Although an old saying in Spanish goes that “love enters through the kitchen”, the love that Carola Brochocka and James Michael Crawford share began in Cuba, with the special ingredient of solidarity; and she admitted that “that coincidence has marked us forever, because we have also fallen in love with this country, with the society built by the Cubans and that brings a lot to those who love family, peace and freedom”.
The communicative daughter of a Polish emigrant and a Canadian mother explains that, in the middle of the preparations for a trip to Havana, a common friend laid the first stone. They stared at each other and that was enough for the beginning of a relationship that, according to her own words, has done them a lot of good, since it has been proven: love is the sun that illuminates life.
She works as an English and French teacher, and as she is gifted with a privileged intelligence, she also studies Art History, because, as she herself commented, the more qualified she is, the better she can help those who are interested in growing as educated people to face life.
And her mate, who loves and protects her so much?
James Michael, passionate about horticulture and photography, ratified the joy of sharing his life with a special woman, who supports his ideas and projects.With information from ACN / Translated by Radio Angulo
He has been to Cuba six times, but his relations with the island began much earlier, when he came with his father, an engineer, linked to the fishermen’s union, who shared Fidel Castro’s ideals and who was entrusted by the Canadian government with the mission of building a fish processing plant in Havana, where he would later travel systematically as an advisor.
James believes that, although Cubans have economic limitations due to the U.S. blockade, this country is the best example of how the world should work in terms of independence, peace and solidarity.
Carola agrees with James, and when referring to her ties with Cuba, she considers that it is one of the best things that have happened in her life, for which reason, she is very grateful to ICAP, which receives and attends them as brothers and sisters, together with other authorities and the population, with whom she has had interesting exchanges during this first visit. There is always a first time
The first time Carola set foot on Cuban soil was as a tourist, in 1994, vacationing in Havana and Varadero. At that time, the country was facing the very difficult conditions of the so-called Special Period, as a consequence of the collapse of the socialist camp in Europe, the main supplier of food, supplies and other resources.
Since then she has returned on three other occasions, including this first visit to Holguin as a member of the Friends of Cuba group in Victoria, where she has been for two years. She previously lived in Vancouver, where she was linked to other friends of solidarity with Cuba.
“These meetings allow us to exchange with people from different sectors of Cuban society and I must recognize that here one feels well cared for, like someone close to us emotionally, spiritually, because in our countries things do not work that way, because people are more reserved”.
As a Polish descendant, she finds that there are some similarities with Cuban culture and admires the way in which the national culture is defended.
She also admits that she is impressed by the architectural details, the history of the nation, the people, the colors. And she likes to see how they preserve nature, the cultivation of ornamental plants and that, anywhere you can see a well-tended garden.
“Since I joined the group I have felt a lot of support and that mutual help is paramount, because people get older and it is necessary to incorporate young people, who bring new ideas. In that sense, I feel that they are happy with my work and the suggestions I make”.
Being an educator helps a lot in the job she is doing by calling youths to the group and when they come to Cuba, they admire how the new generations support their revolution and recognize what the government is doing to support health services, education and other achievements, despite the damage caused by the U.S. blockade.
Carola has internalized very well Marti’s principle, assumed by the Cuban revolution since it achieved victory 65 years ago: “with all and for the good of all: a formula of triumphant love”.
“For that reason we are pleased to see how the young people who join our solidary project admire how Cubans enjoy the same duties and rights, regardless of age, sex, skin color, social origin or patrimony they possess, because they live in an integrating society, which adds instead of dividing and subtracting.”
A reality that -although the enemies try to distort it by all possible means, they will never be able to convince those who think with their own mind-, because Cuba has more than demonstrated it in defense of other peoples, since solidarity is an essential part of the Cuban culture.
Carola, James and this journalist agree that everything that is done with and for love endures, as has been the case since 1959 with the friendly and extensive relations between Cuba and Canada. Countries that, since 1945 already had diplomatic relations.
Reasons that exalt the friendship and solidarity of the members of the Friends of Cuba group in Victoria, Canada, of which Carola and James are members, who conclusively affirmed: “We would give our hearts for Cuba”.
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