A heartwarming initiative led by Cuban activist Noly Blak has successfully raised over 3 million Cuban pesos to support a family in dire need in Holguín. The family's children have been forced to gather firewood as a means to cook.
The situation gained attention through a video shared on social media, which sparked a wave of reactions due to the stark reality depicted and the harsh living conditions of the children. When asked where they sleep, the children reveal they 'rest' together on the floor of their home.
One of the children, a six-year-old, tags along with his older brother to collect firewood in the vicinity. “I hitch my little cart to my bike and go looking for wood,” the child explains. This is not a money-making endeavor but a basic necessity: “it's for the house,” he clarifies.
The economic hardship is so severe that the young boy recounts how they started this activity due to a lack of resources: without money to buy charcoal, collecting wood became their only option to cook.
Heartbreaking Reality
A particularly poignant moment occurs when, asked about their shoe sizes, the little sister responds, “the poor don't have a size,” a statement that deeply affected viewers of the video.
The public's response was immediate. “That small girl broke my heart,” one user wrote, while another admitted, “I couldn't hold back the tears.” Many highlighted the challenging childhood these kids face: “that boy's eyes don't belong to a child; they're a man's eyes,” one commenter noted.
Community Mobilizes for Support
There was also a swift willingness to help. Dozens of people inquired about ways to send donations or locate the family. Questions like “How can I help from Canada?”, “send me the Zelle,” and “I need the address to bring them something” were common among hundreds of comments.
Amidst these challenges, the eldest sibling expresses simple wishes: “a bed for my brothers and a bike for me,” which would make it easier to transport the firewood.
The mother, visibly distressed, explains her complicated situation: she is pregnant, the father of her unborn child is incarcerated, and they do not own a home. In response to this stark reality, Noly Blak decided to highlight the case and rally his followers. In another post, the activist expressed gratitude for the support received and confirmed that more than 3 million 676 thousand 640 Cuban pesos were successfully raised to assist the family.
He also shared an extensive list of contributors to the cause, accompanied by a collective thank you message, demonstrating transparency and appreciation for the solidarity shown.
From Pain to Hope
As the positive outcome of the campaign became known, reactions shifted from sorrow to hope. “Now they can have their little house,” one user wrote, while another expressed: “what joy, those children will finally have their beds.”
Many emphasized the tangible impact of the assistance: “not for carrying more firewood, but for playing,” commented a user regarding the bike the child requested. Others underscored the collective nature of the gesture: “talk less and do more,” “this shows there are still good people,” or “they've achieved more in a short time than years of promises.”
Messages of gratitude and acknowledgment for both the activist and the donors were plentiful. “Thanks to all who helped, you're worth gold,” one person wrote, while another added: “God doesn't abandon the just.”
Noly Blak has undertaken similar efforts in Holguín, providing support to impoverished individuals, including housing and direct assistance to needy families.
In the midst of Cuba's severe economic crisis, stories like this highlight both the precarious conditions many families endure and the crucial role of civic solidarity, which often fills the void left by the government's failure to provide effective solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Community Support in Holguín
Who is Noly Blak?
Noly Blak is a Cuban activist known for leading initiatives to support families in need, particularly in Holguín.
How much money was raised to support the family in Holguín?
Over 3 million Cuban pesos were raised to provide assistance to the family in need.
What prompted the fundraising initiative?
A video shared on social media illustrating the harsh living conditions and struggles of the family, particularly the children, led to the fundraising effort.