Cuba Donation

Cuba Donation

Cuba Donation

Thank you for supporting Cuban elders in this time of great need.

Please include “Cuba” in the note when you donate.
PayPal Donation
Venmo Donation
CashApp Donation

Here is an explanation of how the donation process will work, as getting money to Cuba from the USA can be complicated (GoFundMe, for example, does not send money to Cuba):

  1. After the concert, Colin will reimburse himself and Sumaia for expenses and pay a $100 fee to each from ticket sales.
  2. The remainder of ticket sales and all donations will be paid either in one lump sum or in multiple payments if the transaction maximum is reached to Dayan Monier, the minister at International Christian Community, through a platform called FONMONEY. This is an established international money transfer service that is accessible in Cuba and it takes 2-4 days for the money to land once sent.
  3. Once the money is sent, Colin will post a full accounting of ticket sales, expenses, donations, and transfer(s) to Cuba on this page. You will be able to identify your own donation by its unique transaction ID if made digitally and by the check number and your initials if made by check. Cash donations will be lumped together and called “Cash Donations.” The full accounting hosted on this page will be active for at least 30 days after the money is transfered to Cuba.

Who are the Beneficiaries?
Seventy five (75) elderly, vulnerable men and women, living in their respective homes in Havana municipalities such as: Playa, Plaza; 10 de Octubre and Centro Habana. A large number of the beneficiaries are over 80 years old, and none have relatives living abroad.

How are the beneficiaries selected?
The project targets individuals who are living in extremely precarious situations owing to their age, lack of financial resources, and lack of family support. Individuals are identified by a member of the church, or in many cases are referred by neighbors or other people who have heard about our work. Criteria are:

  • Over 60 years old (*)
  • No family members who are able to care for them.
  • Live alone in their own homes and are unable to secure a place in a care home.
  • Have insufficient financial resources to cover their needs, receiving between 1528 MN and 2000 MN per month (15 to 20 dollars) from social assistance/ pension payments.
  • The Government social workers do not have the capacity to cover their care needs.
  • Note: It is not a requirement to be Christian or to belong to a church
  • (*) In some exceptional cases, people with disabilities who are under the age of 60 are accepted into the scheme.

How do we help them?
The program employs 5 full time christian workers who have been trained as elderly carer and are members of our local church. They work with the group of elderly people, each person attending to 15 project beneficiaries. The workers make house visits , ensuring that each person is visited (at least) once a week. The workers functions are to:

  • Check on the mental and physical wellbeing of the beneficiaries.
  • Clean their homes if necessary and change bed sheets for the 20 bedridden individuals
  • Collect the items owned to them through the libreta (foodcard) if the individuals are unable to walk to their market independently.
  • Purchase additional food stuffs to help guarantee a sufficient and balanced diet.
  • Beneficiaries are asked about their personal preferences, and their medical condition is also taken into account. These items include fruit, vegetables, meat (very expensive at the moment, it is also impossible to afford), and powdered milk (not possible to get under the conditions of the country).
  • Purchase toiletries (soap, toothpaste) and washing powder for clothes (currently quarterly although the aim is to provide monthly).
  • Organize hospital appointments for the beneficiaries and take them to the appointments if needed.
  • Source medicines that is not available in Cuba to be donated from abroad.
    Address counseling needs for individuals who are mentally impaired or depressed.
  • Provide companionship to these people in as much as time allows.

What do we need and what do we buy?

  • Medicines and medical implements such as analgesics, antiobiotics, vitamins, medicines for high blood pressure, antidiarrheals, stomach relief medicines, adult diapers, wheelchairs, blood pressure cuffs, syringes and others.
  • Toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, towels, detergent, wipers, dental floss, deodorant and others.
  • Food such as powder milk, protein foods, fruits and vegetables, grains and others.

Minimun Budget for a year based on $20 USD per elder per/ month + salary to 5 workers:

  • Salary – $50 x 12 workers x 12 months = $3,000
  • Food – $20 x 75 elders x 12 months = $18,00
  • Total 2026 Minimum Budget = $21,000

THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE MINIMUM 2026 BUDGET