OUR MISSION
Cuba has one of the Caribbean’s richest cultures, with a tradition of literacy and social programs that are the envy of many of its neighbours. It also faces some severe challenges, however, and it is these issues that our projects have dedicated themselves to.

OLD HAVANA
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old City was the wealthiest neighborhood in the city during the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. While the City's colonial mansions and palaces have suffered from years of neglect, they have still retained their majestic architectural beauty. Our project will reach out to the people of Havana, in part by collaborating with them in reconstruction work at the CUJAE University.

OUR WORK
Over the past couple of years, our volunteers have done extensive work in urban rehabilitation, including the painting of murals alongside some of the city’s artists, as well as work in a local hospital and a school. Each year has presented new and different challenges. In 2006, we developed a photo project in which we distributed cameras to a dozen inner city children and a dozen local artists. Together they compiled a photographic essay of the city and its people. The project represented one of the most inspirational experiences in the young lives of the Cuban children who participated. The exhibition opened in Havana and will travel to Toronto and Montreal.

THE DAILY PROGRAM
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	Working in the community
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Lunch followed by rest and relaxation
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Afternoon work session
7:00 p.m	Dinner at the hotel
9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.	Organized evening activities

ACCOMMODATION
Our modest but clean and comfortable hotel is located near old Havana.  It features double and triple rooms with private bathrooms. Facilities include a restaurant, cafeteria, snack bar and laundry.  From here we travel each day to different parts of the city where our projects take place.

LANGUAGE TRAINING
Our work provides an excellent opportunity to learn the Spanish language. Each day we will hold informal classes to help our volunteers realize their language goals.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Weekends are spent exploring Cuba and its culture. Highlights include the beautiful Varadero beach, Las Terrazas and Salsa dancing.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
The safety and security of our volunteers is our most important priority. We have been operating these projects in these venues very safely for many years and we are continuously monitoring event changes in the area. We provide day to day supervision both during and after work and in the evenings. If we feel that a location has become unsafe, we will shift the program to a secure area or refund the volunteer fees.

AGES
Participants must be between 14 and 25 years of age as of December 31, 2008.

DATES AND FEES Not running for the 2009 session. Please return to see new listings.
Number of Weeks	Fees	Dates
2 weeks	$2,995 CAD
4 weeks	$3,995 CAD