Transforming our thinking, 

and doing it fast, 

is the key for success…

Diaz-Canel visited the provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Sancti Spíritus on Friday, October 11, 2024. Exchanges and tours shed light on the paths that will make it possible to overcome the complex moment that Cuba is experiencing today

Author: Alina Perera Robbio | perera@juventudrebelde.cu

Picture of Oscar Alfonso Sosa

Experimental Station Granos de La Sierpe has successfully created more than 60 varieties of rice, and the seeds of corn, sorgho, beans and chickpeas.

 

Transforming our thinking, and doing it fast, is the key for success. It has been demonstrated in the places where good things are taking place in favor of Cuba. Early in the morning this Friday, the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, shared this reflection during the Extraordinary Plenary session of Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of Ciego de Avila.

He shared his thoughts on a cardinal issue such as food production. And to the people of Avila, due to the results that are being felt. The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba said: “I am confident that you can be from the provinces that demonstrate that you can have food sovereignty.” In this sort of stop on the road that seeks to reach the end of 2024 in better conditions, the Head of State spoke about the value of banishing the philosophy of complaining about what one does not have, and enthrone the question of what can be done despite what is missing.

During this meeting, with chief of the Cadres’ Policies Department of the Central Committee, Humberto Camilo Hernández Suárez, emerged a portrait of life in the province experiencing palpable achievements in crucial aspects such as militancy life and food production. Ciego de Ávila has launched an integrated work system this year, allowing for differentiated attention to the Party, the Union of Young Communists and other societal organizations. At the same time – as the first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Party, Julio Heriberto Gómez Casanova explained during the meeting, special attention has been given to the process of delegates’ accountability, which is going well, to sanitization of the environments and exchange with agricultural producers at the base.

Militancy and the importance of growing that membership, active participation in Social Networks, Health indicators, Economy indicators, the Banking penetration process, Crime – which has, in a general sense, decreased – were some of the topics addressed.  Julio Heriberto Gómez shared details about these aspects and alluding to an issue as vital as food production, he said: "The food of Ciego de Ávila is in our fields."

Leaders of the territory joined their voices explaining experiences and working methods, and ratifying, among other ideas, that the cadre policy must be worked on every day, also affirming that the most important thing is the people, to which all possible offers and services must be presented. During the day of analysis, an interesting starting point was the happenings, for the better, in La Cuba Agricultural Company, municipality of Baraguá. In La Cuba ongoing exchanges with producers have led, among other good things, to a notable increase in production. In this regard, President Díaz-Canel mentioned that "Now, with fewer resources, we are recovering things. The main theme is work, intelligence, collective participation, the use of science and, the theme is also about, leadership."

In this province, from January to September, agricultural production has grown fivefold. The use of agroecology has been essential to this leap. But, first we had to change our ways of thinking, because among other limitations, Diaz-Canel reasoned, "The import mentality closed our horizons." Discussing the sugar harvest, which has not achieved goals, Diaz-Canel commented on the value of turning the program from a sugarcane-sugar into a sugarcane-sugar derivatives program. Thus, he said, the sugar production plants would be busy all the time. Towards the end of the day, possible actions to reduce the fiscal deficit were also discussed, and Díaz-Canel returned to a concept he has shared in the most recent session of the National Assembly of People's Power, "The moment is extremely complex, but not insurmountable, it can be overcome and we are going to overcome it." To do it we have to work efficiently and intelligently, performing with compromise and optimism.

 Exemplary militancy is a cornerstone for the effective work of the Party. Participation is the formula to consolidate unity. Training the leaders that Cuba needs, strengthening Party structures, attending to the new generations –who are the main target of the empire's strategy of cultural colonization, ensuring an orderly economy and developing a culture of detail. Diaz-Canel addressed all these issue, and stressed to clarify that "one thing is lack of resources and another is lack of order." To those attending the Plenary, the president commented that according to indicators and experiences discussed the people of Avila are working with a sense of responsibility and following their very own way of doing things.

