50 Years later - Happy New Year!!!! Here We Are.....2010!

50 years later……..

A day of reflection for my family, a day of our history, a day that marked the start of our journey to continue to seek freedom, human rights and civil liberties for our homeland, Cuba.

A day which marked our parents and who we are, all they would do to help our family and anyone who wanted to leave Cuba.

A day the few who were in the USA, had to unite and support one another to get on their feet, in a new country. To help those who were clouded by el Fidelista.

A day where they and others would reach out their hands to their Cuban sisters and brothers, regardless if they made the mistake of following Castro and now saw the light and the truth of what Fidel Castro’s agenda would be for Cuba and for the Children of Cuba.

Today is marked for them as the day they would never return to their homeland, Cuba.

 A day to rebuild... in their new world, learn a new language, to embrace a new culture, and to continue the fight against the enemies of liberty and democracy.

Oh, yes and a day where my parents would have to move heaven and earth to get me the baby out of Cuba. This is how my family and friends started January 1, 1959.

Here I am, the baby at the age of 52, starting January 1, 2010, in Unity with fellow Cubans and many others that ONLY want to end the Cuban tragedy of 51 years of a lost City. A pointless revolution! That has given nothing to the people of Cuba.

Many have contacted me and asked me, if I am the daughter of Lt. Cornel Merob Sosa Garcia.

Yes, I am! I am the youngest of the 3, and yes I will continue what so many started on January 1, 1959, to fight for the freedom of Cuba.

Yes, my father belonged to La Rosa Blanca the first Cuban organization in the USA. Yes, he was a friend and a brother to Rafael Diaz-Balart and the organization started on January 28, 1959, in honor of Jose Marti.

Yes, he was the military arm of the organization. Yes, he was also aligned with Alpha 66; Yes he knew Jorge Mas Canosa and others. Yes, he told his fellow brothers not to go to Bay of Pigs because JFK would have to bailout and they would be captured.

Yes, at the time he served under Batista, the militaries mission is to defend their country. This is what my Father and many other Father’s were doing defending, Cuba so it would not fall in the hands of an egotistical madmen and his squad of killers.

Yes, he has never agreed with communist principles and felt sorry for those that were blinded by it.

Yes, he loved the founding principles of the USA over any other government.
Knowing the USA also has made mistakes, yet, honored how the founding father’s of the USA and the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were crafted by ordinary immigrants who searched for Freedom. This is why; the USA is the Land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE!

In speaking to my sisters, I asked them what is it that you felt on January 1, 1959 and how do you feel, today, January 1, 2010? The respond will come directly from my sister, Carmen. They lived the agony of our Cuban history, along with all those in their generation.

I will realize the Cuban Historical Film Project with those who thirst to finally share it with the World. We will tell our side of the story, we must learn from history the lesson placed before us.

We must raise our Consciousness and be better humans for the sake of humanity.

Tonight is New Year’s Eve. It’s the night we all toast to the future and become resolute in changing the way we do things.

Perhaps, it is time to change the way we have handled the Cuba issue and finally make a difference and bring about the true change so very needed for all who are held hostage in their own homeland.

Some are so blinded by fear they cannot see the forest for the trees, we must reach out to those who have the courage to speak the truth of the real Cuba. The one Castro hides from the World. We do not need to be talking to those who want to continue with the same double standards and status quo of the Castro brothers.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein

The People of Cuba and the Exile community long for REAL HARD CORE CHANGE!

Regardless of what the Castro regime tries to show through their communist propaganda.

51 years have shown what is and what is not, its time for a change and start a new REVOLUTION for the PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE!!!

I wish ALL my old and new Friends a Very Happy, Free and Joyous 2010!!!!

 Cheers,

Gina I. Sosa

Virtual Prayer 12/31/2009 to 1/1/2010 United with ONE Thought....

As we prepare to ring in the New Year 2010, we invite you, no matter where YOU are in the World to join us in a prayer for Cuba, if you are on the Dance floor, do it, if you are on the computer, join the Virtual Prayer,  does not matter where you are at, just takes a minute for our thoughts our prayers.

Our Prayer is simple. 

