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Why Run for Roots? Part 9

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

Why do we run?

By Elena Castañeda

I won’t tell a lie, running is hard. Physically, running long distances takes its toll on your feet, legs and muscles. It’s hard to get yourself to run – whether it’s for a short jog, or a full marathon. Running in the heat, or the extreme cold, or rain, makes it even more tiresome.

Yet, why do runners run? Because running strengthens the soul. Running gives individuals a sense of resolve and determination that is nearly impossible to replicate. Working towards a finish line, a goal, empowers the mind, let alone the body.

The transformation that the Run for Roots athletes are undergoing through running echoes the transformation we seek to achieve in Cuba. Among our generation, a transformation is imminent…change is slow, but it is coming.

Cuban youth today are growing up in an environment where no one has achieved their dreams. Education, hard work and hope has led to physicians driving taxis and lawyers serving as barbers. The biggest dream among Cubans of my generation is to escape, to leave Cuba, to where opportunities abound. We, by contrast, are extraordinarily lucky to live in a world where we are told, from the moment we walk into school, “Follow your dreams. The sky’s the limit.”

What can we do to help our counterparts in Cuba plant the seeds of empowerment? We can help grow a sense of community. Roots of Hope seeks to cultivate a community of Cubans who freely share information, build bonds, and support each other as they begin to tentatively share their plans for the future.

Slowly, by facilitating the creation of ties between individuals through technology such as cell phones, we can begin to capitalize on the small freedoms that are beginning to spring in Cuba. For example, it is now legal to hold a number of different entrepreneurial roles in Cuba.

Cuban entrepreneurs are the future of Cuba. And those entrepreneurs are my generation, the generation that hasn’t yet lost hope. Let’s help them connect with each other and transform themselves, their businesses, their communities. This is the key to real, lasting change – change we desperately need. And if running one mile can help them get one inch closer – then I’ll happily run 13 miles, and more.

Why Run for Roots? Part 8

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

Because we can, we must

By Natalia Martinez

It is the last week before our race and each day that gets crossed off the calendar is an acute reminder of how much I am not ready for Sunday’s half-marathon. Allowing a moment for excuses: I had an insane couple of months of 12-hour days between work and finishing my graduate degree, and then I went traveling for a month.

Excuses aside, the bottom line is: I love running, I ran two half marathons last year, but I am nowhere near “ready” or “comfortable” for this one. And I don’t mean in the way that smart, or fast, or talented people always say they’re “not ready” as a pitiful euphemism designed to widen the gap between what their actual performance will be, thus leading to your surprise and admiration….I.am.actually.not.ready.

And yet, I plan to show up on Sunday and run my body into submission with the best weapons I have: commitment, pride, and friends. We are running as a group and – more importantly – we are running for something we deeply believe in: the right of youth in Cuba to determine and build their own future, as well as our obligation to fan the flames of their efforts in whatever way possible.

“[…] A runner runs against himself, against the best that’s in him […] Against all the rotten mess in the world.” – Bill Persons

In this context, to endure two hours of bodily pain (within reason) and two days of soreness seem entirely worth it when what is at stake is taking a stand for the freedoms and possibilities of people just like me 90 miles away. I was born in Cuba and have throughout the years reminded myself to be thankful for any difficulties because the challenges I was facing were almost certainly intertwined in precisely the kinds of opportunities I would not have had if my life had progressed differently. In the Jorge Luis Borges garden of bifurcating paths, all versions of our lives unfold simultaneously, and I have often closed my eyes and stared at the other possibilities to remind myself just how truly lucky and blessed I have been.

As a result of my life's trajectory, my motto has been "Because I can, I must." In this light, onwards and upwards with the race on Sunday!

BIG Weekend Ahead!!

This upcoming weekend will be a big one for Roots of Hope in Miami, with three great events launching our campus tour, a new collaboration, and our Run for Roots initiative. For more information, see the image below.

Special Note: Please click here to register for the Avenida Cuba event this Friday at Miami-Dade College.

