Michel Duarte, a young Cuban, recently shared a video on Instagram capturing his act of kindness as he distributed meals to impoverished elderly individuals in the streets of Old Havana and Central Havana.
The video quickly gained traction, portraying Duarte as he approached seniors living in dire conditions, offering them a full meal.
Accompanying the video, Duarte addressed his followers with a heartfelt message: "Have you eaten yet? If you're going through a tough time without diminishing your feelings, please watch this video and reconsider... With your support, we can continue this series and help those you can see truly 'need' it."
His appeal resonated, combining empathy with the potential to sustain these compassionate efforts.
In the footage, Duarte is seen approaching the elderly, first inquiring if they've had a meal, and upon their response, he hands them a bowl of rice, pork steak, and root vegetables, accompanied by a canned soda.
The recipients' reactions are filled with emotion and gratitude, highlighting the profound impact of receiving a hot meal.
The video starkly depicts extreme poverty. Some elderly are shown sitting on the streets begging for money, while at least one is seen scavenging for food remnants in trash bins.
All display clear signs of poverty and neglect—a grim reality becoming increasingly common in the Cuban capital.
Duarte personally purchased the food from a private restaurant, prepared to distribute it directly on the streets.
The gesture has sparked thousands of reactions on social media, where users commend both the charitable act and the stark reality captured in the images.
Beyond the individual effort, the video unveils an uncomfortable and increasingly visible reality in Cuba: the rising poverty and neglect affecting vast segments of the population, especially the elderly.
In a nation besieged by inflation and shortages, securing a daily meal has become a challenge even for those with stable incomes.
Initiatives like Michel Duarte's, alongside others driven by small private businesses, religious communities, and ordinary citizens, have become, for many, the sole opportunity to eat with a semblance of dignity.
These charitable acts underscore the void left by a state unable to provide basic sustenance and well-being for its most vulnerable citizens.
The economic situation on the Island has deteriorated to such an extent that, without such assistance, many would have absolutely nothing to eat.
The scenes captured in the video not only reflect solidarity but also serve as an implicit denunciation of a deep-seated crisis.
Aging in Cuba increasingly unfolds amid deprivation, loneliness, and lack of protection.
Access to food has transformed into a privilege, and gestures like offering a meal take on a significance far beyond the symbolic, serving as a stark reminder of the system's failure to protect those who can no longer fend for themselves.
The rise in homelessness and the inability of countless families to afford even a modest meal are direct consequences of a prolonged economic crisis, marked by shortages, inflation, and inadequate wages and pensions.
In this context, non-state actors are stepping in to fill a role that should be guaranteed by the government.
While these actions are moving and necessary, they also highlight the absence of effective public policies and a functioning social protection system.
In a Cuba where begging is on the rise, these acts of kindness not only nourish those who receive them but also silently yet powerfully expose the severity of the social crisis gripping the nation.
Understanding the Socioeconomic Crisis in Cuba
What motivated Michel Duarte to distribute meals to the elderly?
Michel Duarte was driven by a desire to support the elderly living in poverty in Havana, aiming to provide them with a hot meal and raise awareness about their plight.
How has the economic crisis in Cuba affected its elderly population?
The economic crisis in Cuba has severely impacted the elderly, many of whom face poverty, lack of access to basic necessities, and abandonment, as the state struggles to provide adequate support.
What role do non-state actors play in addressing Cuba's social issues?
Non-state actors, including private businesses, religious groups, and individuals, are increasingly stepping in to provide essential services and aid, filling gaps left by the government's inability to meet the needs of its citizens.