A Cuban mother and her three children, who lived in a cardboard structure without electricity or a postal address in a settlement behind Loma de la Cruz in Holguín, received a cement house thanks to a donation campaign coordinated by content creator Melissa, known on Instagram as @melissahabla_.
The case had been documented last July when Melissa published a video that showed the extreme poverty conditions in which the family lived: the children, aged thirteen, nine, and seven, described their daily lives with phrases like "there's never any electricity" and "sometimes we have nothing" when asked what they ate. The eldest walked more than two kilometers every day to find pumpkins to feed his siblings. The mother received no assistance from the government and did not have a checking account.
"Finally, it has been achieved," wrote the creator upon sharing the video of the handover of the new home. "A family that will be able to live with dignity from this moment on. All thanks to you," expressed the young woman.
The video captures the moment when Melissa takes the family to their new home. Throughout the journey, the children kept asking, “Is this it? Is this it? Which one is it? Where is it?”
Upon arrival, they were left speechless. One of the children, Abdiel, summed up what it meant to them: "I have never had a concrete house, and wow..."
"The little house is nothing extraordinary or luxurious, but as Abdiel said, they had never had a concrete house," Melissa narrated in the video.
The house had windows, a fan, and a kitchen equipped with plates and cups. Each child also received a personalized backpack with their name, toys, sweets, and a phone. The mother, visibly moved, expressed her gratitude to those who made the change possible: "We are very thankful for everything. God bless you, and may you continue to be blessed always."
The post sparked numerous reactions of emotion and gratitude among users on Instagram, who highlighted both the outcome of the initiative and the joy of the children. "The things that can be achieved when many come together," "Those children's eyes are priceless," and "The little house is very beautiful. God bless you all" were some of the comments that accompanied the video.
Other internet users praised Melissa's work and her ability to mobilize assistance for families in need in Cuba. "Excellent work on social media and a huge heart," wrote one person, while another thanked her "for being a voice and hope for these people." There were also those who called for similar initiatives to multiply and highlighted the impact that solidarity can have when a community comes together to help.
This is not the first case that Melissa has resolved with citizen donations. In April 2026, she delivered a house to three vulnerable elderly people in Holguín, fully financed with contributions from individuals. Weeks later, another house was given to a couple of homeless elderly individuals in the same province, and in May she raised 234,000 Cuban pesos for a mother and her daughter who were living in similar conditions.
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