A Cuban woman living in the United States has confessed that she collects empty rice bags to send to her mother in Cuba in a video that has gone viral on TikTok. Many Cubans have related to what this young woman describes. While others might consider these bags trash, she can't bring herself to throw them away and admits she has accumulated a large number of them at home, despite having already sent many to the island.
"I feel emotional about throwing them away because my mom would go crazy if I did. I've been collecting them for three and a half years; it's my favorite rice. I can't bring myself to throw these bags away. I have a lot of them at home. I've already sent some to Cuba, and sometimes I think about throwing them away, but I just can't do it," @anisber_95 explained in a TikTok video that has gained popularity among the Cuban community on the social network. Many have admitted they feel the same way.
In the reactions to the video, comments include: "I thought I was the only one," "I feel the same way, I don't know why I want to keep those little bags," "If I throw one of those bags away, my mom in Cuba would kill me. I always send them to her," "I'm the same way, it hurts to throw them away. I have them all saved and send them little by little. I think just like you, as if they distribute them to the neighbors in the neighborhood," "That's what I do too, I send them to my mom," "I send them to Cuba; my mom would have a fit if I threw them away," and "I have like 20 haha, the same thing happens to me."
Collecting and Sending Items from the U.S. to Cuba
The story of this Cuban woman has sparked a broader conversation about the experience of Cubans in the U.S. and the items they collect to send back home. Here are some frequently asked questions related to this topic:
Why do Cubans in the U.S. send items like empty rice bags back to Cuba?
Many Cubans in the U.S. send items back to Cuba due to the scarcity of resources on the island. Even seemingly trivial items like empty rice bags can be reused for various purposes, making them valuable to family members in Cuba.
What other items are commonly sent from the U.S. to Cuba?
Common items sent include clothing, medicines, personal care products, non-perishable food items, and household goods. These items help alleviate some of the daily hardships faced by relatives in Cuba.
How has the situation in Cuba led to this practice?
The economic situation in Cuba, exacerbated by the socialist regime's policies, has led to widespread shortages of basic necessities. This compels Cubans abroad to send supplies to their families back home to help them cope with the scarcity.