[RAICES] La Abeja Obrera

[ako99 at hampshire.edu]

This email is to inform you about La Abeja Obrera, a grassroots community
construction project in Cuba and New York, focused on social justice through
physical labor and cultural exchange.

I am wondering if Raices would be interested in sponsoring Abeja's Speakers
Bureau.

The La Abeja Obrera Community Construction project is a program based on
work- work in Cuba and work in the States. In the U.S. we work together with
local community organizations on volunteer work projects in order to make
needed connections between activists, to support the development of our
communities and to hone out constructions skills in preparation for out work
abroad. We are also dedicated to raising funds for materials and supplies
for our building projects in Cuba and funds for travel scholarships for our
delegates. In this way, our project is truly accessible to anyone who is
committed to participating in the program.

As part of out outreach and fundraising efforts we have created a Speakers
Bureau. We are a dynamic collection of workers, artists, activists, and
students with a tremendous amount of combined experience both in Cuba and as
community activists in the U.S. Our speaking events are made up of three
parts: a slide show documenting out most recent work brigade, a
multi-layered discussion, and time for exchange with the audience. Included
among the topics we will discuss:

    -Cuban history and U.S./Cuba relations
    -La Guinera- a formerly marginalized Cuban community turned around by
innovative community development strategies including over 95% community
participation and all-female construction crews.
    -La Abeja Obrera Community Construction Project in Cuba and New York and
Cuba
    -International solidarity work and local community development
    -Youth activism

We have spoke at such diverse places as Columbia University, Vassar College,
Swarthmore College, Colby College, Fieldston Ethical and Culture High
School, the United Nations International High School and the Brecht Forum,
and Ohio's Senior High Ecumenical Youth Group and Willis Junior High School.
For more information about La Abeja Obrera, please visit the website at
abejaobrera.org.


I am a 1998 Hampshire Alumnus, and would love to visit and bring a great
group and amazing energy to campus. Please contact me so we can discuss
possibilities. I definitely look forward to hearing from you, and I hope
that you are well.

Meredith