Amid the energy and economic challenges the country is facing, in some places the solution does not come “from above,” but is built from within the community. Constituency 56 “El Tejar,” part of the Las Parras People’s Council in the municipality of Majibacoa, has become a model of popular participation.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- With a population of no more than 1,200 residents, this community has embraced the “Mi barrio por la Patria” grassroots initiative (My Neighborhood for the Homeland), which seeks to integrate all social factors to promote security, well-being, and food production.

And in this endeavor, women and young people have found a space to create, learn, and dream —which is how they came to the “Retazos y Fantasías” Workshop House (Scraps and Fantasies).

Yolanda Torres Pupo never imagined that her sewing machines would become the classroom where several girls learn crafts and sewing. “I was already suggesting to them —since I have sewing machines— that if they’re interested in learning, I can teach them, and embroidery too,” she says as she proudly shows off the pieces her students have created.

The project, however, didn’t start yesterday. “This idea came about when I started making dolls; then the girls began to arrive, brought by another colleague who was also part of the project,” Yolanda recalls, estimating that she’s been doing this “for about three years,” though her enthusiasm prevents her from pinpointing the exact date.

Currently, between six and seven girls participate in the workshop, which meets twice a month. But the program isn’t limited to those who already attend; she assures us that she can welcome anyone eager to learn into her home.

For Yolanda, the purpose goes beyond teaching a craft: “If they learn well, they’ll have a bright future and a solid plan, because they’ll learn to grow and can achieve financial independence.”

A YOUNG FACE

Melody Isabel Barceló Quiala is 14 years old; she studies at the 26 de Julio Mixed School and is a member of the Retazos y Fantasías Workshop House.

“We’ve learned to weave with yarey, about sewing, and how to make dolls,” she says. But her experience isn’t limited to the workshop; through the Community Youth Network, Melody and other young people have participated in camping trips where they’ve been able to collect seasonal seeds to later use in their projects. She has also participated in talks on drug prevention and teenage pregnancy.

The story of "El Tejar" is that of a community that, far from waiting for external solutions, has decided to organize itself. “My Neighborhood for the Homeland” is a daily practice that integrates various social factors.