Iseilys Valdés Oña, living in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, shares a crumbling room with her 11-year-old daughter, facing severe risks due to its deteriorating walls and roof. In a heartfelt social media post, Valdés declared, “I am willing to sell one of my kidneys to buy a decent home for my daughter, to at least leave her something in this life. To those who judge, I invite you to walk in my shoes. Imagine my despair to publicly share what I'm enduring.”
The dire conditions of her living space, coupled with harassment from the girl's father—a man with a history of violence and alcohol abuse—have pushed Valdés to a breaking point, as she recounted to the news site CubaNet. Valdés, who makes a living by painting nails and selling goods, reveals that her earnings are insufficient to afford her own home.
Systemic Failures and Desperation
She has not reported the harassment from her daughter's father because the property belongs to him, leaving her in a state of perpetual vulnerability. Her situation highlights not only the severe housing crisis in Cuba but also the absence of effective mechanisms to protect single mothers and their children. Many face similar desperation in a system that fails to provide real solutions.
This is happening in a country where the government, along with organizations like the Federation of Cuban Women and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, claims to safeguard childhood. In December 2023, another Cuban mother with three children revealed her willingness to sell a kidney to feed them, a shocking testament to the extreme hardship her family faced. Just weeks earlier, another woman admitted she was contemplating organ sale to provide for her child, underscoring a recurring pattern of despair due to lack of income and support for basic necessities.
Understanding the Housing Crisis and Vulnerability in Cuba
What challenges do single mothers in Cuba face?
Single mothers in Cuba often struggle with inadequate housing, lack of financial support, and insufficient protection against domestic issues, leaving them in vulnerable situations.
How does the Cuban government claim to support its citizens?
The Cuban government, alongside its organizations like the Federation of Cuban Women, claims to protect childhood and support families, although many citizens feel these measures are inadequate.
What extreme measures have some Cuban mothers considered?
Facing dire economic conditions, some Cuban mothers have considered selling organs as a desperate measure to secure basic necessities for their children.