The charitable initiative, Regalando Sonrisas, has issued an urgent call for assistance on behalf of Yaquelín, affectionately known as "Cary". This Cuban single mother of nine is grappling with severe hardships while she fights a cancer diagnosis.
Currently awaiting a CT scan in a Havana medical center, Yaquelín lacks the means to provide for her family’s basic needs, including nutrition and necessary medications for her children.
Among her nine children, three face mental health challenges, and at the time of a recent recording, her infant daughter was suffering from a high fever.
In a personal account, Yaquelín shared documentation to illustrate her struggles: “Here, I have evidence showing my child has a mental disorder, a borderline intellectual disability, and is somewhat aggressive, requiring alprazolam medication,” she explained.
Challenges with Medication Access
One of her daughters is under the care of specialists at the William Soler Hospital, including a neurologist and a neuropediatrician. The prescribed medication for her daughter is risperidone, which Yaquelín is unable to acquire: “The medication needed is risperidone, but it's unavailable, so we are using carbamazepine temporarily until a change in medication can be made.”
In Cuba, a chronic shortage of psychotropic medications like risperidone persists. Since November 2024, this medication has been completely unavailable in state pharmacies in Havana and Santiago, a situation that continued throughout 2025, reflecting the broader collapse of the public healthcare system on the island.
Institutional Neglect and Minimal Support
Yaquelín has voiced her frustrations regarding institutional neglect: “The fathers offer no support. I've filed complaints with the prosecutor's office, and after a year, I still have no response regarding any assistance or pension.” The only material aid she has received from the state comprises three mattresses without beds. “That’s the only help I’ve gotten,” she said.
“If it's financial aid, it amounts to nothing. As I show you, I have nothing to cook with, nothing at all,” she emphasized.
Her eldest child, a 19-year-old, is currently serving in the military, leaving the remaining eight entirely dependent on her in conditions that make it impossible to ensure even daily meals.
Wider Context of Single Mothers in Crisis
Yaquelín’s situation is, unfortunately, not unique. In April, another single mother in Cárdenas with five children appealed for help, unable to feed her family in a country where 96.91% of the population has lost adequate access to food due to inflation.
Single mothers are among the most severely impacted by this crisis. An adult in Cuba needs the equivalent of 20 minimum monthly wages to afford a basic diet, with one in ten children experiencing severe food poverty. A staggering 80% of Cubans believe the current situation is worse than the Special Period of the 1990s.
Regalando Sonrisas, led by Yai Savon and Carlos Blanco Torné, has documented similar cases involving Cuban mothers in distress to rally donations through social media. Organizations like Cáritas Cuba have also prioritized single mothers with young children in their humanitarian aid distributions.
Yaquelín concluded her heartfelt appeal with a plea: “I’m really seeking help, whether it be food, assistance for my children, or support for school—anything possible, because I’m truly going through a very tough time.”
Understanding the Crisis Facing Cuban Mothers
What is the primary issue faced by Yaquelín and her family?
Yaquelín is struggling to provide basic needs for her family while battling cancer and caring for her nine children, three of whom have mental health issues, amidst severe economic hardship and a lack of institutional support.
Why is risperidone unavailable in Cuba?
Risperidone, a critical medication for mental health treatment, has been unavailable in Cuban state pharmacies due to a chronic shortage, a symptom of the broader collapse of the public healthcare system on the island.
How does the economic crisis in Cuba affect single mothers?
Single mothers are among the hardest hit by Cuba’s economic crisis. Many struggle to afford basic necessities, with food inflation severely limiting access to adequate nutrition, and institutional support often lacking.