CUBA

Learn different ways to travel and serve in Cuba, contributing to the community.

Listen to a variety of experiences from nonprofit leaders and volunteers.

 EPISODES

Hear Julia Sullivan share her wealth of experience with over 20 years of traveling to Cuba. She shares the beauty of the Cuban people and the value of supportive relationships. Hear about the challenges, as well as the impacts with Friends of Cuba. You can help with water purification systems https://www.friendsofeccuba.org or sending food online: https://www.supermarket23.com/en/

Hear the impressions of Cuba from Robin & Brad, a couple from Florida, who traveled to the historic city of Trinidad, Cuba. They brought suitcases of medical supplies, clothing, and more to donate to those in most need. Listen to their ‘eye opening’ cultural experiences, and perspectives gained through sharing time with the locals.

Listen to Scarlett, a 13 year old, who went on a family trip to Cuba, share her experience traveling to Trinidad, Vinales, and Havana. Hear the impact of adventurous excursions, spending time with locals, as well as supporting Cuban children with their English skills. She’s inspired to start a club to bring more awareness to ways of making a difference!

Hear from a traveler - Jovan- share his first experience in Cuba – from Vinales to Havana! He shares his highlights - visiting tobacco and coffee plantations in Vinales, to touring Hemingway’s House, in Havana. He shares how enriching the experience was being able to connect with locals in a unique way, donating medical supplies and touring with local guides. Customize your  trip today!  www.firsthandaid.org

Time to hear from our volunteers! Listen to the impact Ben shares about his 3 teenage daughters’ experience, volunteering in an after school English class.  As a father, he shares opportunities of making a difference in the community. Hear how the experience changed his approach to traveling, getting ‘behind the scenes’, to contribute and connect with the locals. www.Firsthandaid.org

Listen to Abby, a 17 year old, share how volunteering to support Cuban kids with their English skills was a highlight of her family trip to Cuba. Hear how the Cuban community impacted her, as she realized how connected people are. She also reflects on the beauty she experienced through cultural excursions.  

Hear from Julie, a physician from Florida, who took her family on a “Travel with Purpose” trip to Cuba. She highlights the perspectives she gained on the basics, like having electrical power! Hear how her family enjoyed a Cuban cooking class; a ‘finca’/farm visit; and gained perspectives from volunteering in an after school English program.  As a mom, she loved the opportunity for her 3 daughters to connect with a group of Cuban youth. Hear about how she gained a sense of gratitude from giving to and receiving from local Cubans. She encourages listeners to participate in this kind of trip, especially families.

Miriam Lopez, a Professional Development Officer of the Teacher Association of Linguistics, offers an opportunity to partner with English language students. Take a tour of Old Havana with a student, enabling them to practice their English, while sharing their knowledge of Cuba. https://www.britishcouncil.us

Ed Perez, who came to the U.S. penniless as a Cuban teenager, founded Three Grains of Rice Missions in 2016. The organization provides local and international support for wellness supplies and humanitarian aid. Learn how to support their work at https://threegrainsofricemissions.org.

For over 20 years, Marc Bohland, Founder of First-Hand Aid, has supported the Cuban people. Explore opportunities for behind-the-scenes projects, delivering food to the elderly, sponsoring families, and bringing/sending school and medical supplies. Join a trip to Cuba to experience the realities and make a difference: https://www.firsthandaid.org.

Join Bradley Gordon, a Board member of First-Hand Aid, as he discusses his recent trip to Cuba, bringing medical supplies and financial support. Marc Bohland shared the organization's background last week. Participate in a trip, donate online, or sponsor a family to make a significant impact on lives in Cuba and your own. Learn more at https://www.firsthandaid.org.

Jason Allen, a Board member with First-Hand Aid, discusses the nonprofit's efficient aid delivery to Cubans in need, particularly in Havana and Vinales. He highlights the impact of distributing food to shut-ins facing prohibitive costs for basic staples. Jason invites you to join a trip, where transportation and logistics are provided, allowing a focus on purposeful travel. Learn more at https://www.firsthandaid.org.

Olga, having visited Cuba numerous times, emphasizes the enduring warmth of the Cuban people. Hear about leaving your heart in Cuba, learning from each other, and appreciating mutual offerings. Explore ideas like bringing reading glasses, basic medical supplies, or clothing, and participate in visiting the elderly to share hope and encouragement while receiving their love.

Join a 2-part series with Seminary Dean Carlos Emilio Ham to explore Cuba's history from a unique perspective. Born in Cuba and raised in the U.S., Carlos shares his unusual journey back to Cuba during the revolution, studying at a Seminary during a period of atheism. Listen to his family's decision to return and gain insights into perspectives for those who remained, with hope for change: https://www.setcuba.org.

Join us for Part 2 of Carlos Emilio’s interview, as he moves from the late 1950’s to the present realities of life in Cuba today. Listen to ways you may support the Cuban people, gaining a deeper understanding of the many challenges they are currently experiencing – from a highly inflated currency to constant black-outs, making a regular work or home schedule nearly impossible.

Explore Reverend Mark Pendleton's experience with "Friends of Cuba," a nonprofit building friendships and providing aid. Engage in ongoing partnerships, supporting communities through water filter installations and transporting medical provisions. Learn about the impactful "ministry of schlepping" on your next trip to Cuba: https://www.friendsofcuba.org.

Marilyn Borst, Associate Director for Partnership Development at the Outreach Foundation, discusses building relationships and supporting ministry initiatives worldwide, with a focus on special connections in Cuba. Explore her story of collaborating with Cubans to reconstruct an elderly home and install water purification systems: www.theoutreachfoundation.org

Julia Sullivan, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida's Cuba committee for nearly 20 years, discusses her frequent visits since 1998. With a focus on installing water purification systems and delivering essential medical supplies, discover the positive impact on Cuban communities.

Cuban engineer Daniel from Guira, near Matanzas, provides a local perspective on water filtration systems. Being on the receiving end and actively involved in installation and maintenance, he witnesses the positive impact of purified water on communities. Discover how you can contribute to ongoing water projects and make a significant difference in community health throughout the country.

Join us to hear Enoc Carbajal Gonzales, a Baptist Pastor with 27 years of experience, share ways to engage with the Cuban people. Explore projects like visiting the elderly, becoming a language partner, or providing much-needed supplies. Learn about the current economic challenges and the wave of youth immigration, leaving many elderly alone. Discover meaningful ways to get involved and connect with the Cuban community.

Vicar Keith Ogelsby from the Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra, Florida, emphasizes the significance of building relationships and supporting smaller, remote communities in Cuba. Their ongoing partnership has resulted in impactful projects like a water filtration system, benefiting larger communities. Learn about the importance of mutual collaboration and engagement in projects addressing significant needs.