First, the name of that place, Andorra, was unknown to the graduate in Nursing Ernaldo González Arias, but he did not need too many references. The customs, skin color, sex, religion, or other "details" that end up separating the human race mattered little; it was enough to know that he would save lives there.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- “I was in the red zone, specifically in Intensive Care at the only hospital in the Principality. We exchanged experiences with professionals from that country, which has great technological development. We worked side by side and there were never differences; we were a family,” he relates.
“On our return, they hardly had any patients with the new coronavirus, success of both countries because we remained united. They always stated that they would have us in their hearts, since we offered them selfless help. We return healthy and with the duty fulfilled.”
He speaks with joy of the meeting with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who called the health collaborators heroes. "He welcomed us with kindness and we talked about our experiences." González highlighted the humility of the Cuban President and other leaders who also participated in the fraternal exchange.
"Amancio" is the land that saw him born, where he took the first steps in life. He does not forget that time of youth, surrounded by the natural riches of the countryside and by wealthy people. Years later he went to the municipality of Manatí, where his life partner lived. There, he consolidates a large part of his professional career and held management positions in the Health sector. He currently works at the Manuel (Piti) Fajardo polyclinic in the capital of Las Tunas province.
He says that his first mission was in Venezuela, specifically in the Falcón state. There, he had the possibility of being close to the late President Hugo Chávez Frías, a benchmark for the integration of the peoples of America. He also fought the Ebola in Sierra Leone and later left for Ecuador to provide his services; it has always been where they need him most.
His simple way denotes a valuable man who finds happiness in helping others. Perhaps that is why a gleam of pride leaps into his eyes when he remembers the horn of the taxis and the applause of gratitude that resounded when arriving at the airport in Spain, before continuing the journey to Andorra.
Now at home, González enjoys the company of his beloved ones with the satisfaction felt by those who do well.
That joy is also experienced by four other collaborators who were received in their neighborhoods after facing the COVID-19 in that nation. And there will also be a timely tribute to some 200 Las Tunas health workers who are in 27 countries as part of the Henry Reeve contingent. They are brave people to whom the Fatherland contemplates proudly today.