that the workers' wellbeing is more important than the profit they make. During the last year within the context of the pandemic, this way of separating funds has served to pay the women who could not risk their health and needed to work from home as well as the women who simply could not work. Progress on Women Issues in Cuba Johana Lezcano states that even though patriarchy and machismo take a lot of space in Cuba, women have been able to win many fights and achieve great progress. Abortions, for example, are safe and legal. Moreover, it is observed that many leaders in positions of power are women. Chauvinism in Households Lezcano did not fail to recognize certain issues still present and the ways women issues in Cuba can improve. She explains that within the household women's issues, chauvinism, and feminism are not recognized. As sexism is taught from a young age to boys and girls it can become painful to separate oneself from those ideas. Yohana adds that it is difficult to get out of those frames without suffering moral consequences. Cuban Feminism The concept of feminism is debated a lot in Cuba as a lot of women do not feel connected to the ideas of feminism and have a difficult time implementing feminist concepts in their personal life. Moreover, women do not embrace feminism as they consider it a bourgeois concept. Lezcano says that even the FMC does not claim feminism and a lot of the women involved in the organization do not consider themselves feminist although they are involved in women fights and support women rights. Johana says that there is no recognition for the term feminism but women still want a liberation movement that is inclusive and anti-racist. We were impressed by the headway Cuba has made in working towards equality and providing services for women. In fact, the FMC and other organizations have made it possible for Cuban women to revendicate their rights and achieve equality in most fields and sectors of society. Projects like Atrevete show us the creativity and solidarity women have built within their communities despite difficult economic circumstances. The seamstresses from Atrevete are a reflection of the success and relief these workshops provide. Although both Naila and Johana spoke of the progress made for women rights and gender equality they also highlighted issues remaining in the chauvinistic mentality. Furthermore, perhaps due to this same chauvinism, the concept of feminism is still not accepted and normalized within Cuba showing us that there is still a way to go in terms of gender matters. By: Camille, Shannon
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ENCUENTRO 5 - MARCH 22ND
CUBAN CONSTITUTION - LOYET GARCIA February 24, 2019: We see the ratification of a new Cuban constitution as explained by Loyet Garcia: A constitution displays the values, the principles and the role of the people in a country. In some ways, it rules over the lives of the country’s citizens and establishes norms with significant impacts. It is a link between the State, the people and the institutions. The Constitution should be similar to the county they represent (it should reflect the country’s values and realities). Constitutions have to be ratified and adapted to the changing lives and realities of the people it rules over. As Cuba’s constitution no longer represented the Cuban reality, it was ratified in 2019. There was a referendum to pass the Constitution and the turnout was huge. New elements were introduced and many things changed. There was a stronger push for human Rights and democracy. Cuba’s one party system, the Communist Party of Cuba According to Loyet Garcia: “everyone belongs to the same party”. You do not need to be a member of the Communist Party to be a public servant (teacher, politician, etc). You have officers who are elected by people by ballots and officers that are elected by other elected positions. In the Age of Globalization While questioned on the influences behind the new Cuban constitution, Loyet Garcia explained that the Constitution takes some inspiration from the traditions of colonial times. However, he goes on to say that sometimes the reforms are not coherent with the Cuban Revolution’s values. It would seem that this Constitution has to do with Cuba’s need to adapt to Globalization. There was an attempt to change and adapt to the Global scale and to stay connected with the outside. Yet, strong ties with the past remain to keep the Cuban essence. There was also pressure from international institutions (critiques of the one party system). We see a push towards democracy with the rights to participate.
This lively discussion with Loyet Garcia brought me to the following conclusion: constitutions will change and must adapt to the needs of the people. What makes one constitution better than another? What makes one political system better than the other? A constitution’s ability to reflect the values and principles of the citizens it rules over is perhaps the best way to examine this document. In an age of globalization, it seems like international pressure encourages human rights and democratic systems. These changes can be seen reflected in Cuba's new constitution.
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By: Audrey
ENCUENTRO 6 - MARCH 29TH CUBAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM - DR. BARBARA ROMEO In this talk we can see the community values shine through in the healthcare system with the fact that the doctors live within their community to be better equipped to serve them with a more personal touch. Family doctors are more abundant since education makes it easier for people to afford to become health care workers. The healthcare system is also completely free and covered by the state which means there's less financial burden on the population if they become sick. In the previous years, prior to the revolution the access to health care was influenced by social class and many hospitals were underfunded. The frequency in which doctors see their patients was especially different than here in Canada as waiting time to see a doctor is often very long. Dr. Barabara made it a point to say that during the pandemic, the healthcare workers have continued to be very hands on with their approach and directly informing people of covid and the precautions to take. It is safe to assume that this would help with reassuring the population and stop the spread of misinformation through panic. It is interesting to see how, in the groups of medical experts that visit households, psychologists were also included during this pandemic to take care of people's mental health.
