MATERIAL AID COLLECTION

Our material aid collection for Cuba starts from the premise that any aid we raise will always be tiny in relation to the needs of the Cuban economy and therefore the best material aid we can give is political assistance in achieving the lifting or the breaking of the US economic blockade.

This means building the broadest possible solidarity campaign and wider movement against the blockade.

Therefore our main material aid campaign is an annual Container for Cuba Appeal which is a political campaign to raise awareness about the US blockade amongst as wide a layer of the British people as possible, and which also asks them to donate money or goods to send several 40ft containers of health and educational materials to Cuba each year.

Within Cuba the aid alleviates some shortages but perhaps more important is the morale building effect amongst the Cuban people of knowing that aid is coming from over 100 countries around the world including the solidarity movement in the US itself.

Secondarily through material aid appeals we aim to build solidarity with Cuba amongst particular sectors of the population and to encourage direct links between those sectors, such as trade unions and other organisations in this country, and their Cuban counterparts.

As a result of this work in 1999 trade unionists set up their own appeal Salud! which is supported by the CSC and has resulted in the despatch of 75 ambulances together with buses and medical equipment on Cuban boats.

Earlier in 2002 the CSC assisted Salud! in the raising of funds to purchase a further 50 ambulances which will shortly be on their way.

We have now begun our 8th annual container appeal. This year the focus is on supporting Cuba's achievements in the care and education of young children. We are raising the funds to send containers containing educational materials and toys to Cuba's extensive network of day centres and nursery schools (circulos infantiles) for children under five.

We will also be sending some donations of computers, and medical equipment.

You can assist the Container Appeal by:

• Making a cash donation to help pay for the transportation costs and the bulk purchase of aid - cheques payable to CSC at Cuba Solidarity Campaign, 129 Seven Sisters Road, London, N7 7QG.
• Joining in with the campaigning activities of your nearest CSC local group. Details of your nearest local group can be obtained from the CSC office.

If you have bulk supplies of good quality aid you should also contact your nearest local group.

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