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Cuban Entrepreneur Shows U.S. Guests ‘That’s Cuba’

Global Citizen Adventure Corps Visits Cuba

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With a shrug of the shoulder and a quick wink, Yaniel Luis Alvarez proclaims, ‘That’s Cuba.” Often referring to the numerous shortages – gas, water, food, medicine, pay – he is also summarizing what makes his tour company Discover Viñales so highly rated on Trip Advisor. The positivity and openness to every question along with a “can do” spirit to special requests make him the perfect guide for students of culture hoping to gain insights into the complexities of history, contemporary struggles, and the natural beauty of his homeland.

After leading 15 programs to the third largest country in the Caribbean, Stacie Freeman claims Yaniel as part of her Cuban family. As the Global Studies Director for Bethel University and Co-Founder of Global Citizen Adventure Corps – the nonprofit she and Julie Hill formed to raise funds for scholarships for rural student who need help overcoming the travel barriers of fear and finances – she is grateful for trusted in-country partners that share the vision of using immersion experiences in other cultures to grow global citizens.

Yaniel’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident as is his entrepreneurial drive. When he was a student pursuing what he thought might be a career in economics, he garnered grades that put him at the top of the class all while selling cigars, rum, perfume – whatever helped him pay for expenses his “free” education didn’t cover. His mandatory social service assignment – two years post-graduation – placed him in tourism. Seventeen years later he has an 11-year-old enterprise of his own welcoming clients in three languages to learn more about his home. 

Yaniel’s studies didn’t end in his exit from the classroom. To provide for his family, he’s always looking for new opportunities. He learned French from a book and a month in France to expand his potential client list. He slowly built the oasis he shares with his wife Lily, two preschoolers, father and mother-in-law. His most recent endeavor had him learning what he could about solar panels. Rather than simply make the several-hour drive from the beautiful valley where he resides to Havana for only the panels he needed, he took home panels to sell. A few trips later, he upgraded his system with the proceeds.

 

He's been to Panama seven times and “didn’t go for tourism.” He says 1000s of Cubans travel every day to places like Panama, Russia, Surinam for shopping to resell items back in Cuba. Websites are set up specifically for the exchanges.

 

He even manages a band. Working with his U.S. contacts he hopes to bring Valle Son, an 11-piece group from his hometown of Viñales in the lush tobacco-growing highlands of Pinar del Rio, to the states.

“I do whatever I have to do to supply for my family,” he explains.

Conversations with Cuban nationals soon uncover the need that prompts such drive. Government paid surgeons must supplement their income with higher paying roles such as manicurist and barber. The pensions promised are a few dollars a month. The median salary is 4000 pesos per month – the equivalent of three pizzas. Five years ago, the price of rice was 5 pesos and now it is 150; pork was 25 and now it is 800. Cheese on the black market can be as high as 2 months’ salary.

As Yaniel explains, “A family of 6 can spend 4000 pesos a day just to eat. I know because we are six in my home.”

A licensed translator and an interpreter, Yaniel says tourism is the “best job since the fall of the Soviet Union.”

(Cuba and the Soviet Union had a close relationship, with the Soviets providing much-needed cash for the island nation and Cuba providing sugar and other products.) 

But it has its constraints. When he wanted to host the group of 14 in his home, he had to check with the local police to let them know.

“In Cuba, almost everything is illegal, but anything is possible,” is his frequent response to clients’ questions.

Most of those clients come from the U.S., but not as “tourists.” U.S. citizens can travel to Cuba only if they meet one of 12 categories: family visits, official business of the US. Government; journalistic activities; professional research or meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics workshops, athletic and other competitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.

U.S. citizens are also prohibited by the U.S. to use credit cards in the country or to stay in a government-owned hotel. That’s where having a trusted source like Yaniel makes a huge difference in the experience.

“Every time I visit Cuba, Yaniel introduces me to another reason to love his country and the people,” said Freeman. “I know that he will ensure we arrive at the local tobacco farm, the finca where we volunteer, the beach – wherever – safely. His ease and humor as he shares his knowledge of cigars – the area industry – and music – the area pastime – means that the students and learners I bring with me will walk away enamored with Cuba as well.” 

Another trait the educator and the guide shares is the desire to help. According to Yaniel, more than 10,000 doctors left their careers in the last few years. His wife, Lily, was one of them. She left her pediatric role a year ago. Her nine-year investment in study was lost as the demands of her practice and the lack of support proved to be insurmountable obstacles.

“When you become a doctor, you are expected to see people in your home,” Yaniel explains. “After a day at work, you might have a line waiting at home. She can be in trouble if anyone complains to the government because she wasn’t able to see them.”

The exodus comes from the constant demands, low salaries, and lack of supplies. Due to shortages, often a visit will result in the doctor providing a list of medicines to see if the patient can locate them.

To address the issue, when visitors like Stacie and her GCAC participants arrive, they come bearing over-the-counter supplies. Yaniel collects and shares with his neighbors, providing photos to show delivery.

Though times are tougher than he’s seen in years, Yaniel is a proud Cuban who has learned to survive, sometimes thrive, and even give back. As Stacie and her group left the country, they did so, bearing a prized auction item courtesy of Yaniel’s many connections with proceeds to go to GCAC’s scholarship funds.

 Global Citizen Adventure Corps is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to cultivating global citizens through education, service, and travel. By offering transferable college credit and donor-funded scholarships, GCAC actively builds pathways between rural high schools, universities, and a robust network of global nonprofit partners to provide travel program opportunities to underserved students. For more information visit www.globalcitizenadventurecorps.org.