Based on God's gift to humanity:  Life, Love, Liberty, Freedom, Joy and Prosperity.

We pray for true freedom in Cuba and for this freedom to remain. 

To be FREE of the Castro regime going on 51 years of an illegal government that is not for the people.

We pray for all political prisoners, for las damas en blanco, for all independent journalist, for all the Cuban bloggers. 

We pray for all the people that still fear the Castro regime, letting them know that with God before them, they have nothing to fear.  

We are calling 2010 the Year of Liberty for Cuba!

I wish you and yours a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2010!!!!

Thank you GOD!

CONGA LINE TO A FREE CUBA IN 2010!!!!

IF YOU FEEL CUBA.....

A Cuba with Liberty, Democracy, Prosperity, Unity.

Please JOIN the Face Book Page, Conga line to a free Cuba in 2010, the page is about...

OUR LOVE for CUBA UNITED as we PRAY, as we KNOW, with NO DOUBT that 2010!!!

Must be the year of Great Change!!!!  

"We move with Certainty,we pour our love, peace, joy, and freedom onto our Tierra, CUBA"!  gis

51 Years Later... The Journey continues....

This day is marked in my family history! 

My mother, Modesta, always with reflection and gratitude to prepare for Navidad and Praise God for the gift of life.

A day where I remember my parents and two older sisters for the courage our Mother had in making our Father get on an airplane, destination West Palm Beach, Florida,  final destination New York City, to spend Christmas with family.

The reason in her heart for my Father to have rest, since he was in an intense battle in la sierra maestra against the rebel forces of Fidel Castro and Che, who were about to take over the country.

She managed to do all this against my Father's will, he wanted to stay and continue the fight and not allow Castro forces to take over the country.  However, he had to listen to General Silito Tabernilla and at the time President Batista to go on vacation relax, rest and enjoy Navidad and Ano Nuevo.

For my parents and siblings this day marks the journey of 51 years, where they had to start a new life, in a new country, with a new language, without the comforts they worked for and who they were.  The thought of not going home in 1959, was not a thought in their minds or heart, especially my sister's.

On January 1, 1959 there life changed, all our life's changed!

I guess this was the path in that moment and the Christmas gift of life was on target, for if our Father would have been in Cuba, perhaps, I as the youngest would have never known him.

I had the Joy of having him alive in the land of the free and the gift of both my parents sharing their experiences.

I do feel the Journey, the journey of so many Cubans is to realize a Free Cuba, where we can all get on an airplane and return to re-build, what has been destroyed for 51 years.

The Journey must start NOW! 

We continue the call for all Exiles to Unite with a common objective, to FREE CUBA, from the tortures of Castros Communist Regime.

Or do we just continue with another 51 years of this cruel intimating style of governing.

The communist do not like when people unite for one objective, one goal, one Victory!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!!!

I FEEL CUBA Y ¡PODEMOS LLEGAR!

One of the many beautiful Christmas Presents for all of us, who feel, the Cuba of our parents and grandparents. 

I invite you to watch the video, narrated by Andy Garcia, the video for International Human Rights week and
the immigrant archieve project.

The history of our nation will not be wiped out just because of the hatred in the heart of a mad man and his croonies.

I affirm and claim the year 2010 to be the year of the Bird of Liberty and Peace for Cuba and the World. 

Where human, civil rights and justice, for all prevail.

It is with hope, peace, love and joy in our Hearts, that we Visualize a real and True Cuba, with the Silver Bells of LIBERTY ringing for all to witness the Greatness of Exiles United, (un exilio unido) for One common goal!    Democracy, Liberty, Freedom, Peace, Prosperity and Love for all the Cuban people.

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo

Make A Miracle !!!! A local Broward County, Florida, USA Story....

This story reminds me of Gloria Estefan’s song, “Christmas through your eyes.”

Along with John Lennon’s, “so this is Christmas and What have you done’

 It is not just a yearly Toy drive while we are in the season of giving. It continues throughout the year and the BIG bonus, if you will, is Christmas, when the Christ is born in each and every one of us

The season of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy, allow me to take you on a journey of how the Christ within was born in Make a Miracle and its founder.

