Business & Propaganda: Cuba Education Tours Announces Teachers Familiarization Cuba Trip

Blaine, WA (PRWEB) June 22, 2011

Educators across America are invited to witness the island on the Teachers Introduction to Cuba Tour from August 6 to 13, 2011. Trip costs are rock bottom and nearly all-inclusive. This one time program was launched in response to hundreds of requests from U.S. educators to explore Cuba as a study abroad destination for their students.

Following President Obama's relaxation of Cuba travel rules for U.S. schools, teachers in every state are planning trips to Cuba for their students. Cuba Education Tours worked with its island staff, and cultural and educational organizations to design a program that samples much of island society and life.

The cost of the tour is $1199. Comparable programs run more than twice this amount.

Teachers Introduction to Cuba Tour  has a website committed resources to support the cause of the five and many links to the main mass media of the regime to assist in the indoctrination of tourists.

To see the full packge information click   Teachers Introduction to Cuba Tour

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But if you want to know who are the organizers of this manipulative and propaganda project continue reading below:

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MARCEL HATCH was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1954, and raised in a mountain hamlet called Priest Lake, in northern Idaho. Located in the Selkirk Mountain range, this remote region, at the time was home to some 500 souls scattered over hundreds of kilometers. But in the summers, the population of this magnificent tourist retreat swelled tenfold.

In his own words

From 1991 to 1996, I served as a volunteer press correspondent for the Pastors for Peace Caravan. Its objective was to break the horrible US economic blockade of the island. In 1997, I organized the Canadian contingent of the International Feminist Brigade to Cuba. On my first trip to the island I witnessed an entire people affirming principles of social justice, dignity and equal rights. It was profoundly transformative and I was hooked. I came home to Canada with the conviction to assist others encounter Cuba. I, together with Leonardo Hechavarría, founded Cuba Education Tours.


LEONARDO HECHAVARRIA was born the province of Holguín, Cuba, in 1967, and raised in a beautiful village named Cauto Cristo in nearby Granma province. He immigrated to Canada early this century to represent Cuba as a nation aspiring to equality for all.

In his own words

Throughout my elementary school years I studied in the morning and worked in the afternoons in the huerto escolar [school garden] with my fellow students. This was standard practice across Cuba at that time. I gained a knowledge and appreciation of nature and what sustains us. I loved my hometown. It was a big warm friendly community where everyone knew each other and helped one another. It's like that now. My family was large and extended. We cared for all – still do to this day.

My secondary years were spent at Vocacional José Martí y Pérez in Holguín province. These were the most important years of my youth. The school was one of the best in the country. The quality of instruction in every subject was tops. I was very lucky to attend that school as it prepared me for many subsequent opportunities. Attending secondary school in Holguín was only possible because of support from my precious mother Haydeé. She too gave me a good education in the humanities: love, care, kindness and compassion. She's the best mom in the world. She's my "little sunshine."

After high school graduation I moved westward to study languages at the University of Havana (one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Americas). My dream was to become a translator. My favorite tongues are English and Italian. I credit my time and learning at the University of Havana for where I am and what I do today. We studied very hard – day and night – for five years to become fluent. My big break to practice my language skills came when I volunteered with the University's translation services department. I met many hundreds of foreign guests who regularly visited campus.

In 1991, my country hosted the Panamerican Games. What a thrill! I was chosen to serve as an official translator. I also helped with the construction of the Panamerican Village just east of Havana city. I dug ditches, poured cement and built walls. I also recruited and organized fellow students to do the same. We were so proud of our accomplishments. We constructed a village and community center that is entact today. Many youth train there and it remains a popular convention and meeting facility. It provides accommodations for guests from many third world nations.

My first job after university was as a translator and tour guide for Universitur, an educational tour project under the auspices of the University of Havana. My work brought me into contact with many wonderful foreign visitors. It was an occasion to explore ideas and hone my language skills. Every person who grows up on an island desires to explore. My country and circumstance handed me the chance.

I met Marcel Hatch in Havana in 1997. I was a translator and he was the Canadian organizer of an international delegation examining women's and social justice issues in Cuba. In the year 2000, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, and began working with Cuba Education Tours.

I find enormous gratification in helping Americans and Canadian visit my homeland. My job allows me to meet and assist wonderful people from every state and province. The greatest reward is when those I help to go to Cuba return with new island friends and admiration for my people, their culture and history. It goes without saying my heart remains in and with Cuba. I return vicariously to my country through travelers I assist weekly. I get to go to Cuba once a year to spend time with my mom and family.

PS I love to dance.



GRACIELLA QUINONES was born in 1977 and raised in Havana, Cuba. She moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2008 with her husband and two children.

In her own words

Learning languages was always my passion and is what led me to study English at the University of Havana's Facultad de Lenguas Extranjeras FLEX (Foreign Language Faculty).

After completing my studies in 2002, I joined the Instituto de Artes e Industria Cinematográficos ICAIC (Cuban Film Institute). I worked as an event planner in its Department of International Relations for four years.

Being at ICAIC helped me to cultivate my other passion: movies. I had the opportunity to meet film industry personalities from around the world. I served on the International Jury at the 35th Tampere International Short Film Festival in Finland, one of the oldest and largest in Northern Europe. What an honor and pleasure!

In 2008 I came to Canada with my husband and my two children to start a new life in rainy Vancouver. While I love my new evergreen city, I miss the warmth of my homeland.

Being part of the Cuba Education Tours team gives me the opportunity to be closer to Cuba in a very gratifying way. When assisting Americans, Canadians and others visit the island I feel I am making a difference.

It is very satisfying to help so many people see Cuba. Working with Marcel and Leonardo doesn't feel like "work," but rather as a family on a mission: bringing the people of Cuba and the rest of the world closer together.

I love film, music of all kinds, dancing, reading, painting, cooking, learning about other cultures, and, like every good Cuban, playing dominos.