Corazón con Cuba: A Bridge of Care Between Tourists and Communities in Need
Carolina Leyva is a Cuban American medical student in Havana who regularly receives requests from tourists regarding trusted locations to donate medical supplies. Two years ago, she formalized this process into a project called Corazón con Cuba.
In the heart of Havana, where the rhythm of the city meets the daily realities of scarcity, a quiet movement of compassion has been growing—one suitcase, one donation, one bowl of soup at a time.
Carolina Leyva, a Cuban American medical student, has been a point of contact for visiting tourists looking to make a meaningful impact. Years of informal requests—“Where can I donate these medications?”—led her to create Corazón con Cuba, a grassroots project that now serves as a trusted bridge between travelers and the communities who need their help most.
Through Corazón con Cuba, Carolina collects donated medical supplies from visitors and distributes them to the hospitals she trains in and to community-run pharmacies, including the Medicine is Not Sold initiative. Her aim is simple but powerful: to get vital health resources into the hands of those who would otherwise go without.
But the project doesn’t stop at medicine.
Corazón con Cuba also works closely with both tourists and local volunteers to create joyful moments for children in underserved neighborhoods—through art activities and community events that remind them they are not forgotten. And when the project receives financial contributions, the team prepares a large pot of Caldosa—a traditional Cuban stew of meat and vegetables—which they serve to elderly residents in the area, some of whom live alone or on limited pensions.
Carolina is joined in this work by Petera Walker, a Canadian medical student. Petera helps plan, promote, and document their activities on social media, ensuring that the project reaches new donors, travelers, and supporters around the world. Her storytelling helps shed light on both the daily struggles and the extraordinary resilience of the people Corazón con Cuba serves.
Together, Carolina and Petera are building a model of solidarity—where tourism meets local activism, and where each visitor to Cuba has the chance to leave more than footprints behind.
Follow their journey. Support their work. Be part of the Corazón.
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