At just 10 years old, Ezequiel spends his mornings selling garlic and bread on the streets of Cuba, striving to earn a little money to support his mother and siblings. This poignant story, shared by content creator David Vela, has touched the hearts of thousands on social media.
When Vela came across Ezequiel advertising his goods — "Bread and garlic! Come on, sir, just a moment" — the boy hadn't eaten anything that day. Without hesitation, Ezequiel explained his purpose: "To help my mom and my siblings."
With his father deceased, the family struggles to survive without an adult breadwinner. Each loaf of bread he sells goes for 100 pesos, and every garlic sold is a monumental effort for a child who should be at school or playing.
Living Conditions Highlight a Broader Crisis
Vela followed Ezequiel to his home in the Camposanto neighborhood. The sight was a stark reminder of the country's deepening crisis: the family resides in a derelict old warehouse on the brink of collapse, lacking proper divisions and furnished with just a fan.
"This is where I live, it's a warehouse," Ezequiel explained as he showed the space. When asked what he wished for, he said, "To stay in a house, because this place is at risk of collapse."
Widespread Child Labor Amid Official Denials
Ezequiel's plight is not unique. Cuba faces a housing deficit exceeding 900,000 units, with nearly 1,000 buildings collapsing annually in Havana alone. In 2026, Human Rights Watch recorded families living in schools and abandoned structures under similar conditions.
Child labor is also rampant. Throughout 2026, numerous reports have emerged of minors selling bread, sweets, or pastries to support their families. The Cuban Conflict Observatory documented 71 cases of child labor and begging in 2025 alone.
This reality starkly contrasts with the government's stance. On June 12, World Day Against Child Labor, the Communist Youth Union claimed, "Thanks to the Revolution, child labor is not a reality in our country," a statement that drew widespread criticism online.
Urgent Calls for Assistance
Amidst these challenges, UNICEF reports that 9% of Cuban children suffer from severe food poverty, and 33% of those under five experience moderate food poverty. The Cuban Human Rights Observatory estimates that 89% of Cuban families live in extreme poverty.
Vela shared the video with a heartfelt plea for help: "This child needs clothes, food, and a better home than this warehouse. Buying him a house would be ideal."
Those willing to assist Ezequiel can reach out to David Vela via WhatsApp at +53 55898008. "Let's help Ezequiel live more like the child he is and less like the adult circumstances are forcing him to become," Vela urged in his post.
Understanding Cuba's Child Labor Crisis
What are the living conditions like for Ezequiel and his family?
Ezequiel and his family live in a deteriorating warehouse at risk of collapse, with minimal furniture and no proper divisions, reflecting the broader housing crisis in Cuba.
How prevalent is child labor in Cuba?
Child labor remains significant in Cuba, with reports of minors working in streets selling goods to support their families, despite official claims denying its existence.
What is being done to help Ezequiel?
David Vela has made a public appeal for support to improve Ezequiel's living conditions, encouraging donations of clothing, food, and potentially acquiring a new home for the child.