Miami Volunteers Fly 6,300 Pounds of Aid to Cuba

A college junior named Monica Garcia experienced something no classroom could teach her when the lights went out during her volunteer trip to Cuba. Instead of panic, she watched neighbors pour into the streets, dancing by firelight and sharing music under the stars.

Garcia joined 140 other volunteers who flew from Miami to Cuba last month with 6,300 pounds of medical supplies, equipment, and non-perishable food. The group organized through CodePink to support communities struggling with ongoing power outages.

For Alexander Edlan, the trip meant finally seeing his family's homeland for the first time. What he found moved him to action rather than despair.

"People are not doing well, and I just think it's kind of my responsibility," Edlan said. "I can't just sit there and do nothing about it."

The volunteers gathered in Little Haiti after returning to Miami, sharing stories about what they learned. Garcia described the experience as something "out of this world."

The Ripple Effect

The trip represents a growing movement of everyday people refusing to wait for political solutions. These volunteers paid their own way, packed supplies in their luggage, and showed up when it mattered most.

Their timing proved critical. Cuba continues facing infrastructure challenges, and while recent oil shipments have arrived to help stabilize power, communities still need basic supplies and support.

What struck the volunteers most wasn't the hardship. It was the resilience, joy, and community spirit they witnessed during the blackouts.

Garcia's biggest takeaway? Understanding the power of presence. "You understand it seeing it on paper, but seeing it yourself was something out of this world."

The volunteers didn't just deliver supplies. They proved that ordinary people can create extraordinary impact when they choose to act, and they returned home carrying stories of human resilience that will inspire others to help.