The award is granted every year by the PVDA to a personality, event or
institution that had carried out a relevant job in the field of solidarity
and which had had important results in the social sphere.

A report by Prensa Latina says the phrase “nie pleuje” is commonly heard
in Flanders and it can be translated as a call to not dismay or to face
challenges with greater strength or enthusiasm.

“Friends of Cuba” was founded in 1969 by Belgians of different social
origins. Every year they carry out activities to collect funds and
materials that are later employed by the organization members in Cuba
projects.

As part of the Carlos Habre brigade, their activities in Cuba consist
mostly of improving the state of public facilities such as hospitals,
policlinics and homes for the elderly.

In 2009, the brigade restored an old folk’s home in the municipality of
Santiago de Las Vegas, in Havana. The following year, they collected funds
to buy materials needed to restore another one in Pinar del Rio.

Marc Wuytack, president of the organization in Gante, the forth major city
of Belgium, said that with the collaboration of Cuban institutions, they
have sent more than 20 containers with building materials to the island.