The "Special Period"

Since 1991, Cuba was experiencing one of the worst times in its history, a period of profound transitions that Fidel Castro had labeled “el periodo especial.” When the Soviet Union collapsed, Cuba was sent reeling towards an uncertain future. Citizens were facing harrowing changes and dire hardships. The atmosphere was gloomy. Most of the stores were empty and there were endless lines for everything.
In spite of their difficulties, Cubans are special people. You cannot be indifferent to them. Cubans have enriched my life. The harmony I have with them is more intense, more profound than I have had with any other people.
To date, most Americans know little about Cuba and almost nothing about Cubans...

Your donation to non-profit organization “Help Cuba Now” will make a lasting difference in the lives of Cuban families and children in need. Your generosity provides crucial assistance for Cuban people and children who face extreme poverty, hunger and natural disasters. Your support is urgently needed.

Organization "HELP CUBA NOW" is not about politics, nor is it about differences in opinions or confrontation. We are all about providing relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged citizens of Cuba.

Board of directors:

Tamara Andrianova, President

or the past decade I have been very interested in Cuba and have learned a lot about the tense relationship between US and Cuban governments, which highly increased my interest and curiosity to dig dipper into this subject. My educational experience with a degree in International Relations in People’s University in Kiev, Ukraine, gives me an opportunity to use this knowledge and be a part of this project.

The situation in Cuba today, which has obviously been caused by the US embargo and the collapse of the Soviet Union – is disturbing. There is no doubt that Cubans are experiencing tremendous economic hardships and do not even have the most basic necessities. For the past decade Cuba has suffered the worst economic disaster in its history. It’s hard to imagine, but most of Cubans live on less than a dollar a day! These families and children are too familiar with poverty. The US embargo, the collapse of Soviet Union (which was a huge support for decades in the past), and damage from hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 (is estimated between $3 and $4 billion) caused unbearable hardship for Cuban citizens.

Help Cuba Now was established in January of 2009 as a nonprofit charitable organization which holds 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Help Cuba Now is a mission of charity with a purpose to provide basic needs of healthcare, medicine and food to Cuban people in abject poverty; to foster self-help in health, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and respect for the environment; and to increase public awareness in the United States of conditions and the lack of human necessities in Cuba.

This little generous and kind-hearted nation for many decades has been helping people all over the world never asking for anything for itself; however, these people DO need help. I’m willing to carry the story of this little nation to other people with a deep hope in my heart that together we’ll be able to make the lives of these people a bit easier and happier.