Message of Solidarity by Dr. Karishma Raju
It was truly something special to receive the opportunity to study medicine in Cuba. Seven years later here I am, a doctor in medicine, a recent graduate from Cuba, a proud Belizean, born and raised in the little hidden gem known as Punta Gorda Town. I owe it all to Cuba, for their constant effort to build relations and give opportunities to underdeveloped countries.
During my 7 years of med-school, I faced many obstacles, many bumpy roads, many difficult moments that made me question what I was doing there... but every time I was reminded of the many positive and inspiring moments I also experienced; I was always met with a helping hand from the Cuban people, friendly words of advice from the many international students who became dear friends. Studying medicine was life-changing but studying medicine in Cuba was life fulling. I didn't only learn medicine, I learnt to become a better person, to feel sympathy, to care and to take care of people beyond what conventional medicine sometimes requires; I learnt about honour and patriotism, solidarity, I learnt to be creative and innovative in difficult situations, I learnt to appreciate life and the little we have and most of all I learnt to persevere and survive. It was a real eye-opener for me and was the best decision I made.
Por eso quiero decir gracias a Cuba y la Revolución Socialista e internacionalista, gracias al comandante jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, gracias al pueblo Cubano y gracias a ELAM. Cuba es un país de mucho historia y cultura, un país con gran ideas de solaridad y hermandad. CUBA QUE LINDA ES CUBA, EL QUE LA QUIERE, LA QUERERA MAS. Yo estoy en solaridad con Cuba, mi segundo país, mi gran familia, nunca voy a olvidar lo que ustedes me enseñan no solo de la medicina pero de la vida. Muchisimas gracias por todo. VIVA CUBA, VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN, VIVA FIDEL, VIVA LA SOLIDARIDAD ENTRE LOS PUEBLOS DEL MUNDO!!!