Regina Champlin Igoe started working with Fort Lauderdale’s school kids as a

“Listener for children.”

 The listener program is a part of the Mental Health Services department with Broward County, and is designed to work with under-privileged children who face poverty, neglect, and sometimes violence at home.

“Listeners” are charged with talking with the kids about their goals in life, cultivating their dreams and perhaps help them solve problems with a little adult advice. In tougher neighborhoods of South Florida, those conversations don’t come easily.

At the end of the two-day training the program’s administrators asked Igoe which children she wanted to work with. “I said, give me the worst school you’ve got.” recalls Igoe.

That “worst school” ended up being North Side Elementary, located near the corner of Sunrise and Andrews Avenue, a little south of Wilton Manors. It is only blocks from the Towering apartments and cute gentrified cottages of Wilma, North side elementary sits in a world completely separated from the prosperity of Broward County’s gay hood.

“The children looked like walking zombies.” said Igoe. “These kids suffer from neglect, from not enough food in the house…they were dead inside. I would look in their eyes, and there was nothing going on. They live in an area with guns and drugs and that’s all they see. They never sat at a dinner table together.

They think, “The only way I’m going to make any money is to become a criminal.”

Despite her efforts, Igoe said she couldn’t connect with the kids; they wouldn’t open up and share their thoughts with a stranger.

“I began to questions if I was accomplishing anything.” she said. “To take a child for a half hour and talk to them, and expect to get results from this white person who comes in, you’re getting nowhere.”

Nevertheless, Igoe stuck with it and after a year, she finally had a break through. During one of her one-sided question and answer sessions she asked a boy if he had plans for Christmas.

“He looked at me, and said “Christmas”? “I’ve never had a Christmas”, she said.

That conversation was the inspiration for Igoe’s organization Make a Miracle, which develops a safe environment for children by bringing them out of their homes and giving them family comforts most people take for granted. Igoe provides after-school help, she takes groups on field trips, she cooks them meals all at her own expense, buying school uniforms and books and food with her own money.

The highlight of the year is Christmas, when she gives them presents, which are usually the only presents they receive.

In 2008 Igoe turned her organization into a non-profit, and with the spiritual help of Unity Church of Fort Lauderdale, she wrapped and distributed over 1,500 gifts to kids from elementary through high school. Most of the gifts were typical: bicycles, video games, Barbie dolls. She was shocked by the number of kids that asked for basic items, including food.

“Some of the kids wanted eye exams, they couldn’t see the board.” She said. “So we got them glasses, and they began to pay attention in class and their grades went up.”

Igoe’s rules for her kids are simple: Yes, Rules…go to class, get good grades, don’t cause trouble and don’t get suspended, and you get a gift from your wish list. Break the rules, and you get a toy from the dollar store. Besides the disappointment of receiving a lousy gift, the kid’s competitive nature is what drives them to open up a gift from their wish list, rather than a gift not on their wish list.

When Igoe began her organization, North Side Elementary was a “D” school. Yet, after working with administrators to implement her programs, bringing the kids to the beach, cooking them dinner to teach them table manners-and most importantly persuading the kids to behave in class with the promise of Christmas presents –this year the school, once thought of as the “worst” in the district, received an “A” rating.

 “In order to get an “A” rating, every child has to show growth.” said Michelle Brown, a guidance counselor at North Side. “Before we started this program, we had never received an “A”! People say we’re bribing the kids, but I don’t care. If it works, it works. And I know it works.”

Here is my sidebar on this concept: My Father and Mother, specifically my Father instilled in me education, all I ask is for good grades and every summer you will get a new bicycle and all your Christmas wishes on your list some way or another will manifest. Although most of my education was in private Jesuit schools the concept works for kids of all walks. I agree, it does work, and this is why, I have made a space on  my blog for you.

“These are the people you won’t feel safe in a few years because they grow up so fast, Igoe said. “These kids become the teenagers in your neighborhood. However, when they are exposed to different things, they start to carry books, see plays…you’re introducing them into ways of living they didn’t know. It has been a long process, but there’s been actual change…my bank account is depleted, but the kids are doing great.”
The efforts are beyond a toy drive, here is another example of the depth of the program.