Additionally, Dr. Barbara stated that Cuba’s health care system is characterized by distinct levels of care that offers its patients a higher-quality and more accessible medical management, an important pillar of the revolution. We learned that these different levels are: Primary level of care Family doctors, clinics, and polyclinics (Family doctor are assigned to an area) Secondary level of care Hospitals, centers of medical specialization Tertiary level of care Specialized- supervised institutions The levels of care also specializes in different programs such as the monitoring of the International Travelers Program, Sexually Transmitted Program, Cancer Program (prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervix cancer...) and the Vaccination Program - Covid-19. Through the same system, the health care department separates their patients by groups; People who have a very active sexual life; Patients with chronic disease such as hypertension and diabetes (Seen every 3 to 4 times a year); Individuals with disabilities because of an accident (seen 3 times a year). On the flip side of this encuentro, it would have been relevant to learn more about the improvements that the healthcare system would benefit from since there is always room for improvement. Internationally, we learned that the TCP (American trade) has enabled the Latin countries including Cuba to support each other as a way to get over the blockade before and during the pandemic by exchanging health care services in exchange for material goods, medicine, and equipment.
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By: Mia, Layla
ENCUENTRO 7 - APRIL 19TH URBAN AGRICULTURE - ANIETE VENEREO PEREZ CASTRO April 19th, 2021 In this encuentro, we had the pleasure to meet with Aniete Venereo, a therapeutic clown passionate about the care and support she provided in improving the mental state of patients in hospital wards. However, given the pandemic, her work had to cease to limit hospital contacts, leaving Aniete to notice a significant increase in depression amongst the elderly in her community that were instructed to stay isolated to protect their health. Taking this matter straight to the heart, the Cuban woman turned to the garden she worked in for solidarity, applying new levels of leadership so that the products, together with hard-to-find medicine, could be distributed to vulnerable elders of the community. Before Aniete's lecture, we also had to pleasure of viewing a video of the garden thanks to Sandor and Polo. Sowing Communal Seeds And so, this space created by Aniete isn’t just a garden. As family, friends, neighbors and community members visit the plot of land weekly, trading garden supplies and strategies, it is a tool to strengthen a sense of belonging. Moreover, through the care provided to the elderly with free baskets full or produce, the garden is undoubtedly a symbol of solidarity, in its strengthening of relationships amidst the loneliness exacerbated by the restrictions of the pandemic. With this discussion, I found that Aniete Venereo’s garden was more than a response to covid, in fact rather a manifestation of historical oppression, generational strength and community care. Given the history of scarcity as seen during the Special Period, urban agriculture is significant in its use of land to provide for the community as well as resist oppression. Therefore, from an analysis of food sovereignty, Aniete’s initiative brings food justice to both victims of the embargo and vulnerable people that have seen their conditions exacerbated with the pandemic. Intergenerational Knowledge Then, the space created is a space of generational wisdom, as Aniete mentioned having been inspired by her father-in-law to start the garden. In addition, with her goal of educating her girls to the significance of the environment, hoping to “wake them up before humanity awakens”, the garden is also a place where consciousness is watered and encouraged to blossom. There, knowledge appears as a holistic process — one in which content can be learned from sources other than official, academic ones, with a focus on connectivity to the land and intrinsic wisdom to all living things. Blossoming Identities In addition, the significance of Aniete’s garden seemed to unfold through her love for José Martí’s poetry. When explaining the tale of Rosa’s little shoes, the care put into urban agriculture seemed to transform the garden into a space of expression, of artistic and patriotic meaning. Such attribution is given most naturally because of Aniete’s career as a practitioner, as a carer for ill patients, as she puts so much of her joy and identity within the garden. This care taking root in the garden is significant as it honours Cubaness in development: making the most with scarce resources, placing love and trust into something, in hopes it'll blossom between the concrete and bring colour to all. To add to this, her use of her own nutrients to contribute to the growth of her plants further highlighted the significance of the garden in asserting identity. With Aniete’s deconstruction of westernized gender roles and biases whilst looking to care for her garden, this experience of urban agriculture therefore brought meaningful growth in consciousness as well. With that in mind, her garden can be described as a space of individuality, solidarity, belonging and bold resourcefulness.
The Grand Scheme Looking back, Aniete’s garden is therefore a manifestation of the empathy she carried in her career before the pandemic. Indeed, the care and support she provided to patients pre-COVID has been transformed into a space in which health is supported in a communal way. To that extent, the garden embodies the unique wisdom that is created in cooperative projects as knowledge is mixed with purpose and care.