Honoring Wilmar Villar

Roots of Hope sends our heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and worldwide supporters of 31-year old Cuban dissident Wilmar Villar. Sentenced to four years in prison for demonstrating publicly, his life succombed yesterday to the effects of a 50-day hunger strike. We salute the dignity of a man who refused to wear the garb of a common prisoner & made the ultimate sacrifice to defend his rights.

At a time when the world freely demonstrates in support of internet freedom, this is a harsh reminder of where Cuba stands with regard to censorship & individual human rights.

Why Run for Roots? Part 7

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

Why do I run?

By Anthony Lopez

Why do I run? Roots' mission to aide youth in Cuba something I truly believe in. Participating in this half marathon gives me the opportunity to be able to help this great organization - Roots of Hope - fundraize.

How have I been getting through my runs? It takes a lot of mental determination and concentration. Running is a great way to regularly exercise, and since I need to commit to running with a group about once a week, I can't get out of it. I have no idea how I've made it past 3 miles... but I did! I look forward to the challenge of completing 13.1 miles during the half marathon!

-A-Lo (used to take the 6 train like J-Lo)

What can Raíces do with $5,000?

By Tony Jimenez, Raíces de Esperanza/Roots of Hope Co-Chairman

What can Raíces do with $5,000? Let me not get ahead of myself. First, you might consider voting HERE before you finish reading this post, but if it takes you some more nudging then please read on…

I was recently selected for the Modern Hispanic Gentlemen contest by Ketel One and Miami Magazine. Ketel One selected 4 individuals in Miami that are involved with charitable organizations and Raíces de Esperanza was selected as one of them. My role is to humbly represent Raíces. I am honored to be selected among such a prestigious group of men who I can also call friends: Diego Ojeda representing 12 Smiles, Andres Asion representing Amigos for Kids, and Jordi Vilasuso with Liga Contra el Cancer. My fellow colleagues are leading incredible organizations that do extraordinary work in our community and beyond. However, as much as I admire them and the work they’re doing, I don’t want to leave any doubt that I want Raíces to win, and put that money to work for Cuban youth.

Are you convinced? If so, VOTE HERE! Not yet? Keep reading...

So what can Raíces do for $5,000 (the prize for acquiring the most amount of votes)? With $5,000 we can purchase 250 cell phones to send to kids on the island and increase connectivity and access to information among Cuban youth. With $5000 we can send 1,000 USB flash drives to facilitate the flow and transfer of information among Cuban youth that is vital to fostering the exchange of ideas and educating themselves with tools and resources they would otherwise not be able to access. With $5,000 Raíces, will be able to extend stipends to almost 15 individuals, lowering the financial burden of flight costs for those that are trying to reconnect with their families after years of separation or visiting the Island for the first time. The bottom line is: with $5,000 Raíces will be able to advance its mission of empowering Cuban youth to be the authors of their own future.

With $0 and only a few clicks YOU can plant seeds of hope and help change the lives of 11 million Cubans struggling to find their own voice.

On behalf of Cuba’s youth and all of us at Raíces de Esperanza, we thank you for your support!

AND VOTE HERE !

Why Run for Roots? Part 6

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

Why I'm running

By Ana Pelaez

It’s very easy when you’re training over several weeks to lose sight of the cause you’ve committed your time and effort to. When we started in October for the Miami half, January seemed far enough away. With the holidays wrecking our schedule, it’s been a challenge to keep logging in the miles and sending out the fundraising emails. Focusing on the whats and the have tos it gets harder to remember the whys. A couple of nights ago, I sent out a last minute appeal on Facebook not expecting much to happen – it was late and I assumed everyone was off-book for the night. Not 20 minutes had passed when I got an email from Crowdrise telling me that a donation had come through for me. That was usual enough but when I saw that my donor had written on my page – “For freedom. For my father”-I was surprised. I’d expect his message to be funny or smart not emotional but it was a great reminder of why I was doing this. I love the sense of freedom that I feel when I’m running – 10, 11, 12, 13.1 miles. I love setting out and feeling that opportunities are limitless. I love that when I decide to take on a cause that’s important to me I can get on my phone, get on my computer and shout it from the virtual rooftops. I want nothing more and nothing less for everyone-in whatever shape or form their marathon comes. So that’s why I’m running – for freedom, for all of us.

