An 11-year-old girl named Daimarelys Pereña is enduring severe poverty in Nuevitas, Camagüey, while taking care of her maternal grandparents, who are unable to provide a decent living due to their serious health issues.
Cuban rapper El Funky highlighted this case on his Facebook page to rally for community support.
Critical Health Conditions of Grandparents
Daimarelys' grandfather, aged 56, has been diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer and has severe health complications including a diastolic heart murmur, chronic asthma, and requires an oxygen tank to breathe, preventing him from working. As of the latest updates, he has been hospitalized for 13 days in the local municipal hospital.
Her grandmother is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is also unable to fully care for the young girl.
Family's Struggles and Living Conditions
The girl's mother lives in Havana with her other children, while her father has never been involved in her life. During her grandfather's hospital stays, Daimarelys is looked after by her grandfather's foster sister, who takes on this role informally.
The family resides in a severely deteriorated home that was donated to them. As El Funky noted, "They live in a terrible house in La Playita, Polvorín. They survive because the grandfather’s son, who lives in Havana, occasionally sends money or transfers funds."
The household lacks essential appliances, owning only an old fan and an electric stove. The mattresses are in such poor condition that they disrupt the child's sleep.
Broader Context of Poverty in Cuba
Recent social media reports have brought to light similar cases, exposing the dire conditions faced by many Cuban families and the collapse of the state’s social safety net.
Stories include a 75-year-old woman caring alone for her daughter, a blind elderly man in Holguín struggling with hunger and power outages, and a Cuban living in extreme poverty in Trinidad.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights estimated, based on over 1,300 interviews across 79 municipalities, that extreme poverty affects 94% of Cubans. In May 2026, the Food Monitor Program reported that 33.9% of households had at least one member go to bed hungry.
The Cuban government acknowledged in March 2026 that the budget is "limited" and cannot support all vulnerable individuals. In June, it announced plans to mandate private and state-owned enterprises to fund social assistance, implicitly admitting the state can no longer sustain it.
Those wishing to assist Daimarelys and her family can reach out via WhatsApp at +53 50194045.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poverty in Cuba
What is the current poverty rate in Cuba?
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights estimates that extreme poverty affects 94% of the population.
How is the Cuban government addressing poverty?
The government admitted that its budget is insufficient to support all vulnerable people and has announced plans for private and state enterprises to contribute to social assistance funding.
How can individuals help Daimarelys and her family?
Individuals interested in helping can contact the family through WhatsApp at +53 50194045.