Sonia Rodríguez, a 69-year-old Cuban resident of Punta Gorda, Santiago de Cuba, has devoted her entire life to work and raising her children. However, today she is facing serious economic difficulties in paying for the housing assigned to her after losing everything during the passage of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
In a shared interview on TikTok, Sonia recounted how the cyclone destroyed her home and forced her to live in a shelter with her children for five years. In 2018, she received a small state-provided house, but she has still not been able to pay off the remaining 6,000 Cuban pesos (about 20 dollars) needed to complete it.
"My salary is low", she confessed, explaining that despite her age, she continues to work as a caretaker at a lodging base. Sonia has never retired because, as she herself stated, "I have always been a fighting woman."
The images depict the humility of their home, lacking lighting and basic furniture. When asked what wish they would like to fulfill, they replied simply: "To have some comfort, a little chair, a small table, a plate, a little cup."
Despite the material shortages, Sonia maintains a positive and resilient attitude. “I would tell the Sonia from before the cyclone not to cry, to be brave and to move forward,” she expressed calmly.
Those interested in helping her can contact her at +53 5 356 62 59, or send assistance directly to her address: Calle Segunda, between Calle Tercera and Calle 5ª, Edificio Forza 33, Apartment 4, Level two, Punta Gorda neighborhood, Santiago de Cuba municipality, Santiago de Cuba province.
Every gesture counts to change the reality of a woman who has given everything for her loved ones and who today only needs a little support to live with dignity.
The struggle of living on a Cuban salary
Sonia's story is not an isolated case. In today's Cuba, thousands of workers and retirees are facing a critical situation due to the gradual loss of purchasing power.
A recent report revealed that the minimum pension is insufficient to cover a basic food basket for even a week. If one adds to this the status of being a victim of a natural disaster, the consequences are even more dramatic.
Additionally, the average monthly salary on the island—about 4,200 pesos—barely covers a fraction of current prices in markets and stores that accept freely convertible currency, where essential products like footwear or rice exceed the salary for an entire month.
While the regime claims to be working on the “refinement of social policy,” the reopening of dollar stores and the partial dollarization of the economy have deepened inequality. Social media is filled with testimonies from professionals —teachers, lawyers, technicians— demonstrating how little they can buy with their earnings.
The story of Sonia, who at 69 years old continues to work to survive, encapsulates the silent struggle of tens of thousands of Cubans trapped in an economy where a lifetime of work no longer guarantees a dignified old age.
Filed under:
