Cuba para Cristo - Cuba for Christ
Gifts for Cubans
You will want to buy, or take out there, items to give to Cubans, and may also wish to offer money. If so, the following information may be useful.
Method of Giving
Because of the poverty in Cuba, and because of the need to avoid attracting people to the church because it has foreigners who give generously, please ensure all giving is done through the local pastor of the church you are with. Discuss with him what is appropriate - be open and honest, say what you have to give, and who you would like to give it to, and ask if that is OK. Be sure to be clear to offer him an alternative which would be different from what you are proposing, so you can judge whether he thinks what you are suggesting is good. He may be reluctant to say no to what you are suggesting, but you must press to ask his own opinion, stressing that you do not want to do something which sets a bad precedent/example.
Do not give to someone who asks you for something, however nice a sob-story they give. Some people only come to the church when foreigners are around, and they must be discouraged. Simply say that you are sorry, but you can't help - but if they need something they should ask the pastor. Let us stress this: do not even give a pen to a child who comes to you after a service. The alternative would be to give pens to every child during Sunday school, for instance; but even then, it would be much better for the church if you gave the pens to the Sunday school leader, and let them give it out. You will not get the personal satisfaction in the same way, but you will also not be undermining the local leadership, nor encouraging bad examples.
Accommodation
If you are going to stay with Christians, then you will not be expected to pay anything - either for food or accommodation. However, it would be kind to give money, at least to cover costs.
We recommend US$5 per person per day for food and transport. This is best given to the pastor at the beginning of your time there, to cover the estimated time you will be with them. Explain what you are doing - i.e. why you are giving the amount you are. Say you are grateful for the kindness shown to you, and hope this helps cover the costs. This is a difficult relationship to manage, since the Cubans want to show their generosity, but financially find that difficult. Remember, however, that they and you show the bulk of their/your kindness in the warmth of relationship developed, the love you show each other, and the time given to serve each other. When this is the focus, the financial matters slip away and become a mere 'balancing of the books'.
If you do extensive travelling, then it would be kind to offer to pay for e.g. petrol, a spare tyre, or whatever. Be sensitive - but recognise that a pastor will typically only ever be able to use funds given to him from overseas for transport, car maintenance, etc.
Medicines
If you are wanting to take medicines, we suggest you not spend money on them. Rather, give financially to our medical work, as we enjoy bulk discounts and wholesale prices.
If you have been able to get some medicines for free (e.g. your local GP may have "near-expiry date" medicines, or returned ones), then by all means take these.
Other Gifts
We always recommend people to think about the sort of thing you find indispensable, that would be used in a country like Cuba. Examples would be: in the kitchen - knives, and knife sharpener; in the garage - spanner, tool kit, etc.
Do take things which are personal to you - e.g. an Oxford college tea-towel, or Liverpool FC mug. Don't worry about taking quality second hand things - e.g. cameras which are a few years old may be"out" here, but are very special in Cuba. Other excellent things to take are sports equipment and musical equipment - especially of the "spare part" variety (e.g. guitar strings).
You can buy simple toiletries in the dollar-shops (but not in the peso shops): e.g. soap, shampoo, toothpaste and brushes.