Like Gold: What Your Support Made Possible in Cuba
In early May, I put out a call to the Clear Mountain Monastery community, asking for support ahead of our June visit to Cuba. The request was simple: a variety of everyday necessities such as feminine hygiene products, insect repellent, oral care items, vitamins, first-aid supplies, and more. These are the kinds of things that are surprisingly difficult to find on the island.
The response was immediate and generous. Nearly 80 pounds of donations arrived at my door, each package packed knowing how much it could help.
Those offerings, along with a second round of supplies from Ayya Mārajinā’s Gainesville community, made their way with us to Havana, where they were welcomed with deep appreciation. A few days after our arrival, one practitioner shared with me in a quiet one-on-one conversation, “Everything you brought was like gold.”
In keeping with the spirit of the Dhamma, the supplies didn’t stay in one place. The community there, as I’ve come to know through time and experience, is marked by a generosity and hospitality that feels deeply rooted. They shared what was given with neighbors, peers, and other practitioners. What you offered kept moving, passed from hand to hand in a spirit of care.
During our visit, I shared your names with the practitioners there, along with stories about your kindness and why you chose to give. In a country going through a deep economic crisis, where many basic items are either out of reach or simply unavailable, your offerings brought relief and hope. They were not only useful, but also uplifting.
One practitioner shared how moved they were to receive powdered milk for children. In theory, the government continues to allocate milk for young children. But in practice, it hasn’t been available for many months. Meanwhile, government-run dollar stores are stocked with milk, sold at prices so high that even a full month’s salary wouldn’t be enough to buy a single package. To be able to offer this basic nutrition to a neighbor’s child was, for them, a powerful expression of care in a time of quiet hardship.
I was also able to bring a second tranche of blessed malas to Havana, which were received with reverence and joy. These small objects carry meaning far beyond their material form, and they continue to support practitioners in their daily recitation and meditation.
To those of you who gave cash donations—thank you. Your offerings were particularly helpful during our week on the ground. They allowed us to respond flexibly to needs, to make local purchases, and to support the community in ways that only became clear once we arrived.
What’s beginning in Cuba is still small, still taking shape. But it’s grounded in sincerity, a strong sense of community, and faith in the practice. Lay practitioners continue to meet regularly, to sit together, and to offer one another encouragement along the way.
Your generosity has continued to reach others far beyond our small group. Personal care items have helped people feel seen and dignified. Basic medical supplies have eased discomfort. Bug repellent and vitamins have brought simple relief. One of the wireless chargers, included in the donations, became a power source for lighting during one of Havana’s notorious blackouts, offering utility and comfort in the dark. Every item made a difference, and many were passed on to others in the wider community.
As for next steps, our Cuban friends have begun the search for a small plot of land, just enough space to support the community’s practice with a bit more stability and peace. While that effort will unfold over time, your support has already helped set things in motion in practical, emotional, and spiritual ways.
From my heart, thank you. You’ve made a real difference, and your kindness is still moving through hands and hearts in Havana.