A Cuban mother named Ayaini Valdes has gained viral attention on social media for sharing her daily battle to feed her son through various informal food ventures. Adapting to whatever ingredients are available each day, she faces the harsh realities of the ongoing crisis in the island nation.
On Facebook, Ayaini describes herself as "a hardworking mother striving to move forward," as she documents her daily efforts to sell food and earn a living. Her enterprises range from making sweets to crafting tamales, empanadas, and chiviricos, depending on ingredient availability and daily circumstances.
Facing Challenges with Resilience
In a video posted on Saturday, June 14, titled "New Venture," Ayaini showcased an outdoor makeshift kitchen, featuring cement blocks, a metal grill, a cast iron pot, and a wood fire. The video highlights her reality with the words: "I LIVE IN CUBA / FROM SWEET SELLER TO TAMALE MAKER."
The post garnered more than 80,700 views, 6,049 reactions, and 248 comments, highlighting a common struggle among Cuban families who survive through small informal businesses.
Ayaini shared that she previously sold coconut pastries but had to abandon this venture due to the skyrocketing cost of sugar. "I have a child to feed, so I can't sit idly by," she said in one of her videos, where she introduced her new tamale business, known in some areas of Cuba as tayuyos.
Overcoming Daily Obstacles
The day was not without its hurdles. Rain disrupted the cooking process, forcing her to finish with charcoal, another costly resource. "We ended the day tired and soaked but happy because sales were fantastic. Here in Cuba, with so much hunger, anything edible sells quickly," she expressed.
In recent posts, Ayaini also shared photos of chiviricos, empanadas, and corn on the cob, accompanied by messages of gratitude and hope. One such message read: "Thank God, I have work for today."
Cuban Reality: A Struggle for Survival
This story unfolds against a backdrop of scarcity, exorbitant food prices, power outages, and a lack of basic resources, forcing many families to seek alternative ways to earn a daily income. The use of wood, charcoal, and makeshift kitchens is not a trend or preference but a necessity due to the harsh material conditions faced by countless Cuban households.
For Ayaini, each sale represents more than just income. It's about resilience, feeding her child, and proving that even amid poverty, she refuses to stand by helplessly.
The broader Cuban context is dire. As of April 2025, the average monthly salary in Cuba was just 6,506.5 CUP, insufficient to meet a family's basic needs. In a revealing example, a Cuban mother in April 2025 spent 1,080 CUP on baby food in just two or three days, buying root vegetables and two pounds of chicken at 300 CUP each.
The scarcity demands constant substitutions: a Cuban woman recently explained replacing rice with plantains, yucca, and sweet potatoes because a pound of rice costs at least 250 pesos. In November 2025, a mother of triplets disclosed cooking with wood inside her apartment due to the lack of gas and electricity.
Ayaini's outdoor wood-fired kitchen isn't a stylistic choice; it's a forced adaptation to the material conditions of Cuba in 2026. Power outages, water shortages, and a lack of supplies turn each production day into a logistical challenge before it becomes a business opportunity.
Informal food sales — tamales, chiviricos, empanadas, peanuts — have become one of the few viable options because they require minimal initial capital and yield quick cash. Yet, the environment remains hostile: in December 2025, the government shut down dozens of small businesses, underscoring the ongoing tension between private initiative and the regime's authorities.
Understanding the Struggles of Cuban Entrepreneurs
What challenges do Cuban informal entrepreneurs face?
Cuban informal entrepreneurs face numerous challenges including scarcity of resources, high prices, and government restrictions. They often have to adapt daily to what is available and affordable, while also dealing with power outages and lack of basic necessities.
How do Cuban families cope with food scarcity?
Cuban families cope with food scarcity by substituting expensive ingredients with cheaper alternatives, engaging in informal food businesses to generate quick income, and using whatever resources are available, such as wood for cooking, to adapt to the challenging conditions.
Why is informal food vending a common practice in Cuba?
Informal food vending is a common practice in Cuba because it requires little initial investment and provides immediate cash flow. Amidst economic difficulties and shortages, small-scale food sales offer a practical way for individuals to earn a living and support their families.