“Somos La Tierra”: Ananda Marga Community Center, Havana, Cuba “Do all the good you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji Cuban society is undergoing an important political transition. Some of the consequences of this transition are economic inequality, ideological crisis, and emerging materialistic way of living. The economic instability and lack of knowledge about the dynamics of capitalism, puts the Cuban people at risk of being exploited. For instance, enterprises from the developed nations are currently buying lands with the intention of establishing industries in the near future. At the same time, this transition provides an opportunity to implement PROUT and to offer an alternative spiritual way of living. Here, we will summarize our current projects and accomplishments, and propose a plan to strengthen Ananda Marga Mission in Cuba. Our mission: To increase the quality of life in the poor suburbs of Havana City, Cuba. Objectives: 1)To establish Ananda Marga social service projects in Cuba; 2)Establish an ecological, sustainable centert; 3)Introduce Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT) and establish cooperatives based on PROUT; 4)Offer workshops and classes on spirituality; 5)Provide educational alternatives to facilitate skills training, as well as artistic and spiritual development for disadvantaged groups. Description of the Project In order to establish our objectives and to expand our existing programs, we would like to secure an eco-center. We have identified a beautiful farm (3000m/square) that is conveniently located in El Cotorro, which is southeast of Havana City. The farm has a house, many avocado trees, many orange trees, and coffee plantation. This farm will be utilized as a base to establish sustainable farming, food security, income generation and other social service projects for the community and Ananda Marga activities in Havana, Cuba. This project is particularly important at this time as Cuba has been forced to make organic farming a national priority. For instance, Cuban government incentives encourage people in urban areas to till the land for their own benefits. (For more information about this theme, see the foot note.1 ) Among the margiis are people who have knowledge about farming and one margii who is a master in agronomy engineering and works in a urban organic garden in Havana City. Current Projects and Accomplishments 1) Arts Classes for Children with Developmental Disabilities Margiis provide weekly arts classes to children, adolescents and adults with learning disorders, mental retardation, and autism at La Castellana School for Children with Disabilities. The goal of the project is to help the participants improve their motor skills and to enhance their creativity, communication skills, and their relationship with nature through the use of natural painting materials. Participants also enjoy kiirtan and silence at the beginning of the class. 2) Monte Adentro Food for Homeless People Twice a month, Monte Adentro provides food for people living on the streets of Havana City. In addition, we organize a cultural programs for homeless people in Playback Theater in Havana, and we would like to expand this aspect of the project in the near future, so as to facilitate the integration of people living on the streets into the community. 3) La Guinera Community Project La Guinera is a suburb of Havana, affected by extreme poverty, unemployment, alcoholism, and domestic violence. A high percentage of adolescents drop out of school, and due to lack of continuing education opportunities and economic resources, particularly teenage girls are at risk for engaging in prostitution. In La Guinera, margiis organize a crafts workshop, Buscando La Semilla, for teenage girls. We would like to increase the number of our participants.
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