Lia lives in the United States, but her heart is divided between two countries. Like many Cubans abroad, she knows what it's like to look toward the island every time she enters a store, puts away clothes she no longer wears, or sees a sale on school supplies. This is how the idea of putting together a package for her sister in Cuba was born, in anticipation of the upcoming school year.
While organizing pencils, backpacks, and a few stickers to brighten up the notebooks, she excitedly asked if he wanted stickers to decorate. His response took her by surprise: "What notebook, when they don’t even give out notebooks anymore?" That phrase, spoken with resignation from Cuba, struck her deep. "That broke my heart,” Lia confessed in a video she shared on TikTok on her account @liatornes.
In the clip, the young woman demonstrates how she prepares her shipment: twenty carefully selected pounds that include a bit of everything. “I keep everything I don’t use and that’s still in good condition,” she explains. And although she wishes she could send a box every month, she knows that’s not always possible. “But when it arrives, it brightens my family's day,” she says.
His story has sparked a wave of comments from other Cubans who are experiencing the same situation: the dilemma of choosing what to send, the constant desire to help, and the helplessness in the face of the growing shortages on the island. “I’m the same, everything I don’t use I put in a little corner,” responded one follower. Another wrote: “It happened to me too, my sister told me there aren’t even notebooks.”
Far from being a complaint, Lia's video has a warm tone, one that inspires. Because beyond the scarcity, what it shows is that unbreakable bond between siblings, and the way love can be packed into a box and travel thousands of kilometers, in the form of crayons, notebooks, and even a sticker.
I may not be able to send the whole world, but each package carries a piece of it. And that still means a lot to many Cubans on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sending Assistance to Family Members in Cuba
Why do Cubans abroad send assistance to their relatives in Cuba?
For many Cubans in the diaspora, sending aid to their relatives in Cuba is both a responsibility and an act of love. Despite criticism and political difficulties, they prioritize the well-being of their loved ones above any ideological debate, ensuring that their families do not go without the essentials.
What are the main criticisms faced by Cubans who send help to their families on the island?
The most common criticisms come from both other Cubans abroad and those on the island. Some point out that aid shipments indirectly support the Cuban regime, while others criticize what they perceive as excessive demands from the relatives who receive the aid. However, many people defend their decision to help, prioritizing family welfare.
What challenges do Cubans face when sending aid to their families in Cuba?
Sending aid to Cuba involves logistical and emotional challenges. Emigrants must plan and ration products due to weight and cost restrictions. Additionally, there is a constant emotional pressure to want to send more than what is possible and to deal with criticism or lack of appreciation from some family members.
How does the aid sent from abroad affect families in Cuba?
The aid sent from abroad has a significant impact on the quality of life for families in Cuba. Many Cubans rely on these remittances and packages to meet their basic needs, highlighting the economic precariousness on the island and the importance of ongoing family support.
Filed under:
