In just four days, more than a million pesos and around a thousand dollars have been raised to purchase a home for an elderly woman and her teacher daughter, who live in extreme poverty in the city of Ciego de Ávila. Their lives will soon change thanks to the generosity of many Cubans both on the island and abroad.
The significant contribution was achieved in less than a week, following a plea made by user Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez on Facebook, which highlighted the precarious living conditions of the 88-year-old elderly woman, who is suffering from severe health issues, and her daughter Evelyn, a working teacher with no financial resources to address their dramatic situation.
In response to the call for help, digital creator Yunior Tamayo Barrios joined the effort, and together they launched a solidarity campaign to assist both women. Tamayo reported on Wednesday that, at that point, they had managed to raise 1,065,000 pesos, and a group of Cubans in the United States collected approximately 1,080 dollars.
"We have already deposited the money in the bank that was gathered for the grandmother's little house, thanks to all those people. Greetings and blessings to everyone," she wrote in the video description.
Rodríguez expressed gratitude in a post for the "immense boost" that Tamayo provided to the campaign through her profile and for her "tremendous transparency in everything." He also shared a photo with Evelyn, in which she appears visibly emotional upon hearing the news.
"Evelyn is smiling in the picture today... there was no photo before because every time I went to tell her how things were going, she was drenched in tears of immeasurable gratitude and a very dignified embarrassment," she expressed.
In her heartfelt message, she expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the support that will change the lives of both women possible. "Thank you to you who liked, who shared, to you who contributed a peso, a dollar, 20, or a hundred... To you who spoke to a friend, a neighbor, a relative abroad, to you who showed spontaneous solidarity without needing direction from a desk, and opened your beautiful heart so that something almost impossible just three days ago is now a wonderful reality."
Meanwhile, during his live broadcast on Facebook, Tamayo shared the good news and announced that it is now possible to buy a house under ideal conditions where the teacher and her elderly mother can move.
The influencer clarified in the video the reasons behind his involvement in the aid campaign: “I’m not religious, and I don’t go to church. I come from humble beginnings (…) I’m from the streets. I do what I do today because when I was a kid, I went through the same thing: I didn’t have a home, I slept on the street, I ate wherever I could… That’s why now that I have the means, along with my followers, we do this.”
He also warned that the only cards authorized for donations are his (CUP: 9238129977993056 and MLC: 9235129974651312) to prevent any attempts at fraud with money requests from other individuals.
For his part, Rodríguez explained that a few days are needed "to find Evelyn's ideal home, organize the entire legal process, purchase it, ensure that she signs the property, and handle the moving arrangements and other logistics that you know this involves."
The dramatic case of Evelyn and her elderly mother came to public attention through social media on December 7th. It was revealed that the woman is bedridden, diagnosed with orbital pseudotumor, in addition to a gastrointestinal issue that causes incontinence. She shares a small wooden house in a state of semi-collapse with her daughter.
The house was devastated by a hurricane years ago, and its occupants never received the promised government assistance for its reconstruction. The roof leaks when it rains, the walls are crumbling, and the structure is infested with mold and termites, making it impossible to keep the place clean and safe.
Despite her mother’s serious health condition, Evelyn has to leave her alone during the day in order to work as a teacher, as her salary does not allow her to hire caregivers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Community Solidarity and the Housing Situation in Cuba
How was the fundraising for the elderly woman and her daughter in Ciego de Ávila achieved?
More than one million pesos and about a thousand dollars were raised in just four days thanks to a solidarity campaign initiated by Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez and Yunior Tamayo Barrios. The initiative went viral on social media, which allowed for the rapid gathering of the necessary funds to purchase a suitable home for the family.
What is the current situation regarding the elderly woman's housing in Ciego de Ávila?
The home of the 88-year-old woman and her teacher daughter is in a state of semi-collapse, with a leaking roof, crumbling walls, and a structure infested with mold and termites. The house was left devastated after a hurricane hit years ago and has never received the promised government assistance for its reconstruction.
How are Cubans responding to the lack of government support in situations of extreme poverty?
Community solidarity has taken on a crucial role in Cuba, where citizens are organizing to assist families in situations of extreme poverty. These actions include purchasing homes, repairing houses, and donating essential goods, filling the gap left by the lack of governmental response.
Are there other examples of citizen solidarity in Cuba?
Yes, there are several examples of solidarity in Cuba. Among them, a notable instance is the purchase of a house for a retired teacher in Ciego de Ávila by his former students, and the provision of a home to a mother in extreme poverty in Holguín, thanks to a campaign led by activist Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak. These actions reflect the ability of Cuban civil society to come together and provide support in times of crisis.
What challenges do Cuban families in extreme poverty face?
Cuban families living in extreme poverty face numerous challenges, such as inadequate housing, a lack of access to food and medicine, and economic difficulties in meeting basic needs. The housing crisis and resource shortages are ongoing issues that compel the population to seek community support and donations to get by.
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