On TikTok, a young Cuban mother known as @anita.cubanita64 recently shared with her followers that she has successfully purchased a house in Cuba, a milestone she described as one of the most significant moments of her life. "Today is one of the happiest days of my life because, despite living in Cuba, I was able to achieve my dreams after waiting so long, enduring many years, and making countless sacrifices," she expressed in a video that has garnered thousands of views and reactions on the platform.
While showcasing her new home, she emphasized, "A dream I once thought impossible, but nothing in life is truly impossible." Anita expressed her gratitude to her online supporters: "I must say that the credit is not mine alone but also belongs to all of you, for every little detail, every comment on my videos, and every bit of support during my live sessions. Thank you to everyone who believed in me from the start and was part of this journey."
"This will be the first of many videos from my new home, as I want everyone to be part of this lengthy process of settling in and fixing up my little house," she continued. "It may not be much, but for me, it represents the effort of many years and the future of my baby."
Challenges and Rewards in Her New Home
In a follow-up video shared hours later, Anita documented part of the painting and renovation process of her residence. She showed how she needed to purchase more paint after her initial choice didn't turn out well: "These were the colors I wanted... but the paint didn't work out. It was looking terrible." She also described buying small decorative items like scented candles: "These little candles smell amazing; I've never experienced such aromatic ones before... I love all these little things, I'm like a little girl."
The day, as she recounted, was exhausting: "I was completely worn out, so this was my lunch." She also included scenes with her son and mentioned a power outage that halted her progress: "The electricity went out, so I'll continue showing you how the house looks painted tomorrow."
Community Support and Encouragement
Comments on her posts came pouring in. "You made me cry with joy," one follower wrote. "You deserve it; every effort has its reward," another commented. Several users highlighted that, despite the challenges on the island, she achieved a significant milestone without emigrating. "I thought you would leave Cuba, but I'm so happy you own your home," one user noted. Another remarked, "I admire you a lot because despite Cuba's situation, you remain in your country, and I congratulate you, beautiful."
Some asked about the process of acquiring a home. "Can the government take it away?" one user questioned. Anita assured, "Not at all, you pay, you buy, and it's your property." She further explained, "You just go with the seller to a notary, they assess the house, and you need to deposit a percentage in the bank."
Her Journey and Continued Advocacy
This new chapter follows several viral testimonies from Anita. In March, she revealed that she paid 10,000 Cuban pesos monthly for rent in Matanzas. In May, she posted a video reflecting on what she considers true wealth: having health, food, and her son by her side. "Having a meal on my table each day is a luxury," she declared at the time.
Weeks later, she delivered a refrigerator to two elderly women as part of the Haciendo Sueños solidarity project initiated with her followers. "Thanks to all of you, we could fill the lives of these two grandmothers with joy," she said in that video.
In other posts, she has highlighted the inadequate basic services on the island. Recently, she showed how her son's puree spoiled due to a lack of electricity. In another viral post, she criticized the high cost of internet services in Cuba after ETECSA's new price hike, questioning, "Where can I get $10 if I don't even earn $10 a month and I'm a teacher?"
With each post, Anita has cultivated a loyal community that follows her both inside and outside of Cuba. Her videos not only illustrate her daily life but also highlight the struggles many Cuban mothers face. This time, with a goal achieved that, in her own words, she sums up as: "Today I can officially say I have my little house."
Insights into Home Ownership in Cuba
How can someone buy a house in Cuba?
In Cuba, purchasing a house involves going with the seller to a notary who assesses the property's value. A percentage of the price must be deposited in a bank as part of the transaction.
Can the Cuban government take away a purchased home?
No, once you pay for and buy a house in Cuba, it becomes your property, and the government cannot take it away.
What challenges do homeowners face in Cuba?
Homeowners in Cuba often face challenges such as inconsistent electricity supply, high costs for internet services, and difficulties in obtaining building materials and essential home goods.