Operation Peter Pan

Operation Peter Pan was a project that began in December 1960 to help Cuban children come to the United States. It was done to keep them from having to live under the rule of Fidel Castro, who had just taken control of Cuba. The US government allowed the parents of these children to send them to the US with the help of the Catholic Welfare Bureau and other organizations. The parents who sent them knew they may never see their children again, but wanted to give them a chance at a better life. The children were able to live with foster families in the US until their families could join them or until their parents allowed them to come back to Cuba. Operation Peter Pan helped over 14,000 children leave Cuba.