An elderly Cuban man with a disability surprised a young man by showing him what he can do despite his physical limitations.
The man, who like many of his fellow countrymen in Cuba lives in poverty, draws very well and exchanged his art for the food he bought from the boy.
"If you paint me a horse, I will buy you a pizza," Chris Christian proposed to the old man, who accepted the challenge.
Quickly, the elderly man drew a horse on the street with considerable skill and received his prize.
The drawing might not be regarded as something extraordinary, were it not for the fact that the "painter" is skilled and, after suffering a paralysis, has rendered the entire right side of his body incapacitated, as seen in the video shared by Chris on TikTok that has gone viral.
With her new condition, she manages to continue painting.
In another video, the young man asked him to draw six heroes, and the gentleman recreated the faces of José Martí, Máximo Gómez, Antonio Maceo, Fidel Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, and Che Guevara.
In response to criticism from several internet users for considering them all heroes, Chris stated that the veteran paints the few memories he has left.
"The gentleman is working harder than a cot cover and has the right side of his body paralyzed," she emphasized.
As help, he gave her food and money.
Frequently asked questions about exchanging art for food in Cuba
How does an elderly Cuban use his art to survive?
The elderly Cuban, despite his disability, exchanges his art for food. Despite living in poverty and having the right side of his body paralyzed, the elderly man continues to paint and has surprised many by exchanging a quality drawing for food. This case highlights the resilience of Cubans amid a deep economic crisis.
What impact has this exchange had on social media?
The exchange video has gone viral on TikTok. Chris Christian, the young man who proposed the exchange to the elderly man, shared the video on TikTok, where it has resonated strongly, generating a wave of reactions highlighting the elderly man's skill and the difficult situation many face in Cuba.
What is the economic situation of the elderly in Cuba?
The economic situation of the elderly in Cuba is critical. Pensions are very low, generally not exceeding two thousand pesos, which is insufficient to cover basic needs such as food. This crisis has forced many elderly individuals to rely on the kindness of others to survive.
What other acts of solidarity have been recorded in Cuba?
Multiple acts of solidarity have been reported in Cuba. From young people distributing food to needy elders to individuals offering money and food to vulnerable people, many Cubans have taken the initiative to help their less fortunate compatriots, reflecting the lack of state support and the growing social crisis.
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