This year, Giving Tuesday has come at a critical time for many around the world. Giving Tuesday is an international movement with a mission to “transform communities and the world.” In Cuba, the struggle to make a livable wage and have enough food to survive has only gotten harder with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and Shelter in Place (SIP) order.
One of our partner pastors, Yaisel, took it upon himself and his staff to assist more than 90 elderly community members who were struggling acutely. Many were unable to get enough food due to the strict SIP order. Maricela, a blind elderly woman, wondered how she would manage with a meager pension of only $10 a month. It was hardly enough to purchase food for the month, and with orders to stay at home, she wasn’t sure how she was going to get the supplies she needed.
Maricela pictured in her home in Cuba.
Yaisel and his team brought ground turkey, beans, rice, potatoes, spaghetti, bananas, mangoes, and soap to Maricela, as well as 92 other elderly and sick recipients. They were able to do this because of donations received from Aliento Cuba to purchase food and soap. Now Maricela can live comfortably without worrying about food.
While food shortages are always an impending difficulty in Cuba, the situation has worsened with the spread of the pandemic. Please consider donating to Aliento Cuba to join the food relief effort this Giving Tuesday!