Roxana Maldonado, a Cuban living in Miami who has been separated from her husband since his deportation two years ago, has offered a touching display of solidarity toward her homeland following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
In a heartfelt TikTok video, Roxana revealed that she has bags filled with clothing, toys, and shoes ready to be sent to the most affected provinces by the cyclone. She reached out for support to ensure these donations reach those in dire need.
"I've been in Miami for 21 years. I was born in Holguín, and I've seen how Hurricane Melissa has devastated my hometown," shared the young mother, who is coping with the absence of her husband and father of her two young children.
Despite her personal challenges and logistical hurdles, she insists on taking action in the face of the destruction her fellow Cubans are experiencing.
"I'm in a really tough spot and will eventually leave the United States after my husband's deportation. But I need to help my people. I have all these items... I want to donate them to my community," she expressed.
Roxana has highlighted that the situation in Cuba—marked by blackouts, poor connectivity, and infrastructure issues—makes it difficult for her to communicate with her husband, who resides in a rural part of the Island.
Yet, she remains steadfast in her commitment to support the victims.
"I can't afford the shipping costs, but I have the items. Maybe someone can cover the shipping while I provide the bags full of things that can be sent," she clarified.
This young woman's gesture mirrors the actions of many Cubans, both on and off the Island, who have decided to organize efforts to send aid to the most affected communities amid power outages, fuel shortages, and collapsed basic services.
The solidarity campaign "Dar es dar," for instance, has started collecting food, clothing, medicine, and essential products with the goal of sending them to Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, and Guantánamo.
The chaos left by Hurricane Melissa once again exposes the neglect faced by a significant portion of the Cuban population.
The destruction of homes, roads, and essential services has left entire communities isolated, while the government’s response remains inadequate, leaving citizens heavily reliant on grassroots initiatives and the diaspora's support to survive the crisis.
Roxana Maldonado's story not only moves hearts with her gesture but also highlights the resilience and organizational skills of Cubans as they band together in the face of disasters, overcoming the barriers imposed by a state system that fails to provide effective assistance.
Her call for sharing and cooperation has gone viral, rallying hundreds of people willing to contribute resources and volunteer efforts to alleviate the tragedy in the eastern part of the country.
Supporting Cuban Communities Affected by Hurricane Melissa
How is Roxana Maldonado helping those affected by Hurricane Melissa?
Roxana Maldonado is collecting and preparing bags filled with clothing, toys, and shoes to send to the provinces most impacted by Hurricane Melissa. She seeks collaboration to cover the shipping costs to ensure the donations reach those in need.
What challenges does Roxana face in sending aid?
Roxana faces logistical challenges, including the inability to afford shipping costs and difficulties in communicating with her husband in Cuba due to poor connectivity and infrastructure issues.
What is the "Dar es dar" campaign?
The "Dar es dar" campaign is a solidarity initiative that collects food, clothing, medicine, and essential products to send to the most affected areas in Cuba, such as Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, and Guantánamo, following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.