Young Cubans in Haiti Express their Views on Upcoming UJC Congress
Young Cubans working in Haiti spoke about their expectations regarding the Ninth Congress of the Communist Youth League of Cuba (UJC) to take place next week in Havana, and their work in that nation as young internationalists
2010-04-03 | 13:00:14 EST
Young Cubans working in Haiti spoke about their expectations regarding the Ninth Congress of the Communist Youth League of Cuba (UJC) to take place next week in Havana, and their work in that nation as young internationalists.
Three months have passed since the devastating 7.2 earthquake rocked Haiti on January 12, leaving Port au Prince and the surrounding cities practically in ruins. In no time, doctors from the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade arrived in Haiti bringing equipment to assemble field hospitals along with supplies and medical materials to provide emergency care to the victims.
Braving the repeated aftershocks that followed the January 12 earthquake, Cuban doctors tirelessly worked day and night under extremely precarious conditions and with limited resources to save as many human lives as possible.
The work of surgeons, orthopaedics, doctors and nurses in Haiti is part of Cuba’s long tradition of solidarity and humanitarianism in the form of offering professional assistance to peoples in need around the globe.
With the magnitude of the catastrophe in Haiti, the majority of the faces of the Cuban internationalist at the beginning were that of experienced, well-trained professionals.
But the few younger Cubans working in Haiti are celebrating the 49th anniversary of the José Martí Pioneers Organization (OPJM) and the 48th anniversary of the UJC on April 4. In addition, the Ninth UJC Congress —the organization’s most important forum aimed at discussing the concerns of young people and practical solutions to daily problems─ is scheduled to begin in Havana on the same date.
In the light of these important events involving the youngest generations, young Cuban professionals in Haiti talked about their expectations concerning the forthcoming UJC Congress and their work in Haiti as young internationalists.
Junior Enrique López has been working as a bio-medical equipment technician at the El Renacimiento Hospital in Port au Prince for a year now. As a UJC member, he is proud of the humanitarian work he is carrying out in that nation.
Speaking about the congress he said that “only by discussing our problems will we be able to come up with better solutions to streamline the work of the organisation”
Doctors from other countries who graduated from the Havana-based Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) that joined the Cuban collaborators in providing post-earthquake relief to the Haitian people also expressed their opinions about their Cuban colleagues and the UJC.
Chilean doctor Cristian Espinosa said that Cuban youngsters are cheerful, healthy, patriotic, fond of sports, and devoted professionals.
“I think the UJC is the driving force behind the Cuban Revolution. Its members are always willing to take a step forward and work wherever they are needed.”
Costa Rican Doctor Douglas Valverde congratulated the UJC on occasion of their anniversary and encouraged them to keep working hard for a better future.
“We feel part of the organisation too, and I’m very proud to be working side by side with Cubans,” he added.
Argentinean doctor Alejandro Patagua also said he is confident that the Cuban youth will continue the legacy of the Cuban Revolution.
Finally, Brazilian Alberto Campo congratulated the UJC organisation for its 48th anniversary, and said that having had the opportunity to work with Cubans had made him a better man, personally and professionally. “They are people with strong moral and political values,” he concluded.
Three months have passed since the devastating 7.2 earthquake rocked Haiti on January 12, leaving Port au Prince and the surrounding cities practically in ruins. In no time, doctors from the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade arrived in Haiti bringing equipment to assemble field hospitals along with supplies and medical materials to provide emergency care to the victims.
Braving the repeated aftershocks that followed the January 12 earthquake, Cuban doctors tirelessly worked day and night under extremely precarious conditions and with limited resources to save as many human lives as possible.
The work of surgeons, orthopaedics, doctors and nurses in Haiti is part of Cuba’s long tradition of solidarity and humanitarianism in the form of offering professional assistance to peoples in need around the globe.
With the magnitude of the catastrophe in Haiti, the majority of the faces of the Cuban internationalist at the beginning were that of experienced, well-trained professionals.
But the few younger Cubans working in Haiti are celebrating the 49th anniversary of the José Martí Pioneers Organization (OPJM) and the 48th anniversary of the UJC on April 4. In addition, the Ninth UJC Congress —the organization’s most important forum aimed at discussing the concerns of young people and practical solutions to daily problems─ is scheduled to begin in Havana on the same date.
In the light of these important events involving the youngest generations, young Cuban professionals in Haiti talked about their expectations concerning the forthcoming UJC Congress and their work in Haiti as young internationalists.
Junior Enrique López has been working as a bio-medical equipment technician at the El Renacimiento Hospital in Port au Prince for a year now. As a UJC member, he is proud of the humanitarian work he is carrying out in that nation.
Speaking about the congress he said that “only by discussing our problems will we be able to come up with better solutions to streamline the work of the organisation”
Doctors from other countries who graduated from the Havana-based Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) that joined the Cuban collaborators in providing post-earthquake relief to the Haitian people also expressed their opinions about their Cuban colleagues and the UJC.
Chilean doctor Cristian Espinosa said that Cuban youngsters are cheerful, healthy, patriotic, fond of sports, and devoted professionals.
“I think the UJC is the driving force behind the Cuban Revolution. Its members are always willing to take a step forward and work wherever they are needed.”
Costa Rican Doctor Douglas Valverde congratulated the UJC on occasion of their anniversary and encouraged them to keep working hard for a better future.
“We feel part of the organisation too, and I’m very proud to be working side by side with Cubans,” he added.
Argentinean doctor Alejandro Patagua also said he is confident that the Cuban youth will continue the legacy of the Cuban Revolution.
Finally, Brazilian Alberto Campo congratulated the UJC organisation for its 48th anniversary, and said that having had the opportunity to work with Cubans had made him a better man, personally and professionally. “They are people with strong moral and political values,” he concluded.