Why Run for Roots? Part 5

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

Why I Run

By Maritza B. Aldir

Raw emotion. Humility. Truth. Hope. Hopelessness. Courage. Fear. Desire. Dream. Change. Passion. Happiness. Laughter. Intelligence. Selflessness. Helpless. Powerless. Motivation. Creativity. Innovation. Love. Kindness. Acceptance. Brilliance. Human rights. All of these words stream through my mind when I parallel my reality to the reality of people who aren’t free.

My motivation to run isn’t based on any politics, nor is it to wish for Cuba’s government officials to die one day. I could care less. It’s based on a human’s right to live without persecution for acting on the freedom of expression, the right to having liberty, the right to hope for change, the right to dream. The right to dream big, and speak freely of one’s dreams. It’s based on empowering youth to become their own authors of their own futures. I am my own author.

Most young people don’t care about the politics in Cuba. I don’t either, to be honest. The situation in Cuba is tiring, the struggles, the lack of empowerment, the lack of change, the lack of hope, and the lack of any promise for a future – for many. Some contently live their lives, turn their heads away from the government, and make the most of it.  I think of others who take an open stance to disagree with the repressive government. I commend the courageous people who currently stand up to living their dreams, and dream to actualize living in a free Cuba. Still, even the general public hopes for some kind of ‘cambio’ (“change”) whether it is eventually living outside of Cuba or staying where they are and desiring some kind of change. This is truth. No one talks about it out of fear, but everyone thinks it.

I think of one guy I spoke with my age a few years ago. I was graduating at the time from Agnes Scott College, a premier liberal arts college I had chosen for undergrad whose mission is to “educate women to think deeply, live honorably and engage in the intellectual and social challenges of our times”. This young man lived in the outskirts of Cuba. I can still hear his voice, monotone at best. He sounded hopeless, as he explained his day-to-day of helping his dad care for their goats and chickens. That was his past, present and future. He explained he really didn’t think anyone outside of Cuba knew or cared about his existence, and was intrigued by my desire to know more about him. We ended the conversation laughing. I’ll never forget that call. After speaking to and hearing more youth echo this young man’s sentiment about their current situation and futures, I became broken inside. This is the country my parents were born and raised in, opted to flee from, and still carry a heavy burden inside that they’ve chosen never to speak of over 40 years later. Our worlds united for those singular moments chatting over the phone for that one moment through these insightful, silently tearful, funny and unforgettable conversations. But our realities were so opposite and poorly disconnected once we hung up the phones. They go back to their reality, and I go back to mine. I get to say what’s on my mind without wondering if I’m going to get in trouble with the government. I don’t need to go through a black market for things I need or want. I can live wherever I want, for the most part. I can discuss and disagree with my nation’s politics in an open forum. I can pick any career I want, and opt to work in what I study or not. I can make no income or a lot of income. I can listen to whatever music I want, anywhere and in public (for the most part). I can jump on a plane tomorrow. I can fabulously wine and dine. I can read anything my little heart desires. I don’t get hurt or get incarcerated when I think differently than others, or stand up for what I believe in. This is a human thing, not a Cuban thing. This is called human rights. Under the “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” as defined by the United Nations, Cuba has violated the articles defining a human's right to a basic, dignified life.
 
The above is why I’m running. I suddenly forget about the fact that my doctors have told me I “shouldn’t” run because of my severe asthma, and the fact that I’ve never really jogged more than a block in my lifetime prior to 2 months ago. Well, this girl who had several (embarrassing) ambulance visits during "P.E." (Physical Education) throughout middle school for attempting to run is now running, and I’m running for something that’s greater than me. It’s weird, but I’m a change maker in action. I defeated my own negative thoughts by struggling for my own freedom to own my health, and I've been able to tackle this challenge knowing that my “struggle to be free” is but a mere obstacle in comparison to the struggles of someone who lives in fear to speak their mind. 

