A Cuban mother has captivated TikTok users by showcasing her creative method of repurposing her baby's clothing to accommodate her child's growth, a strategy aimed at saving money amidst the island's severe economic crisis. The video, shared by user @anaisy_d, features a stained white romper as she explains, “I'm a mom living in Cuba, and I'll show you how I salvage some of my baby’s clothes. This piece was from when my baby was three months old, and while it still fits, it's rather short and stained. Typically, I donate my baby's outgrown clothes, but I keep the stained ones because I don't like giving away items in poor condition. The better ones I sell, as I need to buy other essentials.”
In this instance, she decided to transform the garment into a small blouse: “Here, we have to recycle things, so I want to give it a second life. It's more practical as a blouse, and it won't hang awkwardly. Here, my dear, anything that can be recycled will be recycled. Let me know in the comments if any Cuban moms have done this with their baby's clothes.” The post has garnered over 151,000 views and sparked a wave of reactions, both supportive and relatable, from Cuba and beyond.
“I live in Cuba, and the salary isn’t enough to even buy food, any Cuban reading this will agree,” one user commented, with another concurring, “What she says is true.” An internet user added, “I can confirm it, and I don’t live in Cuba.” Several messages expressed solidarity with the situation: “There is much need in Cuba, but it’s a good option because you make the most of it, God bless you,” “I really relate to you as a Cuban mother living in Cuba, I did the same as you,” and “I’m Cuban and live in Costa Rica, and I do it too.”
Others shared similar experiences from different countries: “In Mexico, we also recycle clothes… low-income people are the ones who recycle and sell things,” “In Venezuela, we do it too, and I’m sure many other countries do,” “I do it here in the Dominican Republic,” and “In the United States, I keep recycling—I haven’t lost the habit from Cuba.”
Practical advice was also offered: “You can dye it; there’s fabric paint available” or “Dish soap and alcohol can remove the stain.” Some comments mixed humor with resignation: “I’m not buying clothes for her to play in the living room or on the balcony where no one sees her… unnecessary expense” and “Cuban women recycle all over the world.”
Encouraging messages echoed sentiments like “Blessings,” “Keep fighting, don’t give up,” and “Long live a free Cuba,” along with personal admiration for the video creator.
This account adds to a series of recent stories highlighting the hardships faced by mothers in Cuba. In May, @nayelisbouzariver shared a video of a clothesline with washed disposable diapers and reused fabrics as substitutes, captioned: “It’s not by choice; it’s out of necessity.” The clip highlighted the scarcity of basic products and the ingenuity needed to survive amid the lack of safe alternatives.
In July, another viral video by @gelylaflaki detailed the challenges of cooking, washing, and managing daily life amid power outages and water cuts: “You have power but no water, the power goes out, and then the water comes… what madness.” Her story revealed how families are forced to adapt to the instability of basic services.
These TikTok posts consistently showcase the adaptability and creativity as survival tools in a context characterized by shortages and economic constraints affecting millions of Cubans.
Understanding the Cuban Economic Crisis Through Social Media
What challenges do Cuban mothers face in providing for their families?
Cuban mothers confront difficulties such as scarcity of basic necessities, insufficient salaries, and the need to creatively recycle and repurpose items to meet their family's needs.
How are social media platforms like TikTok used in Cuba?
Cubans use platforms like TikTok to share personal stories of resilience and adaptation, highlighting the economic struggles and innovative solutions employed to survive under challenging conditions.
Why do Cubans resort to recycling clothes?
Recycling clothes in Cuba is often a necessity due to the limited availability of new clothing and the financial constraints that make purchasing new items challenging for many families.