When you want to help, it doesn't matter much if the way of doing it changes, what matters is that the eagerness to collaborate becomes concrete. So thinks Josué David Pérez Ramos, a plumber from Las Tunas engaged in returning to service a group of flushometers for the specialized center of educational services Alberto Arcos Luque, now converted into a place to care for convalescents of COVID-19.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The flushometer is a water discharge mechanism for toilets, urinals, and sink faucets, so the hygiene of any sanitary bathroom depends on its proper functioning; but being a medical assistance facility, the importance is double, insists the person who reflects the determination of local entrepreneurs to help the Health System.
"We are still in the phase of determining specifically the components to be repaired, although at the outset it seems that they will need rubber slippers and springs," he explains.
Pérez Ramos is the owner of a plumbing and hardware workshop and says that the initial reason was to collaborate in the manufacture of the oxygen duplicators. "But the materials we have would deteriorate over time. Then the comrades of the Workers' Central Union of Cuba let us know that in the 'Arcos Luque' they needed to recompose the flushometers and we offered our help," he adds.
"We want to fix these 15 as quickly as possible and everything will be free," he says.
From that original call, contact was made with Rafael, "who quickly went to our workshop to donate 28 rolls of Teflon"; with Yesica and Marellis Escobar, "who sent us another two rolls from Manatí, with the help of Maikel Acevedo and Pachi, the driver who brought them.
"I can't stop thanks, he insists, Amauri Hechavarría and Enelir Ávila, who gave me their support in everything I needed; Ryam, from Electromedicine, who has been advising me, and Luis Enrique, who made his 3D printer available.
"That's the most beautiful thing, to see how so many people volunteered. I have the materials they brought here to use in what we are doing for the convalescent center," he says.
For the work with the flushometers, Juan Carlos Pérez Olivera, leader of the Artca project, a creative group linked to the Cultural Goods Fund, contacted him; and self-employed people from Havana are giving him ideas and managing some other necessary resources.
"Other self-employed workers in the city will also participate, and we are still open to anyone who wants to help, to give an idea," he stresses.
Some people questioned him for using his time and, by the way, committing eventual monetary income in a task that will not bring him cash earnings. "Our purpose," he replies, "is to help solve those problems that are within our reach. It's simple sensitivity because there will always be little we do for doctors and all those heroes who risk themselves to save lives."
