A Santiago activist has called for solidarity, highlighting the harsh reality of the elderly who, in conditions of extreme poverty, wander the streets and survive in neglect.
Yasser Sosa Tamayo shared a gallery of images on Facebook this Thursday that reveals the harsh reality of abandoned elderly individuals, homeless and without pensions, accompanied only by the faded memories of lives that once held meaning.
The activist described how these beggars sleep in hallways or bus stops, wearing tattered clothes, suffering from untreated illnesses, and surviving on alms, facing hunger, cold, and invisibility amid indifference.
"Perhaps he was a professional, an internationalist, someone who did a lot for a country that now leaves him sitting on the edge of oblivion," reflects the author of the complaint, recalling that there are many elderly people who have been relegated to neglect throughout the island.
However, the images reveal that while some of these elderly individuals live in conditions of destitution, others, despite having a home and family, face a situation of extreme hardship and also require assistance.
In his post, Sosa expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by those who have already helped and called on more people to join in, emphasizing that every gesture can transform the lives of these vulnerable elderly individuals.
He indicated that those interested in collaborating can contact him at the provided number: +5351239208.
Recently, the activist reported on social media that he had found a child searching for food in a garbage container on a street corner in Santiago de Cuba.
Sosa noted on his Facebook profile that the boy, apparently suffering from mental health issues, lived in Micro 8 with his father, who struggles with alcoholism.
On another occasion, the young man from Santiago distributed snacks to the most needy people in the city, demonstrating his humanity.
Begging in Cuba is a reality that the government can no longer conceal as it once did in the past. The figures from one year to the next show significant increases in extreme poverty on the island.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, 3,690 homeless individuals have been registered in Cuba between 2014 and 2023, as reported by the state-run newspaper Trabajadores.
In June, Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime approved a plan to remove beggars from the streets, delegating the responsibility for their care and control to the Municipal Administration Councils.
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