Greetings Ladies & Gentlemen!

Because of all the Hurricanes that have passed though the Caribbean this year (and every year) it is a wonder that Cuba has not picked up and moved itself further North on the map out of the path of such destructive Hurricanes! But then we wouldn't have all the pretty beaches to go visit!

Before Hurricane Ike hit Western, Central and then Eastern Cuba, Hurricane Gustav had already left a trail of devastation; hitting Island of Youth and then Pinar de Rio as a Category 4 Hurricane. This storm that hit Cuba on September 30th had winds measuring at 213mph; destroying over 100,000 homes and downing 80 electrical poles leaving the Cuban people in these areas without power and water and in most cases no homes! With an inefficient centralized economy and a U.S. embargo that has stifled trade, Cuba doesn't have resources to build new, hurricane-proof buildings. Few of its people have cars to flee in, and fewer still can check on loved ones by cell phone. The Cuban government and other Counties from what I hear/read on the news/internet have either sent or are trying to send Aid to this lost in the 50's 60's Country. For most of us we can't even comprehend or imagine what it is like to have to wait for someone, in this case the government to tell us that we are eligible for a new roof. Can you imagine! We would just go to the nearest Home Depot and buy what it is we need. However in a communist Country that is not how things work.

So what can we do to help these people? We can arm them with cash so that they have the means to buy what they need. Most people in Cuba live and survive from day to day. They are not able to save for such occasions and so are forced to live with the conditions they are in for however long it takes. I am hoping that we can change that for a few of them.

Ulises (my husband) and some of his family live on The Island of Youth which was the hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav. He has other family members all across Cuba, in Camaguey and Guantanamo that may also need help after the devastation of Hurricane Ike. It is Ulises and his family that live on The Island of Youth that I am asking you to help. His brother and one of his Auntie's lost the roofs of their homes. Another Aunt and her family had their home washed away completely. All have young families and with the living conditions as terrible as they are right now makes life very difficult! Windows in their homes are broken and nobody has the resources available to immediately fix the problem. They live with what they have and are a very happy people, it just breaks my heart and I am asking for everyone's help!

Along with helping them rebuild their homes, many things are needed. Furniture, bedding, batteries, clothing, towels, sheets, candles, disinfectants, toiletries and basic household essentials. They are also going to need medicines for stomach bugs etc. as is the case after such storms, water supplies can get contaminated easily.

Our cost estimate to help repair, build and provide essentials including shipping and duty charges etc. from Cayman is anywhere from $15,000 - $20,000. This is our goal!

On their own it would take them a lifetime to save that kind of money but with your help I am hoping that together we can do it within a couple months. At the moment the government there is working diligently to restore their power and water and in some areas all is back to normal. However rebuilding homes is a very slow process. So I am asking you to please open your hearts and give whatever you can give. Keep in mind that $100.00 dollars is not a whole lot of money to you or me but to a Cuban, One hundred dollars in some cases is a years pay!

If you break it down, for example you make $10/hr and if you were to contribute 1 days pay to help, working 8hrs a day that would be $80. A Cuban Doctor who gets paid the highest wage in Cuba can roughly earn at the very most $15/month. It would take him/her 6 months to make what you make in 1 day, but not everyone there is so lucky to be a Doctor! Please I am counting on ALL of you, for your generosity and your caring hearts to help us reach this goal. Can you help us?

Although your name won't appear on their roof, or shine proudly on a plaque to be mounted on their walls, every person that contributes no matter the amount will have their name entered into a draw for a chance to win a trip for two for a 7 night stay in Varadero, Cuba at one of their all inclusive 4 or 5 star resorts. This trip can be taken anytime of year and will be drawn once our goal of $15,000 is met. If we meet our goal of $20,000 we will then draw another name for the same prize.

I have included information on this web page on how you can go about donating. Just click on the button to the right and up, that says "Donate" and it will take you through the steps of using Pay Pal, one of the most secure and well known online services which allows anyone to pay in any way they prefer, including through credit cards, bank accounts, buyer credit or account balances, without sharing financial information. PayPal was founded in 1998 and was acquired by eBay in 2002. Other wise if you prefer we can set up a bank wire transfer. This can easily be done online with minimal transaction fees. Just contact me via email to get the banking details you will need to complete the transfer. My email address is nelcw552@hotmail.com.

If you have questions, concerns, or just want more details about where your money will be spent, don't hesitate to contact me. I would be very happy to share that information with you. My number in Cayman is 345-329-9884 or in Cuba at 011-53-52-974883 or by email at nelcw552@hotmail.com. Also feel free to forward this on to everyone in your address book and also share this information with anyone not on email. The Masabo family will be forever grateful! Also be sure to check back to this website often as we will have regular updates on the progress of reaching our goal and we will be posting pictures and progress reports as to what your money has done for my family in Cuba!

Thank you in advance for all your much needed support!

Warm Regards,

Antonella and Ulises Masabo
Chairperson's for Island of Youth, Cuba

before and after the devastation in Cuba
donate to help the Island of Youth in Cuba
links to supporters of the Island of Youth Hurricane Relief Fund