Week five
Monday, June 3 -- Dr. Andres Pedroza, a medical doctor and faculty member of the Latin America Medical School, provided the students with an overview of the educational system in Cuba.
Tuesday, June 4-- Nicolas Padron, a fellow at the House of the Americas, gave an overview of the arts in Cuba since the revolution. There was a lively question and answer period, dealing with the role of women in the arts, feminist thought, and censorship!
Thursday,
June 6-- The students visited an Escuela de Arte (fine
arts school) in the Cerro sector of Havana. After an introduction to
the school, we were able to tour the facilities and meet a group of
students who performed a dance for the group. The school serves elementary
through junior high students. It has two tracks: music and dance. This
year they have over 400 applications for 20 openings! More snapshots
at the Escuela de Arte: 1
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Friday,
June 7 -- The students visited Havana's botanical garden,
which comprises more than 600 acres. Among the sections visited were
the garden of the Americas, the Japanese garden, the dessert, the tropics
and the rain forest. More snapshots at the botanical gardens: 1
| 2 | 3
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After the Botanical garden, the students walked across to Expo-Cuba. The permanent exhibit was opened in 1989. Its purpose is to show all the economic successes of the Cuban government.
Saturday, June 8 -- The group visited the Rey del Mundo cigar
factory in the Marianao sector of Havana. The factory, one of eight
in Havana, mainly exports its products overseas.
Sunday,
June 9 -- "We gather around you to pray as a symbol of friendship
and as a symbol that the things which united us are stronger than those
the set us apart" with those words Carlos invited students to pray for
all the workers of the William Carey Center. The workers had
just prepared a very special meal for the group as a way of saying goodbye.
Students had an opportunity to share a few words of thanks (in Spanish)
to all the workers present. The time ended with the students making
a circle around all the workers and sharing several prayers for the
local ministry.
Goodbye to Havana
Finally,
here are some snapshots of our quarters in the William Carey Center
as we bid adios to Havana for several weeks.