Igoe contacted Florida Agenda to tell them of a young boy she met, who was suffering harassment from other kids at school who tease him for being gay.

“This little boy is very intuitive, very sensitive, very aware of other people”, she said. “He’s the nicest little boy. And I told him, “whether you’re gay or not gay, whatever you have inside you is you, and you have to honor that, there’s nothing wrong with it.” I teach girls the same, they have to honor themselves as women, they cannot let men take their power away.”

Obviously Igoe knew how to pull at the heartstrings of the GLBT community. Their community extends far beyond the boundaries of “gay hood.” Florida Agenda felt a responsibility to reach out in some way. The GLBT community is great at raising money for their causes which is necessary, as they face a society that often ignores their needs and leaves them to fend for themselves but we can also put our talents to good use by turning to the world around us. So Florida Agenda became a proud sponsor for Make a Miracle for the 2009 Christmas Toy Drive, where they will collect toys for kids throughout Broward County. Assisting these children helps not only them, but our own community at large.

Sure hope this sheds some light on the meaning of Christmas, the message the birth of Jesus Christ directed to humanity.

Merry Christmas to the Spirit of the Christ that lives and dwells within each and every individual as the message is taken outward to the World.

Have a Season full of JOY!

If you are moved, please contact Founder, Regina Igoe at Make A Mircle 954-803-1780.

As most non-profits, contributions are low this year, with hope in their hearts and faith they know every child will receive the Joy of Christmas.

No Mas Chavez/No Mas Castro!!!! BASTA YA!

International Human Rights Week 12/5/09 to 12/12/09

It has been a humbling experience for me who was raised in the USA, since the age of 2 years old, to hear the stories of so many, the passion for their country.

To engage with people, the grassroots!   Of Cuba, Venezuela, and others, their will to continue to fight for Liberty and human rights.   It is something no one will ever take away from them, from me.

It makes me love and bow down to the USA, for embracing all of us with love, compassion and the will to be all you can be.

This is why we must also come together to help this great nation to continue to be the leader of the Free World.

On to the human rights demonstration:

 Location: The Bay of Pigs Cuban Memorial – Calle 8 y la 13

On December 5, 2009, various Cuban exile organizations established throughout the years came out to support, EXILIO UNIDO YA! To join hearts, hands for ONE common Vision, Goal and Mission, Un Cuba Libra with NO Castro or its ideologies.

Today, on December 12, 2009, the Venezuelan community requested us to be present to support their cause No Chavez/No Castro, at the Cuban Memorial Site.

I guess we are all on the same page as we move forward showing our solidarity to stand up together for Liberty, Democracy, Prosperity and Unity!

 Here are some simple, yet powerful hi-lights of the event:

 What a musical group singing their folk songs from Venezuela and a young little girl dancing with her dress of the Venezuelan flag. You had to be there to capture the moment, the energy, and the essence of spirit.

Lady driver, no pun intended, gets excited and almost came up on the curve….

Drivers blowing their horns in solidarity!

Walk on by stop to greet us and stand with us for a moment, which is all that it takes. They go on to do their business, funny this Christmas and New Year everyone longs for the same. Una Cuba Libra y Una Venezuela Libra! No Castro/NoChavez!

A distinguished, well dressed, lovely elderly lady letting me know she is Cuban and loves the Venezuelan people and cannot stay for she is on her way to El Parke de Domino, just 2 blocks away from the memorial. What can I say, Adorable!

Many wonderful speakers expressed their solidarity.

An ex- military man reads the Venezuelan manifesto:


BASTA YA!

No Mas Comunismo: Ni Mas Castros, Ni Mas Chavez

Queremos Patria, Libertad, Democracia y Desarrollo

No more violations of human rights, respect for political prisoners and their families.

The ultimate moment, the silence, and the one that hit the emotions!!! Together a Venezuelan woman and Cuban Woman hold a brown bag together, take out two beautiful Birds of Peace and release them to be in Liberty! Classic!

Cuba and Latin America cannot continue on the path of Chavez, Castro and Che’s socialist principles of hatred and impeding their will.

