A Cuban man has called for assistance for an 11-year-old boy in Holguín who, as he described, goes around different neighborhoods offering to take out people's trash in exchange for a few pesos to support his mother financially.
Ernesto Almaguer Díaz shared this story during a live broadcast on Facebook after encountering the young boy in the Vista Alegre neighborhood, specifically on Paz Street.
"It broke my heart to see the boy going house to house asking to take out the trash so he can help his mom," he expressed.
According to Almaguer, the boy mentioned that he is 11 years old and lives solely with his mother.
A friend of Almaguer also noted that the boy frequently moves through various areas of the city to perform such work.
Almaguer explained that he felt particularly affected by the encounter because, at that moment, he had no money to give the boy.
"I felt immense sadness, and at that moment, I didn't have a single peso on me; otherwise, I would have given him everything I had," he stated.
He thus made an appeal to the residents of Holguín to allow the boy to help with trash disposal if they see him and to offer what assistance they can.
"This child is doing it to feed himself and his mom and to lend a helping hand," Almaguer affirmed.
While acknowledging the boy's willingness to assist his family, Almaguer emphasized that this behavior stems from a profound necessity.
"It's a complex situation because the boy is developing remarkable values and is helping his family, but when he does this, it's because he has a very significant need," he noted.
"Please help him, in whatever way you can, a small drink, a glass of water, 20 or 30 pesos for taking out a bit of trash—do it," he urged.
The situation reminded Almaguer of his own childhood. He recounted leaving school at 14 to work in brick kilns, making bricks, removing ash from ovens, and handling materials.
During the broadcast, he also harshly criticized the living conditions many families in Cuba endure and lamented that a child must go out to find money to contribute to the household's sustenance.
"Children shouldn't have to do this, but we are living in a miserable country with a miserable government," he declared.
Later, he reiterated his criticism of the country's condition and the authorities' response.
"Childhood in Cuba, life in Cuba for the elderly, for people in general, is dire, it's dire. We are living in a situation of poverty in a miserable country, with a government that cares very little for its people," he expressed.
Almaguer concluded by renewing his call for solidarity for the boy and his mother: "I sincerely hope that someone sees him out there and please helps him," he concluded.
Sadly, such scenes are becoming increasingly common in the country, where children and teenagers find themselves seeking various ways to earn money to support their families.
In July, an 11-year-old boy in Camagüey was seen collecting aluminum cans in the early hours to help his mother.
The child explained he did it "to help my mom" and "to be able to eat."
Days later, in Sancti Spíritus, a boy named Emmanuel was out selling sweets made by his mother, amid a public call for those who saw him to buy from him and help support his family.
Also in August, two boys aged 13 and 11 were photographed selling bread on the street to help their mothers, another case highlighting how the economic crisis is pushing minors to seek income to contribute to their households.
Understanding the Struggles of Cuban Children Amid Economic Crisis
What led the boy in Holguín to work at such a young age?
The boy began working to support his mother financially due to their dire economic circumstances, underscoring the severe needs faced by many families in Cuba.
How common is child labor in Cuba amid the economic crisis?
Child labor has become increasingly prevalent as the economic crisis deepens, with many children taking on work to contribute to their family's income.
What kind of work are Cuban children doing to help their families?
Cuban children engage in various activities, such as collecting recyclables, selling sweets or bread, and offering services like trash disposal to earn money for their families.