A Step in the RIght Direction

A Step in the Right Direction

I know these blogs are supposed to be about animals (mostly dogs and cats) in Cuba, but the quality of those animal lives is closely tied to that of their people. And Cuban people have many crosses to bear. So when a major change in the fortunes of the Cuban people takes place, it's good news for the animals as well. Such a change took place this week when the Cuban government allowed its citizens to buy and sell real estate.

Previously you couldn't buy or sell your home; you only had the right to trade properties with other Cubans. In a difficult maneuver with a lawyer officiating, you could swap homes with another Cuban. We became involved in this "permutta" system when a number of years ago Nora, Aniplant's president, found someone in central Havana who wanted to trade places with Aniplant's old headquarters. Finding such a willing fellow swapper wasn't easy as the old Aniplant headquarters was on the 8th floor of a building with a dead elevator hopelessly beyond repair. The other guy's place (to be Aniplant's new headquarters) was on the street level of a well-known street, and it served as that man's family home.

We found out about the arranged swap in 2006 when Nora told us of it and told us the average wait to formalize a swap was 4 years. She had already waited two years. "Can't it be expedited?" we asked. "Yes for a bribe of $150," we were told.

Think of it; a lack of $150 caused a four year wait for two parties who both wanted the swap. Someone in our group reached into his pocket, dug out $150, and gave it to Nora to get the project moving. Two days later, the lawyer moved Nora's file to the top of the pile, and the swap was done.

It wasn't all roses, however. The "new" headquarters is a 200 year old one story building needing roof work, a new roof top water tank, and every light switch, ceiling fixture, and wall plug had been removed and left with the old owner. Much additional time and donated money was needed to make the new headquarters into the showplace it is today.

But this week all those machinations became history as people gained the right to buy and sell their residences without prior government approval. Already some are predicting a new wave of prosperity as people take pride in their possessions and fix them up. Others predict an exodus as people with some cash from selling their homes leave for other countries. No one knows for sure what will happen, but it's a pretty good bet people will be better off.

What's good for the Cuban citizen is usually also good for his dog or cat. If nothing else, it will be a little easier to feed that animal if his master has more money in his pocket. And a rising tide floats all boats. More money in a man's hands means more work, more pay, better homes, etc. etc.

The first time I saw Havana, I was struck by the blotchy walls on large buildings made so by decades of no paint. I imagined a huge tanker floating into the harbor filled with white paint. It was a day dream, of course, but this city with many gorgeous buildings, some dating back to the 1700's could, in my mind's eye, be one of the most beautiful in the world. Paint and maintenance seemed all that stood between dishevelment and splendor.

Maybe now our Cuban neighbors (and their companion animals) will find a way toward a greater society with a higher standard of living.

When you work on the problems of animals, you dare not be a pessimist.

Les Inglis