GSC Cuba Conversational English Program with Matanzas University

Program Note: Due to Cuban government restrictions, this program is no longer available.

In January of this year, Maxine Lathrop, GSC Associate Director and I (Rick Lathrop, GSC Executive Director) joined our initial Cuba In-Country Coordinator Naomi Schnee with our first group of seven volunteer participants.

We were royally hosted by our casa particular families. Maxine was even surprised with a birthday party.

Maxine’s birthday celebration

Maxine’s birthday celebration

We spent time during our first week meeting with Cuban organizations that hosted us and offered to collaborate in the future.

Meeting at the Cuban Council of Churches

Meeting at the Martin Luther King Center

We also explored Havana, learning about Cuba’s rich history and culture.

Historic El Moro Castle

Old Havana scene

Independence Square

Independence Square

Elegant Old Havana structure

Old Havana scene

Panoramic view of Havana

We enjoyed an evening of Cuban music and salsa dancing,  and visited a local elementary school and Havana food markets.

Government store

Government store

We then traveled to Matanzas to begin our Conversational English program. Our hosts shared with us the many cultural and historic aspects of this part of Cuba.

Matanzas Central Square

Some highlights included a lively rumba dance and a visit to a Santeria Temple.

Rhumba dancing

Rhumba dancing

Visit to a Santeria Temple

Maxine with a Santeria iyalorichá priestess

The Pilot Group met with the University of Matanzas staff to plan the Conversational English Training Program.

Planning Session with University of Matanzas Staff

Planning Session with University of Matanzas Staff

We also practiced teaching English with the University staff and students.

To wrap up our wonderful time in Cuba, GSC hosted a banquet celebration with our University of Matanzas friends.

GSC and the University of Matanzas thoroughly enjoyed working together and looked forward to continuing and expanding this program. However, GSC was informed in early March that the Ministry of Higher Education has decided not to allow any US organizations to work directly and teach at Cuban institutes of higher education. We have been required to suspend our Conversational English Program for the time being.

GSC has developed connections with other organizations and is exploring the possibility of providing conversational English, sustainable agriculture and/or public health programs as early as this fall. We will be providing updates on the Cuba Program through our email newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter here and stay tuned for updates!

– GSC Executive Director, Rick Lathrop