Yasser Sosa Tamayo, a dedicated activist from Santiago de Cuba, has taken to social media to shed light on the harsh realities faced by many elderly individuals in Cuba. He poignantly referred to these seniors as "Cinderellas" abandoned by the government and battered by the ongoing economic crisis.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Sosa shared how, with the support of compassionate individuals, he was able to distribute clothing and shoes to several elderly women, offering them a glimmer of hope and relief. "Cinderella now has gray hair, wrinkles, and a weary gait, with a disillusioned look as she reflects on a past she once believed in and defended," the activist wrote, highlighting the struggles of these seniors who survive on meager pensions that scarcely cover their basic needs.
He further emphasized, "The national currency is insufficient for purchasing shoes, let alone clothing, as the little pension they receive is spent on inadequate food." Thanks to the assistance of people he describes as "angels with light and tender souls," some of these "Cinderellas" received much-needed shoes and clothing.
"A few Cinderellas in my little piece of the island with surreal prices received a pair of shoes and some clothing before the clock struck midnight," he noted. Sosa used this opportunity to invite others to join his initiative and assist more individuals in need.
This is not the first time the young activist from Santiago de Cuba has engaged in charitable activities to benefit the most vulnerable. Last Saturday, Sosa shared a gallery of images on social media, capturing moments of food distribution to children and the elderly at Plaza de Marte, along with the expressions of gratitude from the recipients.
His humanitarian efforts have also reached San Antonio del Sur, a Guantanamo municipality severely impacted by Hurricane Oscar. There, Sosa brought a ray of hope to "the little ones of San Antonio del Sur who still laugh, despite everything, with pure eyes and bare feet."
Reflecting on the need for more people willing to make a difference, Sosa wrote on social media: "We need more people who illuminate, people who are torches, beacons. People willing to give and share without fear of wearing out. People with less ego and more fire beneath their skin. We need more supernovas spreading their light and fewer mere survivors."
Sosa has been tirelessly pursuing his humanitarian mission for months. In August, he participated in a group of young people who distributed snacks to homeless individuals on the streets of the city. "I received a call offering me some bread and drink packets for breakfast for our street friends, with the condition of remaining anonymous," recounted the independent writer Yasser Sosa Tamayo in a Facebook post titled "Medals Worn on the Soul."
Earlier this year, in January, Massiel Carrasquero Ramos, a young Cuban woman, performed an act of goodwill on Epiphany Day in Cuba by distributing hearty soup with friends to vulnerable people in Havana. In another show of solidarity, young residents from Ciego de Ávila provided food to homeless individuals, who expressed their gratitude for the gesture.
The face of this charitable act was an artist from Ciego de Ávila named Ozzie, who took charge of distributing the food while delivering an emotional message. He explained that their primary intention is to assist those in need, but also to demonstrate that he is not the only young person willing to undertake such actions.