Destruction In Cuba Inspires Southampton Woman To Pack A Bag Of Hope

Alicia Farnam is a woman who not only cares about the well-being of her fellowman, but is a woman of action as well. Deeply affected by the flash tornado that hit Havana, Cuba in late January of this year, Farnam recalled her delightful pre-devastation trip to Cuba with a group of travelers through People to People, an organization that assists travelers with entry to the country.

“This is a beautiful country, and we spent ten days there staying in B&B’s throughout Cuba. We traveled extensively and met with and became close to a number of families. Even before the tornado, and before the trip I brought two suitcases filled with items we felt the Cuban people could use,” Farnam revealed.

Following the tornado, Farnam took it upon herself to use the outreach of social media to obtain now desperately needed items for those who were most impacted by the damage, which resulted in the death of three and injury to more than 150. She learned that she could send one suitcase filled with items, especially footwear (sneakers), to Cuba with the travel agent who had arranged her memorable trip. The same travel agent is planning to return to Cuba the first week in March, and Farnam’s goal is to fill yet another suitcase with items for the agent to bring to those in need.

Five municipalities including Cerro, Diez de Octubre, Guanabacoa, Regla and Habana del Este suffered severe damage and Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel compared the damage to that of a war zone, thus solidifying Farman’s determination to help where she could.

Farnam is a resident of Southampton, and was born and raised in Sag Harbor. She credits her mother’s involvement in charitable works over the years, as well as her Catholic faith and upbringing for instilling in her a social conscious and a desire to “help where and when I can.” Farman continued, “I do this on my own locally in Southampton, such as Maureen’s Haven, and after such a wonderful visit to Cuba it just felt natural for me to reach out to see what I could do.”

Farnam hopes to return to Cuba within the next year and continue her humanitarian efforts in person.

If you would like to make a donation Farnman has requested that you contact her via Facebook (Click Here), and she will make arrangements to have items picked up and sent to this small nation that could use a helping hand.