In less than 24 hours: Help arrives for elderly Cubans in extreme poverty

In less than a day after his story touched thousands of people on social media, Rafael, a 76-year-old man living in extreme poverty in Holguín, received the first delivery of donations organized by content creator Melissa (@melissahabla_), who documented the situation and rallied an entire community to assist the couple.

The situation of Rafael and his wife became public when Melissa shared a video in which the elderly man described their living conditions with a heartbreaking phrase: "We are hungrier than a tied-up dog." The couple, who have been together for nearly 30 years, lives in a house with part of the roof destroyed by a cyclone, lacking resources for food and basic needs, and with Rafael's wife bedridden.

In the reel published on Instagram with the first installment, Melissa detailed everything her supporters' solidarity made possible to gather in just a few hours: a carton of eggs, two liters of oil, a blender, urine collection pads, pieces of clothing, cookies, sugar, a rechargeable lamp, milk, oatmeal, hygiene products, meat, six malangas, and 2,600 Cuban pesos in cash.

"No one has done anything for us," Mr. Rafael can be heard saying at the beginning of the video.

Rafael received the help visibly moved and thanked those who responded to the call: "You see what you are doing for us, and we are going to show it through our lives."

Melissa emphasized that what has been provided is just the beginning: “I say ‘first’ because there are many more to come. A home cannot be found overnight.” The stated goal is to find the couple a worthy dwelling, which they communicated to them in person: “A dignified and safe place for both of you, where you can spend your years in peace, tranquility, and comfort.”

"Very big surprise and a beautiful ending await this grandparent couple," Melissa promised as she closed the video.

This is not the first time that Melissa has managed to transform the lives of elderly Cubans through collective solidarity. In April 2026, she provided a home to three vulnerable seniors in Holguín, fully financed by private donations. Days later, a second couple of homeless seniors also received a house, along with clothing, food, and appliances. In August, she coordinated the for a mother and her three children who were living in a cardboard structure.

The case of Rafael and his wife reflects a crisis that affects millions on the island. Cuba is the most aged country in Latin America, with over 2.5 million people over the age of 60 —26.7% of the population— receiving minimum pensions of 4,000 pesos monthly (equivalent to barely five or nine dollars at the informal exchange rate) and 99% of retirees who, according to independent surveys, cannot afford food, housing, and medications.