A heartwarming story emerged from Cuba when Santi Batista, a mother, shared her seven-year-old daughter's selfless offer to sell her long hair in order to purchase a rechargeable fan. The family's struggle to endure relentless power outages moved many on social media.
Batista, hailing from Pesquería, a rural area in Baraguá, Ciego de Ávila, recounted on Facebook how she and her daughter traveled to the city hoping to make the sale. However, the buyers only offered 20,000 Cuban pesos for the girl's hair.
"I'm sharing this with a heavy heart, a feeling only mothers know when we can't provide what our children need," Batista expressed.
Upon reaching the city, the potential buyers informed her that they couldn't offer more than 20,000 pesos. "And that's when I ask myself, how long will we suffer in this country's situation?" she questioned.
Numerous online commenters criticized the offer, pointing out that 20,000 pesos wouldn't suffice for a fan and didn't reflect the true value of the girl's hair.
A hairstylist estimated the hair to be worth around 70,000 pesos, advising, "Don't sell it; it's disrespectful."
An encouraging message came from a nurse, suggesting not to accept the low offer: "That hair is worth much more, and I admire the child. I've been through tough times myself, sold my hair once, and it grew back. You're doing the right thing, my girl; hair regrows."
A woman from Holguín also noted that the offered amount wouldn't cover a rechargeable fan's cost: "20,000 won't buy one. Don't rush; you'll get more, as it's virgin and full-bodied hair."
Support poured in from various quarters. An English teacher shared her own experience, "I sold mine years ago to feed my sick father. Your daughter's willingness to help shows she's becoming a brave and resilient young woman."
Another resident from Havana summed up the sentiment of many: "There are thousands of mothers like you enduring the same pain. What a brave girl, living like this is unbearable. Only mothers know the lengths we go to ensure our children don't go to bed hungry."
The most impactful comment came from Einstein Van Gogh David Almeida, a Cuban living in Florida. He offered to buy the fan for the girl so she wouldn't need to cut her hair: "Don't cut her hair; I'll buy the fan. Message me privately."
He added, "It's as if I see my own daughter in that situation. I'm just a guy with daughters, and I'd never let them do something like that; the rest, we leave to God."
Ciego de Ávila has been severely affected by the ongoing power crisis. In March, residents in the Vista Alegre neighborhood banged pots and pans in protest after enduring over 29 hours without electricity or water.
In August, the provincial electric company admitted some areas had been without power for ten days due to faulty transformers and lack of spare parts.
Selling hair as a survival strategy has become increasingly common on the island. By late 2024, hair bun sales in Santiago de Cuba reached 300,000 pesos, and a mother in Pinar del Río sold her hair to pay for her sick daughter's hospital bills.
Understanding the Crisis in Ciego de Ávila
Why are power outages so frequent in Ciego de Ávila?
Ciego de Ávila is facing severe power outages due to outdated infrastructure and a lack of repair parts, exacerbated by the economic crisis in Cuba.
What alternatives are people in Cuba using to cope with power shortages?
Cubans are increasingly resorting to selling personal items, such as hair, to afford essential goods like rechargeable fans to cope with frequent power cuts.