While receiving the Honorary Title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, Reydenis González Céspedes thought of his colleagues from the Calixto Sarduy Arcia agricultural production cooperative (CPA), his family, and all the people who made it possible for him to get there.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- He said so, and his words show the humility of a man who never aspired for awards or recognition, although he treasures many, accumulated over many years.
“I have been distinguished a lot. I have been a National Vanguard for several consecutive years and I have different medals for the anniversaries of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) and the Triumph of the Revolution. I also traveled to France for the Young Communists League, and I went to Uruguay, for work reasons.”
Because of his modesty, he does not say so but -at 59 years of age-, he also holds the Antero Regalado Distinction, the Romárico Cordero Medal, and the 17 de Mayo Order, for more than three decades of intense work in the cooperative and peasant sector in Las Tunas.
“I am from the municipality of Jesús Menéndez and I moved to Becerra in 1983, when I came to the Active Military Service. I stayed because I started my family and I'm still here, helping the community, learning from them, and applying the best experiences, which is what gives results."
“All my family is from the countryside, hard-working and humble people who taught me to be useful. I went to school in one session and the other, for work. I joined the CPA in 1986; I worked as a farmer and milker. I have been the president for almost 24 years.”
Reydenis does not rest and he has not had a vacation for a long time since his life revolves around the cooperative. His relatives assure him that he dedicates more than 20 days a month to agricultural work, and he makes everything: weeding, trimming, or collecting crops. He is a machine! they all comment.
And it is true. He is like a machine; although only for work, because under his eternal hat and long-sleeved shirt lives an exceptional human being, honest, sincere, sensitive to other people's problems; and above all grateful.
“The only thing I have done in this life is work. But without the others, I would not be able to obtain this important recognition. I thank everyone, especially my co-workers, my family, and the memory of my son, may God have him in glory."
He suffers from diabetes and hypertension, conditions that would make many people give up. Not him, never. He likes to manage the cattle, and plant, and see the results; not only for the associates, but for the neighbors, sometimes in food and other times, in the doctor's office, the warehouse, and the school with better structures.
“As long as I can, I will work day and night, without rest. And if life does not allow me to continue, there will be relief. The work of the cooperative will not stop. We have prepared youngsters and the vice president is younger than me, so there would be no problems.
“What matters is to know that things can be done, that there are limitations, the same as everywhere. However, here we grow in the face of difficulties, with a very good group of cooperative members who work every day, applying science and technology.”
Reydenis, Rey, or Denis - as many people call him - has been a member of ANAP for 36 years, he was a part of its National Committee for two terms. He also attended the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) as a delegate and has received other recognition.
Without meaning to, he has been a staunch defender of the dignity of residents in rural areas, which makes him enormously happy. Today, he represents them as the only Labor Hero of the cooperative and peasant sectors of Las Tunas.
Even so, every day, when the clock strikes 4:00 am, he says to himself that he must try harder, that his contribution is insufficient, and that Cuba does not need the superpowers of a hero, but his willingness to work and move forward.
