The Cuban community, both on the island and abroad, has come together to raise more than 1,137,000 pesos for two siblings living in dire poverty in Holguín's Paraíso neighborhood. This initiative followed the release of a video by social activist Noly Blak, which spotlighted the siblings' desperate situation.
This brother and sister face immense challenges: the woman battles ataxia and HIV, while her brother is blind and has been living with the virus for 13 years. When visited, they had not eaten in three days and resided in a home with a leaky roof, lacking basic hygiene and food.
The woman shared her heartbreaking story of contracting HIV: "Selling my body so I could eat." Her brother, with severely limited mobility, described his struggle: "When I move, I crawl."
The Activist Behind the Movement
Noly Blak, whose real name is Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, is a Holguín-based activist and content creator who highlights cases of extreme poverty throughout Cuba. He organizes citizen solidarity campaigns via social media.
During his visit to Paraíso, Blak remarked, "That's why they try to silence me, because they never want to see reality."
Community Support and Generosity
Following the video's release, Blak shared four donor lists — labeled "Caso Paraíso #1," "#2," "#3," and "#4" — featuring a mix of identified and anonymous contributors who donated in both Cuban pesos and dollars.
Donors included individuals, religious groups like the Church La Colina de la Cruz and the Movement Río de Dios, as well as Cubans living in various provinces and overseas.
The woman from Paraíso encapsulated their plight with a poignant statement about their neglect by the state: "We don't ask for riches, just a little help. Since this government won't help, we're seeking other avenues."
Previous Efforts by Noly Blak
This isn't the first time Noly Blak has led such efforts. In April, Cubans raised over 3.6 million pesos to provide a home and appliances for a pregnant mother of three who was cooking with firewood without a proper home.
In March, Blak surprised beggars and disabled individuals in Holguín by distributing 65,000 pesos in stacks of 2,000.
HIV Patients Abandoned by the State
The neglect of HIV patients in Cuba has been well-documented. In June 2023, an elderly woman with the virus was found living near the Vladimir Ilich Lenin Provincial Hospital, begging for food: "I am a AIDS patient living on the streets. I do this to eat."
With the collapse of state social services, citizen solidarity organized through social media has become the sole lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Cubans. Similar cases of Cubans repairing homes for elderly couples or donating houses to children in extreme poverty in Holguín highlight a recurring pattern in the face of government inaction.
Blak announced the total funds raised with a grateful message on Facebook: "1 million 137,000 pesos. Thanks to my God."
Community Efforts to Combat Poverty in Cuba
Who is Noly Blak?
Noly Blak, whose real name is Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, is an activist and content creator based in Holguín, Cuba. He documents cases of extreme poverty and organizes citizen-led aid campaigns.
How did the community respond to the siblings' plight in Holguín?
The Cuban community, both locally and abroad, raised over 1,137,000 pesos to aid the siblings after Noly Blak shared a video revealing their dire living conditions.
What challenges do the siblings in Holguín face?
The sister suffers from ataxia and HIV, while her brother is blind and also has HIV. They live in severe poverty with inadequate shelter and food.