US and Cuban Volunteers Build Playgrounds

Havana - A group of 49 US citizens is in Havana this week, not at the beach but digging holes, sorting nuts and bolts and putting together some pretty heavy equipment for children as a show of friendship between the people."It´s Just the Kids" project is back to put up four new playgrounds for children here with extensive collaboration from Cuban organizations. In May 2003, they had put up three parks, this time have slated four, and have permission from US authorities to do four more in the future.Bill Hauf, project coordinator, says this week´s goal may have been too ambitious, but it is being fulfilled."This is a partnership and there is equal contribution from both sides," he says, explaining how the US brigade brought 200,000 dollars in high-tech plastic playground equipment and Cuba is providing ground transportation, workers, snacks and concrete.He said the members of the brigade fundraised and personally donated the cash, most of which came from him, and none from the US government.Hauf was pleased with the level of cooperation from Cuba, and as an example points to a power line in the middle of the current site in Guanabacoa.The local hosts considered it dangerous and were having it removed as we spoke. Dodging post holes at the Guanabacoa site, one is overcome by gleaming yellow tubes, blue climbing walls, and bouncy platforms to be assembled by Cuban and US volunteers into a kid’s paradise. And one that will last.The park they built two years ago in Regla, Bill’s favorite, is still in tip top condition. The name of the organization says it all."It´s Just the Kids" (www.itsjustthekids.org) is a licensed US non-profit approved by the Cuban government "to do just one thing, to work in partnership with Cuban families and municipalities to provide fun, safe places for Cuban children to play." In outlying Havana neighborhoods, one wonders why they are so far off the beaten track. But Hauf explains that the Havana parks and recreation department carefully proposed 12 possible sites where they would be most needed and his group picked its favorites from the list.A young US woman says in Spanish "you can carry that over there." A burly Cuban volunteer scoops dirt out of a deep hole. Mike Roberts and his 17 year-old daughter Katie say this is about "connecting with people and deepening understanding."The cooperation is palpable and its result is worth it. When asked about why he really does this, Bill points to the margin of the bustling crew and equipment and says "Look at that little girl. She’s waiting until we finish. The joy on their faces is worth it all."