A young Cuban woman residing in Matanzas has touched the hearts of thousands of users on TikTok after posting a video showing how she prepared a meal to share with an elderly neighbor who lives alone and relies on an inadequate pension.
"The situation in Cuba is very difficult, especially for her, as she is an elderly woman," expressed the young Sheyla (@sheyreyes032) while simply and lovingly documenting the process of cooking rice, ground beef, and fried sweet potato alongside her mother. Like many Cuban families, they used charcoal to cook due to the shortage of domestic gas.
"What I gave him isn't much, but I delivered it with all the love in the world," she said. The young woman preferred not to show the neighbor so as not to make her feel uncomfortable: "We have to respect those who don’t want to be recorded," she pointed out in the video.
The gesture generated dozens of positive comments: “God bless you and multiply it,” “What a beautiful heart you have,” “That speaks well of you,” were some of the reactions that flooded the post. Other users took the opportunity to ask what “picadillo” or “boniaticos” were, surprised by the Cuban dishes prepared with such limited resources. It also received praise for not exposing the woman who benefited: “What I liked the most was that you didn't film,” commented one user.
This is not the first act of solidarity by this young woman. In April, amid a blackout lasting more than 12 hours, she demonstrated how she used her generator to help charge neighbors' phones and lamps. "We charge phones even in the bathroom of the house," she shared at that time, earning recognition from thousands for her generosity and sense of community.
Her story is part of a wave of compassionate gestures in Cuba that have emerged in response to the collapse of the social assistance system. Like the case of Ale Barber, a young barber from Sancti Spíritus who offers free haircuts to bedridden and hospitalized patients without any financial interest; or Anita, a young mother from Matanzas who has distributed food to homeless elderly individuals on multiple occasions, even in the midst of blackouts, cooking with charcoal what little she has to help alleviate others' hunger.
In Guantánamo, another case recently shocked the Cuban people: that of Jonathan, a child with Down syndrome and multiple illnesses, who lives in inhumane conditions with his mother. A social media campaign is seeking donations to assist them.
Despite the extreme difficulties, many Cubans both on and off the island continue to mobilize to help, not from abundance, but from empathy. A young woman from Matanzas sums it up beautifully: “I may not have much, but what I give, I give with love.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Solidarity and Crisis in Cuba
Why has the gesture of sharing food by the young Cuban woman in Matanzas gone viral on social media?
The gesture of the young Cuban touched thousands of users on TikTok because it reflects solidarity and empathy amidst the economic crisis facing Cuba. Despite the limitations and scarcity, her action demonstrates how Cubans help each other with love and community.
What challenges do Cubans face in cooking on a daily basis?
In Cuba, the scarcity of domestic gas and prolonged blackouts force many families to cook with charcoal or to rely on electric generators when they have them. This situation complicates food preparation and affects the quality of life for citizens.
How does the crisis of the social welfare system manifest in Cuba?
The collapse of the social assistance system in Cuba is evident in the lack of support for the elderly and homeless individuals, who rely on the solidarity of individuals and communities for their survival. Citizen initiatives, such as those by young people distributing food, aim to alleviate this situation.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Prolonged blackouts severely affect daily life in Cuba, interrupting basic activities such as cooking, refrigerating food, and resting due to the heat and mosquitoes. Families must adapt to this situation by using charcoal stoves and generators, when available.
Filed under:
