Creative hands beautify nature

Feb 18, 2015.  - A humble man works as a gardener. His shyness betrayed nervousness at the time of the interview. His slow voice mingled with the sound of the shears that he uses to prune plants which facilitated a sound and true expression. He is, Juan Mendoza Martinez, from Granma province, born in Bartolome Maso municipality on January 27, 1959, and when he reached 25 decided to move to Guaimaro municipality, where he currently lives.

Reporter: What are your childhood memories?

Juan Mendoza: My family was very poor. I never forget about conversations with my father, Valerio Mendoza, a man who loved working. I have my father´s energy and his pieces of advice are with me every day. My mother, Marina Martinez, died when I was one, but my nine brothers and my dad raised me. I learned about coffee and raising animals, that tradition is always with me, by what it means for me and what it represents for the country economic development.

R: Why did you decide to move to Guaimaro?

J.M: One of my brothers lived here, but unfortunately died recently. When I arrived, I started working in the cleaning services entity. You see, my hands and my face show how much I have worked, but these lasting marks satisfy me because I have done my duty, and although my work has not been the greatest one, I ,proudly  and enthusiastically, contribute to the beautification of historic sites of this territory, which I feel a son.

R: What represent to you the years from 1986 to 1988?

J. M: They mean my greatest satisfaction. When I say this, my family tells me I'm crazy, yes, because that was the period I served as an internationalist combatant in Angola. I saw the horrors of war, I witnessed convoys and ambushes, I experienced very dangerous events and I think that all this helped me lose fear, not regret, contribute and above all, feel that I must carry out a mission with dignity and honor.

R: What have you discovered in gardening?

J. M: The value of my work. I leave home to conquer the world in the morning, and I conquer it, because I feel the affection of the people who please me with a cup of coffee that I like so much, praise my creations, yes, many people say that my hands are magical and I say smiling, "not my hands, my shears". My days go by under the heat of the sun, with the hoe, shears and the creativity that make my work interesting.

R: The lesson learned so far?

J. M: Life gives happiness, nostalgia. There are lucky people in love, others achieve good results. I fell in love but it did not work, I had no children, I live alone but I feel satisfied. I have friends, people love me and admire what I build with my hands, every work I make lifts my spirits, I am a common man who loves the work and is grateful to you, for taking part of your time to interview me.