Mother in Cuba Seeks Help to Feed Her Children: A Story of Generosity Amid Hardship

The well-known Cuban comedian, Limay Blanco, recently highlighted an unusual story within the realm of humanitarian aid through his ministry, 'Cristo cambia vidas'. In a heartfelt moment, a struggling mother found support from another family also living in poverty.

During a recent Facebook live session, Blanco gave a ride to a Cuban mother who had reached out for help to feed her children. He decided to transport her to the homes of donors who had offered food assistance. The journey took an unexpected turn when Blanco found himself navigating through dirt alleys in a settlement known as 'El Tamarindo', where a few makeshift homes, referred to as “llega y pon”, were situated.

Arriving at a modest house built from wooden boards with a metal sheet roof and a partially dirt floor, Blanco met a donor named Irianis. Despite her own humble circumstances, she welcomed them with a bag of groceries for the needy mother. Blanco was moved by the generosity of those living in poverty who still possess a deep sense of solidarity and share what little they have.

Seeing that Irianis's home lacked a refrigerator, Blanco's humanitarian efforts expanded. He asked his followers for donations to purchase a fridge for the family, noting the need to raise approximately 50,000 pesos (around $150), plus additional funds for transporting the appliance to 'El Tamarindo'. Irianis's daughter, a mother of three young children aged between five and eleven, would benefit greatly from this support.

Earlier this year, Blanco made headlines by handing over a new home to a Cuban family, aiming to improve the life of a child with a disability. This memorable event took place during the annual New Year's Eve dinner, an act of kindness that is part of Blanco's philanthropic activities through 'Cristo cambia vidas'. “Here is the formal handover and the reaction of Emily's family, the 44th house delivered during the New Year's Eve dinner to 270 needy individuals,” Blanco shared alongside a video on his social media platforms.

Challenges of "Llega y Pon" Communities

'El Tamarindo', like many "llega y pon" neighborhoods, is characterized by the informal nature of its construction and the harsh conditions its residents endure. The homes are made from fragile materials, and bathrooms are often merely makeshift spaces lacking proper sanitation connections.

Despite these challenges, residents strive to keep their surroundings clean and organized, reflecting a daily struggle to survive in a place neglected by authorities. As "llega y pon" settlements proliferate in areas like 'El Tamarindo', the lack of housing opportunities and solutions for internal migrants seeking better lives becomes increasingly evident.

These improvised communities highlight the structural inequalities in Cuba, where thousands must find refuge amid mud and scarcity, building their homes with whatever they can gather. A significant issue these "llega y pon" settlements face is that rather than providing livable conditions, the regime often conducts mass evictions.

In 2020, Havana authorities attempted to evict residents from an illegal settlement in the Cotorro municipality, disregarding the risks of leaving people homeless during the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country at that time. A similar situation unfolded in 2021 when Cuban authorities evicted an illegal settlement of more than 50 homes in the Jamaica community, located in San José, Mayabeque. These actions were part of a government campaign against illegal constructions, known as "llega y pon", initiated by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2020.