Sunday, February 10, 2019

¡Fiesta por 15 Años!

Tommy's
Notre Dame des Bijoux
Gervasio # 218 between Concordia and Virtudes Centro Havana, Havana Cuba
Played host to our 15th anniversary celebration.
December 14, 2018

We came to know Tommy Reyes as the gentleman who would bring his chihuahuas to our Campañas.
We subsequently found out he is a former dance with the National Ballet of Cuba,
a restauranteur in addition to being"Papa" to several chihuahuas.
His restaurant's roof top location was perfect for our gathering.

This being a special evening we decided to arrive in style from Habana Vieja.
Notre Dame des Bijoux becomes a magical oasis in Centro Habana when the sun goes down.
Justo, a long long time friend and Spanky Team member, was our Maitre 'D for the evening.
He made sure everyone was seated before takeoff.
Once Audrey arrived with the hard stuff the party got started.
 Each guest, once seated ,was offer a plate of appetizers and a beverage.
Many thanks to Chef Jesus Gomez and our server Yanni Panoja.
Also to Daryl Cespedes who slaved away in the kitchen.
Joining us were friends from several Cuban institutions.
The Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba was represented.
We have worked under the Cuban veterinary council's umbrella since 2006.
As fate would have it the CCVC and Spanky Project share this day as an anniversary.
For the CCVC this was their 110th.
Marta and Dianelys from Sociedad Patrimonio Comunidad y Medio Ambiente along with Darian from International Cooperation.
SPCMA had an overflow table and Spanky Project supporter Raoul joined them.
Some of our core Cuban veterinary team nestled in a corner of the roof top.
Thanks to international team members 
Dr.Byron Maas and Stephanie from the USA.
Dr.Michael Belovich from Canada and Katia from Guantanamo, Cuba.

In Havana we have a team who keep the wheels greased and ready for our return.
Justo, Lianet and Noris.
Lianet and Noris produced the "15 Anniversary Expo" 
which opened on this day (December 14) in Habana Vieja.
Some of the final components arrived with Lianet to the party.
I had the opportunity to show them off.
As always it is wonderful to be surrounded by the next generation of veterinarians.
Dra.Indira on the left is a recent graduate and Patricia graduates this year.
Indira presented Audrey and I each with a gift.
 Very Cuban, as it is a miniature of
the corner stone street markers on Havana streets.
Earlier Audrey had gifted us with some "Spayer" Ts.
Where is the cake you say.
Thank you to all those who attended our fiesta.
Thank you to all who have worked with us 
or supported our work over the 15 years.
This was the 15th anniversary
 of my first step into the Cuban animal welfare world.
This celebrates the beginnings of the Spanky Project.
15 years of helping Cubans help their animals.

The Spanky Project is not one, two or ten people.
The Spanky Project is all of us.
Together we sterilized 513 in 2018 
and expanded to Trinidad, Cuba

Please join Team Spanky with a donation.

Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!
On a closing note... 
none of your donations funded this gathering.
It was my treat!
-Terry Shewchuk