In a series of succinct vignettes, the vivid experiences of a Cuban artist and writer resonated profoundly with many, capturing the painful reality of Cuban childhood amidst the ongoing crisis. LaSai Dela Vida, a visual artist and author, shared a poignant post on Facebook that quickly went viral for its raw depiction of the challenges faced by Cuban families.
The Unseen Burden: Parents in Crisis
The first vignette portrays a young boy requesting water—not money—and then sharing it with his companions, saying, "a little for each one."
In the second scene, a girl around seven years old tried to trade a razor for a pack of Pelly—a popular Cuban ice cream. Upon receiving it, she turned to her brother and said, "it's for both of us."
The third scene depicts a mother at a counter with her child, promising, "I'll buy it for you later," while knowing she couldn't afford it. "Mothers know how to pretend, but other mothers can tell when you're pretending," LaSai Dela Vida wrote, leading into a deeper reflection.
"The heaviest part of every child's story is carried by their parents. Many parents are struggling, desperately trying to put food on the table, buy their children a Pelly, keep their clothes clean, and protect them from mosquito bites at night—ensuring their children remain unaware that vacations are filled with nights of power outages," she expressed.
A Message of Encouragement
The post concluded with a note of encouragement: "I don't know if many parents will read this, but if you do, I want to tell you that you're doing well... it's not your fault that you lack the essentials to make even more out of your constant efforts."
The reaction was overwhelming, with numerous parents relating to the stories and admitting they were moved to tears. One follower described the daily survival routine: "It's a constant calculation of what you'll cook... trying to vary the unvarying in the kitchen... fueled by the frustration of being unable to do more than endure for your family."
Another mother summed up the contradiction of vacations in Cuba: "It's crazy what Cuban mothers are going through, but we truly are heroines for explaining to our kids that on vacation, there are no Pellys, no outings, and barely any water or electricity in our homes."
The Wider Impact: Beyond Childhood
A commenter expanded the picture beyond children: "It's so sad to see those kids begging on the streets. And the defenseless elderly, too. [An] elderly woman living alone in Old Havana offered 'two pounds of beans' for a rechargeable lamp because she got very scared when the lights went out."
LaSai Dela Vida is no stranger to shaking social media with such posts. In June, she questioned the normalization of misery after enduring 20 hours without electricity in Havana, and in July, she criticized the paradox of celebrating soccer goals while the country endured blackouts lasting up to 87 hours.
Statistics corroborate the scenes depicted. The Food Monitor Program reported in April 2026 that 96.91% of the Cuban population lacks adequate access to food, and 33.9% of households had at least one member who went to bed hungry in the past 30 days. According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 89% of the population lives in extreme poverty, with seven out of ten Cubans skipping meals daily.
One follower poignantly summarized the struggle in the comments: "Being a parent today, in this country that I can’t tell whether it's a country or a hell, is as hard or harder than the 12 labors of Hercules," a sentiment that encapsulated the feelings of thousands who read the post.
Understanding the Cuban Crisis: Key Questions Answered
What is the main message of LaSai Dela Vida's post?
LaSai Dela Vida's post highlights the severe struggles of Cuban parents and the impact of the crisis on their children's lives, emphasizing that the hardest part of a child's story is often borne by their parents.
How have Cuban families been affected by the crisis?
Cuban families are facing extreme poverty, food shortages, and frequent power outages, forcing parents to make difficult choices and sacrifices to provide for their children.
What statistics support the claims of hardship in Cuba?
The Food Monitor Program and the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights report that the vast majority of Cubans lack adequate food access, live in extreme poverty, and many skip meals daily.