Testimonials

Words of Praise

“Fundación Amistad is the best and most effective U.S. non-profit doing humanitarian aid and cultural exchange work in Cuba today.”

- Michael Parmly
Former Chief of Mission of the United States Interest Section in Havana from September 2005 until July 2008

“Non-governmental organizations can act as a bridge from people of one country helping people of another country. Thanks to Fundación Amistad for managing to mobilize the resources very easily and in an effective way.”

- Bruno Moro
Former Resident Coordinator for the United Nations Development Programme in Cuba

AIA/NY Chapter Professional Exchange Program

Members’ Report from the trip

“On November 7 to 14, 2009, nine architects with varied expertise went to Havana, Cuba on a historic voyage.  The trip was initiated by Noushin Ehsan, AIA (the Chair of the Global Dialogues Committee) and Margaret Castillo, AIA (A board member of AIANY and former Chair of the Preservation Committee) and was planned as part of the Global Dialogues Committee’s programs. The “Fundación Amistad” under the leadership of Mrs. Luly Duke, President, magically transformed the proposed wish list into a trip that exceeded everyone’s expectations…

The remarkable success of our trip was due to the knowledge and efforts of the administrators of Fundación Amistad and the respect that Luly Duke, a Cuban-American, has earned in Cuba. The individual stories and outlooks of this historic trip are varied and often they were emotional.  For example, when Pedro Castillo, who was returning to his native Cuba after 50 years, found the school that he used to attend when he was a child, the cathedral where his parents were married, and even the tomb of his ancestors were personal moving moments for him.

On behalf of the Global Dialogues Committee, together with Margaret Castillo and Fundación Amistad, I promise that we will soon have a symposium at the Center for Architecture where we will present to the AIA members at large the selected pictures, documentation and narratives of our nine member group.”

- Noushin Ehsan  Chair of AIA/NY Global Dialogue Committee 11.18.09

Chelsea Visits Havana Group

10th Havana Biennial

A large group of visual arts enthusiast from the United States traveled with Fundación Amistad to appreciate the exhibition and the 10th Havana Biennial.

• “I realized how much I missed our intense, diverse, and enlightening experience in Cuba.  Luly and company made this a exceptional trip, as did all of you. Many thanks!”
  - Marjorie
• “I want to thank ALL of you for contributing to our fabulous experience in Cuba.  It was such a pleasure to be in Cuba with so many delightful travel companions. Thanks to all for a truly a magical week. Fondly, Virginia”
• “I saw so much and learned so much and I could not have been happier. Thanks Luly for organizing it all.  You were all great, and I send you all my best wishes and thanks.”
  - Gloria
• “I have been given (and taken) credit for the thaw in US-Cuban relations that “resulted” from our trip – although I’m sure it was Luly who worked it out in her spare time.”
  - Joan Goody
• “Dear Luly, The timing couldn’t have been better! We are now entering a new phase in a long and storied history between Cuba and the United States What an unbelievable trip we were privileged to do with Fundación Amistad this year.”
  - Meme Ferre

11th Havana Biennial

“In May 2012 I had the opportunity to document Fundación Amistad’s trip to Cuba for the Biennial. This was my first time to the country after having heard many incredible stories from different people over the years. It was by far one of the more interesting places I have traveled, full of conflict and solidarity, beauty and sadness, and lucky for me I was with an exceptional group of people to make it an experience I will never forget.”

- Roberto Serrini