We cannot continue to allow these ideologies to up root us from our base; we must fight collectively to uphold freedom and liberty in Latin America and Cuba.

Perhaps, learn from Honduras and others that have stood their ground and fought Goliath.

The United States of America cannot afford to ignore their closes neighbors, anymore.

For it is for the good of the United States to be aware of the developments within these regions.

I see a horizon full of light a non-stoppable force of good will for the human race.

We all have to live on this planet called Earth; either we create heaven on earth or hell.

Thank you for the privilege to stand by you!

International Human Rights Day!

As John Lennon says in his song, “So this is Christmas and what have you done”?

I am one of the many humans wanting to Unite in the Spirit of Peace, Love, Joy and Goodness for all.

We can no longer afford to live in the World and ignore inhuman acts to fellow humans.

We are all created equal!   We are all children of one God with many names.

As many before us send out a message, we must decide, what type of World or Heaven we want to create for future generations.

Do we follow the message of Hope, Peace, Love and Unity or do we continue on the path of destruction and confusion?

Do we allow those that their mind, heart, and souls are filled with hate and envy to continue to violate human rights? I turn them over to GOD, to do what it is to be done. Knowing they were created by our maker. Therefore, I turn them over to the Creator of the Universe.

I will focus, now, on my Cuba, Our Cuba, 50 years of violating human rights gone to deaf ears, blinded by the myths of the Castro brothers. Silent by prison cells, by many who risk their lives and never make it to shore, silent by the fear of not endangering their family or friends.

Here and now we send you a message, your days are numbered, your inhuman ways are done, and your old ways of deceit and false accusations are and WILL be revealed by the Light of Truth.

You have poisoned the minds and hearts of 3rd and 4th generation, born under a system that has failed those who supported it. You have been and are the worst leader, excuse me; you do not deserve the title of leader. You are just one of the many egotistical, selfish and envious Dictators of the Cold War!

The path of truth is here and now! Your time is DONE! Your spirit will be put to rest.

For the island you hold hostage, the island where you go and beat up on WOMAN!
Shows who you are and what you have always been, weak cowards who do not have the courage to listen and face the truth.  You have been toxic waste to Cuba! 

Cubans United will rehabilitate the toxic mind-set you created with your pathetic rage.

May God forgive you!

Cubans together will make Cuba a better place and also the World!

Wishing the World Happy Holidays or as we say... Feliz Navidad! - Merry Christmas!

Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards the human race..... Cheers,

EXILIO UNIDO YA!

It is through ACTION that we bring about the change we want to manifest.

The last time I stood in front of the Bay of Pigs Memorial was in 1998, with my beloved Mother, who wanted to visit Calle Ocho and say a silent prayer at the site. A pray for the fallen, for the political prisoners, and a pray for those held hostage on the island by a cruel madman, as she called him.

Today on the day of Human Rights I stood there with many mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers!

A peaceful loving event that united the exile community!

Exile community from 1959 to the present, this type of peaceful manifestation is what Castro, his cronies and those that parade in Miami, have never wanted to see happening.

It does not matter, who you are, what year you arrived or what you do, the bottom-line is we have a common goal. I will add that all Cubans share the same hope-full expectation for a free Cuba, without the tyrant’s Fidel and Raul Castro and their side kicks.

As exiles we know and understand that the people of Cuba must bring about the change within the island.

Today we were present for, Dr.Darsi Ferrer, Dr.Oscar Elias Biscet, for Las Damas en Blanco and many others who's human rights have been and continue to be violated!

Many exile organizations of different years were present to embrace, Exilio Unidos Ya!

Also present was the organization from Honduras that took a position of action and did not allow socialist-communist principles run over their civil and human rights.  Thank you for your action of support!

Also present a Colombian singer/songwriter, who wrote a song for Cuba, united with the exile community, showing support. Hope-full, expectation for a concert celebrating LIBERTY, with Olga Guillot, Willy Chirino, Gloria Estefan and many others, one day, in a free Cuba.

To think all this started on facebook, the virtual world united us throughout many locations today. We met in person and we continue on the journey to realize the changes that must take place on the island. 

