This is not a packaged tour, but a solidarity brigade. You will be experiencing life similar to that of the average Cuban.
Brigadistas will spend some of the program staying at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), which is located 50 km out of Havana. The nearest town to the camp is called Guayabal and is a 8km walk away. Other parts of the Brigade will be spend in social projects (such as Korimakao), ICAP accommodation (such as the House of Friendship in Santa Clara) or a hotel.
Brigadistas will spend some of the program staying at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), which is located 50 km out of Havana. The nearest town to the camp is called Guayabal and is a 8km walk away. Other parts of the Brigade will be spend in social projects (such as Korimakao), ICAP accommodation (such as the House of Friendship in Santa Clara) or a hotel.
Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM)
Dorms
|
The dorms are basic concrete brick constructions and the rooms are shared and single sex, with each dorm room holding up to 8 people (most dorms sleep 4 people). Blankets, sheets and pillows and pillow cases are provided. You will need to bring a towel.
People of the same family are normally put in the same room. If there is space in the camp, couples usually will be able to have a room to themselves but this is not guaranteed, as other brigades may be staying there at the same time as ours. |
|
Food and water
|
|
The food at the camp is served in a canteen style, with three meals provided each day. Food is basic but will meet all your daily nutrition needs. There is no choice of menu, though vegetarians will be catered for. Breakfast is a light meal of fruit juice, bread, eggs on occasion, coffee and hot milk or yoghurt. For lunch and dinner there is usually fresh fruit and salad and an emphasis on rice, beans, yucca and malanga. They also serve beef, pork, chicken and some fish. It is safe to eat all the food at the camp, including the fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water in the camp. However, there is a treated drinking water dispenser in the canteen and also one near the bar. The camp has a bar and MLC store which sells food and drinks. This is where brigadistas can buy Cubita coffee, alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water at very reasonable prices. The camp bar will also supply you with hot water. |
Bathrooms and washing
The bathroom facilities at the camp are very basic. The showers may or may not have hot water (during the 2022-23 Brigade, there was no hot water). Recent improvements to CIJAM have seen the introduction of solar hot water in some shower blocks, however it is best to be prepared for cold showers. You can buy a bucket at the camp shop, fill it with hot water from the troughs outside and take it in with you to shower, if you wish. If you shower in the hottest part of the day, cold showers should not be a problem.
There are troughs outside the showers for washing clothes. We recommend bringing a universal rubber sink plug or small collapsible bucket for clothes washing, both of which can be donated to the camp if you do not want to take them home. You can of course also use your shower bucket for clothes washing.
There are troughs outside the showers for washing clothes. We recommend bringing a universal rubber sink plug or small collapsible bucket for clothes washing, both of which can be donated to the camp if you do not want to take them home. You can of course also use your shower bucket for clothes washing.
Camp shop
There is a small MLC store at the camp where you can buy personal items, such as soap, shampoo, detergent and toilet paper, as well as gifts for friends and family, such as slogan tees, Havana Club rum and Cubita coffee. They also sell biscuits, chocolates, towels, postcards, cigarettes and a small selection of books.
You can only purchase items in the MLC store with a credit card or an MLC card (which can be acquired in banks). Occasionally, they will accept hard currency (Euros, CAD, USD etc). They will not accept AUD or NZD.
You can only purchase items in the MLC store with a credit card or an MLC card (which can be acquired in banks). Occasionally, they will accept hard currency (Euros, CAD, USD etc). They will not accept AUD or NZD.
Valuables
The camp has a safe to keep valuables. Money, important documents and other valuables are recorded and signed in by both the brigadista and the security officer on a receipt before the valuables are secured. You should be aware that once in the safe, valuables can only be accessed at certain times of the day, so you will need to ensure that you keep enough money on your person for a few days at a time.
Theft in the camp is rare and there are security guards on duty at all times. However, do not leave items on the bus at night or leave valuables lying exposed in your room.
Theft in the camp is rare and there are security guards on duty at all times. However, do not leave items on the bus at night or leave valuables lying exposed in your room.
Electricity
Cuba’s power output is 110 volts (Australia and New Zealand use 220V). Because Cuba uses a lower voltage, it is safe to put our appliances in Cuban power sockets. Remember that this means that appliances like hairdryers and electric shavers may not work in Cuba. There are some 220V power points around the camp, which can be found if necessary.
You will need an adaptor. Cuban sockets generally use the North American style double flat prong, but some also use the European style with round prongs. For this reason, we recommend bringing a universal adaptor.
You will need an adaptor. Cuban sockets generally use the North American style double flat prong, but some also use the European style with round prongs. For this reason, we recommend bringing a universal adaptor.
Australia/New Zealand night
As a gesture of solidarity, the Australian and New Zealander brigadistas will hold an Australia/New Zealand night for the Cuban staff at the camp. The brief for this evening is quite open, but usually involves a performance of some kind and a dinner cooked by brigadistas. Be prepared to offer your skills (singing, dancing, public speaking, cooking) and if you know of any poems, songs, speeches, flags or recipes that you would like to include in this night, please bring a copy of them along with you! Remember that the availability of ingredients and kitchen utensils may be limited in Cuba.
Computer, phone and internet access
While staying at CIJAM, you will be able to access WiFi on your personal devices. Internet access while you are away from the camp cannot be guaranteed. You can buy WiFi access 50-minute scratch cards from the camp for 125 Cuban Pesos.
SIM cards are available and recommended for tourists. These can be bought at ETECSA stores through the country. If you can, you should purchase a SIM before the commencement of the Brigade. These cards cost 1000 Cuban Pesos for the card and a small amount of data. It is recommended that you purchase a further 1000 Cuban Pesos worth of credit so that you have access to the equivalent of 10GB of internet.
SIM cards are available and recommended for tourists. These can be bought at ETECSA stores through the country. If you can, you should purchase a SIM before the commencement of the Brigade. These cards cost 1000 Cuban Pesos for the card and a small amount of data. It is recommended that you purchase a further 1000 Cuban Pesos worth of credit so that you have access to the equivalent of 10GB of internet.
Contacting brigadistas in Cuba
Our contact in Cuba is ICAP. This organisation acts as host to brigadistas during the time of the Brigade. Leima is the ICAP Director Asia and Oceania. Her email is [email protected].
Please note there is no Australian or New Zealand Embassy in Cuba (the nearest Embassy for Australians is in Mexico City), however, the Canadian Embassy in Havana deals with Australian matters in Cuba.
You can call the Brigade Directors office on 047 319 343 to talk to an English speaker who will pass a message on to a brigadista. You can also call the camp gatehouse on 047 319 121. Please only use these numbers in case of emergencies.
Please note there is no Australian or New Zealand Embassy in Cuba (the nearest Embassy for Australians is in Mexico City), however, the Canadian Embassy in Havana deals with Australian matters in Cuba.
You can call the Brigade Directors office on 047 319 343 to talk to an English speaker who will pass a message on to a brigadista. You can also call the camp gatehouse on 047 319 121. Please only use these numbers in case of emergencies.