Trip to Sancti Spiritus territory

The second part of the agenda the Cuban President fulfilled on Friday was a stop at another place of economic interest, the municipality of La Sierpe in the province of Sancti Spíritus. The first point in that itinerary was Pastoreo Cuatro, belonging to the Sur del Jíbaro Grain Agro-Industrial Company. This is not just any company: it gravitates with great weight in the national production of rice but, due to multiple reasons – such as lack of fuel, fertilizers or other resources, deficiencies in the organization or in work styles – this structure reaps today about 20% of its historical yields.  On his arrival to Pastoreo Cuatro, the President highlighted the importance of diversifying productions as is done there, venturing into the production of meat and root vegetables. He was also interested in exploring the salaries of people working there, the beneficial influence of science, and the possibility that profits make it feasible improving living conditions for workers.

The second stop on the tour of La Sierpe was the Grain Experimental Station, belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture. Throughout its history, this scientific entity – of 90 hectares – has achieved more than 60 varieties of rice, and also seeds of corn, sorghum, beans and chickpeas. There Díaz-Canel asked if workers feel that research and its results have an optimal application throughout the country, and when learning that all these contributions are not being financially remunerated, he stressed the relevance of seeking fair financing schemes.

The “Españoles Base Business Unit” (UEB), an industrial plant processing wet rice from the field belonging to Sur del Jíbaro, was the final point of the day in La Sierpe. This plant has a processing capacity of 300 tons per day. Díaz-Canel inquired about workers' salaries, whether they have profits or earnings translate into self-consumption or payment in kind.  The plant is in optimal conditions thanks to the innovative zeal of its members, so the President stressed the importance of doing everything today without ignoring the country’s focus on conserving energy. The tour this Friday made it very clear than what is taking place in La Sierpe may very well decide the well-being of the municipality, even the entire province.

_________________________________________

 

Like a Rising Sun, the friendship between Japan and Cuba.

During decades Japan has kept solid relationships of cooperation with Cuba. 

 

Jorge Ernesto Angulo Leiva | jorgeernestoanguloleiva@gmail.com

 

September 15th, 2024

 

In the middle of the covid pandemia, Japan donated to Cuba, on top of medical supplies, urban public transport buses.

 

“Cubans have the responsibility and the capacity to move forward, and we walk with them in the implementation of the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan, as expressed in their National Plan of Economic and Social Development (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Económico y Social)”.

 

Kenji Hirata, Japan’s Ambassador in Cuba for the last three years, in recent conversation shared with Granma his views regarding the results, scope and cooperation perspectives between Japan and Cuba.  «In spite of economic, political and social differences, even of the geographic distance between our two nations, we need to congratulate ourselves in sustaining this relationship which has strong historic roots,” he pointed.

 

–In what stage are our bilateral links?

 

–We have increased little by little the tools favoring cooperation, above all since the visit of our then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in 2016.

 

«He personally participated in the delivery of four of the eight Large-Scale Non-Refundable Financial Assistance programs, initiated since 2018. I was also present in 15 donations to communities, and in humanitarian aid for the effects of Hurricane Ian in 2022.

 

–What level of importance do you concede to technical cooperation?

 

–In total, since 2002 we have implemented 26 projects based precisely in that kind of cooperation. “Knowing how to do” resides in people, so only them can transmit this knowledge to others.

 

«Our country exists thanks to huge sacrifices made by our people in the reconstruction effort after World War II; those experiences, successes and challenges, can provide a lot of knowledge, probably indirectly, because of the specificity of each context.

 

“For instance, in a new field for the economy of this island, like mipymes, Japan has a long tradition in fomenting them, tradition that we believe can offer very useful insights in how to best design Cuban policies about this type of management.

 

«In 2023, we invited six businessmen and a similar number of governmental employees to Japan, mainly to show them how similar initiatives function in our case, so they could pick up the ideas and practices that best serves them.

 

–What is the purpose of the Financial Assistance No Refundable in Large Scale?

 

We have to clarify that it does not take place in a unilateral manner, it is a relationship in which both parties have to cooperate to achieve desirable outcomes, with the objective of transforming donated assets into benefits.

 

–Within this modality, why working on an electrical energy storage and management system in the Island of Youth?

 

The electrical energy flowing from solar panels is unstable as it depends very much from the conditions of the climate.

 

«The Island of Youth is bringing together renewable energy with energy obtained thanks to the use of other more traditional sources of energy, and this system of storage and management makes it possible to increase or decrease energy provision   through alternative ways, in sync with solar exposure of photovoltaic parks. Allowing in this way to ensure and warrant a stable supply.  