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By: Heidi, Mateia
ENCUENTRO 8 - APRIL 26TH Race Relations in Cuba Samuel Furé Davis The Encuentro with Samuel Fure provided us with much information about race relations in Cuba from both a historical and contemporary perspective. He talked to us about the interrelation between race and nation, the early 20th century, the period between 1908 and 1920, and lastly about the 1940s. The Interrelation Between Race and Nation Professor Furé first explained that Cuba is a country where Spanish settlements were implemented, which created interrelations between nation and race. Then he continued telling us that when the Spanish first came to Cuba, they built and constructed the country. However, he told us that this created a significantly high white population on the island. Between 1860 and 1870, 80% of the population were slaves, and 20% were white settlers. Spanish colonization led to a debate regarding the idea of a 'nation.' The descendants of white colonizers wondered what their place in society was. In fact, the idealists even had the idea to create a priceless Cuba. However, the republic completely rejected this idea. Early 20th Century Afterward, Samuel Furé talked about the 20th century and the discrimination. He explained that during the 20th century, the republic discriminated against black veterans. They decided to fight for their rights, being supported by some of the independent parties against discrimination. During this period, the incoming foreign capitals allowed economic growth for white and black Cubans, which attracted black immigrants. 1908-1920 in addition, he talked about the period between the years 1908 and 1920. During this period, the black population increased by thousands, which increased economic tensions between the black and white populations within Cuba. However, it also created tension between descendants from slaves and the new black population who immigrated to Cuba. 1940’s Lastly, he talked for a while about the period of the 1940s when the constitution was created. The constitution was created in the 1940s. It was first created to eliminate discrimination against the black population. Nonetheless, there was still a problem. Even though the constitution was supposed to stop discrimination, the white families still did not allow marriage between black and white people. The basis of Black Cuban’s problem is the settlement of the Spanish. It is obvious that the problem of laves and black discrimination all started when the Spanish arrived in Cuba. Right after their arrival to the island, 80% of the population were made slaves. If they would have never came to Cuba, no black Cuban would have been made into slaves. It then led to the discussion about the nation. Because of the enslavement of black, descendent do not know what their place in the society was created economic tension between the white population and the descendent from black slaves. Also, if the Spanish had not come to Cuba, their would have been no discrimination against the black community and there would still be some aboriginal communities, which was eliminated by them. In other words, all problems that the Cuban black community has to endure since the 19th century was caused by the Spanish settlement.
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By: Magaly
REFLECTION (ON WHAT WE LEARNED) Among other things we learned in this field trip, we saw the resourcefulness Cubans displayed in Muralendos and their ability to adapt in the talk about the constitution. However one of the common themes I saw in all the talks was “resilience.” Cuba seems to be a nation of revolution, a nation in a perpetual struggle for freedom and self-determination. Through all these fights, they have had to struggle but always found a solution around it. Maybe this resilience is what fuels their strong sense of community bond or maybe it is the opposite. Either way, they’ve had to overcome such things as the Special Period in creative manners such as starting a garden, as seen in the urban agriculture talk. During that time of crisis, there was a shortage of food. Aniete’s family, the speaker of that talk, started a project that was able to provide food for their family but also for the neighbourhood. This shows cuban’s ability to bounce back from difficulties. Another example of their resilience is how they coped with the blockade that was put in place by the United States. They made a trade deal with other latin countries, otherwise known as the TCP, to help get around the trade deficit left in place by the blockade. They have also manufactured their own vaccine against covid-19. All in all, though Cuba has had it’s fair share of struggles, and some have persisted to this day in relation to its relationship with the United States, it has never shown signs of giving up or giving in. Instead, it has always found a way to thrive on its own. By: Mia The solidarity that the Cuban population has is quite admirable, and it sets an example for the rest of us. Through the different talks and topics discussed, it became evident that most initiatives and projects in Cuba function to include the needs of as many people as possible. One example of this reality is Cuba’s healthcare system. Medical care is a crucial need to which all Cubans have access. Unlike Western medicine practices, Cuba’s healthcare system focuses on integrating the health care professionals in the community. They don’t simply concentrate on people’s physical health but also their psychological and social state. The doctors are aware of everyone’s living situations, and they work on preventative treatment based on that information. Moreover, the sewing initiative started by survivors of abuse is another example of how the Cuban community comes together for people in need. The sewing initiative’s economy is solidarity-based. They put the women’s needs above profit and distribute the earnings based on everyone’s necessities. Although the action was started to help women, they soon expanded it to include disabled youth who didn’t feel included in their communities. Their inclusion shows that the movements are adapted and include diverse marginalized and vulnerable populations even if they weren’t the targeted public. The solidarity and care Cubans have towards one another have allowed them to create an inclusive and involved society. By: Samiha Additionally, we learned that Cubans do everything with heart and soul. They seem to be inspired by the strength of the previous generations and the creativity of the ones to come. Looking back at talks and meetings such as Muraleando and Aniete’s garden, it is obvious that they care deeply about the well-being of future generations and want to keep the children’s creative and joyful spirit alive. The Muraleando project, for example, uses art and culture to keep children out of trouble. The center gives them a safe space where they can express their emotions and creativity. As kids are guided by amazing teachers who volunteer their time and knowledge, children can enjoy themselves and feel a sense of belonging. However, the project would not exist if there was not a strong desire to see creative and bold children become good adults, who in the future will also inspire and get inspired by the new spirits to come. In fact, intergenerational knowledge seems to be important for Cubans, as they still inspire children with the wisdom of the elders, poets, like Jose Marti, and members of the Cuban revolution, such as Camillo and Che. Aniete’s garden is another example of generational wisdom (Heidi’s Encuentro 8). Inspired by her father-in-law green thumb, Aniete started her garden to help her neighbors and her community. Aniete’s love for poetry is also transposed in her garden as she used Jose Marti poetry to care for the plants and inspire a love for the land to her children and to the teens in the community. Aniete’s garden and the Muraleando project are proof that Cuban’s souls and hearts transcend generations and always encourage a better Cuba.
