Another group of
U.S. young people join ELAM contingent
BY JOAQUIN RIVERY
TUR—Granma daily staff writer—
NINE more young people. Well, actually, eight new
ones and one returning after special permission to
be absent due to her mother’s illness have just
arrived in Cuba, joining a contingent of more than
80 young people from the United States who are
studying medicine at the Latin American School of
Medicine (ELAM).
There were smiles and optimism. They were
welcomed by José Miyar Barruecos, secretary of the
Council of State, and Juan Carrizo, ELAM dean, and –
no big surprise – Lucius Walker and Ellen Bernstein
of Pastors for Peace, who accompanied them on the
trip.
Walker happily explained his mission of bringing
the new students who come from six different U.S.
states, including one from California who has Native
American roots, and noted the determination of all
of them to "take advantage of Cuba’s incredible
offer to train them as doctors to care for their own
communities, humble ones that do not have access to
healthcare."
While the government in Washington is looking for
ways to bring more pressure against the Revolution,
Cuba is responding with love and revolutionary
commitment, and offering young U.S. citizens
attention that they cannot receive in their own
country, the reverend commented. "This is a
revolutionary expression of love," he emphasized.
At his side, Janice Verbosky was in a wheelchair
with a broken tibia, but with a smile on her face.
She is going to heal here on the island and study;
the same enthusiasm was expressed by Mayada Holt,
who is returning after caring for her sick mother.