 

«Many agents of the National Electric Union (Union Nacional Eléctrica) are including in our training opportunities in the use of this technology, even though they already have a very advanced education, and in this manner we optimize and shorten their learning time.

 

«This experience can become very useful for a mega-projects of 2000 megawatts generated through panels, because power delivery can be synchronized with the National Electric System, and a mechanism to ensure stability is required.

 

–What kind of medical equipment have you brought?

 

“In 2018 endoscopy and pathological anatomy devices for 34 hospitals in 12 provinces were received in Cuba. Crucial because about 30 minutes after a biopsy is initiated you can determine if an organ is affected by cancer or not.

 

«In 2022, with support from the UN Children Fund and within a program focusing on Strengthening Health Capacity for the Covid-19 Crisis, we contributed to ensure the vaccination campaign against coronavirus, with syringes and cold chain equipment, was possible in 255 clinics.

 

«Cuba faced that pandemic in a very efficient manner and again, I congratulate the Cuban government. It makes me proud that we have been able to contribute in some manner to that struggle.

 

«In 2022 also we facilitated the work of 64 hospitals by providing suction equipment and portable ultrasound and X Rays equipment. The first ones named extract fluids linked to risk of suffocation in patients with respiratory challenges.   

 

«In the meantime, in the context of the mentioned virus, equipment generating medical images available in specifically designed rooms, lowered the chances of spread and contagion within hospitals as the mobility of patients was limited.  

 

–How is Japan contributing to Cuban agriculture, in particular rice cultivation?

 

–You know last names ending in «ta», like mine, are very common among us because “ta” means «rice paddy». The cultivation of rice is the basis of our culture for millennia, and our main food. Because of the importance of rice in Cuba, it is only natural for us wanting to share the knowledge we have in this area.

 

«We act in two ways: technical cooperation and assistance in large scale. Regarding the first one for 18 years now we are working in identifying the best seeds for the conditions prevailing in Cuba. We also focus in ensuring production and distribution of seeds and many farmers have them in their hands today.

 

«We have also introduced new equipment, and I have seen personally the new equipment in the field in Cienfuegos and in Pinar del Rio but I know it is already present in nine territories in Cuba.

 

–What has been Japan response in connection with humanitarian aid in dealing with natural disasters?

 

–The most important is speed, first local authorities need to identify the needs to repair damages, then a call for help and finally the provision of materials in keeping with the needs in the country requesting help and availability in the one providing assistance.

 

«We have centers for the storage of materials and, if the need coincides with what we have available at that moment, we can be very fast. During 2022 I delivered a package that contained 23 water purifiers and similar number of simple tanks to store the liquid and 50 roles of cables and adapters.

 

–What impact has the Non-Refundable Financial Assistance for Human Security Projects at local level?

 

–They are small, each can cost a maximum of 130 000 dollars but they provide solutions to the challenges of small communities.

 

«For example, in intricate small towns in Cienfuegos we installed pumping equipment functioning with renewable energy, people benefitted from a more stable supply of water while government saved on fuel.

 

–What is your thinking about the effectivity of local food security?

 

–We have installed irrigation systems functioning with photovoltaic energy, donated nets to weaken the incidence of the sun over crops, in addition to tractors and other equipment. We also backed the processing of foodstuff with equipment like blenders, to commercialize and add value to the products.

 

–What can you tell us about cultural assistance?

 

–Until 2014 we implemented 12 projects, but since then they stop. Among the benefits obtained, installation of sound equipment in theatres, also musical instruments for the National Symphonic Orchestra, and the building of the Planetary of Havana.

 

–What learning have the master plans left?

 

–In a sense, as a final report, I would say that the teams of Japanese and Cuban experts working and learning together and establishing links of trust has resulted.

 

“The final report analyzes the challenges and makes suggestions. It only has value if those who work in this actually study it and use it in practice with financial resources and sufficient human forces.

 

“There are already two plans of that kind in motion: transport and renewable energy. In the first plan the key for success is in great measure strengthening logistic management. While training in the management of renewable sources and on the systems that connect electric energy are fundamental for the second plan.

