In the small town of Jicotea in Ciego de Ávila province, a Cuban mother has raised concerns about the impassable road children must navigate each morning to attend school. The path is marred by mud, puddles, and a clear lack of institutional attention. Through a video shared on Facebook, one mother expressed a simple request to the government: fix the street section that connects to the main highway, which currently resembles a swamp.
Children are often forced to remove their shoes to avoid arriving at school with them covered in dirt. In some areas, mothers resort to carrying their children over difficult sections, while others have placed logs to create a makeshift path. Yunior Tamayo Barrios, a local from Ciego de Ávila who assists those in need, shared that these mothers have been seeking his help for some time. "If this video is shared widely, it's likely that someone in authority will see it and offer assistance. Just a few loads of dirt could repair that road," he urged.
The footage shows children struggling to walk through waterlogged and muddy terrain, while anxious mothers hoist them onto their backs to prevent them from becoming dirty or falling. This situation is not unique to Jicotea. Similar complaints have emerged from various locations across the country, such as in Alquízar, Artemisa, where another video in September depicted students wading through a filthy, flooded street in front of their school.
Scenes of children traversing hazardous paths to reach their classrooms are far from isolated incidents. Reports from Marianao to Mayabeque, including Havana and Sancti Spíritus, echo the pleas of mothers distressed by the neglect of essential school environment conditions.
"We're living worse than indigenous people," lamented a resident of Havana upon viewing these videos. Another person commented, "When it rains, this area becomes a swamp, and without rain, it's a dust and rock quarry."
In July, a mother from Havana showcased the dilapidated condition of her son's school: leaking roofs, puddles on the floor, and doors on the verge of collapse. In yet another instance, a special needs school in Marianao required students to use a manhole cover as a makeshift step for entry.
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges in Cuban Schools
What is the main issue highlighted by the Cuban mother in Jicotea?
The main issue is the impassable road children must travel to reach school, which is full of mud and puddles, making it difficult and unsafe.
How are mothers coping with the poor road conditions?
Mothers often carry their children over the worst sections and have placed logs to create makeshift pathways.
Are these conditions isolated to Jicotea?
No, similar issues have been reported across other regions in Cuba, including Alquízar, Marianao, and Mayabeque.