A Motorcycle for Eduardo
Tax deductible
We're raising funds to buy Eduardo Perez a motorcycle so that he can have reliable transportation to and from work, saving him countless hours spent commuting, and ensuring that he gets to enjoy what precious free time he has with his wife and two sons at home.
Hey, everyone! My name is Amanda Mansfield, and for those of you who do not know me, I am the Director of Volunteer Coordination and Program Development for Bright Light Volunteers, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This year I have had the great fortune of being able to spend 10 days in Cuba, volunteering with a group of college students and adults in the Viñales Valley where we worked side-by-side with local farmers. It was on the farm where I first met Eduardo, a Pinar del Río native, who was working as a cook in the farm's bustling kitchen.
Now, for all of the things made famous by Cuba, one of the least heralded and most endearing features of the country are the Cuban people. Through all of the challenges and struggles that come with everyday life there, Cubans remain resilient. Their warmth and positivity are only matched by their industriousness and hard working nature, all of which were on full display during our time on the farm.
And yet, for all of the wonderful Cuban people that we had the privilege of meeting during our time there, Eduardo Perez was different. Impervious to the stagnant and unrelenting heat of the kitchen, Eduardo could always be found with a smile on his face, eager to practice his English on anyone willing to listen. His vibrant personality made Eduardo a hit with all of the volunteers. But it wasn't until after the program ended that we learned of Eduardo's daily commute, and how many hours he spends just trying to get to and from work every day.
Like most Cubans, Eduardo doesn't have access to a motorized vehicle. Between the US embargo and the extreme tariffs levied on imported goods, prices for motorcycles and passenger cars in Cuba make ownership a fantasy for most, as prevailing wages leave little excess for savings. Like his neighbors, Eduardo relies on "colectivo" - or "shared" - transportation to get to and from work. This not only costs money, but without a reliable schedule, it is not uncommon for Eduardo to have to wait hours in hopes of finding a ride into Viñales where he walks the remaining kilometers to the farm on foot. After finishing his 12-hour workday, Eduardo repeats the process in reverse, arriving home well after his two sons have gone to bed for the night. All told, Eduardo usually spends five to six hours a day just trying to travel the roughly twenty miles that separate his house from the farm; hours which could be spent with his family whom he works so tirelessly to provide for and support.
THE PLAN: We are hoping to raise $7,500 so that we can buy Eduardo a brand new 125cc motorcycle, which would make his days of "colectivo" transportation a thing of the past. To do this, not only will we need to come up with the funds to purchase the bike, but we will also need to physically deliver the money to Cuba, as current banking regulations make money transfers all but impossible. Fortunately, Bright Light Volunteers has two upcoming service programs to Cuba in October of 2017 and several planned for the Spring and Summer of 2018, which we can piggyback off of to deliver the proceeds of this campaign. Once the funds have made their way to Cuba, we have enlisted the help of one of our local guides with Discover Viñales to handle the paperwork and the actual purchase of the motorcycle. Please keep in mind that like many things in Cuba, bureaucracy can make even the most basic of processes mind-blowingly slow. However, once we take physical possession of the bike, we plan on surprising Eduardo with it, letting him know that it was not only his friends, but also total strangers who so enthusiastically contributed to the cause.
How can you help? Well, aside from donating, please share our campaign on social media to help spread the word! The more people we can reach, the more likely we are to achieve our goal of getting Eduardo the motorcycle he deserves. And last but not least, for anyone living in or traveling to Cuba in the coming months, please help us keep this a SECRET! Eduardo has absolutely no idea what we are planning and we want to keep it a surprise!
Thank you for taking the time to read about our cause and our dear friend Eduardo. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. There are many misconceptions surrounding Cuba, and we are happy to clear up any confusion you may have.
Below is a video of Eduardo learning English during a 2016 service program to Cuba. He has come a long way since then, and is just as enthusiastic about learning new words now as he was then!
