GUANTÁNAMO.— Construction brigades from Baracoa and Camagüey are working flat-out to repair the 85% of cultural institutions affected by Hurricane Matthew.
José Ángel Turro Gomero, provincial director of culture, reported that the Casa de la Trova and Raúl Gómez García Library only suffered minor damages to their facades, which can be quickly repaired.
Turro Gomero explained that the Casa de Cultura Cecilio Gómez Lambert, which suffered extensive damages, has already re-opened to the public after the roofing; wood and paintwork were restored, while repairs to community centers in Yumurí and Jamal are still underway.
He added that the roofs of all Asociación Hermanos Saíz facilities and the Municipal Cultural Office were completely repaired, while tiles which had been dislodged from the roof of the Eliseo Osorio Art Gallery were also replaced.
Furthermore, new bathrooms and furnishings were installed, and structural roofing repairs undertaken, in the Artex–affiliated El Yunque and Patio cultural centers.
Repairs to the Encanto cinema-theater, whose roof was completely destroyed causing serious damages to the screen, curtains and chairs, were also initiated.
Centers that were totally destroyed by the hurricane such as Ranchón del Kiribá-Nengón, in the town of Güirito, the Mosquitero community cultural center, as well as others which suffered partial damages, will be rebuilt thanks to the support of the government of Baracoa, Ministry of Culture and sector directorate in Guantánamo.
GUANTÁNAMO MAIL FACILITIES RESTORED
Four Correos de Cuba head offices and affiliated outlets in the municipalities most severely affected by Hurricane Matthew in the far east of the island were restored thanks to the support of a team of workers from the organization’s Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba branches.
Speaking to Venceremos, Yusmary Agüero Alfonso, spokesperson for Correos de Cuba Guantánamo, reported that although some mail centers continue to host evacuated families, mail and newspaper, as well as postal order and check payment services continue to be available.
Only the La Tinta office in the municipality of Maisí is yet to be repaired, given problems transporting materials due to poor accessibility, she highlighted. Despite this, providing mail services continues to be a priority.
Agüero Alfonso also noted that at the beginning of November, Correos de Cuba launched a new service app, exclusively for Android phones, which allows users to track their mail, telegrams, and national and international money orders, among other options. (Venceremos digital)
