First-Hand Aid’s History

We began by request of a fellow worker in our surgical department asking us to bring supplies and money to his family village in Cuba. This took place in September of 1999. So with very little knowledge of how to travel, the legalities of travel to Cuba, and a lack of general information about Cuba Bob Cacicedo and Marc Bohland made their first trip into Cuba.

When arriving in Havana they were separated, Bob staying with some shirt tale cousins who lived in Cuba and Marc staying with the family of the fellow worker. Soon Marc would be taken to the tobacco farm of the family in Via Clara some 6 hours outside Havana. This proved to be eye-opening on rural life in Cuba and both Bob in Havana and Marc began to see a different world than we were familiar with in the United States.

Eventually reunited in Havana before leaving Cuba we were visited by six sisters of the Sacred Heart asking us to come visit their church and clinic. What we observed was a clinic without medicine or resources. They were asked if they could possibly assist in the future with this dispensary.

During their visit, they were greeted by a Cuban man whose 3-year-old daughter suffered from an immune deficiency disorder and the prognosis was not good. They expected her not to survive. They would eventually take a sample of her blood and have it analyzed at the hospital, revealing that the disorder had a simple cure with the change of medicine. They returned to Cuba soon after with the new medicine and she survived the illness.

This second trip would prove to be the beginning of a long relationship between us and Cuba. A relationship that would eventually grow into a relationship with physicians, clergy, and everyday Cubans. The existence of an organization that provided medicine, food, and monetary assistance to Cubans.

Eventually, they added Robin Smith and Ed Dedick to the group and requested and were granted permission to come and go into Cuba by the United States. One of few organizations to be allowed to do so in those days.

Many things have changed over the years on both sides of the ocean. Leaders have changed, laws have changed, but the needs of the Cuban people have not changed. Since those first trips with Bob, Marc, Robin, and Ed many people over the years have traveled with this organization. Over 300 Americans and Europeans have joined to help the Cuban people. First-Hand Aid has visited the island over 130 times and continues to steer, and set goals to meet the needs of the

Cubans.

About Our Executive Director

Marc has traveled to Cuba over 130 times over the past 25 years. A background in surgery and hospital work he links that knowledge with his ability to match the medical needs of the Cuban people in conjunction with American physicians and Cuban physicians.

He is the oldest of a large family brought up with not a lot of luxuries in life and attributes this fact to understanding the needs of people with not many resources.

His belief in the importance of giving back to humanity has long driven him in his work in Cuba. Although his view is that not all people should work in international humanitarian work he has a strong belief that every American should be seeking a purpose of giving back.

He has the ability to work well with the Cuban people on all levels as well as with the many volunteers who travel with him to Cuba. He is bullheaded in his continual drive to support Cuba no matter what the circumstances or challenges in Cuba might be that day, month, or year. With the help of his board members and other volunteers, he pushes forward in their work.