In the rural outskirts of Santiago de Cuba, an elderly woman faces extreme poverty: she lives without a lightbulb, leaving her in total darkness, without money, and with a broken fridge. She relies on wood collected from the forest for cooking. Despite these harsh conditions, her smile remains unwavering.
Her story gained attention through social media when Catholic priest Leandro NaunHung shared a video on Facebook depicting her severe hardships. In the video, she talks about her dire situation and expresses gratitude for the small acts of kindness from neighbors and generous individuals. "The only lightbulb I had burnt out," she mentioned calmly. "There is no kerosene, no bright lights. I have to stay in darkness, praying for the Lord's help."
The lamp she used is also broken, leaving her without the necessary kerosene to light it, which isolates her further during long nights. Besides the lack of lighting, she admits that she lacks the resources to repair the broken fridge, which stands uselessly in her home.
Without money or basic food supplies, she explains that she hasn't been able to collect her pension in months. Although she maintains a resilient spirit, she acknowledges her reliance on small donations from neighbors to survive. "I help them, and they lend me a hand," she says gratefully.
Her predicament is compounded by the absence of means to stay informed. Without television or radio, she remains unaware of approaching cyclones or storms until they are upon her. "I don't know where the cyclones are; you only find out when you feel the wind," she remarks, highlighting her vulnerability.
Yet, despite everything, she retains a positive attitude and displays admirable strength. Recently, she received a bit of oil from the store, which she is grateful for, albeit with a wry humor: "At least with a little oil, misfortune slips away," she says with a smile.
The stark reality of her situation is undeniable: her survival hinges on the solidarity of others and her own resilience, as she faces a seemingly endless struggle with poverty.
Exposing Rural Hardships
With a unique approach, Leandro NaunHung uses social media to shed light on the challenges confronting residents in the rural areas of Santiago de Cuba. Although he sometimes faces criticism from those who believe he romanticizes poverty, NaunHung asserts that his goal is to provide his congregation with tools to endure the severe crisis impacting Cubans, especially those in remote regions.
Apart from sharing what he calls "survival recipes," his posts also serve to expose the neglect some people endure, drawing attention to their plight.