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The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba announced this Easter Week the continuation of the project for the parish of El Cobre, which provides glasses, having already distributed more than five hundred lenses to vulnerable individuals and church workers thanks to donations from sister churches.
"As a true Easter gift, we have been able to continue the project of the El Cobre parish, which provides eyeglasses, starting with the most vulnerable sectors and workers of the Church," posted the Archdiocese on its social media.
The medical staff of the parish has gained experience in basic ophthalmological care after providing more than 500 pairs of glasses, all sourced from donations from sister congregations and churches, without any involvement from the Cuban state in the initiative.
The institution itself acknowledges the limits of the project: "We regret that we are still unable to meet the needs for glasses, especially those with specific prescriptions," stated the Archdiocese, referring to the particular graduations that require custom lenses.
This limitation reflects a structural crisis in the Cuban state optical system. The state optical shops in Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas, and Villa Clara have not received merchandise since 2019 and 2020.
In Matanzas, the 13 provincial optical stores lack spherical lenses, cylinders, and frames, and in some, the last recorded delivery was in 2020.
Meanwhile, state workshops prioritize supply to stores that operate in freely convertible currency, leaving those that sell in Cuban pesos empty, reported ICLEP.
The result is that those who need glasses must turn to private optical shops, where a pair can cost between 2,000 and 3,000 Cuban pesos, an amount that is unaffordable for most of the population.
The regime also published in August 2024 Decree 107, which prohibits private ophthalmological services in Cuba, further limiting the options available to Cubans with visual impairments.
In that void left by the State, the parish of El Cobre takes action. The temple, which houses the National Sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, patroness of Cuba, drives more than 14 social projects through Caritas, with more than 50 agents coordinated by Father Rogelio, noted Misioneros Digitales.
The parish systematically serves more than 500 vulnerable individuals, including chronically ill children, families with Down syndrome, bedridden elderly, physically and motor disabled individuals, visually impaired persons, and orphans.
The glasses project is part of a series of ecclesiastical initiatives that fill the gaps left by the regime. After Hurricane Melissa in November 2025, Cáritas Santiago de Cuba distributed more than 2,400 food modules and 350 pots.
The Archdiocese of Miami sent four planes with more than thirty tons of humanitarian aid to Santiago de Cuba. And in 2026, U.S. humanitarian aid is funneled exclusively through the Catholic Church and Caritas, without the involvement of the Cuban government.
The parish of El Cobre summarizes its working philosophy with a phrase that contrasts with the regime's exclusive logic: "We help everyone, regardless of their beliefs, even people who go to other churches."
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