Ernesto Almaguer Díaz, a Cuban activist and dissident based in Holguín, and also possessing a great sense of humanity, published an emotional video of gratitude on Facebook this Tuesday after receiving support from several individuals who helped him purchase an EcoFlow —portable energy battery— for his 11-year-old son with autism.
The campaign was driven by activists Guillermo Rodriguez Sanchez and Glenda Rancano, who mobilized after seeing the desperate cry for help that Almaguer Díaz posted last Thursday, when he had been without electricity for 45 consecutive hours in his home in Holguín.
In that message, the father wrote: "45 hours without power, my friend. I have my autistic child, and I don’t know how to manage to make him his guava shake and charge his fan so he can sleep."
Glenda Rancano made the purchase of the EcoFlow, according to informed Guillermo Rodriguez Sanchez, who also pointed out: "Ernesto now has a solar panel to complete the charging kit, both for the rare moments when there's electricity and through the sun. With the remaining money, which amounts to a few dollars, they will buy the things he requests for his child."
The equipment, which cost $1,500, is out of reach for families without access to foreign currency, like that of Almaguer Díaz, whose acquisition depended entirely on the solidarity of the diaspora and support networks.
The response exceeded all expectations: the campaign raised more than 1.5 million Cuban pesos in total aid, including 2,125 dollars sent from abroad for the purchase of equipment.
Within Cuba, transfers in national currency amounted to around 132,000 pesos, with which Almaguer Díaz began to buy food for his son and home.
People contributed from Spain, the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.
"I will not have enough years in my life to thank you for what you have done for my child," he declared, visibly moved in the video.
And he added: "Even though my son doesn't speak, believe me, he is expressing his gratitude to you right now for what you have done for him."
The case is set against the backdrop of a devastating electricity crisis in Holguín.
The Provincial Electric Company confirmed that citizens would receive only three hours of electricity per day, with priority given to the tourism sector, amid a supply of just 70 MW against a demand of 225 MW.
Last Sunday, the Felton thermoelectric plant left the National Electric System, worsening the deficit throughout eastern Cuba.
The story of Almaguer Díaz with his autistic son reflects years of struggle and public outcry without a response from the regime: in 2021, he requested help to obtain Risperidone for the child; in January 2022, he sought Diazepam; and in April 2023, he reported that Acopio Holguín removed the special diet of roots, fruits, and vegetables, citing a lack of budget.
"Cubans, when we unite for a cause, for something, we achieve great things in the name of God," concluded Almaguer Díaz in his thank you video.
Filed under: