The Cuban priest Leandro Naun Hung, who uses his social media platforms to shed light on the hidden realities of rural communities in Santiago de Cuba, recently shared a compelling story of a mother using purslane leaves as a means of survival.
Naun posted a video on YouTube showcasing what he described as a “survival recipe.” The mother explained that her purslane dish includes sweet potato vine leaves and another plant species known as amaranth.
“I use healthy sweet potato leaves that don’t have any holes,” the mother clarified. She noted that the leaves are washed thoroughly and drained. Then, a garlic clove is sautéed in oil.
The leaves must be cooked until they soften, she said. “When I don’t have any fat, I first boil them to soften them and then add flavor,” she emphasized. After trying the recipe, Naun concluded, “It tastes like herbs.”
With a smile, the mother added, “That’s why when you add seasoning or a Goya packet, it kills that taste.”
Father Naun, who regularly distributes food and other forms of assistance to the mountainous communities of Santiago de Cuba, shared white rice and chickpeas with the mother and her son.
“I’ve only eaten this once in my life,” said the woman, who explained that, on other occasions, she has eaten black nightshade leaves, guaniquiqui, cassava shoots, and snake pepper.
The dire poverty affecting some Cubans forces them to take desperate measures to survive. Recently, a Cuban mother named Solange Romero, residing in La Guinera, Arroyo Naranjo, pleaded for help for herself and her children amid their desperate housing situation.
The young woman has five children, is pregnant with twins, and lives in extreme poverty in a wooden house that floods whenever it rains.
In a live broadcast on Facebook, she explained that every time it rains, she has to climb onto the bed with her children until the storm passes due to leaks in the roof of their precarious home.
While her situation is extraordinary, it is not unique in Cuba. In January of this year, another similar story moved dozens of Cubans when the plight of Yuliet, a mother of seven living in extreme poverty in Camagüey, became public.
At 31 years old, Yuliet did not have enough resources to feed or clothe her children, and her home was in a deplorable state, with the entire family sleeping in a single bed.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) presented its VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024 in July, revealing stark realities of Cuban life.
The non-governmental organization highlighted in the document that “89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty,” a one-point increase from the previous year and a 13% rise from 2022.
One of the most significant findings is that “7 out of 10 Cubans have stopped having breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to a lack of money or food scarcity.”
Questions and Answers about Poverty in Cuba
This section provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the dire poverty situation in Cuba, as highlighted in the article.
What is the primary cause of extreme poverty in Cuba?
The primary cause of extreme poverty in Cuba is the socialist communist regime, which has led to economic mismanagement and scarcity of resources.
How does the Cuban government address food scarcity?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its inadequate response to food scarcity, often failing to provide sufficient and consistent aid to its citizens.
What are some of the survival strategies used by Cubans in extreme poverty?
Many Cubans in extreme poverty resort to eating wild plants, sharing scarce resources, and seeking help from community and religious organizations.