In the 21st Century it is about Global inter-connectivity, through technology and lessons of history.  The way we connect, the way we watch television has changed and will change.

To see a few elders there! that I remember their faces when my parents attended such manifestations or came together for the cause of a free Cuba. They should be an inspiration to all of us, for 50 years they continue the plight for a free Cuba, no circumstance stops them.

As someone very special who could not be there, said to me today, there are 365 days in the year, we need to do this throughout the year, so we show real true Unity of Purpose for a free Cuba. To show the tyrant and his people who are parading in Miami that the Exile community is to be respected and will continue to stand United. We will continue to denounce human and civil rights violations not only in Cuba, wherever it takes place.

In our Unity of Purpose,

United for Human Rights in Cuba

I am honored to unite with fellow bloggers who seek human rights and freedom for Cuba!

Our BLOGBURST is for the people in Cuba.

We claim human rights for the people of Cuba and we demand the release of all political prisoners.

Their only crime is to express their desire for change and freedom in a peaceful manner.
For expressing their thoughts and feelings they are beaten and jailed.

Human Rights blog burst from 12/5/2009 to 12/12/2009!

It is a call to ACTION for all those that pray, wish and hope for human rights to be respected in Cuba.

STAND UP with these Locations: PARÍS, MADRID, ROMA, BARCELONA, MARBELLA,PUERTO RICO, MIAMI, HIALEAH, WEST PALM BEACH, TAMPA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY,
LOS ANGELES.

Please stand with us United for human rights for the people of Cuba.

Thank you,

United for Human Rights... Stand Up, Stand Up!!!

Human Rights blog burst from 12/5/2009 to 12/12/2009!

It is a call to ACTION for all those that pray, wish and hope for human rights to be respected in Cuba. STAND UP with these Locations: PARÍS, MADRID, ROMA, BARCELONA, MARBELLA, MIAMI, WEST PALM BEACH, HIALEAH, TAMPA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY.....

Human Rights Day 12/10/2009!
We are united in support for Dr. Darsi Ferrer, human rights activist.
Check out Uncommen Sense blog
Engaging Cuba in human rights, has not worked for the past 50 years! The naïve not to say any other word, Obama administration, thinks because it is Raul Castro, who is just waving a banner of “Change”. Because it is Raul and not Fidel things will change? Guess what…..NOT!!! Both brothers are a mold of the same pattern in violating human rights. In fact, Raul upon taking the position of President brought in his heavy hitters, the men that were with him in la sierra maestra. These guys have no mercy or compassion! For them it is all about the revolution a revolution full of hatred, false accusations, lies, grand theft, killings, and division and it has proven to be a failure. A revolution that survives on blaming others and creating violent acts so the people will fear them.


The Castro brothers need to be held accountable!

The country and its people under the leadership of Fidel and Raul Castro continues to be oppressed, live in filth, poverty, no freedom of expression, no room for new and better ideas, no room for any type of improvement through change, no freedom of religion or to worship, no freedom for those inside Cuba to travel and those outside Cuba but born in Cuba to travel to and from the island. Just like it was done B.C.E. (before Castro error) the only ones in Cuba allowed to prosper are the Castro brothers and whom they allow in their inner circle. If you are in their circle and you suggest a certain type of change that is not fitting to the Castro’s, you will either be killed, jailed, your family and friends threaten or just disappear. These are tactics utilized by dictators to maintain themselves in control and in power.   Create panic and fear!


Many independent journalists, bloggers and many others in Cuba, who try to express the violation of human rights have been jailed, beaten and God knows what else! Just to name a few: Dr. Darsi Ferrer, Dr. Oscar Elias de Biscet, Maria Beatriz Roque, The Ladies in white and Yoani Sanchez and many others. They have had the courage to stand up and demand their civil and God given rights! They need the support and help of the people inside Cuba to STAND UP! STAND UP! just like Honduras has done and many other countries (with NO violence) where the people demanded their human and moreover their civil rights.

People in Cuba and Latin America must no longer allow dictators to run over their rights.

If you want to live in true freedom, if you want to be an agent of true change, if you want a better life for future generations than perhaps the time is here for you to change your destiny.

Peace, Love, Joy and Freedom,