Around 20 Haitian youths – members of the 4th Antenor Firmin Voluntary Work and Solidarity Brigade – visited Cuba January 4-11 and undertook various activities, while reaffirming the ties of friendship between the two peoples.

Staying at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp, located in the municipality of Caimito, Artemisa province, the brigadistas – also students at the Port-au-Prince based Center for International and Diplomatic Studies, attended conferences on the construction of socialism in Cuba, visited museums, and spoke with leaders of youth and community organizations on the island.

The solidarity brigade is named after Anténor Firmin (1850-1911), a Haitian anthropologist and journalist who fought against racism and social inequality in his country, and was also a close acquaintance of Cuba’s National Hero José Martí, Speaking to the national press, group coordinator Rosana Guercy, noted that it was a great pleasure to have participated in three prior brigades and descried the Cuban government and people as great friends of Haiti.

She added that every evening, after finishing their daily activities, the members come together to discuss what they did that day, each one highlighting how much they learned from the talks given by Cuban professors, who they described as very knowledgeable.

“Cuba is a sister nation,” stated Rosana Guercy, “demonstrated by the young Haitians studying in Cuban universities, medical aid sent to help victims of the 2010 earthquake, support combating the serious cholera epidemic, and assistance provided to recent victims of Hurricane Matthew.”

According to Guercy the brigade also supports the continuation and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two governments and peoples who share a history of struggle for national sovereignty and against imperialist colonization, noting, “These solidarity brigades confirm that the two nations will continue working together.”

Meanwhile, 20 year old brigadista Guervil Ludmelove, speaking to Granma International, stated that her experience on the brigade has inspired her to return to Cuba with friends and family members.

Before traveling to the island she had read some materials on the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, and hopes to continue his legacy, applicable in other countries in Latin America and across the world.

She emphasized her joy at having participated in the Military Review and march of the combatant people on January 2, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the heroic uprising in Santiago de Cuba, landing of the Granma expeditionaries, Revolutionary Armed Forces Day, and in honor of Comandante en Jefe of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro and the island’s youth.
Guervil Ludmelove praised the selfless support offered by Cuba to other nations around the world; benefiting millions of people, including Haitians.

At the same time, Guervil noted that she hoped more people would visit the island in order to learn about the reality of this tranquil and safe country, where citizens enjoy a good quality of life.

Meanwhile, 21 year old Elmorin Jamerson, met Cuban doctors working in Port-au-Prince, where he lives. The young student explained that he will never forget the kind treatment he received from Cuban healthcare professionals working at the medical facility he was taken to by his family after falling ill with a fever.

From that moment on, he began to talk to other Cubans who told him about their country, where the population enjoys free education and healthcare services, something he wanted to see for himself, which is why he joined the Antenor Firmin brigade. Today, Elmorin is convinced that his country needs a change; change he is ready and willing to push for.