ARTICLE
A MEETING OF LOVE AND HOPE
BY: JULIO A. LARRAMENDI
It is 9:30 a.m. on a morning that announces the very next rains of Hurricane Ida, already close to the southwestern coasts of Cuba. Faced with the expectation of the neighbors, who for a long time have been observing an unusual movement in the block, three black cars arrive at the Los Sitio neighborhood, in Centro Habana, the most populous municipality in Cuba.
The President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, descends from one of the vehicles, responding to the invitation that Dr. Enrique Alemán Gutiérrez, at the head of the managing group of the Quisicuaba Sociocultural Community Project, made him just a few days before. Born at the initiative of the Kardeciana Cruzada Spiritist Association, a religious entity founded on October 12, 1939 by Andrea B. Zabala Ortega, Alemán's grandmother, Quisicuaba was officially endorsed on October 12, 2008 as a space for interreligious dialogue "where peace reigns , the spirituality and wisdom of our ancestors in pursuit of human betterment ”.
The welcome at the entrance of the museum, by the warmth and affection, promises a good meeting. The presentation words are in charge of Dr. Alemán and the precise explanation is assumed by Lien Lucía García Miranda, director of the institution. The only one of its kind in the country, the museum was awarded the Special Category, among other reasons, for the outstanding work it does in the community, to which are added the ethnological collections it preserves, the historical-artistic collections on the origins of the area and those associated with the Orthodox Party, which allows students and researchers to delve into these issues. There are also beautiful altars and spaces for spiritualistic religious services and for Cubans of African origin Ocha and Ifá.
The president listens and asks. Here, he inquires about relationships with other religious denominations; In the first exhibition room he pauses before the Eduardo Chibás mask and the original document of the young Fidel Castro's enrollment in the Orthodox Party; before the rich altar he is amazed at the diversity of symbols; later on, he becomes interested in the history of the neighborhood and the property.
At the exit of the museum, on the way to the adjoining house, headquarters of the soup kitchen, one of the 29 projects that Quisicuaba directs, Díaz-Canel observes that the surrounding population has been congregating at the corner of Maloja and Ángeles, very close from where every day, from Monday to Friday, more than 2000 lunches are distributed to disadvantaged people throughout the municipality.
Already in the dining room, surrounded by the workers, he receives an explanation about the living conditions of the community, where there are high rates of people with HIV or AIDS, ex-prisoners, prostitutes, alcoholics, single mothers and adolescents prone to crime, all in need of being reintegrated into society. And they talk about the Project's programs, aimed at achieving this objective, with an emphasis on plastic arts, dance, theater, music and literature workshops, especially for children and young people, who have managed to gain the trust and recognition of the population.
The Cuban president, one more among all of them, talks with the cooks and the rest of the service personnel who serve a large number of diners every day, many of them elderly. He asks about the quality of the food, the difficulties they face and the possibilities for development. Dr. Alemán explains that the supplies come from donations from the Quisicuaba subsidiaries in other countries and that they already have plans to grow in space, prepare a garden to have fresh vegetables and improve the conditions of the area where the food is served, today homeless and with few comforts.
Finally, surrounded by the workers, he expresses in the guest book his "recognition and gratitude, respect and admiration for the dedication in doing good for all". There is satisfaction in his voice and joy in his gaze; there is gratitude, conviction and, above all, faith in what is done there. Already in the street, he approaches the large public and tells them about the example of Quisicuaba, about true humanism and solidarity, about dedication and daily sacrifice, about working with the communities, about caring for all citizens. He receives applause of approval and support.
On the way back to the cars, while he stops several times to talk with some neighbors, a conga beats the drums, which this time are ringing with love and hope.
The President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, descends from one of the vehicles, responding to the invitation that Dr. Enrique Alemán Gutiérrez, at the head of the managing group of the Quisicuaba Sociocultural Community Project, made him just a few days before. Born at the initiative of the Kardeciana Cruzada Spiritist Association, a religious entity founded on October 12, 1939 by Andrea B. Zabala Ortega, Alemán's grandmother, Quisicuaba was officially endorsed on October 12, 2008 as a space for interreligious dialogue "where peace reigns , the spirituality and wisdom of our ancestors in pursuit of human betterment ”.
The welcome at the entrance of the museum, by the warmth and affection, promises a good meeting. The presentation words are in charge of Dr. Alemán and the precise explanation is assumed by Lien Lucía García Miranda, director of the institution. The only one of its kind in the country, the museum was awarded the Special Category, among other reasons, for the outstanding work it does in the community, to which are added the ethnological collections it preserves, the historical-artistic collections on the origins of the area and those associated with the Orthodox Party, which allows students and researchers to delve into these issues. There are also beautiful altars and spaces for spiritualistic religious services and for Cubans of African origin Ocha and Ifá.
The president listens and asks. Here, he inquires about relationships with other religious denominations; In the first exhibition room he pauses before the Eduardo Chibás mask and the original document of the young Fidel Castro's enrollment in the Orthodox Party; before the rich altar he is amazed at the diversity of symbols; later on, he becomes interested in the history of the neighborhood and the property.
At the exit of the museum, on the way to the adjoining house, headquarters of the soup kitchen, one of the 29 projects that Quisicuaba directs, Díaz-Canel observes that the surrounding population has been congregating at the corner of Maloja and Ángeles, very close from where every day, from Monday to Friday, more than 2000 lunches are distributed to disadvantaged people throughout the municipality.
Already in the dining room, surrounded by the workers, he receives an explanation about the living conditions of the community, where there are high rates of people with HIV or AIDS, ex-prisoners, prostitutes, alcoholics, single mothers and adolescents prone to crime, all in need of being reintegrated into society. And they talk about the Project's programs, aimed at achieving this objective, with an emphasis on plastic arts, dance, theater, music and literature workshops, especially for children and young people, who have managed to gain the trust and recognition of the population.
The Cuban president, one more among all of them, talks with the cooks and the rest of the service personnel who serve a large number of diners every day, many of them elderly. He asks about the quality of the food, the difficulties they face and the possibilities for development. Dr. Alemán explains that the supplies come from donations from the Quisicuaba subsidiaries in other countries and that they already have plans to grow in space, prepare a garden to have fresh vegetables and improve the conditions of the area where the food is served, today homeless and with few comforts.
Finally, surrounded by the workers, he expresses in the guest book his "recognition and gratitude, respect and admiration for the dedication in doing good for all". There is satisfaction in his voice and joy in his gaze; there is gratitude, conviction and, above all, faith in what is done there. Already in the street, he approaches the large public and tells them about the example of Quisicuaba, about true humanism and solidarity, about dedication and daily sacrifice, about working with the communities, about caring for all citizens. He receives applause of approval and support.
On the way back to the cars, while he stops several times to talk with some neighbors, a conga beats the drums, which this time are ringing with love and hope.
