Dear NJT Staff and organizers,
Hello! I just got back from my trip to Havana and other spots in the Caribbean. I wanted share some pix and info about my delivery.
First of all, thank you for this organization, and for allowing me to participate with it. I wish I had known about it sooner. I have told others about it, and hopefully my friends, colleagues, and I can make other deliveries in the future.
The clinic I visited was arranged by my Airbnb host. It happens to be just a block away from her house! They specialize in cochlear implants and other ear surgeries. I arrived on New Year’s Day, and they were closed, and then it was the wknd, but two of the doctors were kind enough to come in to meet with me on a Saturday! They were so thrilled with the two suitcases of supplies I brought. There are other clinics within walking distance, so we agreed that after they went thru the suitcases, if there was anything they didn’t need, they would get it to someone who could use it.
… I believe they said they do about 80 cochlear implants a year, and families come from all over the country….
I was really struck by the poverty in Cuba. The average monthly salary is equivalent to about $20, and doctors make about $80-90 a month. You heard me right, there are no missing zeros. That is why a lot of the classic cars you see being driven around to give tourists a thrill are driven by educated men, doctors and lawyers, because they can make a LOT more money doing that than their career. It’s crazy, but true.
I had a wonderful time in Havana and was happy and proud to be of service. …
I will get in touch when I can help again.
Thank you,
Dr. Peter Brooks
