Fabiola Lopez brings us the story of one of the workers of the 'Solidarity with Panama' school founded by Fidel Castro, Monica Patrica Hormaza. teleSUR
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00:00 Thank you.
00:15 The Solidarity with Panama School founded by Fidel Castro in December 1989 is a national
00:23 reference institution with two main objectives.
00:26 The physical rehabilitation and psychological stabilization of primary and secondary school
00:32 children.
00:33 Monica Patricia Orlanzano works third.
00:36 She is the principal character of the fourth episode of our series Q-Bound Move.
00:45 The Solidarity with Panama School always amazes the visitor.
00:49 The neatness of its spaces, the excellence of its faculty, and the permanent joy of its
00:53 children despite the adversities that life has imposed on them are simply contagious.
00:58 That is why the young Monica Patricia Orlanzano did not hesitate, not even for a minute, in
01:03 choosing this place to become a professional after finishing her studies at the University
01:08 of Havana.
01:09 When I finished psychology, I leaned towards working with children.
01:21 Even though many people told me that because of my language this would be very complex,
01:33 because an adult adapts to a certain instinct, different than a child.
01:43 But not at all.
01:44 It was a big surprise.
01:47 Children understand me as much or more than an adult person.
01:50 It was surprising to me.
01:55 Monica is a psychologist who says that she is a simple Cuban who, despite suffering from
01:59 brain paralysis, was fortunate enough to attend university.
02:03 Today she feels fulfilled at this school where she cares for children like Ernesto.
02:07 She explains to Telesur that because of all the work at the institution, Ernesto, who
02:12 used to be a shy child, now communicates and has a better development.
02:16 How can you explain that a country like Cuba, with so many difficulties, can have a school
02:21 like this where children can study and it doesn't cost them anything?
02:30 Because it is a great country.
02:34 A country that always puts human quality above everything else and does not leave everyone
02:44 behind.
02:49 It is a country where there is no discrimination, where a disabled child is not synonym of segregation.
03:00 Monica says that the children at the school are an example.
03:03 She has learned from them and their willingness to perform.
03:06 That's why she aspires to continue improving herself.
03:13 To continue improving myself as a professional so that these children, in spite of their
03:23 disabilities, can develop their full potential.
03:28 What are your main characteristics?
03:34 I am supportive, honest.
03:38 I like challenges.
03:41 Would you like a life partner?
03:42 Have you ever fallen in love?
03:44 I have had partners.
03:47 You don't have a boyfriend now?
03:49 No, no at the moment.
03:53 And do you think you can have a family?
03:55 Yes.
03:56 The director of Solidarity with Panama, an experienced pedagogue that has led the school
04:02 for 34 years and says that she is the happiest person in Cuba, explains to Telesur that Monica
04:08 is an example of perseverance for her children.
04:10 When there is the will to fight and succeed, she adds, you become whatever you want to
04:14 be.
04:15 If we spend our life complaining about problems, those problems aren't solved and we have learned
04:22 that here.
04:23 I believe that no one has it more difficult than our children here and you have seen it.
04:28 You have not seen a child crying.
04:31 You have seen the child that will carry and heal here.
04:35 Is there something stronger than that?
04:37 And he laughs, he enjoys.
04:39 So what problem are we going to have that we can't overcome so that the school shines?
04:44 Besides we have something that we never forget, that we remember every day that here are the
04:51 steps of Fidel in the hallway because he inaugurated the school.
04:57 From the experience of his 12 years of age, little Michael used the visit of the Cuba
05:01 on the Move team to show the atmosphere that is usual here.
05:07 It may be that some machetes get caught in the mud.
05:10 It may be that some nights the stars don't want to come out.
05:13 It may be that with my arms I have to walk like this.
05:17 But despite the difficulties, Cuba goes.
05:21 Before leaving, Monica confessed to the Cuba on the Move team that although she cannot
05:25 deny reality and recognizes her objective limitations, she considers herself to be an
05:31 independent woman.