An 83-year-old Cuban grandmother has touched the hearts of thousands after sharing her poignant story of hardship on the island, despite a lifetime of hard work. Her tale is filled with both frustration and a haunting calm.
"I worked 57 years in this country, and what do I have to show for it?" she lamented in a Facebook video during a conversation with Cuban priest Leandro Naun Hung. Her words, stark and unembellished, encapsulate the feeling of neglect that many elderly Cubans experience today.
Once a teacher, the woman speaks not from a place of political complaint, but from one of hunger. "An 83-year-old woman going hungry. How is this possible?" she questions in the exchange. She admits it's been a month since she last visited a store to buy rice and survives thanks to assistance she receives. "I'm just sitting here, waiting for something," she says as the priest hands her a package containing milk, cereal, and other basic necessities.
Amid this act of charity, the moment takes on an even more somber tone. "That's to keep you strong so you don't leave us before seeing what will happen," the priest jokes. Her response is both a plea and a prayer, revealing a mix of despair and hope: every night, she asks God for life to witness what will become of Cuba.
This testimony emerges at a time when Cuba's economic crisis is hitting particularly hard, especially on retirees. Pensions, diminished by inflation and scarcity, barely cover essentials as food and basic goods prices soar. For many seniors, relying on remittances or informal aid has become the sole viable option.
While the story of this grandmother is not unique, her statement—"I worked 57 years and have nothing"—resonates powerfully because it puts a face and a voice to a reality thousands endure in silence.
Understanding Cuba's Elderly Struggles
What challenges do elderly Cubans face today?
Elderly Cubans are struggling with inadequate pensions that fail to keep up with inflation and the high prices of basic necessities, forcing many to rely on remittances or outside assistance to survive.
How has the economic crisis in Cuba impacted retirees?
The economic crisis has severely affected retirees by eroding the value of their pensions, making it difficult to afford essential goods and services, and increasing their dependency on family abroad and charitable aid.