If you would like more information on Bright Light Volunteers or Discover Viñales please feel free to visit their websites below:
http://www.brightlightvolunteers.org
http://www.discover-vinales.com
Hey, everyone! My name is Amanda Mansfield, and for those of you who do not know me, I am the Director of Volunteer Coordination and Program Development for Bright Light Volunteers, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This year I have had the great fortune of being able to spend 10 days in Cuba, volunteering with a group of college students and adults in the Viñales Valley where we worked side-by-side with local farmers. It was on the farm where I first met Eduardo, a Pinar del Río native, who was working as a cook in the farm's bustling kitchen.
Now, for all of the things made famous by Cuba, one of the least heralded and most endearing features of the country are the Cuban people. Through all of the challenges and struggles that come with everyday life there, Cubans remain resilient. Their warmth and positivity are only matched by their industriousness and hard working nature, all of which were on full display during our time on the farm.
And yet, for all of the wonderful Cuban people that we had the privilege of meeting during our time there, Eduardo Perez was different. Impervious to the stagnant and unrelenting heat of the kitchen, Eduardo could always be found with a smile on his face, eager to practice his English on anyone willing to listen. His vibrant personality made Eduardo a hit with all of the volunteers. But it wasn't until after the program ended that we learned of Eduardo's daily commute, and how many hours he spends just trying to get to and from work every day.
Like most Cubans, Eduardo doesn't have access to a motorized vehicle. Between the US embargo and the extreme tariffs levied on imported goods, prices for motorcycles and passenger cars in Cuba make ownership a fantasy for most, as prevailing wages leave little excess for savings. Like his neighbors, Eduardo relies on "colectivo" - or "shared" - transportation to get to and from work. This not only costs money, but without a reliable schedule, it is not uncommon for Eduardo to have to wait hours in hopes of finding a ride into Viñales where he walks the remaining kilometers to the farm on foot. After finishing his 12-hour workday, Eduardo repeats the process in reverse, arriving home well after his two sons have gone to bed for the night. All told, Eduardo usually spends five to six hours a day just trying to travel the roughly twenty miles that separate his house from the farm; hours which could be spent with his family whom he works so tirelessly to provide for and support.
THE PLAN: We are hoping to raise $7,500 so that we can buy Eduardo a brand new 125cc motorcycle, which would make his days of "colectivo" transportation a thing of the past. To do this, not only will we need to come up with the funds to purchase the bike, but we will also need to physically deliver the money to Cuba, as current banking regulations make money transfers all but impossible. Fortunately, Bright Light Volunteers has two upcoming service programs to Cuba in October of 2017 and several planned for the Spring and Summer of 2018, which we can piggyback off of to deliver the proceeds of this campaign. Once the funds have made their way to Cuba, we have enlisted the help of one of our local guides with Discover Viñales to handle the paperwork and the actual purchase of the motorcycle. Please keep in mind that like many things in Cuba, bureaucracy can make even the most basic of processes mind-blowingly slow. However, once we take physical possession of the bike, we plan on surprising Eduardo with it, letting him know that it was not only his friends, but also total strangers who so enthusiastically contributed to the cause.
How can you help? Well, aside from donating, please share our campaign on social media to help spread the word! The more people we can reach, the more likely we are to achieve our goal of getting Eduardo the motorcycle he deserves. And last but not least, for anyone living in or traveling to Cuba in the coming months, please help us keep this a SECRET! Eduardo has absolutely no idea what we are planning and we want to keep it a surprise!
Thank you for taking the time to read about our cause and our dear friend Eduardo. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. There are many misconceptions surrounding Cuba, and we are happy to clear up any confusion you may have.
Below is a video of Eduardo learning English during a 2016 service program to Cuba. He has come a long way since then, and is just as enthusiastic about learning new words now as he was then!
If you would like more information on Bright Light Volunteers or Discover Viñales please feel free to visit their websites below:
http://www.brightlightvolunteers.org
http://www.discover-vinales.com
Organizer
Amanda Mansfield
Organizer
Dallas, TX
Bright Light Volunteers International (Bright Light Volunteers)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
