Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Busy end to the year.



This year is rapidly coming to it's end.
With two "missions" in the planning, there hardly seems to be enough time ... or funding.

At the end of September the Spanky Project and Dr.Michael Belovich, of Toronto's
Yonge Street Animal Hospital, head to Havana.
We will supply and participate in ...
four sterilization campañas,
one massive deparasitation
and
two vaccination clinics.
(details to follow)

Emma Clifford, founder and director of Animal Balance, will join us for the week.
She will be meeting many of the dedicated groups and individuals that are helping Cuba's animals.
The hopeful result will be future collaborations with the Spanky Project in Cuba.

Also with us will be Christy Alcebo of Florida based Peluma .
We will be delivering over $5,000 worth of supplies.
Thanks to all who have donated via our PayPal link.

If you live in the USA, Animal Balance will accept donations and ear mark them for Cuba.
These fund will purchase supplies to be delivered from Canada.
They will also issue tax receipts.
Click here to go to Animal Balance's donation page.
Please be sure to specify Cuba or Spanky Project on your donation.
If you are located in Canada ... tax deductible donations can be made by cheque through Mackenzie Papineau Memorial Fund.
They are a Canadian registered charitable group.

mail cheques to:
Mackenzie-Papineau Memorial Fund,
Att: S. Skup, Treasurer
56 Riverwood Terrace,
Bolton, Ontario, L7E 1S4

Include your name, address and telephone number to ensure you receive a tax receipt.
Also, specify Spanky Project on the memo line.



In December the Spanky Project will return to Havana with a group of Canadian Veterinarians.
We will work in collaboration with our Cuban counterparts on a variety of veterinary projects.
We will also celebrate the second annual Cuba - Canada Veterinary Day.

It's been a busy year.

There will be a brighter future ... thanks to you.



Saturday, August 6, 2011

Barrio Santo Angel


At the mouth of the Havana harbour tunnel and spreading westward is the neighbourhood known as Santo Angel.
This is a barrio in transition.
The rejuvenation that has taken place in tourist-centered Habana Vieja is now spreading outward.

We are here to meet a community organizer and activist that is behind some of these changes.

As we walked down this street ...
... and up these stairs we had no idea what we were to encounter.



This building houses the salon of Gilberto Valladares Reina (Papito).

The walls are covered with “art related to the handling of scissors”.


Papito has quite a history. He was troublesome in his youth until he found his calling as a pelequero (hair stylist).
Now he gives the same opportunity to the youth of Havana by offering barber and styling courses at his school.
It too is filled with art ...


..some rather comic.

The neighbourhood is certainly being rejuvenated.

Calles Cuarteles is and example.
Two studio of note are ...
located at
Cuarteles No: 64 e / Habana y Aguar Habana Vieja

and across the street ceramist Carlos Planas has his home and studio.

As I mentioned in my previous posting the area's veterinary "consultorio" is being renovated and will re-open in September.
Allow me to introduce Humberto
He is the head of this neighbourhood clinic.
The locals are very happy to have their clinic back.

Should you find yourself in need of some styling or
would just like to help the community drop by
Calle Aguiar #10, between Pena Pobre and Avenida de las Misiones.

I hear a style will run you 5 CUC.
You could always forgo the style,leave 5 CUC, and just have a look.

Tell them the Spanky Project sent you.