This month in Rotary history

At 10:48AM on 29 October 2012, Catherine wrote: I have been to Cuba 3 times with a surgical group ( we also go to several other Latin Merics. Countries). Most countries do not provide any significant care for the poor ( with the exception of some dedicated health care workers who make personal commitments and with the exception of Nicaragua who trained hundreds of kids from poor families to care for their community). I also exempt Mexico from this critique, it had an extensive national health system that we could emulate. of course, to be able to access the care it helps to live in an urban area and be somewhat educated and literate in Spanish. Cuba is another case entirely. Their medical providers are many and pay nothing for their schooling. Every neighborhood has a primary care Dr. Mr Sowa, from Africa, is one of many foreign students invited to train as Doctors (for free) in Cuba. I personally know of two from the US who trained there. So Cuba does not want people from wealthy countries to come as charity workers. They din't need that. But they do welcome colleagues with whom they can exchange knowledge and skills. They also lack adequate medical equipment for which they need dollars or Euros or Yen. Additionally they ate unable to buy from a country 90 miles away due to the US embargo-even on humanitarian items. Sorry to be long winded but wanted to make a couple of points. 1) US laws make it very difficult for us ( including humanitarian workers) tongi to Cuba and 2) the Cuban government has every right to be suspicious of US people attempting to organize a group in Cuba (it is well documented how many attempts were made on Fidel Castro's life, we participated in the " Bay of Pigs" invasion, the US was connected to a Salvadoran terrorist who blew up a Cuban civilian airplane ( the husband of someone I know was on that plane). I have great respect for the tremendous amount of humanitarian work done by RI ( my uncle was acRotarian) and hope to eventually see relations established in Cuba. I just urge Rotarians to be conscious and respectful of US/Cuba history.

At 8:36AM on 14 August 2012, Graham Sowa wrote: Hello RI members, I am a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar (Botswana 2008) and currently I am a medical student in Havana, Cuba. I am a 3rd year student (I've been in Cuba since I left Botswana in 2009) and I want to get Rotary started in Cuba. I've got some ideas of how we could go about this. But I need some motivated Rotarians to help guide the way. I've visited dozens of Rotary Clubs in Southern Africa (Bots, Nam, ZA and Zim) and the United States. The only reason I'm NOT a Rotarian is because there is not any active Rotary in Cuba. Please email me at grahamsowa AT gmail.com if you think you can contribute to the effort or your club would be interested in helping me get Rotary going in Cuba. Also, if someone reading this is already trying to start Rotary in Cuba please let me know so I can lend my hand. I very much want to be a charter member of the new Havana Rotary Club :) -Graham Sowa Escula Latinoamericana de Medicina 2016

At 1:33PM on 5 June 2012, Javier Perez wrote: Establishing a Rotary Club in Cuba would be a fools errand. . The Cuban people do not have the drive to achieve this goal.. Until their social structures permit personal effort to bear fruit there will be little motivation to aspire to anything beyond the prescribe limits.

At 1:50PM on 6 May 2012, Karen Lile wrote: I am a member of the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek. I also teach cuban Salsa Rueda in the San Francisco Bay Area and have a group who is interested in traveling to Cuba as part of a Cultural Exchange in music, art and dance. Perhaps while I am there, I can help Rotary in Cuba in some way?

At 12:40PM on 21 March 2012, PaolaPH wrote: It is encouraging that so many Rotarians would be interested in helping with humanitarian efforts in Cuba and reestablishing Rotary in Cuba. I too am passionate about both of these goals. I was born in Havana. Can we get current information on how we can accomplish these?

At 4:28PM on 20 December 2011, Julia Wetstein wrote: I made two trips to Cuba in 2010 and brought a renowned Cuban diplomat, physician and medical school administrator to the USA in November 2011. Rotary is possible in Cuba, but we must demonstrate that Rotary is not an association just for wealthy capitalists, but rather a service organization which does great humanitarian acts for the benefit of needy people all over the world in a selfless manner. The biggest obstacle we have is the old stigma that we are a rich, social club. We must show the reality of Rotary and demonstrate our true mission and intent. Then Cuba will receive Rotary again with open arms, not as a recipient of charity, but as a partner in our global work to end suffering. This is where Cuba and Rotary agree and in this understanding we will make dreams real. Rotary can play a vital role in peace and conflict resolution through non-political means. Come join us!!!

At 10:14AM on 29 August 2011, MABEL LANGFORD wrote: I'm a member of the Rotary Club Hispano-Latino of Salt Lake. in Utah. I went to Cuba on 2008 with my club , then I went back with the University of Utah ; College of Nursing. Yes, we need to work a little more hard and get to start againg the Rotary Club in Cuba. Is not impossible but, wil be very hard.

At 9:22AM on 1 April 2011, barbara thompson wrote: Could someone e-mail me if you are in the planning stages of a RI humaniatrian trip to Cuba or if you have been successful in accomplishing such a mission? bjt.realestateservices@comcast.net

At 11:33AM on 23 September 2010, Bill Green wrote: May I suggest because of the embargo placed on Cuba by the US the way to get Rotary re-established in Cuba would be through Rotary Canada, Rotary Britain and Ireland (RIBI) or even Rotary Venezuela due to Cuban contact with that country. Rotary is a global peace force and should be helping influence such matters even though RI is based in Chicago. Many South American and Carribean countries also have contact with Cuba. RIBI

At 11:40AM on 26 May 2010, Manny Arargon wrote: As a member of Rotary and chair of our international projects for may years, I would like imformation on how I and a small group can get the proper permits to visit Cuba.

At 1:45PM on 5 May 2010, Mark Evans Kirkpatrick wrote: Developing a Rotary Club in Cuba, again, will be a BIG venture for us all. This issue stretches above our limits, but that does not mean it cannot be obtained. I would suggest action today. Please contact RI for resources as to how we can reach the RI employee in connection with Cuba. I will do the same over the next few months. If you have not researched Future Vision, please do so. With District Grants, we can spread our services internationally, with matching, and without the need for Rotary Clubs in the area. This can be the beginning. Find me my Friends and we will work together to build a stronger bridge between Rotary and Cuba. Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club (San Diego, CA, USA)

At 9:23AM on 17 April 2009, Luis Diego Castro wrote: We want to help to open a Rotary Club in Cuba, keep me informed!

At 9:28AM on 4 December 2008, Dr. James J. Yarmus wrote: I came to the US as a teenager and have returned to Cuba, my birthplace, only once about 5 years ago. I can assure our fellow Rotarians that the need is great. From Box Shelters to medicines to food, they are in need of assistance. I pray that this will be the year of peace and reconciliation for those who stayed in my country.

At 8:31AM on 29 May 2008, vipin wrote: great. this is a very valuable information

At 9:21AM on 20 May 2008, david disbrow wrote: I would interested in helping to establish a rotary program in Cuba. If others are interested we should network. Also interested is doing a medical mission to Cuba. I have other cardiologist and surgeons ready to work.

At 11:08AM on 1 May 2008, R.R>Babuji wrote: very informative

At 11:10AM on 15 April 2008, Sonia McDonald wrote: I am a Cuban and I want to help whit the proyect of revitalizing in Cuba the Rotary Club Sonia McDonald

At 8:33AM on 11 April 2008, somchai nirachornkul wrote: Thank for the organizer

At 2:32PM on 10 April 2008, Elly Contreras wrote: During a recent trip to Cuba we met many wonderful (young) business people, of whom many expressed the desire to have Rotary reestablished in their country and who have given us their contact information. One even showed us some pictures of the original Rotary meeting in Havana. There is a need for service, there is a need for Rotary Clubs.

At 8:28AM on 10 April 2008, Bob Santo wrote: This is a very interesting story about the history of our club. I intend to use this for our "Rotary Minute" at lunch on Monday.

At 8:31AM on 10 April 2008, abdul Hadi wrote: valuable information.

At 8:31AM on 10 April 2008, Abdul Hadi wrote: Informative news

At 8:27AM on 9 April 2008, Ogunkanmmbi Johnson wrote: Its a pity that Cuban children are in need, we need to reestablish Rotary in Cuba because children in other to MAKE DREAMS REAL.. Would not mind being a volunteer

At 8:34AM on 8 April 2008, Igor Colakovic wrote: Thank you all for valuable information on current state of Rotarian movement on Cuba. I was one of few members of Rotary Club Varazdin (Croatia, part of D 1910) who have visited Cuba recently (just after Easter). Among other places, we have visited Plaza Hotel in Havana, and have noticed there is no visible trace of Rotary Club on the spot. When asked, hotel staff showed no knowledge on Rotary, or just didn't want to talk on that subject. I strongly support the idea to reestablish Rotary Clubs on Cuba, but before that happens, I would like to start helping children of Cuba right now. I saw with my very eyes that they need all the help they can get. RC Varazdin has will, certain influence in our community, and resources to help Cuban children. Children food, medicine, diapers is the least we can collect and ship to Cuba. If anyone knows how could it be done – please contact me.

At 9:18AM on 8 April 2008, Dirk Nicholson wrote: With all the 'changes' occurring in Cuba, the time is now to restart Rotary Club in Cuba. We could make such a difference.

At 9:39AM on 8 April 2008, Marco Kappenberger wrote: In 1940 Paul Harris reminded all present at the RI Convention in Havana, Cuba, now part of our RI District 4200 : "I have no hesitation in saying that world peace could be achieved and made permanent if reared on Rotary's firm foundation of friendliness, tolerance and usefulness."

At 12:47PM on 3 April 2008, Eugene Beil wrote: I attended a humanitarian Rotary trip to Cuba in Novemeber 2007. I am a Rotarian from Florida. The trip was organized by the Hispanic-Latino Rotary Club of Salt Lake City. Rotarians from Texas, Idaho & California also attended. It was a great experience. There were many, many tourists from Canada and Europe.

At 10:02AM on 2 April 2008, David Alfaro III wrote: Hopefully, Rotary will become part of Rotary very soon. Great work by the Archive department

At 9:46AM on 2 April 2008, Bernie Bramante wrote: I encourage the Miami Rotary Clubs to re-establish the Havana Rotary Club on Jan 31, 2009, or sooner.

At 8:30AM on 2 April 2008, Diane McVey wrote: It would be a wonderful occasion to re-establish Rotary in Cuba. Maybe Jan 31, 2009, 30 years after all were terminated should be a goal. Peace scholars from Argentina program could maybe be of help.

At 3:21PM on 1 April 2008, Joann Farley wrote: great