By MARY STOMPE
Published: Monday, February 13, 2012 at 3:00 a.m.
Cuba has been on my bucket list for many years. I can't exactly tell you
why but visiting a socialist country sparked my interest. When an
opportunity to join a Historical Society tour from Bellport, New York
presented itself, I jumped at the chance.
My tour was supposed to be Arts and Architecture but I was determined to
provide some humanitarian work along the way. I packed half my suitcase
with gifts for the locals (who only earn about $12 a month which can buy
them enough basic food for only 17 days). What I didn't count on was the
number of starving animals I would encounter and feed along the way.
Arriving in Cuba was like a walk back in time with many classic cars
from the 1940s and 50s racing down the street amongst the horse drawn
carriages and bike powered taxis. The century-old architecture was
stunning while poverty was clearly present throughout the country.
I never saw a dog that was spayed or neutered. Several emaciated dogs
were in the square, but one caught my eye in particular. He could barely
walk and was grotesquely thin. On my way to meet up with the group, I
ran into another dog who was about to give birth. She climbed into my
lap and didn't want to get down. At that point, I decided to save my
meals for the dogs. When I returned to the square a few days later, I
couldn't find the starving dog. I wanted to find a way to end his suffering.
Throughout my trip, I encountered many emaciated dogs, donkeys and
horses, none as bad as the dog in the square. I'd slip away from my
group to feed as many of the dogs and people as possible. Chicken was
out of reach for most Cubans and they were grateful to have my leftovers.
My gifts to the locals were well received. However, many were extremely
aggressive about tips, even bursting into a hotel room demanding a tip.
This is understandable because life is hard in Cuba with little
opportunity to improve your situation.
Our tour guide, a bright young woman, was open and honest about all the
questions we asked her. In Cuba, health care and education are free.
When you graduate from college, you are given a job in your field. The
higher your ranking in the class, the better job you can select. Any job
with an opportunity to receive tips from foreigners is highly coveted.
She chose a tour guide job and is required to stay in the job for three
years. If she quits before the three years is up, the government will
take back her college degree.
I wondered what motivates an employee in a socialist society to perform
well when the job doesn't include tips. Money is a powerful motivator in
Cuba.
What impressed me about Cuba was the cleanliness of the country.
What disappointed me most was the poverty – hungry dogs and people. No
animals were spayed or neutered only compounding the problem.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Old Havana Senior
Center. When we walked through the door, we were greeted with smiles,
waves and clapping.
Is Cuba worth the trip? Definitely! I have high hopes that life will
improve for the Cubans as their government begins to allow some private
enterprise. Lifting the US embargo could further help the people of Cuba
through tourism and commerce.
Visit www.youtube.com and search for "Street Dogs of Cuba" and "Cuba
2012" to see videos of my trip.
(Mary Stompe is executive director of PEP Housing and a former Petaluma
city councilmember)
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