Solidarity

Solidarity.

To be honest before Cuba I really did not even know what this term meant. Yet, one thing I learned in Cuba was what it looks like to live in Solidarity with each other. Now I not only know the definition of the word but I the importance of solidarity.

Solidarity is all about living together and looking out for one another. It’s all about knowing when your neighbor is stuggling and helping them out without expecting anything in return! Alberto, our translator, used the example, "If your neighbor needs coffee and you have some, you give your coffee to your neighbor because you know what it feels like to live without it." This concept is so forgein to me. In the US we only share with people when we have an excess of something. I am so selfish and pray that witnessing this will help me reach out to others and place others before myself to give back to the community.

The people in Cuba don’t have much. They are very resourceful and have what they need from day to day. But in addition, the things they do have, they are amazing at sharing it with their neighbors. They live, looking out for each other and understanding the needs of everyone else, not just looking out for their own interests.

I loved that about CUBA and I am going to miss it.

Another example is when Ariel's Mother, our tour guide for the week, invited us to her house and she made us all this really delishious dinner! How nice and hospitable she was to invite all all to her house and open up her place for a huge group of students she did not even know, let alone understand their language.

Solidarity. It's a beautiful thing.

This is one thing that I wish I can take back to the states.