A Cuban mother shared on TikTok a testimony in which she describes, with a sense of calm and without drama, but visibly exhausted, how her daily routine unfolds while raising her two young daughters amid blackouts, heat, and scarcity. Far from an explicit denunciation, her account serves as a daily catharsis on what it means to live and endure in Cuba today.
"Oh dear, I'm already tired and worn out. It’s the same thing every day. I didn’t have time to make lunch; I know I should have gotten up earlier. Look at the poor girl, she's all sweaty," she says as she starts her video.
The mother explains that the uncertainty of the electricity service affects the entire household dynamic: "Let me turn on the fan; I charged it, but they took it away yesterday morning. I don’t know, I think it might be out of battery. Every day, you wake up with that worry of having to wash quickly because they’re going to cut off the electricity. You never know if they’re going to cut it during the day or at night, because that schedule... sometimes they follow it, sometimes they don’t."
"This is my day-to-day life. 24/7 here with the girls. I've picked up all the mess made by the oldest, I cook, I wash, all that, under pressure."
Between household chores and constant care, she says she still breastfeeds her youngest daughter: “I’m still nursing the little one. And that means I have to stop a ton of times to do the things I’m doing to feed her.”
She also expresses her wish to go out, even if only for a moment: “I really want to get some fresh air; I want to, I don’t know, take the little girl to a park. I know she’s only a year old and a bit more, and I’ll have to keep a close eye on her, but who knows… just getting out of here for a moment.”
However, she acknowledges that even that is difficult: "There’s hardly any park... the parks that exist, I don’t even know which one is open, or I’m told that sometimes there’s not even food available, or it’s too expensive, or you have to go prepared because there’s nothing. I’ve been wanting to take my daughter, the oldest, to the zoo for a while, but they say there are hardly any animals left."
Towards the end of the video, he recalls his childhood: “I remember when we were little, how we used to go to La Punta park, to Coney Island… The life of children today is very different from ours. We were so happy and we didn't even realize it.”
And it concludes with a reflection on daily stress: “There are times when we take it out on the kids, scolding them, like I do with the eldest because she spills, because of this, because of that… because we are so stressed, so stressed. But they are kids, and they are doing things we also did. But well, nothing… let’s move forward, and with health, which is what really matters. Kisses.”
Reactions: empathy, shared pain, and similar experiences
The testimony generated dozens of comments, many of them from other Cuban or Latin American mothers who identified with her story.
"You can really tell how much you’re struggling with the life you have in Cuba," wrote a Venezuelan mother. Another commented, "I’m Venezuelan, but I suffered hardships in Venezuela with the joke of electricity, food, and having a small child... I completely understand you." Another added, "Many of us made the decision to leave that dictatorship thinking about our children."
Messages of comfort and strength were also present: “God gives trials to His best warriors,” “stay strong, please; one day everything will be different,” or “let’s support this warrior who needs it.”
There were even questions raised about the possibility of emigrating: “Is it difficult to leave Cuba?” asked one user. Another replied: “Yes, you can leave, but if the situation is tough for buying a little food, just imagine how hard it is to get a ticket.”
A testimony that is not isolated
The account of this mother adds to a series of recent videos that depict the deterioration of daily life for families on the island.
In another video, the same user explained that her daughters had been unable to have lunch due to a blackout that started at 9 in the morning.
In another previous testimony, she shared the pain of having to give only rice to her daughters or not being able to buy them toys even if she had some money, because she had to prioritize food.
In Matanzas, another mother celebrated being able to buy liquefied gas after three months without access, and she recounted how she had to dust off the charcoal stove to cook.
The young mother @anita.cubanita64 has also raised her voice, sharing how her child's food spoiled due to a nighttime power outage, and how she had to cook with charcoal while dealing with mosquitoes, heat, and a lack of water.
These testimonies, devoid of victimhood yet filled with exhaustion and dignity, reflect a structural reality: mothers who juggle to raise their children with the bare minimum, amid blackouts, inflation, shortages, and accumulated frustration. And still, as one commentator puts it: “they do not give up because they have no other option.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Daily Life in Cuba Amid Blackouts and Shortages
How do blackouts affect daily life in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba affect the daily routines of families, impacting essential activities such as cooking and washing clothes. The uncertainty regarding the electricity service forces people to plan their days around the power cuts, which further complicates household management, especially for families with young children. Without electricity, nights become challenging due to the heat and mosquitoes, and many must resort to traditional methods such as using charcoal stoves to prepare meals.
How do Cuban mothers cope with the scarcity and high prices of basic goods?
Cuban mothers must juggle to ensure food and basic supplies for their families. They often have to prioritize between buying food or items like diapers, and at times they are forced to give their children limited meals, such as just rice. The scarcity also impacts access to toys and other essentials, resulting in feelings of frustration and sadness, especially when they cannot provide their children with the same experiences they had during their own childhood.
What measures do families take in response to the lack of electricity for cooking?
Due to the lack of electricity, many Cuban families resort to charcoal stoves for cooking. The use of traditional methods has become a necessity because of prolonged blackouts that prevent the use of household appliances. However, this solution is not without complications, as charcoal is also scarce and its price has risen. Despite the challenges, families strive to ensure that their children have at least one meal a day.
Why is it difficult for many families to leave Cuba?
Leaving Cuba is not easy due to economic and bureaucratic restrictions. The high cost of tickets and the lack of financial resources make emigration an unattainable option for many families. Additionally, the decision to leave the country involves risks and the uncertainty of starting over elsewhere, which leads many people to choose to stay and continue fighting to improve their living conditions on the island.
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