www.cubabuddy.ca

 

4 BROTHERS IN CIENFUEGOS

 

Left to right, Richard Snowdon - Bedford Lodge, Arnaldo Rodriguez – Logia Francisco Salano Ramos in Pinar del Rio, Manwell Lopez and Michel Barrel both of Logia Astino de la Vintud ‘Cienfuegos’.

The photograph was taken in a restaurant/bar across from Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos.

Arnaldo age 57 is a taxi driver who was driving some European tourists around Cuba for 7 days, Manwell age 30 is a waiter in the restaurant and Michel is 86 years young and he has been a Mason for 58 years, Michel takes his daily coffee at the restaurant and told me his desire is to reach 60 years as a Mason. (Michel Barrel died in June 2007.) The Lodge dues in Cuba are $2 Canadian a year but because Michel has 58 years in his Lodge he pays about $1.50 dues a year ‘in monthly payments’. He explained that the $1.50 a year dues is too much for him to pay all at once so he pays about 13 cents a month.

Old age pension in Cuba is about $60 a year.

 

Left to right, Brother Richard Snowdon with Brother David I. Diaz Rivero the Secretary of Logia Fernandina De Jugua in Cienfuegos. David is a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Past Grand Master of Cuba. The sign in the preparation room over the entrance to the Lodge room just behind us, reads ‘Bienvenidos Hermanos’ Spanish for ‘Welcome Brothers’. The papers proving Jose Marti was a Freemason were found in the archives of this lodge, Jose Marti was made a Freemason in a Lodge in Spain.

 

 

The hand of the statue of Jose Marti beckons to Diane and me.

 

The front of Logia Fernandina de Jagua.

 

Inside the Lodge in the afternoon preparing for a memorial service for six Lodge Brothers to be held that night.

 

David making sure the symbolic coffin is ready for the service.

 

 

HUMANITARIAN AID TO CUBANS

Distributing anything in Cuba can be quite the experience.

I took 2 dozen t-shirts to Havana once and decided to hand them out to a bunch of youngsters hanging around watching other youngsters playing baseball. Dozens of youngsters dropped what they were doing and rapidly ran towards me. I almost panicked, hands were appearing out of nowhere grabbing for a t-shirt, I managed to get them handed out in half the time I originally thought it was going to take.

I only know of one organization that is working with Cubans but I'm sure there are many more.

Masonic Relief for Cuba has their Humanitarian Aid distributed through the Freemason Lodges in Cuba, they send medical instruments, medical supplies, multivitamins and cases of Ibuprofen, shampoo, soap, lotions, Glucosamine, Chondroitiin, MSM, Polysporin and water purification tablets.

I am a Canadian Freemason and many Cubans I have met have one family member who is a Freemason. Freemasons help the entire community not just other Freemasons and they have proven to be one of the most honest when it comes to getting the goods to the people who need it the most. I have met 2 surgeons in 2 different cities in Cuba, they were Freemasons and other members of the Cuban Freemasons are from all walks of life. 

Here is a link to this Canadian Organization and you can give my name if you contact them.

My name is Richard Snowdon, Halifax Nova Scotia.

http://nelsonking.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=30

If you read this page it will say the items that are most needed by Cubans.

As you are aware over the counter non-prescription drugs are not available due to the cost and prescription drugs are very difficult to obtain. The average income for a Cuban is $20.00 - $25.00 per month, the cost of aspirin or any drug is very expensive for them. There are 30,000 Regular Freemasons in Cuba and The Gran Logia de Cuba has a Masonic Home for the Aged and there is a desperate need for these non-prescription and prescription drugs.
For the last 10 years Masonic Relief for Cuba has supplied both non-prescription and prescription drugs to the Masons and The Grand Lodge of Cuba.

Cubans will take almost anything and they will be happy that you gave them a gift.

 

 

SEE MORE PICTURES OF CIENFUEGOS HERE

 

 

Back to the index page

March 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos

Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos, Parc Marti and beside the ‘Teatro Terry Tomas’ in Cienfuegos