Content creator Dunia Ferragut made a return to Cuba after a seven-year absence, and what shocked her most was not the reunion with her family, but the grimy condition of her home. She wasted no time and started cleaning immediately, still wearing her travel clothes.
"The filth is unbelievable! I can't even begin to describe it. Honestly, what stunned me the most at my age was the dirtiness of my house. I'm speechless," she shared in one of her Facebook videos.
Ferragut returned mainly because her two daughters, aged 12 and 19, reside there. She waited three months before sharing her observations online, aiming for a more thoughtful reflection rather than an impulsive reaction: "You can't think something is okay; everything always seems to be wrong."
The Initial Shock and the Realization
Initially, she admitted to calling them "pigs" and "disgusting," questioning how they could live in such conditions. However, after spending several weeks in the upper area of Jesús María, in Old Havana, her perspective shifted dramatically.
"It’s humanly impossible for homes in Old Havana, particularly in Jesús María, to stay clean. Water only arrives once a month, maybe every 20 days," she explained in another video.
Understanding the Root Causes
Instead of blaming her family, Ferragut came to their defense: "Cuban mothers and women are the cleanest in the world, and I won't argue that with anyone. But without water, they can’t clean."
In October 2026, the vice president of the Water and Sanitation Business Group at the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources acknowledged that only 32% of the population served by networks received service, partially or fully.
The water scarcity is compounded by a chronic shortage of cleaning supplies. In 2021, the Cuban government admitted to a 75.5% deficit in liquid detergent production, with only 1,000 tons produced monthly against a demand for 4,078 tons.
Public Reaction and Criticism
In Havana, distribution was limited to one liter of detergent per family every three months. When hygiene products appear in the informal market, they are priced beyond the reach of most workers.
Reactions to Ferragut's video were mixed. Some criticized her for publicly shaming her family: "I also saw the dirt, but I would never make my family feel bad because they do everything to make us feel good," one follower commented.
Another was more blunt: "You quickly forgot that the filth has always been there." A third user observed, "I've seen dirt in some houses but not in others. I noticed it before leaving Cuba as well."
Water Scarcity and Hygiene Issues in Cuba
Why is it difficult to keep homes clean in Old Havana?
Homes in Old Havana struggle with cleanliness due to infrequent water supply, which arrives only once a month or every 20 days, making regular cleaning difficult.
What are the challenges faced by Cuban families regarding cleaning supplies?
Cuban families face a chronic shortage of cleaning supplies, with government reports indicating a significant deficit in detergent production compared to demand.
How have people reacted to Dunia Ferragut's video?
Reactions to her video were mixed, with some criticizing her for publicly exposing her family's situation, while others acknowledged the ongoing issue of dirt in many Cuban homes.