A solidarity initiative led by the Cuban Noly Blak has raised more than 3 million Cuban pesos to help a family in a situation of extreme vulnerability in Holguín, whose children collect firewood to be able to cook.
The case, shared through a video posted on social media, sparked a wave of reactions due to the harshness of the testimonies and the conditions in which the minors live. When asked where they sleep, they respond that they 'rest' together on the floor of the house.
One of the children, just six years old, accompanies his older brother to gather firewood nearby. “I hook the little cart to my bike and go looking for wood,” the boy explains. This is not an activity to generate income but rather a basic necessity: “it’s for the house,” he clarifies.
The economic situation is so precarious that the minor himself recounts how he started doing it due to the lack of resources: they didn't have money to buy coal, so they chose to collect firewood in order to cook.
One of the most striking moments occurs when, when asked about the children's shoe size, the little sister responds: "the poor don't have a size," a phrase that has shocked those who have seen the video.
The reactions came quickly. “That little girl broke my heart,” wrote one user, while another confessed, “I couldn’t hold back the tears.” Others highlighted the harshness of the childhood these children face: “That child’s gaze isn’t that of a child; it’s that of a man,” commented one internet user.
There was also an immediate willingness to help. Dozens of people asked how to send donations or how to locate the family. "How can I help from Canada?", "send me the Zelle" or "I need the address to bring them something," were some of the messages that were repeated among hundreds of comments.
In the midst of these hardships, the eldest brother expresses his wishes simply: “a little bed for my siblings and a small bike for me,” which would allow him to transport wood more easily.
The mother, visibly affected, explains that she is going through a complex situation: she is pregnant, the father of her future child is in prison, and they do not have their own home. In light of this reality, Noly Blak decided to raise awareness about the case and mobilize her followers. In one of her other posts, the activist expressed gratitude for the support received and confirmed that she managed to raise more than 3 million 676 thousand 640 Cuban pesos to help the family.
In those posts, he also shared an extensive list of individuals who contributed to the cause, accompanied by a message of collective gratitude, as a demonstration of transparency and acknowledgment of the support received.
After the campaign results were revealed, reactions shifted from pain to hope. “Now they can have their little house,” wrote one user, while another expressed, “What joy, those kids are finally going to have their own beds.”
Many highlighted the real impact of the assistance: “not to add more fuel to the fire, but to play,” commented another person referring to the bicycle requested by the child. Others emphasized the collective value of the gesture: “speak less and do more,” “this shows that there are still good people,” or “they have accomplished more in a short time than years of promises.”
Messages of gratitude and acknowledgment were also repeated for both the activist and those who donated. "Thanks to everyone who helped, you are worth your weight in gold," wrote one internet user, while another added, "God does not leave the just in shame."
The activist has already undertaken similar actions in Holguín, providing support to people in poverty, including the provision of housing and direct assistance to families in need.
Amidst the deep economic crisis that Cuba is experiencing, stories like this reflect both the precariousness in which many families survive and the importance of citizen solidarity, which in numerous cases compensates for the lack of effective solutions from the State.
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