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María Elena, a teenager from Río Cauto, celebrated her fifteenth birthday in an evacuation center in Las Tunas, after Hurricane Melissa impacted the eastern region of the country.
Their story, shared by CNC TV Granma, shows a gesture of hope and unity in the midst of adversity.
The solidarity initiative was promoted by the Sx.fotos collective and received support from several local entrepreneurs and businesses, who donated products and services to organize a surprise party.
Participants included Tienda Victory, Toronto Star Bar, Sublimarte, Decoración Tunas Marle ArteFiesta, Sandra Repostería e Insumos de Pastelería, and Amauris Cervantes.
During the celebration, a government official expressed gratitude for the collective effort and collaboration of everyone involved.
"Thank you, thank you," she said as she acknowledged the efforts of those who transformed an emergency space into a place of joy.
The celebration brought together neighbors, family, and friends of the young woman, who improvised music, food, and decorations to make María Elena's dream a reality, in a day marked by the empathy and solidarity of the people of Tunera.
Amid the losses and uncertainty caused by Hurricane Melissa, along with the prolonged recovery and the certainty that some material possessions will never return, this story symbolizes the ability of Cuban civil society to come together and celebrate life even in the most difficult times.
Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba with intense winds, left a trail of destruction in provinces such as Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Granma.
However, immediately afterward, several solidarity initiatives have emerged. The Methodist Church of Cuba organized the distribution of food and essential items in various affected areas, as part of a community support network in response to state neglect.
In Las Tunas, where many people were evacuated from Granma, tuc-tuc drivers from Las Tunas helped transport affected families who arrived without belongings or resources. Their assistance was crucial in accessing evacuation centers and temporary shelters.
Simultaneously, the “Huellas” initiative launched a fundraising campaign to provide clothing, shoes, and food to those affected by the natural disaster.
From abroad, support networks were also activated. A Cuban residing in the United States managed to send assistance to more than 60 families in the municipality of Mayarí, in Holguín, through personal remittances intended for the purchase of food and household supplies.
These actions reflect a civic solidarity that has emerged powerfully to fill the void of an effective institutional response to the humanitarian emergency caused by Hurricane Melissa.
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