This type of story is why we love what we do here at Altruvistas. It’s not just about travel or philanthropy, relationship building or giving back. It’s about all of that and more.

Traveler Kathleen Conklin attempted to capture the unique images and vibrant colors of Cuba during a recent photography workshop there, but for her, the unexpected highlight of her trip was best represented, as she tells it, “in the image of a tattered ballet slipper worn by an extraordinary young dancer.”

She had attended a youth rehearsal at ProDanza Ballet Academy in Cuba, Havana’s 460-member ballet academy, where she quickly discovered that the young dancers “sorely (literally and figuratively) need the kinds of basics that dancers elsewhere take for granted.”

So Kathleen sprung into action by starting a fundraising campaign to help purchase ballet equipment for the students. As she tells it, “Watching these beautiful young artists practice their craft in such distressed equipment- or with no support whatsoever- galvanized me.”

Pro Danza is the ballet school we told you about back in February. It’s a highly regarded dance program in Cuba, but funding from the Cuban government is extremely minimal—only enough to pay salaries–so the school relies on donations to pay for shoes, costumes, and other expenses.

But raising funds is only half the battle. Their troubles are more complicated than just limited funding, because financial constraints aside, ballet shoes aren’t available for purchase in Cuba, so dancers are forced to wear the most appropriate shoes they can find, even if they’re not the right fit, which can be a painful situation, literally.

Once the donations are collected to purchase ballet shoes and other dance equipment, how does Kathleen plan to get it all to the dancers? Her Indiegogo page explains:

Currently, the best way to get supplies to these dancers is hand-carried in travelers’ luggage. I have found a great partner in Malia Everette of Altruvistas, who sends many travelers to Cuba each month, who are each able to take a couple of pairs of shoes in their luggage.

Altruvistas has been collecting and delivering shoes and tights to ProDanza for a while now. It’s a no brainer, since we coordinate so many visits to the country, and specifically to the dance school. And the folks who travel with Altruvistas, well, they tend to care about other people. They also tend to act on that concern, like Kathleen.

It’s beyond gratifying to see someone mobilize to make a real positive difference in the lives of others. Kathleen is heading back to Cuba this November on an Altruvistas journey. We bet you can guess what she’ll be packing.

Support Young Dancers in Cuba

If you’d like to support Kathleen’s campaign to raise funds for ProDanza ballet equipment, please visit her Indiegogo page, which explains:

They desperately need ballet shoes, both slippers and pointe shoes, and are not able to purchase them in Cuba. With relations between the two countries opening up, it is a great time to show that we are friends of the Cubans! Ballet is one of their premiere cultural items, and they have brought many superior dancers to the USA, some of whom are actually graduates of ProDanza!

Kathleen adds, “As Cuba begins to reconnect with the outside world, the gift of proper pointe shoes would speak volumes about our hopes for the school’s future, and for our support of the arts in its country.”

If you agree, then donate what you can, and Kathleen and other Altruvistas travelers will make sure the dance supplies get where they’re going.

ballet shoes for cuban dancersTAKE ACTION!

  • Check out the ProDanza Indiegogo campaign to find out what the perks for donating are, (among them is a CD of Cuban music) plus share the campaign with your friends and follow along on Facebook.
  • Every donation helps: $20 can provide one child with a new pair of ballet slippers, and $15 affords a pair of tights. So you don’t have to give a lot to make a big difference in the life of a young, talented Cuban dancer.

Photo Credit: Tim Tendick