 

“Japanese cooperation brings a message of solidarity and hope both deserved and needed. You are one of our friends; and, we encourage them to greater efforts to achieve your national goals. 

Cuban children happy and getting ready for school

In the mountainous bowels of the island, 

a little school like a star

Jose Angel Llamo Camejo, internet@granma.cu

August 28th, 2024

There is something deeper in the innocent fervour of a nine year old girl, ready to start her grade 4 in one of the most hidden places of the island.

Mabel Torres describes it as another challenging stage, our main tool is our initiative.

Milkman, Realengo 18, Guantanamo-the groping of adult hands ratifies: the white blouse fits perfectly the torso of Lucimayris “and the saya fits too, did you see, we did not have to change anything,” the young girl celebrates with a clap with Damaris Basulto Hojeda, her “aunt and accomplice in all these preparations.”

Words, looks, smiles, gestures, all denoting complicity between themselves, while the woman tries the uniform on the girl who looks to the Granma lens with her eyes.

The eyes of Lucimayris are the most beautiful and lively eyes that my eyes had seen this summer. That look gets shine from the stars during her last intimate dialogue with Damaris: “I do not need anything, aunt”, she underlies with her left hand palm side up and the index of her right pointing up like someone in a balancing act: “I have the shoes, my mom and dad did not get peace until they bought them”.

The aunt and Gricelda, her cousin, smile, infected by the happiness of the girl: “Look at my plush. And these are the socks. Tell me, ¿Don’t they match the colors of the uniform?

“Of course they do-they answer- they look beautiful!”

“Aaah! Returning the little girl, that is how I wanted them, and everyday, she says with three hits on her left hand, I asked and asked for them from my dad and my mom; now I have them.

“Oh, yes!, they gave me a lot for this course -reacts Luci to a question from Granma-, this blue backpack, look at the case for taking my lunch, the water bottle, these pencils and pens that my aunt who lives there (signally to the southeast of the city of Guantanamo) sent me, but she says she bought them in Havana.”

There is something deeper in that release of innocent fervour of a nine year old girl, at the point of starting her 4^th grade primary school in the mountainous bowels of the island. Her enthusiasm is a song to the individual, home and family responsibility, that other dimension, not a minor one, during preparation for the school year that starts soon, and should not exclude anyone.

 This is how Mabel Torres Bazan, a teacher with 43 years of experience and returning from retirement, takes it: without proclaiming it. She is in charge of the primary school Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, that Luci attends.

Now the person responsible for this center and her collective work on the schedule of teachers and mobilize the community, the families, make plans for classes, stop at every detail of the Third Improvement, and socialize among themselves the strategies to arrive successfully to the end of a course that once more will find many challenges in its path.

The little school of the Milkman is one of the 817 teaching institutions of Guantanamo ready to open its doors. The province has worked to constructively improve 25 of the centers, without counting the other 14 that required achieving higher levels of hygiene to be ready for the opening this year, as Raquel Laviste Villafruela, who heads the sector in this area informed us.  

In the concert of an island persecuted and blockaded, but not stopped, a little school is just a particle, and Lucimayris one more little star in the swarm of infants, adolescents and youth of the general teaching  provided in the Cuban classes of the coming course.

Surrounded by forests and history, in the community of Milkman heart of Realengo 18, where Lino de las Mercedes Alvarez used to live, work and, with the strength of leadership and bravery, made his legend for ever, is where this little school  is located, the multi-grade school of this impatient little girl.

Lucimayris wants hours to pass fast so the alarm of the telephone announces the down of September 2^nd. That day, after their coming together, she will probably hear Mabel Torres say that in her little school there will be 23 students, of the 87 200 children returning to school in Guantanamo, and of the more than 1.6 million returning to school all over Cuba.

Once more they will have teachers, to educate them despite the challenges, and they will have needed materials. The territory is sending more than 300 middle school teachers in support of education in Havana and Mabel is to inform her students.  

I am stealing from Silvio (Rodriguez) a little piece of one of his songs that may be able to summarize the expectations of little Luci, and of so many Cuban little boys and girls so happy because of the coming Monday that would overcome the pages of any newspaper. As Silvio's song says, we can see in the horizon:  “A happy day is coming.”