In a display of determination, a Cuban mother has taken to TikTok to reveal the lengths she went to in order to prepare food for her baby during a 12-hour power outage on the island. Through a video shared on the platform, the young woman highlighted the severe challenges Cuban families face in meeting basic needs amid the ongoing energy crisis affecting the country.
"Here I was chopping a carrot, a squash, and a malanga, along with garlic, onion, and a chicken drumstick. There was no electricity, so I had to light the charcoal," she explained in the clip posted on her TikTok account (@anita.cubanita6). The footage showcases her reliance on traditional cooking methods due to the lack of electricity, and her improvisation when, without a blender, she manually mashed the ingredients to feed her child.
"Since there was no blender because there was no power, I had to grind it by hand. Luckily, my baby likes it," she remarked. The video has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with numerous comments praising the strength of Cuban mothers and their resilience in overcoming hardships.
"Very good mother," "Stay strong, it must be very tough," "Cuban women are warriors," and "It’s admirable how you find ways to solve things," were some of the supportive messages she received.
Power outages have been a persistent issue in Cuba over recent years, impacting thousands of families nationwide. Despite governmental promises to improve the situation, blackouts remain a part of daily life for Cubans, forcing them to devise makeshift solutions to cope with the absence of essential services.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What challenges do Cuban families face during power outages?
Cuban families struggle to meet basic needs such as cooking and refrigeration, relying on alternative and traditional methods due to frequent power outages.
How do Cubans adapt to frequent blackouts?
Cubans adapt by utilizing traditional cooking methods, like using charcoal, and finding creative solutions to manage without electricity.
Why are power outages common in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are a result of an ongoing energy crisis, exacerbated by infrastructure issues and governmental mismanagement.