Hi, I’m Derrick — and this is how CSN got started
This started as something personal.
In 2004–2005, I spent seven months with Canada World Youth, living between Digby, Nova Scotia and Quemado de Güines, Cuba. That experience created friendships and memories that have stayed with me ever since.
Over the years, we kept in touch, but recently those conversations began to change. It became clear how difficult daily life had become — especially when it came to food, basic goods, and reliable power.
I wanted to find a way to help that was direct, respectful, and actually worked — something that didn’t rely on complicated systems or distance, but could reach people in a real and immediate way.
My background in tourism, environmental studies, and small business has always been rooted in people, place, and practical solutions. The Counterpart Support Network brings those experiences together in a way that feels both natural and necessary.
It’s not about building something large. It’s about building something that works — and growing it carefully, in a way that stays grounded in trust, connection, and real impact.
Why This Exists
This isn’t a traditional charity model.
Instead of building a large organization, CSN focuses on direct connections — sending support through platforms that already function inside Cuba, allowing support to reach people quickly and reliably.
The goal is simple: reduce friction, respect autonomy, and make sure support actually reaches the people it’s intended for.
Direct, Not Abstract
Support goes to real people — not into a general pool or layered system where it becomes diluted.
Built for Reality
Every step is shaped by what actually works on the ground, not what looks good in theory.
Where This Is Going
Right now, CSN is small and growing.
The focus is on building something that works — testing systems, strengthening connections, and expanding carefully.
The goal isn’t scale for its own sake.
It’s to reach more people while keeping the process direct, human, and grounded in trust.