Guantánamo Bay, bridge to freedom.

This project is based on the publishing a book that tells stories of young Cubans who try, on several occasions, to leave the island illegally.

There has always been and will exist in the human being the impulse and the enforce of emigrating, it is generally motivated by curiosity, by other sort of necessity or greater cause reasons. This phenomenon is not strange in Cuba, from where many has emigrated by deserting during official missions or commitments abroad, through personal relationships and others, by their own means.

Each one with its reasons and motivation. People under pressure, persecution and trapped by the system and its social, political or military structure, had no other choice than achieving an exit from the country, even if it happens to be illegal, decisions which often point toward playing with their freedom or life.

Attempts, failures, consequences, go back over and at the end ... an accomplished objective.

Those stories combine events that illustrate the daily life of young Cubans in the 90’s. These facts took place before, during and after a period of shortage of basic resources, of political and institutional repression, as well as police persecution.

This migratory phenomenon, with Cubans as protagonists, has exist since the beginning of the communist era and it is characterized, amongst other things, by having the United States of America as the primary destination. In the wide majority of the events in which this action has been carried out, it has been in very threatening, with risky situations, having to face a large number of defies, troubles and impediments, all caused by human or nature interference.

For decades, this migratory phenomenon has been originated, among other reasons, by social, political and economic circumstances. In daily tasks of a Cuban, there are many variables that act as triggers for taking such a drastic decision.

Each of the situations reproduced in these stories, are genuine to provide data and information that will support the better understandings of those causes that still give life to these situations, the collateral effects that arises, and the vast consequences of achieving or failing on trying.

Each story describes realities that illustrate the motivation that Cubans have had for decades to try an illegal exit from the country, and to retry as many times as necessary, until they achieve their goal. These actions are well thought-out as serious crime in the penal code of the island, and are severely punished by the judicial, political and social structure of the island.

Every individual who dared to face this challenge did so consciously running all risk of losing everything, even their own life. However, very little is known about the complexity of running out Cuba departing from a different initial point from those used by rafters.

The chosen itinerary used to have, as an intermediate stopover, the North American naval base located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The route had unpredictable challenges, unknown menaces and other variety of complications in a very short portion of field.

This book includes stories, life attainments and experiences narrated by different protagonists of the events, figures of vital importance in those facts, as well as other sources. The emigration is described from a slightly known perspective, since this route would not take them to US coasts precisely, nor directly to the mentioned territory.

The stories used as a reference to develop the content of this book are based on real events. Due to responsibility, details that can be considered as critical or sensitive information for institutions, governments and armies will be passed over.

About us

In this project collaborate an appreciable group of people, in which are counted; an accountant and a commercial agent with long and solid experience, each one in his sector. In addition, also participate a significant group of emotional motivators and a substantial number of "fortune tellers and futurologists".

As the main source of content, developer and manager of this project, a convert cosmopolitan with nearly 20 years residing away from his homeland, who after having traveled through different countries and territories chose to settle in Spain.

An experienced multimedia designer, trained in various digital design arts and daring entrepreneurs with a high concept of effort and sacrifice, strong character and resolute spirit, whose existence has been always based on determination and trust.

This project is undertaken convinced of the interest that this history has generated in other ambits, given to its particular nature of cause and effect, appreciating the scenarios in which these events took place, and considering the international social context.

It is time to share these experiences in ranges that goes beyond the rooms in which these stories have been sporadically heard.

The idea has raised in moments of gatherings when laughs and memories were shared. Those who have heard a piece of these stories, have always signed the end of the talks with comments like, "these memories are to be transform into a book, before they disappear under new experiences".

Turning this idea into an objective to achieve, began a journey that was been channeled towards acquiring the appropriate training to carry out this purpose.

To what contributions will be allocated

The funds donated by the supporters through this collective financing instrument, will be exclusively dedicated to the fulfillment of the creative process, to the production of items, and concluding actions linked to promotion and diffusion of the project. Essentially, will be invest to cover costs of production, commercialization and distribution of the book.

The necessary processes to develop and publish this book will be carried out with the support of professionals from the editorial segment. This joint decision has been taken altogether to warrant the use of appropriate and optimal technologic processes, assisted by enterprises in the publishing segment, whose recognized activities can be united to consolidate a complete editorial item.

At present, there are many publishing groups, built-up printers and management agencies which offer different service packages focused on simplifying the publishing of a book for new or first-time writers.

The minimum expenses considered to entirely execute this project are approaches from calculations based on approximate costs given by mentioned entities.

The target is to publish a book with dimensions of 21cm per 15cm, with approximately 500 pages, semi-rigid covers, cover protector, interior guards with graphic associated to content of book, front and back cover designed exclusively for the edition, in whose content, images referring to the events related will be included as way of illustration.

As of today, there is no other source of financing than the current procedure, beyond a few personal savings.

This editorial project is like revealing to the public part of a past that belongs to many, in its lyrics lies the pride of having been part of this epoch of so much sacrifice, of much controversy and revealing reality, it is sensitive in many aspects.

Despite the initial difficulties, the current ones and those that presumably will arise, the support team is convinced that there is a way to accomplish with every planned step backed up by supporters. Taking lead with the moment and circumstances that bring us here, this project will be taken to completion conscientiously, with responsibility and good work.

Scheduled calendar

It is expected that this project duration will be around 6 to 8 months, period of time that includes book’s development, production and distribution processes. The early months will be used to re-compile all the content that has been already written along nearly 18 years, dedicating widespread time to implementation of new and remaining fundamentals.

The returns to the supporters would be delivered after completing all the required processes to turn the project into reality. Crowdfunding, editing, production... etc.

The perfect moment to proceed to deliver the rewards to supporters would be once all stages established in the calendar have been overcome, as project becomes ready to be brought to light.

It is considered appropriate to deliver the compensation to supporters 15 days before starting with distribution and commercialization of the book, moment that appears to be a very distinctive time lapse.

+ Info

• For suggestions on patronage, rewards and collaboration, please don’t mind getting in touch with the project team.

• The designs created for the presentation items dedicated to the supporters are exclusive.

• The invitations to join us in the presentation and book signing events may vary depending on the location of the benefactor, the schedule of the event and the capacity allowed at the spot.

Shipping Conditions

[*] The shipping costs will be included within Spain peninsular territory, and for contributions from 35.00€.

[**] For supporters whose contribution is under 35.00€, and other geographical areas, shipments will be made with an additional cost that might be pre-paid, payed counter-reimbursement, or based on previous agreement with project managers.

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