In a tearful expression of gratitude, the mother of Gretel, a 26-year-old suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and confined to a room with metal bars in Aguado a los Peñas, Velasco, Holguín, thanked the outpouring of donations her family received. The support was sparked by a Facebook campaign led by activist Noly Blak.
“I don't have the words to express my gratitude to so many people, from the United States all the way to Switzerland. I never imagined anything like this,” said Jacqueline, 56, overwhelmed with emotion in a thank-you video shared by Noly Blak.
The family's plight became known on social media by chance when a neighbor, Felipe, brought them food and recorded the conditions, sharing it on Facebook without their knowledge. This initiated an unstoppable wave of solidarity.
Generous Donations Bring Relief
The family was gifted a television, a washing machine, a rechargeable fan, a rice cooker, a decoder, a cell phone with 162,000 pesos in credit, food, and medicine. The local community in Velasco also contributed, providing staples like eggs.
Noly Blak noted with astonishment the family's refrigerator was from 1989—highlighting the extreme poverty they endured.
Medical Support from Abroad
A doctor residing in the United States, identified as "Dr. Redis," sent antipsychotic medications: 20 mg of olanzapine, 5 mg of haloperidol, and 25 mg of a substance known as venadoline.
Before receiving aid, Jacqueline had described their dire situation: “We are going through a very tough time because what we receive from social assistance isn't enough for our daughter's needs. Her medications cause a lot of anxiety and appetite, and we struggle to provide for her.”
The Struggles of Daily Life
Her 81-year-old husband, who moves with the aid of two canes after a bladder surgery in 2020 and subsequent tendinitis, faced their plight with resilience: “I have to confront the situation; I can't turn my back. I must face whatever comes.”
Jacqueline criticized the lack of support from social workers, stating, “Did social workers ever come? Not at all. No one.”
Community and International Support
Noly Blak's lists of donors span four rounds of fundraising, with contributions in Cuban pesos and dollars from many individuals on and off the island. Notable contributors include "CUBANA CON CUBA 100%" and Sahily, each donating 50,000 pesos, and Ramón Montano with 20,000 pesos. International donors such as Jaume Ferron, Lucas Corbea, and Yanexi Machín each contributed 100 dollars.
This case highlights the severe shortage of psychiatric medications in Cuba, a situation acknowledged by the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, who admitted in July 2025 that only 30-32% of essential medicines were available in pharmacies, gravely affecting those with serious mental illnesses.
Hailing from Holguín, Noly Blak has turned his Facebook campaigns into a grassroots support network filling the gaps left by the state. In April 2026, he raised over three million pesos for another family in Holguín, and in May, he gathered over 1,137,000 pesos for two siblings in extreme hardship.
“I was crying because the emotion and gratitude are so overwhelming; I don't know how to thank everyone for what they've done for us, for this humble family,” Jacqueline expressed, closing a video that garnered over 815,000 views on Facebook.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba's Healthcare System
What prompted the outpouring of donations for Gretel's family?
The donations were prompted by a Facebook campaign initiated by activist Noly Blak, following a neighbor's video that revealed the family's dire situation.
What kind of support did Gretel's family receive?
The family received various household items, a cell phone with significant credit, food, and essential medications, thanks to generous donations from local and international supporters.
How has Noly Blak contributed to community support in Cuba?
Noly Blak has used his Facebook platform to conduct fundraising campaigns, creating an informal network of support that addresses critical needs not met by the Cuban government.
What is the current state of psychiatric medication availability in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a significant shortage of psychiatric medications, with only 30-32% of essential drugs available in pharmacies, severely impacting patients with mental health conditions.