I’m running for the youth, and in memory of the late Laura Pollan—a hero who fought for her husband’s unjust incarceration all for dreaming and desiring for a different Cuba. Laura Pollan was fired as a schoolteacher as a result, and became the spokesperson for the “Las Damas de Blanco” (Ladies in White). She courageously stood in solitude in the streets of Cuba demanding her husband’s freedom alongside many others who continue to fight for their families to be free. They stand in solitude with peace and humility. stand in solitude with peace and humility. They embody the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world” as depicted in “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” as written by the UN. For them, I run.

Donate to my run: www.crowdrise.com/mbaldir 

Why Run for Roots? Part 4

Run for Roots is a new initiative that embodies the Roots of Hope mission by seeking to draw attention and collect funds in support of Cuban youth. The participants who will be running the Miami Half Marathon in January 2012 are motivated to do so by the desire to be agents of change and help empower youth on the island through innovative programs such Roots of Hope as Cells 4 Cuba and our Family Reunification Program. To learn more about Run for Roots, visit our website. To donate, visit our Crowdrise page.

I run because...

By Nathalie Marcos

We all have a reason for everything we do, whether it is staying at a dull job just to pay off student loans or spending all day roasting a pig on Christmas Eve just like our grandfather did years ago.

Running is no different. For some it might be in memory of their late aunt who passed away from Cancer or to honor the brave men and women who fight for our liberty overseas. For me, it is the 11.2 million people living without freedom in Cuba that make me strive to reach the finish line. These Cubans are my brothers and sisters whom I have never met. I have no blood relation to them and all have lived a very different life. So why do they mean so much to me? Because their everyday struggles are something that my family endured many decades ago in the same small island only 90 miles from where I was born. My uncle was beaten in prison, my father was separated from his parents, and my grandfather’s businesses were overtaken by the government time and time again. Luckily, my family was able to escape but others weren’t so lucky.

However, growing up, my family never forgot that others were still suffering. Both my parents made sure to not just read about what was happening in Cuba, but to do something about it. In first grade, my mom and I set up a food drive for Cuba. My father went on two medical missions to Guantanamo Bay in the 1990s and my mother went back ten years after she left to bring hope to family members still on the island. I stood outside Elian’s house during his custody battle and I prayed after the planes of Brothers to the Rescue were shot down over international waters.

Witnessing these events took a big toll on me. I waited for my turn to make an impact, and then I found Raices de Esperanza. Through this family of passionate young leaders, I have taken part in innovative ways to help my counterparts on the island. The most recent of which is Run for Roots.

The Cuban reality is hard to explain because those of us who live in freedom can only imagine it to be a fantastical nightmare. Those still in the island today are silenced by fear or disillusioned by brutality. Unable to leave Cuba, their everyday life is dictated by political propaganda and ration cards. Cellphones are a luxury and the ability to decide your future merely an illusion.

Look, I know I cannot free an island by myself and running a half marathon cannot directly change the fate of those I speak of. My efforts are small but they are genuine.

When I run, I think of the Ladies in White. These brave women march the streets of Havana each week for the release of their loved ones in prison who were wrongly incarcerated. They have been beaten without mercy and yet they continue their mission. Their desperation outweighs their fear.

I also think of Yoanis Sanchez, the voice of the Cuban reality. I think of everything she goes through just to share her thoughts on the internet. I also think of my direct counterpart, the average 24-year-old Cuban girl who dreams of making something of herself, of bettering the world around her, and yet her aspirations are merely a fading illusion simply because she lives in an island that does not believe she has the right to dictate her own future. With every mile, I carry with me her dreams. I carry the determination to end the struggle. I carry with me the hope of a better future for the island of Cuba.

I run for my brothers and sisters. Together, the finish line is only the beginning.