Trash Piles Up Near Schools and Childcare Center: Resident's Urgent Plea in Holguín

In the Lenin neighborhood of Holguín, a concerned resident has taken to social media with an urgent plea regarding the overwhelming accumulation of trash in the area. Improvised dumpsites have sprung up alarmingly close to a childcare center, an elementary school, and a route frequented by children and medical personnel.

Jane Céspedes brought this issue to light on the Facebook group "Reparto Lenin, Holguín VENTAS," sharing photos that starkly depict overflowing blue containers and makeshift dumps along sidewalks and streets. The waste includes cardboard, plastics, bags, rubble, and organic refuse, creating a hazardous mix.

"The largest dumpsite is directly behind the perimeter fence of the 'Mis primeros años' childcare center in Reparto Lenin. This poses a significant risk to our children, especially with the rising cases of arbovirosis and hepatitis," Céspedes warned.

Critical Spots Identified

Céspedes pinpointed three critical areas of concern: one adjacent to the childcare center, another close to the "Amistad con los pueblos" school, and a third on 18th Street, which is a daily route for doctors, medical students, and children heading to the provincial hospital and medical school.

She highlighted the unbearable stench, noting that the trash hasn't been collected for over a month. The trash containers scattered across the neighborhood have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Children at Risk

One of the images shows a young girl in her school uniform walking next to the dumpsite, accompanied by a woman, likely her mother, illustrating the daily exposure of children to this hazardous environment.

Céspedes implored provincial authorities to address the situation: "The children are not to blame for this; we are endangering their lives. Does no one see this? Does no one care?"

She urged for the relocation of trash containers to less populated areas away from schools and student residences, emphasizing that "it doesn't require a miracle, just a decision from someone in authority."

Ongoing Waste Management Crisis

This plea comes amid a sustained waste management crisis in Holguín throughout 2026. Earlier in the year, garbage accumulated near a childcare center in May, dumps burned in neighborhoods in June, and trash surrounded a primary school just days before the school year in August. The core issue is the lack of resources within the Empresa de Servicios Comunales: a shortage of trucks, fuel, spare parts, and personnel.

The health concerns raised by Céspedes are backed by epidemiological data. As of September 23, Cuba reported over 7,133 dengue cases in 2026, a figure 7.4 times higher than expected, with a peak projected for October. Health authorities directly link the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to trash accumulation and stagnant water.

The Cuban government has acknowledged deficiencies in waste collection while warning about the dengue surge, yet no concrete solutions have been provided. Céspedes concluded her post with a plea encapsulating the community's desperation: "Reparto Lenin is the face of Holguín due to its proximity to the hospital. Please, someone from the party, the government, public health, evaluate this case."