I’m Back!!! Finally!!! 

After that “blip’ in all of our lives for a few years, I was very happy to be back in Havana and working with Yoan Barrios in Proyectongo once again. I had not been there since the project received permission from the local government to renovate the old abandoned cinema in their neighbourhood. This allowed the project to expand to a larger space and accommodate other activities that fall within their mandate of providing children in their community, a whole and balanced range of creative and physical activities to nourish mind, body and soul. 

This year I conducted a workshop for 16 children with ages ranging from 7-17. The focus of the workshop was to create contour drawings of “the faces of community” but of course there had to be a twist! Working in pairs the children drew outlines of each other’s face on clear plastic lids. This was used as a base from which they created incredible contour, Calder-esque portraits with a heavy gauge wire. Upon completion of the works, they were suspended as an installation which greeted parents, and other members from the community as they arrived the following week for Proyectongo’s big Anniversary Celebration. I was blessed as well to have my husband, and son and his girlfriend join me this year to witness the incredible work this project is doing in the community… so grateful to be able to share this meaningful experience with my family. 

Many thanks to all who helped that day with extra hands to assist with wire cutting… and thanks again to my Winnipeg supporters (LM Architects/David Luke) for their support so that I can always have the materials I need to do this work in Havana. 

And on a final note… as many of us already know, Cuba has had some challenges in the past but in the years that I have been going, this year was the worst that I have seen and experienced. People are always asking me, what should I bring to Cuba for the people if I go for a holiday? I always say, anything and everything you possibly can, although that can be overwhelming…trust me! I would say pick an age group that you have a soft spot for, and indulge them with anything that you can think of. I am always happy to provide anyone with a list of items that they could use, but again, everything is appreciated. And the most important part is to bring yourselves …. They need us to continue to support them through tourism. It has been a rough, few years for many countries including ours, but those less fortunate countries who needed help before Covid, need even more now. It will take time to recover but they will.