A group of children in Baracoa, located in Guantánamo Province, have taken it upon themselves to restore an abandoned fountain near the city’s seawall. Their inspiring efforts have become one of the most heartwarming stories circulating on Cuban social media this month.
The visible leader of this initiative is Yan Andrés (@yan_andresrdz), who began sharing their journey on Instagram on July 23 with a series of posts titled "Day One Trying to Remodel This Abandoned Pool." The first video received over 18,000 likes and 348 comments, the second garnered more than 11,000 likes, and the third neared 4,000.
Determination Amidst Adversity
The project kicked off with brooms in hand as the children swept away years of grime and removed debris clogging the fountain. "We started the day by sweeping all the dirt away. Then we began to clear out the rubble," Yan Andrés narrated in the initial installment.
The second day posed tougher challenges. Despite the rain, the group dismantled damaged statues and hauled the debris to a dumpster across the park. "Despite the rainy conditions on Day 2, we were able to complete the task," the young organizer recounted at the end of that segment.
Perseverance Against the Elements
The third day brought a new hurdle: overnight rain filled the fountain with water. "Our team waited for the rain to stop, and when we checked, it was full of water, so we started to remove it," Yan Andrés explained in the third reel, concluding with the announcement of a fourth episode.
In the comments, Yan Andrés clarified that the space isn't technically a pool: "It's not a pool; it’s a non-functional fountain, but we are cleaning it to use it as a pool. There's a hose next to it that connects to a pipe and fills the pool with water."
The Broader Context of Neglect
This touching story unfolds against a backdrop of widespread neglect. Baracoa, one of Cuba's oldest cities, has long suffered from the decline of its public areas, with shuttered hotels and frequent blackouts becoming the norm.
The situation is not unique to Baracoa. In June, Holguín's El Mambisito children's park was documented with missing roofs and non-operational rides. Camagüey's Japanese Park appeared in April without electricity, with stagnant water in its pool, and a train reduced to scrap. In May, the Armando Carnot Park in Matanzas was reported to have broken rides and was used as a water supply point amidst scarcity.
In light of this reality, the image of a child rallying friends to clean, sweep, and move debris under the rain solely to have a place to play starkly captures the essence of growing up in Cuba in 2026—an experience no official narrative can adequately portray.
Key Insights into Baracoa's Community Efforts
What motivated the children of Baracoa to restore the fountain?
The children, led by Yan Andrés, were driven by a desire to have a safe and clean space to play, transforming the neglected fountain into a makeshift pool.
How has the community responded to the children's initiative?
The community and social media have warmly embraced the children's efforts, celebrating their determination and creativity in overcoming neglect through collective action.
What challenges did the children face during their project?
The children encountered challenges such as heavy rain and the daunting task of clearing years' worth of debris, which they overcame through teamwork and perseverance.