This is a unique chance for people from Canada to support Cuba by volunteering on an agricultural field, painting a school, or many other projects alongside Cubans Having weathered a long winter of dark, rainy and unpredictable weather in Vancouver, over 40 people dreaming of going to Cuba on a volunteer work trip gathered together to make that dream a reality. On April 24, people of all ages came together at Taco Loco restaurant to find out how they could participate in the 16th Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade to Cuba this summer. The evening was kicked off with a slideshow of photos from the 2005, 2007 and 2008 brigades and included everything from salsa lessons and street carnivals to historical sites of the revolution and meetings with national organizations such as the Cuban Women’s Federation (FMC). After those who had never been to Cuba with the brigade before got a taste of what the experience through the slideshows, the floor was opened up to participants of previous brigades to share stories that impacted and inspired them during their time in Cuba. From all the stories - from sharing ice cream with strangers and making new friends to learning about and seeing how Cubans are fighting for a better world - people were able to begin to see how every day on the Che Guevara Brigade is a day of excitement and discovery. Participants in the event also had the opportunity to ask more questions about the brigade and get answers from those with first-hand experience. Two films - one about Cuban healthcare, documenting the free cataract surgery Cuba has performed around the world, and the other about workers’ democracy in Cuba - gave participants an insight into the gains that the Cuban revolution and the Cuban people have made over the last 50 years. The night ended with everyone talking about the trip, excited to start planning and saving for the Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade 2009! To find out more about the Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade please visit: www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/brigade	Report Back Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade Information Night! Click on photos to enlarge