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By: Shannon
REFLECTION (ON VIRTUAL ASPECT) When we first learned that the Field Trip was canceled, we were crushed not to visit Cuba and learn about their culture. However, when we were told that there would be a virtual Field Trip, we were glad they had found a way for us to still have somewhat of a trip. At first, it was not clear what it would be, and we were not sure what to expect from it. However, after we were given more information about it, we expected to learn more about the island and its people. But, we expected that the class would be like a standard-setting, and we thought it would be impersonal. In the end, it was not at all what we expected. First, the virtual field trip was not in a traditional classroom setting. The teachers made sure that it would be different from regular classes and would be able to interact with the people in Cuba. Also, contrary to our expectations, the trip was very personal since we were able to interact with the people in Cuba and ask them questions. Thirdly, given the unique format of this year’s trip, we gained more flexibility in how we visited Cuba with the MLK organization. Given that, we had the chance to gain knowledge through different channels of wisdom; academics, public educators, field workers, non-profit coordinators, and even an ex-professional clown! By: Magaly On top of this, through the online format of our trip, we were able to partake in the Cuban experience in a significant way: in using the funds collected by the NorthSouth Studies program to support the grassroots work of the guest speakers, we met. To that effect, our learning on this Caribbean island was more meaningful than ever as we were able to support the passion channeled in each Encuentro. Having learned the past semester the many ways in which Cuba is an inspiring alternative, we were given the opportunity this semester to partake, through various fields, in the vitality and ambitions of Cubans. We will undoubtedly remember this trip as an insightful experience on Cuban reality in the years to follow. To have been able to study, look at the theories that shaped Cuba, and understand the individuality of Cubans granted us a more thorough understanding of an island labeled with such differing terms on the international scene. From watching documentaries on the 1959 revolution to chatting with people navigating through the struggles of the embargo, this online field trip filled the gaps that literature could’ve never carried out fully. Indeed, our guest speakers shined a light on humanity at the very base of the innovative society we call Cuba. By: Heidi 12
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Primarily, we would like to thank Centro Martin Luther King for working hand in hand with Gisela. Without the partnership that you had with Gisela the visits that we got to enjoy and the transport that was provided for Sandor and Polo would not have been possible. We would like to express our gratitude to Sandor and Polo for the time that they took to translate as well as dealing with technical difficulties that were given and also taking the time to make this experience more enjoyable. We would like to also thank the effort that was made to pre-record some content and then share it in class. Those contexts, videos or just nice images were really appreciated. We would like to give our special appreciation to Gisela. For being an amazing coordinator and also making the creation of the field experience in a developing country possible, in such a short lapse of time. We would like to thank you for all the support that you have given us through our experience in this course as well as always bringing your smile and sharing encouraging words to uplift our moods in such times. We would like to thank you for your dedication to make our success possible. We will always be grateful that you created a safe space to feel comfortable enough to share our thoughts even if Spanish is not our first language.
We would also like to thank each speaker for sharing so much knowledge in such a short amount of time. It was really appreciated to learn about different topics and see the expertise of each one of them on their topics: Joel Ruiz Suarez Victor Rodriguez Rene Gonzalez Yohana Lezcano Lavandera & Naila Torres Loyet Garcia Doctora Barbara Romero Aniete Venereo Perez Castro Samuel Furé Davis
The Virtual Field Trip to Cuba was made possible thanks to the support of funds provided from Dawson College’s Student Success Action Plan, to the Peace Centre and to individual donations provided via the Dawson Foundation. 13
CONCLUSION
When asked to summarize our experience with the online Field Trip class to Cuba in a few words, we described the 2021 trip as ...
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