Express Newsletter 
Alliance of Guamá and 
Santa Cruz County  
(AGuaS) 

Guama and Santa Cruz 

Volume 1 Number 1
January-March 2003

Santa Cruz County and Guamá Municipio Sign Partnership Agreement

When Santa Cruz County residents decide to do something, an unreasonable embargo and travel ban just can’t stop ‘em! Believing the people of Cuba are our natural neighbors and we have a right to get to know them, the people of Santa Cruz County developed a partnership with a comparable community on the beautiful Santiago coastline. A delegation of 30 Santa Cruz and Monterey County residents, ages 16 to 86, including Congressman Sam Farr, visited Guamá in early January, 2003 to develop projects and collaborate on mutually beneficial activities. Guamá has many features similar to coastal Santa Cruz County and sustains itself on tourism and agriculture, so the match seemed appropriate.

County Supervisor Jeff Almquist and Julio Hopkins Alarcon, Presidente of the Municipio of Guamá seal the deal January 16th in Chivirico, Santiago de Cuba 

Because the Sierra Maestra Mountains provided shelter and sustenance for guerilla fighters, many historic monuments and small museums have been developed there to tell the history of modern Cuba. Residents of Guamá like to explain that there were only 4 schools in the area before the revolution and now there are 117. Every child, no matter how far up in the mountains, has a teacher, a television set, and a computer powered by solar energy. They also have 54 family doctor clinics and two hospitals, one of which was founded by Che to honor the campesinos who sacrificed so much to ensure the success of the revolution. 

Congressman Sam Farr enjoyed interviewing revolutionary veterans at the “Circle of Grandparents” home in Ocujal, a brand new facility for aging seniors. We also visited a junior high school with more than 500 students, half of whom live on campus. Seventeen mini-hydroelectric plants draw energy from abundant rivers, and solar panels adorn rooftops.

Our delegation is overwhelmed with gratitude to our hosts in the four small towns of the municipality of Guamá. We will report-back to Santa Cruz County on Tuesday, Feb 18, 7:00 pm, Cayuga Vault, and Friday, Feb 28, 7:00 pm, at (location TBD). The next delegation leaves in late March to continue projects in alternative energy, organic agriculture, education, and medical care. Water sports and ecotourism may be areas where we can also offer advice.

Needless to say, we enjoyed balmy weather and delighted in many new friendships. Each delegation member is bursting with ideas for projects where collaboration is possible. As they say in Cuba, “Venceremos!”

See our Alliance of Guamá and Santa Cruz County page.

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