Amidst Cuba's severe energy crisis, where power outages can last up to 12 hours a day, a resourceful invention has captivated social media: the conversion of a Singer sewing machine into a charcoal stove. Abel Rodríguez, the creator behind this innovation, shared a photo of his creation on a Facebook group in the town of Guayos, humorously dubbing it a "Singer brand charcoal stove with socialist technology."
The renowned Cuban ingenuity, famed for its resilience in the face of adversity, has once again amazed many during these challenging times when daily survival is hampered by the shortage of electricity. This time, the beloved sewing machine, once a household favorite among Cuban women, has been repurposed. Reactions to the Facebook post range from humorous to melancholic, reflecting the stark reality of life on the island.
Resourcefulness in the Face of Adversity
"It's more sad than funny, though Cuban ingenuity knows no bounds. We are survival experts," commented one user. Another, laced with irony, remarked, "Great technology, we are the envy of the world. Let's hope the blockade doesn't catch wind of it, or they'll copy our idea immediately."
These kinds of inventions echo the resurgence of charcoal stoves, reminiscent of the "Special Period" in the 1990s when economic hardship drove the search for cooking alternatives due to the lack of electricity and gas. Today, in provinces such as Las Tunas and Camagüey, these stoves are sold at prices ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 Cuban pesos, equivalent to the country's minimum wage.
A Return to Past Solutions
As Cuban families lament the lack of cooking resources during blackouts, the regime itself has begun distributing charcoal in certain provinces, particularly in eastern regions, where this solution has proven crucial in coping with the crisis. Meanwhile, power outages continue to affect over 1,000 MW daily, accounting for a third of the national demand, making creativity and resourcefulness essential tools for survival.