Volunteering
From Roots of Hope Wiki
Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding ways to get involved in something you are passionate about. On site volunteer options in Cuba are scarce due to numerous restrictions, thus most of the organizations listed below are based in the United States. Nevertheless, by becoming involved with some of these organizations you can still make a positive impact in the life of Cubans. Below you will find links and information regarding volunteer and non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the Cuban cause:
Humanitarian Aid
Caritas Cubana
Caritas Cubana is the Cuban branch of Caritas Internacionalis, one of the primary humanitarian arms of the Catholic Church worldwide. “The main partners of Caritas Cuba include Catholic Relief Services (CRS – based in the United States) and Caritas Switzerland. CRS has worked with Caritas Cuba to provide emergency, humanitarian and development assistance to the most vulnerable and needy people in Cuba.
For more info, see: Caritas-Cubana http://www.caritas.org/worldmap/latin_america/cuba.html Or contact 617-497-6224
For Caritas-Cubana’s primary U.S. Partner, visit the Catholic Relief Services website: http://crs.org/cuba/projects.cfm
Friends of Caritas Cubana has provided needed services to the Cuban people. They go to Cuba at least twice a year to visit programs funded, conduct resource audits, provide technical assistance, and assess needs on the ground. http://friendsofcaritascubana.org/
Fundacion Amistad Humanitarian Aid Network http://www.fundacionamistad.org/networka.html - Fundacion Amistad works with various humanitarian aid groups to provide medical supplies and other items to island as well as coordinate hurricane relief efforts.
Cuba Hurricane Relief Fund http://www.cubahurricanerelieffund.com/?go=Home.Home - In association with Caritas Cubana this group aims to provide aid and relief to Cuba during times of emergency.
Global Exchange http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/cuba/ - Global Exchange is an international organization that tackles problems regarding human rights, ecological responsibility, sustainability and many others in numerous countries around the globe.
MEDICC http://www.medicc.org/ns/ - Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC) is a non-profit organization working to enhance cooperation among the US, Cuba, and global health communities.
Human Rights
Amnesty International, Cuba http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Americas/Cuba - Amnesty International is one of the biggest and most well-known human rights organizations worldwide.
Friends of Cuban Libraries http://www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org/ - Friends of Cuban Libraries promote and protect freedom of information, opinion, and expression.
Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) http://www.damasdeblanco.com/ http://www.damasdeblanco.org/ - Las Damas de Blanco are a group formed by the wives and families of the political prisoners arrested during the event known as the Black Spring. Their peaceful demonstrations against human rights abuse have garnered international attention.
Directorio Democrático Cubano http://www.directorio.org/ - Directorio Democratico Cubana is an organization actively working for a democratic Cuba through means humanitarian aid, solidarity campaigns, and education.
Freedom House http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=66&program=73 - Freedom House promotes democracy and protection of human rights on a global scale.
Human Rights Watch, Cuba http://www.hrw.org/americas/cuba - Human Rights Watch is an independent organization dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.
M.A.R. por Cuba http://www.marporcuba.org/ - M.A.R. is the organization of Madres y Mujeres Anti-Represion.
Movimiento Cristiano de Liberación http://www.oswaldopaya.org/es/ - Oswlado Paya is a prominent Cuban human rights activist.
Lawton Foundation http://lawtonfoundation.com/ - The Lawton Foundation was founded by Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, who is currently a politcal prisoner in Cuba. The foundation is dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.
Plantados http://www.plantados.org/ - Group dedicated to the promotion of democracy and the end of communism in Cuba.
Jewish Community
The Cuban Jewish Community is very active and several Jewish organizations host and sponsor trips to Cuba, including both religious and volunteer opportunities. Refer to the links below for more information.
Jewish Joint Distribution Committee http://www.jdc.org/jdc-worldwide-programs/latin-america/cuba.aspx
The Cuba-America Jewish Mission http://thecajm.org/
B’nai B’rith International http://www.cubanjewishrelief.org/
Jewish Solidarity http://jewishcuba.org/solidarity/
