A tree marks the greatness of human work. On its branches hang white ribbons representing each of the saved lives from the new coronavirus, for three months, by the Cuban medical brigade of the Henry Reeve contingent, in Turin, Italy.
Las Tunas, Cuba - Three public health professionals in Las Tunas know this well: Dr. René Aveleira Cutiño (First Degree Specialist in Hygiene and Epidemiology) and Karel Peña González (First Degree Specialist in Anesthesia and Resuscitation), and the graduate in Nursing Norberto Pérez Peña.
"That was an experience we had during the Ebola confrontation. The only difference is that, at that time, the tree had almost more red ribbons than white ones - which symbolize life. Here it has been different: it is dressed in white, it seems to be wearing a white robe," Aveleira Cutiño said.
The Antillean aid workers, in a gesture of solidarity in the region of Turin, the second most affected by the pandemic in that nation, shared the harsh passages imposed by the disease on the Italian people. The three representatives of Las Tunas Medicine mark this among their strongest experiences.
"The important thing is that Cuba has set an example. We are a small island, a blockaded island and we have made available to the world the greatest wealth, that of professionals. We have shown that a small nation can have a common goal with First World countries in the fight against the COVID-19. Wait for us in the Homeland, we will soon return with the duty done," added the epidemiologist.
The stories of gratitude are interwoven during the last days they live before returning home. The Piedmont Regional Council conferred a decoration for civil merits on the 38-strong brigade.
Irma Dioli, president of the Italy-Cuba Friendship Association - in the square of the same name - spoke on behalf of a patient who came back to life, and revered the displays of the humanism of the internationalists. "I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the doctors, nurses... who, thanks to their work and dedication, have been able to heal so many people."
The National Coordination of Cubans Residing in Italy, the Agency for Cultural and Economic Exchange with Cuba (Aicec) and other solidarity organizations and movements have shared in the farewell dates the respect and admiration for these saviors.
"Above all, I take with me the human warmth that they had, the solidarity, the commitment, the constant work," said Mariana Almirón, an Argentinean living in those parts, who is a Red Cross volunteer and worked as an interpreter in the area where the SARS-CoV-2 cases were treated.
Rocco Sproviero, secretary of the Turin Circle, emphasized that "in addition to the health contribution, the Cubans taught something fundamental, which is the humanity with which the patient is treated.
"No effort is greater than the concrete achievement of the Henry Reeve contingent," added Michele Curto, president of the AICEC.
As Ada Galano, a Cuban resident of the European nation, proudly pointed out: "Cuba always comes to offer its heart, no matter where, because our objective is to be bearers of peace; this has been demonstrated by that army of white coats that goes around the world."
Giovanna Tamburello, secretary of the Círculo de Como, and Riccardo Porro, secretary of the Círculo de Cremona, join the messages felt by so much brotherhood. Both thank the friendly hand that brought the embrace and faith in a morning free of coronavirus.
Soon, our brave men will return to the Greater Antilles. The intense months of the pandemic are over... they have saved over 200 inhabitants. In their precious memories are the difficult days, the face of each of their patients remains. There is also, as a Cuban mark in Italy, the tree for life.
