Through the popular social media platform TikTok, user @yadenismedina has profoundly impacted many Cubans by sharing how she maintains a close connection with her family in Cuba while residing in the United States. By utilizing cameras installed at her home on the island, she can monitor real-time activities and communicate with her loved ones at any hour.
In one of her latest videos, she captioned, "My girls are active early," as viewers see two young girls playing on the porch. The scene is familiar: the gate, people coming and going at the entrance, and the endless energy of children as they dart in and out. Yet, this ordinary image conceals a poignant reality: the separation that many Cubans endure.
This isn't the first time she has shared such moments. Previously, she posted about connecting with her family at night to see them before they go to sleep. Such a simple gesture, almost routine in most homes, takes on a deeper significance when conducted from thousands of miles away.
According to the creator, the cameras serve a purpose beyond security. They enable her to be part of the daily routine, not merely as an observer but as someone present. This allows her to stay in tune with life back home, even though circumstances have taken her far from the place she once lived.
The video comments section quickly filled with responses. Many fellow emigrants disclosed that they employ similar methods to stay connected with their children, parents, or nieces and nephews daily. Some inquired about how she keeps the system operational amid frequent power outages in Cuba. One user shared that they use home internet and solar-powered cameras, which continue to function even when the electricity fails.
A recurring sentiment in the comments was that while it hurts, it helps. Watching through a camera can't replace a hug or physical closeness, but it allows one not to miss life's little details—who steps out onto the porch first, who greets with eyes lifted skyward, who starts their day with the most vigor—that sustain the familial bond.
Beyond technology, her videos capture a reality faced by countless Cuban families. When distance becomes a barrier, any means that brings loved ones closer serves as a bridge. Sometimes, that bridge is simply a camera pointed at a home's front porch.
Connecting Across Distances with Technology
How does @yadenismedina stay connected with her family in Cuba?
She uses cameras installed in her home in Cuba to monitor real-time activities and communicate with her family at any time, allowing her to remain an integral part of their daily lives despite the distance.
What challenges do Cuban families face in maintaining such connections?
Frequent power outages in Cuba pose a challenge, but some families overcome this by using solar-powered cameras and home internet to ensure continuous connectivity.
What is the emotional impact of using technology to stay connected?
While it cannot replace physical closeness or a hug, technology allows families to share daily moments and maintain emotional bonds, bridging the gap created by geographical distance.