The story of a mother from Holguín who, amidst sadness and despair, asked for food for her children after losing everything to Hurricane Melissa, has sparked a wave of solidarity among Cubans.
The activist Noly Blak, who documented the testimony of the woman in the town of Peralta, municipality of Cacocum, announced this Friday the launch of a solidarity fundraiser to buy her a house and help her rebuild her life along with her four young children.
“Let’s buy this mother a little house. If you want to help, the account number is CUP 9205 0699 9058 4681. And the Zelle is private. Remember to send a screenshot of your transfer via WhatsApp for the list that I always upload to Facebook,” Blak posted on his social media.
In a video shared on Facebook, the young mother, clearly emotional, expressed her gratitude for the support she received:
"Thank you very much," she said just seconds before breaking down in tears upon learning that people, both inside and outside the country, had expressed their intentions to help her and her children find a home.
The activist explained that those who wish to donate can send a confirmation via direct message and decide whether their name appears publicly or anonymously on the donor list.
The woman became known earlier this week when Blak shared her testimony: “I don’t want anything, all I want is food for the children,” she stated at the time, as she showed the remains of her home destroyed by the floods.
Hurricane Melissa left thousands of families affected in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the provinces of Holguín, Granma, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba, where authorities have not provided an effective response for recovery.
In the absence of state assistance, the citizen initiative led by Noly Blak and others, has become an example of solidarity among Cubans, in a country where misery and despair are increasingly met with gestures of empathy and mutual support.
Filed under:
