A Cuban woman residing abroad orchestrated the delivery of backpacks for her son's entire classroom in Cuba, capturing the touching moment in a video she posted on TikTok to mark the first day of the 2026-2027 school year on September 1st.
Known online as "Chinita," user @esperanzaleydi filmed the children's reactions as they received their backpacks and expressed her overwhelming emotions with words that resonated with thousands of Cubans: "Today my heart is bursting with emotion."
She highlighted the stark reality many Cuban children face: "What may be ordinary for some kids is a dream for others in Cuba," she stated in the video. "I cannot describe the joy it brought me to see those faces filled with excitement."
"Chinita" openly acknowledged the economic difficulties that drive such acts of kindness: "In Cuba, the economic situation makes it incredibly challenging for many families to obtain a backpack, school supplies, and everything necessary for their children to start school."
Beyond the donation itself, "Chinita" aimed to impart a deeper lesson to her son: "I want him to learn from a young age that sharing doesn't leave us with less; it makes us better people. He should never feel superior for having something others don't. He should learn humility, gratitude, and the importance of helping when he can."
The video garnered over 9,200 views, 1,115 likes, and 175 comments, reflecting the profound emotional impact it had on the Cuban community on social media.
This gesture comes during one of the most challenging school year beginnings in recent times. The start of the 2026-2027 academic year was marred by power outages affecting 70% of the country, a shortage of teachers, lack of textbooks, and issues with school meals.
The harsh reality has spurred a growing trend among Cubans living abroad: Cuban mothers are reaching out for assistance on social media due to uniform shortages, while others purchase low-cost school supplies from various countries and donate them directly to the island, documenting their acts of kindness on TikTok.
The Communist Party of Cuba hailed the start of the school year as "another act of heroism," a statement in stark contrast to the image of children receiving backpacks as if they were the most precious gift in the world.
"Today it was backpacks, but to me, it meant so much more," "Chinita" concluded in her video. "It was smiles, dreams, and a small message of hope."
Understanding the Educational Challenges in Cuba
What challenges did the Cuban school year 2026-2027 face?
The 2026-2027 school year in Cuba faced difficulties such as widespread power outages affecting 70% of the country, a shortage of teachers, a lack of textbooks, and issues with providing adequate school meals.
How are Cubans abroad helping with educational needs in Cuba?
Cubans living abroad are increasingly assisting by purchasing school supplies from low-cost stores in their respective countries and donating them directly to the island, often sharing these charitable acts on social media platforms like TikTok.
Why did "Chinita" choose to donate backpacks to her son's classmates?
"Chinita" wanted to alleviate the economic difficulties faced by many families in Cuba, where securing basic educational supplies can be a significant challenge. She also desired to teach her son the values of sharing, humility, and gratitude.