My name is Gerard van der Sluijs, residing in Zwolle. Stichting Amistad con Cuba originated from personal experiences, sincere commitment, and the conviction that friendship and solidarity transcend borders.

During my stays in Cuba, I got to know the country and, especially, its people as they truly are: warm, resilient, and proud, while at the same time daily facing shortages of food, medicine, electricity, and basic amenities. I saw how families support each other, how friendships form under difficult circumstances, and how small gestures of support can make a big difference.

What began as personal help and friendship grew into a shared responsibility. Not to save, but to connect. Not to dictate, but to collaborate. With that thought in mind, I took the initiative to establish the Amistad con Cuba Foundation.

As chairman, I see my role as connecting people: donors and beneficiaries, volunteers and local contacts, the Netherlands and Cuba. With transparency, respect, and mutual trust as our starting point, we want to contribute to hope, dignity, and future prospects.

Amistad means friendship. And friendship begins with seeing each other, hearing each other, and taking each other seriously.

When I was approached to become secretary of the Stichting Amistad con Cuba, I didn't have to think about it for long. I have been following the founder's dedication and activities for some time and fully support the foundation's objectives.

The vast inequality in the world affects me and sometimes makes me sad. At the same time, I believe that involved people can indeed make a difference together, even if it's sometimes on a small scale. With this foundation, I see a concrete opportunity to contribute to that in a positive and constructive way.

Cuba is a very special and beautiful country, but living conditions for many of its inhabitants have deteriorated significantly in recent years. Although I haven't been to Cuba myself, I have familiarised myself with the situation on the island and would like to contribute to initiatives aimed at humane support and hope for improvement.

As secretary, I want to commit myself to a careful, transparent, and reliable organisation. I see my Spanish background and command of the language as a valuable asset in this regard. Who knows, this involvement might also bring me to Cuba personally in the future.

My name is John van Huet. I am 71 years old, retired and live in Zwolle. In my working life, I have almost always held management positions in the catering industry and commercial services, both as an employee and as a self-employed entrepreneur.

About twelve years ago, I stopped working to enjoy life more. Travel played an important role in this. During those travels, I first came to Cuba — a country that deeply moved me and that I have since held dear.

Through my many stays in Cuba, I have slowly seen the country slide into its current, very worrying situation. Structural shortages of electricity, fuel, food and drinking water define daily life. After Hurricane Melisa, the situation has become even more dire for many people.

From personal experience, I know that many Cubans can only stay afloat with the help of friends and family from abroad. This reality has deeply affected me and motivates me to get actively involved.

With the Amistad con Cuba Foundation, I hope to contribute together with the other board members to concrete, people-centred aid for the Cuban population – transparently, with engagement, and with respect for the local community.

Hello, I'm Daylen, and I have a heart that beats between Cuba and the Netherlands.

I was born on and live on this beautiful island called Cuba. My education is in law, but life has led me down many professional paths: I have worked as a hotel receptionist, a customs officer, a commercial agent, an accountant, and I currently work in Human Resources. Each profession has taught me an important lesson: the importance of listening, organising, paying attention to detail, and above all, treating every person with dignity.

Today I am part of this humanitarian aid project that connects us with the Netherlands. That is no coincidence. For me, this project means the opportunity to give back some of what I have received, to offer a helping hand to those who need it most in my country, and to do so together with Dutch friends who have chosen to approach Cuba with their hearts. It means believing that distance does not exist when there is love, and that a medicine, a meal, or a word of encouragement can change a day — or even a life.

I present myself to you with the humility of someone who knows that teamwork is the true engine of change, and with the joy of someone who feels privileged to be able to serve. I am here to put my knowledge, my energy, and my love for Cuba to good use.