A young man from Santiago de Cuba, who dedicates his earnings to caring for his sick parents, turned to social media for help securing a pair of shoes, and his plea was met with an outpouring of community support. Rosa Bella, in the Facebook group "Bazar Santiago de Cuba," shared that she donated several pairs of shoes to the young man, emphasizing that he is not suffering from any psychiatric conditions or illnesses. He is, in fact, a hardworking individual who uses his salary to care for his ailing mother and father.
"I just wanted to help, and it was a blessing," Bella remarked, noting her commitment to transparency by posting photos of those she assists. This transparency reassures her followers and supporters of her genuine intentions. She further stated that she never asks for money or credit cards; in this instance, she only requested shoes, which she successfully obtained thanks to the community's generosity.
Bella clarified that when she posts a request for aid, anyone interested should contact her directly. She ensures that she personally delivers the donations to those in need, a practice that prevents exploitation of vulnerable individuals and underscores her dedication to transparency.
Days earlier, Bella had posted in the "Bazar Santiago de Cuba" group explaining that the young man reached out for help finding a group that could donate size 39 sneakers or shoes, as his were in poor condition. She detailed that his limited income is spent on food for himself and his parents, prompting her call for assistance, even if it meant used shoes.
Rising Solidarity Amidst Crisis
Solidarity, an intrinsic trait among many Cubans, has surged in recent times, especially as the crisis deepens and in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Oscar. Recently, a Cuban named Wilmer Fernández offered his personal car, a Moskvitch, to transport donations to San Antonio del Sur for those affected by the hurricane. "I offer my car for a trip tomorrow to deliver donations to San Antonio del Sur. 51463617," Fernández wrote in the Facebook group Revolico Guantanamero.
Additionally, activists from the "Huellas" initiative launched a campaign on social media to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Oscar in eastern Cuba. In a heartfelt message to all Cubans, regardless of ideology or beliefs, Johanna Jolá Álvarez, the project's leader, called for solidarity on Facebook in the face of the hurricane's devastation, which has stripped thousands of families of their basic material possessions.