“To be honest, we're hungrier than a chained dog.” This is how Rafael, a 76-year-old Cuban, describes the dire poverty he faces alongside his bedridden wife in a dilapidated home with a cyclone-ravaged roof.
Their plight was highlighted by Melissa, a content creator from Holguín, better known online as Melissahabla. Melissa has been assisting those in need within her community and now seeks a peaceful home for the couple to spend their remaining years together.
A Cry for Help Amidst Deterioration
In an Instagram video, Melissa shares the story of Rafael and his wife, who have been together for nearly three decades, facing severe hardship. The footage reveals their crumbling home, with charred kitchenware and makeshift living arrangements.
“It's the tale of two elderly Cubans living in extreme poverty,” Melissa says as she introduces their case. “Today, they are completely abandoned and desperately calling for help.”
Struggling to Make Ends Meet
Despite his age, Rafael, a former construction worker, continues seeking odd jobs to earn what little he can. He mentions cleaning lots but explains he can't leave his wife unattended for long.
“I work wherever I can find it. Clearing land and such, but I can’t stay away too long because of my wife,” he recounts.
Home in Ruins and Fear of Future Storms
One of Rafael’s biggest concerns is their home’s state. A cyclone tore off the roof, and they’ve received no assistance to repair it.
“The cyclone took the entire roof. No one has helped us, no one has done anything,” he declares as he shows the damage.
With the threat of another cyclone, Rafael worries about their safety. With his wife bedridden and him limited by age, he fears they can't withstand another disaster.
“That’s my fear, I kept saying: 'Oh God, please no more cyclones because we can’t move!'” he confides.
Love Amid Despair
Yet, amidst the poverty, there is an enduring love story. When Melissa asks if the woman is the love of his life, Rafael replies without hesitation: “This woman.”
Emotionally, he explains why he remains by her side despite their struggles. “Love overcame me, and it’s what she gave me. Since we've been together, a lifetime. That’s why I must stay with her until the end.”
Rafael reveals that his wife is 18 years his senior, a fact that never hindered their relationship. “She’s 18 years older, but my love for her feels like 50,” he assures.
Faith and a Plea for Assistance
Rafael has turned to faith, praying to the Virgin and Saint Lazarus for intervention. “I’ve asked them both to do something for us,” he shares.
Their desperation is palpable, as they’ve lost nearly everything. “We lost everything, even the roof over our heads,” he laments.
During her visit, Melissa and her team provided the couple with disposable diapers and 10,000 Cuban pesos, as noted in the video message.
Urgent Need for a Lasting Solution
While the aid offers temporary relief, Melissa believes a long-term solution is essential: securing a proper home for the couple to live out their days together.
“They need a home,” Melissa wrote in the video’s message. “No elderly person should live in these conditions, not in Cuba, nor anywhere else in the world.”
She urged her followers to share the couple's story to reach those who can provide help. “Help me find them a home where they can live their final years in peace and tranquility,” she appealed.
Despite their home’s decay, food shortages, and an uncertain future, Rafael holds onto one conviction: “Hope is never lost.”
Their story highlights a broader issue affecting many elderly in Cuba, where inadequate pensions, rising food costs, and a lack of resources exacerbate the hardships faced by an increasingly aging population.
A July report on elderly living conditions in Cuba revealed how decreased purchasing power, food and medicine shortages, and family emigration have left many retirees vulnerable.
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), as of late 2024, 25.7% of Cuba’s population is 60 or older, highlighting the island’s significant demographic aging.
A Reuters report in June showcased the struggles of lifelong workers now surviving on insufficient pensions. Among the stories was an 85-year-old former Ministry of Social Security employee who felt abandoned, recounting episodes of hunger and difficulty accessing medical care.
Food insecurity was also evident in the case of a retired Cuban unable to buy rice while awaiting his pension. A visiting citizen eventually provided financial help for food purchases.
In September, elderly interviewees described a reality marred by scarcity and hunger, often necessitating continued work. An 82-year-old woman lamented that her anticipated peaceful old age had turned out vastly different.
The food scarcity has driven others to rely on charity. In July, a 92-year-old woman was filmed asking for spare change to afford lunch at a diner.
Even accessing pension funds proves challenging. In Santiago de Cuba, photographs captured several retirees sleeping on the ground outside a bank, waiting to withdraw money the next day.
Challenges Facing Elderly in Cuba
What are the main challenges faced by elderly people in Cuba?
Elderly individuals in Cuba face numerous challenges, including inadequate pensions, rising costs of food and medicine, and insufficient resources to maintain their homes. These factors contribute to a deteriorating quality of life for many seniors.
How has the aging population affected Cuba's demographics?
The aging population in Cuba has significantly impacted its demographics, with over 25% of the population aged 60 or older. This trend highlights the challenges of supporting an increasingly elderly society amid limited resources.
What solutions are being proposed to improve conditions for the elderly in Cuba?
Solutions include increasing pension benefits, providing better access to essential goods and services, and improving housing conditions. Efforts from both local communities and international aid could help address these urgent needs.