LATEST CARAVAN NEWS

• Follow along with the caravan by visiting the caravan blog >

WONDER WHY GEORGE W. DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CUBAN PEOPLE?

Find out this July! Come with us to meet:

• A healthy people, with free health care, who live on average to age 77 – the same as the same as those in the U.S. – yet some die prematurely and many others suffer unnecessary pain because the blockade denies them access to much of the world’s medicines and medical equipment.
• A cultured people who receive free education at all levels and have produced many outstanding scientists, artists, musicians, scholars and sports stars. Yet they cannot get access to many basic supplies, because of a 47 year long economic blockade by the U.S. government.
• A proud and humane people who share what they have. Cuba has sent tens of thousands of their doctors around the world to provide free health care to others in need, yet when 1600 Cuban doctors were ready to fly to New Orleans to help out after Hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration wouldn’t let them in – just like it tries to stop US citizens from visiting Cuba.
  Read more >

The caravan routes

• Cities and events > | Route map >

What's it like to go on a caravan?

Watch this 8 minute audio slide show from the 2006 Cuba caravan and find out!

February 23 2008: Medical School Conference, San Jose, California

More than 100 US students are studying to become doctors in Cuba at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba. Come learn about the school’s course of study, eligibility and how to apply, and meet recent graduates from the US and hear first hand reports.
Download a flier for the event > | Learn more about the Med School Program >

Eight US students have graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine after completing a six-year study program on full scholarship

"We get everything from books, even uniforms. But the conditions are that we go back to our communities, wherever we're needed, and we provide healthcare and that's what we really want to do, so we're actually looking forward to it," said Evelyn Erickson, a graduate from New York.

Nearly 100 US students are currently receiving training at the Latin American Medical School in Havana.

The U.S. students praised Cuba's universal, free health-care system, which is community based and focuses on preventing illness before it becomes more serious and costly, in contrast to the U.S. health industry indicted for being profit-based in Michael Moore's recent film "SiCKO."

"We have studied medicine with a humanitarian approach," said Kenya Bingham, 29, of Alameda, California. "Health care is not seen as a business in Cuba. When you are sick, they are not going to try to charge you or turn you away if you don't have insurance," she said.

The main difference in studying in Cuba was that there was no charge and the graduates can begin their practice debt-free, said Jose De Leon, 27, from Oakland. "When medical doctors graduate in the United States they are usually in debt, between $250,000 to $500,000, and spend the first 10 years of their careers paying it off," he said. More information >

HIPHOP WITHOUT BORDERS

This year's caravan to Cuba featured the first ever Pastors for Peace Hiphop Without Borders Exchange. Travel with us to hear some of the world's finest hiphop, participate in hiphop workshops and perform with Cuban hiphop artists.
Download flier >

Second Emergency Aid Caravan for Louisiana and Mississippi

The second IFCO/Pastors for Peace Emergency Aid Caravan to the Gulf Coast has delivered tools, generators, air compressors construction materials, food and water to the 6th and 9th wards in New Orleans, Algiers, Lake Charles LA, and Jackson, Mississippi ... more >

• To support this work, make a donation to IFCO/Pastors for Peace
• Press release >
• Comunicado de prensa >

Recent IFCO news

• See a slideshow from the 2005 Chiapas Caravan
• Med School program featured in the New England Journal of Medicine
• Help displaced communities in Chiapas - support our Campaign for Corn

Cuba in the news

• World again votes against blockade
  AP coverage | Reuters coverage
  This UN vote was the highest ever against the blockade, with 182 nations voting to end the Cuba blockade. Only the United States, Israel, Palau and the Marshall Islands voted "no"
• more Cuba news >

Cuba documents

• June 2004 legislative update
• May 2004 legislative update
• "Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba"
  Report of the US State Department commission which seeks to overthrow the government of Cuba. The 458 page document includes detailed plans for US control of all sectors of life in Cuba. Download whole document (4.4 Mb pdf) >

Medical School

• An overview of the program
• Recent coverage in the New England Journal of Medicine and People Magazine
• Download an informational flier for the school
• Listen to an NPR feature on the school
• More press coverage >

From the 2006 Cuba Caravan

• Press Release: Caravan Successfully Returns to US After Visiting Cuba
  The 17th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba crossed back into the United States via Hidalgo, Texas on Monday morning July 17 2006, after delivering 60 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba ... more >
• Visit the 2006 Caravan 17 blog >

From the 2005 Cuba Caravan

The Bush administration was forced to return the confiscated aid in another victory for Pastors for Peace. ... more >