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Iseilys Valdés Oña, a resident of Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, lives with her 11-year-old daughter in a borrowed room with deteriorating walls and roof, at risk of collapse.
In a post on his social media, Valdés wrote: “I’m selling one of my kidneys to be able to buy a small house with dignity for my daughter, at least leave her with something in this life. To those who are going to criticize, thank you, I’ll lend you my shoes so you can put them on. You can imagine how I am feeling when I make public what I’m going through.”
The precariousness of the place and the harassment from the girl's father, a man with a history of violence and alcohol abuse, have led her to a desperate situation, she reported to the news portal CubaNet.
Valdés, who makes a living painting nails and selling products, insists that his income does not allow him to afford his own housing.
She has not reported the harassment from the girl's father either, as the house belongs to him, which keeps her in a state of constant vulnerability.
Her case reflects not only the serious housing crisis in Cuba but also the lack of effective mechanisms to protect single mothers and their children, as well as the desperation many face in a system that provides no real solutions.
All of this happens in a country whose government, along with its organizations such as the Federation of Cuban Women and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, claims to protect childhood.
In December 2023, a Cuban mother with three children revealed that she was willing to sell a kidney to be able to feed them, a testimony that shocked many due to the harshness of her decision and the extreme precarity her family was facing.
Just a few weeks earlier, another woman had admitted that she felt capable of selling an organ to feed her child, reflecting the same pattern of desperation in the face of a lack of income and support to secure the most basic needs.
Frequently asked questions about the housing and social crisis in Cuba
What is the situation of Iseilys Valdés Oña and her daughter?
Iseilys Valdés Oña lives with her 11-year-old daughter in a borrowed room with a serious risk of collapse. Due to the precariousness of their living situation and the harassment by the child's father, Iseilys is desperate and has even offered one of her kidneys to afford a decent home for her daughter. Her case highlights the lack of solutions from the Cuban regime to protect single mothers and their children in vulnerable situations.
How does the economic crisis affect families in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led many families to be unable to meet their basic needs. The average salary and pensions do not cover the cost of the basic basket, forcing many to live in conditions of extreme poverty. Cases like that of Sonia Rodríguez, who cannot afford her housing after decades of work, illustrate this critical situation.
What does Iseilys Valdés's story reflect about the situation of single mothers in Cuba?
The story of Iseilys Valdés reflects the lack of protection and support for single mothers in Cuba. Despite the government's promises to protect children, mothers like Iseilys face a housing crisis, harassment, and an economy that does not allow them to improve their circumstances. This situation highlights the disconnection between government policies and the actual needs of the population.
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