A new video shared on TikTok by the user @anita.cubanita64 has once again generated a strong impact on social media by highlighting the difficulties faced daily by a Cuban mother in caring for her child and maintaining her household amid the ongoing crisis in the country.
The video, which has garnered over 10 thousand 'likes' and 160 thousand views, titled “The Daily Life of a Mother Living in Cuba,” documents a full day in which she struggles with power outages, food shortages, and an emergency with her young son.
"I had to wake up really early, my love, and I had to wash by hand because I didn't have anything clean, and then there was no electricity," the young woman starts to recount as she demonstrates how she washes clothes in an improvised washbasin.
Moments later, he explains that his son had an accident at home: “The boy fell here and cut his forehead,” he notes, while detailing how he had to take him to the pediatric hospital. However, upon arriving there, he encountered a troubling reality: “There were no scissors, no scalpel, nothing.” In the end, they gave him two stitches and returned home.
The lack of resources also affected her child's nutrition. “Since I didn't have any puree for the baby, I had to go to the corner of the house where they're setting up this fair, and that's where I started buying these little things because, honestly, I had nothing left at home,” she explains while showing her purchases: carrots, ají cachucha, white onion, tomato, cabbage, malanga, and guagüi, with which she made puree for her son.
In the video, he also reveals that he bought a pack of sausages to make a "snack paste," which, as he mentions, would not only serve for his family but also to share with the homeless elderly people he was going to help.
Despite the challenges, it ends with a positive message: “Nothing, this is how my beautiful little hands were turning out. Kisses, my love.”
The video has garnered thousands of interactions and hundreds of comments on TikTok, where users from various countries have expressed their solidarity with the Cuban mother.
"I pray a lot for you Cubans, you are warriors. I ask God to change your situation soon," wrote one user. Another added: "A speedy recovery for the child; these accidents happen."
Some followers asked how much she spent on food purchases, while others expressed their admiration for her effort and resilience: "God bless and accompany you, greetings from Colombia."
There were also those who asked questions about internet access on the island and how they manage to share their videos. "How do they have internet if they say there's not even electricity? I'm just asking out of curiosity, I'm not judging," commented one user, to which another replied: "They use mobile data, and when there's no power, the connection gets bad. She probably records the videos and edits them, and when she has a good connection, she uploads them."
In another comment, a user compared the situation to that of Venezuela: "The reality of Cuba makes me love my country even more. In the name of God, may Cuba change its situation," he wrote.
This is not the first time that @anita.cubanita64 has gone viral with a testimony about the crisis in Cuba. On other occasions, she has shared videos showing how she has to cook on a charcoal stove due to power outages, the high cost of basic goods, and the inability to access medication for her son.
Shortly thereafter, in recent days, she recounted how she spent more than 24 hours without electricity, which forced her to seek alternatives for cooking and feeding her little one. On another occasion, she reported that a bottle of medication for her son cost 1,800 Cuban pesos, reflecting the economic crisis and inflation on the island.
In addition to highlighting the reality faced by many Cuban mothers, Anita has also been involved in acts of solidarity that have touched thousands of people on social media, such as when she shared a video showing her preparing food for elderly people living on the street. “If Cubans are struggling, just imagine these elderly individuals who have nowhere to live, who are living on the street, who have no one to provide them with food,” she explained on that occasion. Her act was praised by hundreds of followers, some of whom even offered donations to help her continue her efforts.
Her story has also sparked debate about the living conditions in Cuba and the challenges mothers face in raising their children amidst the crisis. "Cuban mothers are true warriors," has been a recurring phrase among those who follow her content.
Anita continues to document her daily life in the hopes of shedding light on the reality of many Cuban families. Her videos, while showcasing extreme challenges, also reflect a mother's unwavering love for her child and the solidarity of those who, despite the crisis, seek to help others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daily Life in Cuba According to the Testimony of a Cuban Mother
How does a Cuban mother cope with the lack of electricity and shortages in Cuba?
Cuban mothers must resort to alternative methods such as cooking with charcoal and washing clothes by hand due to constant power outages. Additionally, they face shortages of food and essential products, which forces them to seek creative and supportive solutions to feed their families.
What impact does the economic crisis have on Cuban families?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led to exorbitant prices for basic goods and a widespread shortage of essential items. Cuban families are forced to ration food and medicine, and often rely on community solidarity and assistance sent from abroad to survive.
How do Cuban families access the internet to share their experiences?
Despite the technical difficulties, Cubans use mobile data to connect to the internet. However, the connection is often unstable and depends on the availability of electricity, which means that many times videos and content are recorded and edited to be uploaded when the connection allows.
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