Cuba has some of the highest literacy rates in the world and are used as consultants for other nations interested in learning how they have achieved this. Traveling with the International Literacy Association, I visited schools in the Havana area and examined literacy practices.

Girls read during the school day.

As a welcome, a group of girls performed an interpretive dance that celebrated the Revolution.

This cutie pie loved my camera.

A brother and sister walk home in a brief afternoon storm.

At the National Literacy Museum, artifacts from Cuba’s 1960s literacy campaign filled the rooms. This is a chalkboard riddled with bullet holes from the Revolution.

Fidel, tell us what else to do! Signs from marches after the Revolution.

Pre-med students, curious about me, told me their stories of why they wanted to be doctors.

Students in the classroom, curious about their visitors.

A photogenic young man.

Another photogenic young man, but this one was sitting outside the office…I think he was in trouble.

Boys line up for class in typical boy fashion.

Sarah Daisy was nothing but honest, upfront, charming, and delightful.

Sarah Daisy interacts with a group of school children. The pictures of Che and Fidel are typical of all schools and public buildings.