30 Days of Cuba: Day 6 "It's complicated"

30 Days of Cuba: Day 6 "It's complicated."

There is a saying in Cuba, "Don't try to understand my country. Just enjoy it!" One of the things I find compelling about Cuba is that it is perplexing and complicated. As soon as you think you have summed up Cuban culture and society, it will surprise you with a new puzzling delight. The simple act of me, a U.S. citizen, traveling there in June is complicated. Trying to understand Cuban history, politics, and society is complicated. A simple transaction, such as renting a room in Havana, is complicated. And raising money to help deserving people in Cuba is very complicated.

So why do I continue to pursue my passion for this complicated place? In one word - the people (la gente). There is a genuine hope and love emanating from the people that inspires me. There is a vitality in Cuba that I have to look hard for in my country. There is a refreshing attitude of optimism and trust that we seem to have lost in the U.S. and I want it back.

I was hopeful that I could use Indiegogo.com to help the young Cuban economist Juan Triana raise money to attend an international economic summit in London in September, but it is complicated. The Indiegogo staff have been wonderful, caring, and helpful, but there are many rules and regulations that they have to abide by to stay in business. Cuba is not one of the countries that they can easily support. So now I am back to the drawing board trying to help Juan without a crowd funding site. Cuba is being left behind the rest of the world on the crowdfunding trend that raises millions of dollars annually. What a shame. Que lastima!

I urge you to share Juan's story with others, donate to his cause if you can, and email me with your ideas at jcrowe13@gmail.com I do not want to show up in Cuba in June empty handed. This young man will help determine the future of a country that I believe will become an economic and social model for the world.

Juan's Story and How to Help

Juan Triana is a brilliant young Cuban economist who teaches at Havana University. I met him on a recent trip to Cuba and was impressed with his passion to help his country move forward. Cuba is on the verge of great social and economic change. Juan is an emerging leader who is working to advance the future of the Cuban economy.

He needs your help to raise $1500 for airfare to attend an international economic summit at Nottigngham University, London in September 2014. Cubans do not have access to crowd funding websites and there are very few people within the country who could afford to donate to help Juan. It is essential for Cuban economists and other scholars to interact with their peers from around the world. In Juan's own words, "It is very important for Cuba and Cuban economists to share with people that can help us to learn how to lead our country to the 21st century with economic stability and prosperity."


You can send your donations via Pay Pal at: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online 
Send To: jcrowe13@gmail.com 
You do not need a Pay Pal account. Simply enter my email and make your donation via credit card or debit card. Email me if you wish to donate by check, cash, or money order.

Any amount of money you can give will help Juan reach his goal. I will make sure Juan receives the money in the proper manner and will keep you updated on his journey to London and progress in his career. This will be Juan's first trip outside of Cuba.

Thank you in advance for your support.