A touching act by a young boy from Bayamo, Cuba, has moved countless individuals on social media. He chose to give away his cherished toys to other children who lost everything when Hurricane Melissa devastated eastern Cuba.
The story was shared on Facebook by Yanelkys Llera Céspedes.
"José is giving away his toys to children affected by Hurricane Melissa. Today he went back to school after being away for so many days, but this time he wasn't in uniform, nor was he there to attend classes or play with friends," Llera Céspedes recounted.
The woman's post explained that the idea came from José himself. After a phone call from his grandmother, he was moved to tears and began packing his beloved toys into his backpack.
"He emptied his backpack of books and filled it with toys that hold sentimental value for him, knowing they could significantly change the lives of those children," she wrote.
José even requested an additional bag to continue packing more items to donate.
His school, the 4 de Abril semi-boarding school, has been repurposed as a shelter for families in Bayamo who lost everything during the hurricane.
"The school principal expressed her gratitude for his gesture," the post added.
José's grandmother, Xiomara Céspedes, confessed that she was deeply moved by her grandson's compassionate act.
"With just one call explaining what had happened to the people in those areas, he didn't waste a minute. These are the values we've taught him since he was little, to always help others," she emphasized.
She also revealed that she had been personally affected by Hurricane Flora as a child, losing her home and several family members.
"That's why I understand José's tears; it pains him deeply. I love you, my beautiful grandson," she shared.
This young boy's act of empathy stands in stark contrast to the harsh reality faced by hundreds of children in makeshift shelters following Hurricane Melissa's aftermath.
Schools Turned into Makeshift Shelters
Recently, a Cuban named José Alberto Pérez López voiced concerns about the "alarming and deeply degrading" conditions faced by evacuated families in the Orlando Lara school in Granma.
According to his account, children and adults are forced to sleep on bare floors, without mattresses or blankets, exposed to moisture and cold.
"The food supply is nearly nonexistent: there's not enough food, no guaranteed potable water. Medical care is unstable, and basic hygiene supplies are lacking," he elaborated on Facebook.
"How can it be that in the midst of tragedy, children are left without a mattress to keep them off the cold floor?" he questioned.
His complaint highlighted a widespread issue across many evacuation centers in the country: overcrowded facilities without resources or proper conditions, rendering official promises meaningless when faced with daily neglect.
Official Narrative vs. Reality
Meanwhile, the Cuban government continues to portray an image of efficiency and control.
During a visit to a shelter in Holguín, Miguel Díaz-Canel claimed evacuees were receiving "good food, medical, and psychological care."
However, firsthand accounts from Bayamo, Río Cauto, and Contramaestre paint a vastly different picture: shelters without sufficient food, medicine, or mattresses.
Official reports acknowledge that over 95% of displaced individuals were not housed by the state but by fellow Cubans who provided shelter and food with their limited resources.
While the government celebrates this "popular solidarity" as a testament to the "revolutionary spirit," it starkly highlights the state's inability to protect its people.
A Recurring Crisis
Every hurricane in Cuba seems to follow the same dismal pattern: fragile homes, inadequate shelters, shortages, and neglect.
Families affected by Sandy, Irma, Ian, and the recent Oscar are still waiting for solutions that never came. Now, Melissa has once again destroyed what little they had.
In the midst of such devastation, José's decision to give away his toys, offering solace to others, stands as a powerful symbol of kindness and resilience against official indifference.
With his backpack full of treasured toys, José has demonstrated more humanity than a system that claims to be "supportive" yet allows its children to sleep on the ground.
Understanding the Impact of Hurricane Melissa on Cuban Families
What motivated José to donate his toys?
José was inspired to donate his toys to children affected by Hurricane Melissa after a phone call with his grandmother made him realize the extent of the devastation and the needs of other children.
How have the conditions in evacuation centers been described?
Evacuation centers in Cuba have been described as overcrowded and lacking basic necessities, such as mattresses, sufficient food, potable water, and medical care, leaving families in dire conditions.
How does the Cuban government portray the situation post-hurricane?
The Cuban government presents an image of efficiency and control, claiming that evacuees receive adequate food and medical care, although firsthand reports indicate otherwise.