It’s been just over a week since hurricane Irma tore through many Caribbean islands — destroying everything in its path. A big clean up is underway in many countries, including Cuba. Marisela Suarez recently returned to Kingston from Cuba. She was visiting her 97 year old mother in her hometown, the Cuban capital of Havana, when Hurricane Irma hit.
“The wind was very strong and we live across from a building that uninhabited and is in very bad condition and we were afraid that pieces would fly towards our building.” says Marisela Suarez.
Luckily for Suarez, her mother’s apartment wasn’t damaged — but they went 3 days without power.
Others fared much worse as Irma’s winds ripped away roofs, destroyed buildings including airports and hotels and the flooding washed away personal possessions.
Marisela Suarez says,
“It was very painful and I cried when I saw the country the way that it was.”
Get daily National news
The storm has made a serious impact on Cuba’s economy, especially for tourism. With popular resorts like those in Varadero on the northern coast, now in rebuilding mode. For many Cubans, the recovery will be long and tough.
“They live day to day so there is not a lot of help. Even though the government says they are going to help, there is not a lot of help. A lot of people who live very poorly in Cuba.” says Evelin Coughler. She moved to Canada more than twenty years ago and now lives in Kingston.
The limestone city has ties to Cuba. Our twin city is Cienfuegos. There’s also a Cuban community here, ready to help with the rebuilding effort. A fundraiser has been set up at Overtime Sports Bar for Friday Sept 22nd. All the money raised will be sent to Cuba through “Care Canada”– a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. The money will be put towards clean water, hygiene and sanitation and assist to repair damaged homes.
Mayelin Capetillo also moved from Cuba to Canada more than twenty years ago. She encourages people to come out to the event, saying,
“A lot of people travel there and you hear people say how they love Cuba and how simple it is and how great it is being there. So I think they are going to need the help now to rebuild everything and have places ready for people to visit again.”
While these women know it’s going to take a while until their homeland is rebuilt, they hope the local fundraising will make life a little easier for those hardest hit.
Another fundraiser will take place on October 1st at Lake Ontario Park from 12-4pm. The event is a pot luck of Mexican food and music all by donation.
Comments