BOLIVIA, Jan 21, 2010 - Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez saw for himself the dedication of Cuban internationalists who are collaborating with health and education programs here, implemented as part of the process of social transformation led by President Evo Morales. The vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers met on Wednesday with doctors, nurses and technicians who are working in clinics in Achumani (south of La Paz) and Chacaltaya (El Alto). Valdés also toured the facilities of one of the ophthalmological centers where Cuban personnel are working and visited a class that is part of the post-literacy program, accompanied by Cuban ambassador Rafael Dausá. The post-literacy program aims to educate some 100,000 individuals throughout all of Bolivia’s municipalities who successfully achieved basic literacy. Cuban educators are advising Bolivian teachers and activists on the program, which is called "Yes, I can keep going!" In 33 months between 2006 and 2008, 819,417 citizens learned how to read and write. According to María Isabel Martínez, coordinator of the health mission, Cuban collaborators are firmly committed to continue providing medical attention free of charge in communities throughout the country’s nine departments and as part of Operation Miracle in 18 ophthalmological centers. Ramiro Valdés, likewise minister of informatics and communications, is leading the Cuban delegation, one of 30 international representations that have confirmed their attendance at the inauguration of Evo Morales as president of the Plurinational State of Bolivia for the 2010-2015 term. According to Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, those who have confirmed their attendance include Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, Cristina Fernández of Argentina, and Michelle Bachelet of Chile. Spain will be represented by the Prince of Asturias, Felipe de Borbón. On Wednesday, the new leadership of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly was sworn in: as Senate president, Ana María Romero de Campero, a well-known journalist and human rights advocate; and as Chamber of Deputies president, Héctor Arce, a young lawyer and former minister of the Legal Defense of the State. Both represent the majority in Parliament of the Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples-Movement Toward Socialism.(Cubaminrex – Granma International) |