CUBA For U.S. group, it's just about Cuban children

As fewer Americans travel to Cuba, one group sidestepped controversy and politics by building playgrounds in Havana.

BY VANESSA ARRINGTON Associated Press
Saturday, Oct. 01, 2005

HAVANA - A group of Americans has found a unique way to work in Cuba despite tough U.S. restrictions on travel to the communist-run island: building playgrounds for children.

Forty-nine volunteers led by San Diego real estate investor Bill Hauf are spending the week assembling modern park equipment in four Havana neighborhoods.

But they aren't talking about politics, particularly the U.S. trade and travel restrictions aimed at squeezing the island's economy and pushing out President Fidel Castro.

''We have been very successful with this project because we have been apolitical,'' Hauf said. ``Both governments seem to understand this program is to help children -- in this case, they happen to be Cuban children. Our objective is to not take political sides.''

Hauf led his first group of American volunteers here two years ago to help construct three playgrounds.

The Treasury Department grants Americans licenses to travel to Cuba for humanitarian, religious and academic trips.

The U.S. travel ban prohibits all Americans from ordinary tourism in Cuba. As the government has tightened those limits, the numbers of Americans visiting has dropped. And those who do come seem increasingly reticent to speak out against the decades-old U.S. policy.

The number of Americans coming to Cuba fell 40 percent from 85,809 in 2003 to 51,027 last year, according to a Cuban report issued this week in protest against U.S. sanctions. The numbers fell further in 2005, the report said.

New U.S. rules purportedly aim to cut down on tourism under academic or humanitarian pretenses and ensure Americans see more than white-sand beaches and salsa concerts. Those coming without permission are being fined in record numbers.

The group -- It's Just the Kids, Inc. -- is constructing four playgrounds on the weeklong trip ending today. They can return in the spring to build four more under the group's two-year U.S. license.