“Cuba is going through an incredibly difficult time right now. Because of the ongoing U.S. blockade, everyday life has become a struggle—basic things like food, medicine, electricity, even fuel, are hard to come by. You don’t really understand the depth of it until you see it for yourself.

During my recent mission, I spent time walking the streets near my hotel. It wasn’t planned, I just felt the need to go out and connect with people. I started handing out food to anyone I saw digging through garbage bins. That part stays with you. One older man told me something I won’t forget—he said people here used to refuse donations out of pride, but now… they accept, because they have no choice. That shift says everything.

For many, eating once a day is normal. I took some of our aid workers to a local restaurant, and they told me they hadn’t eaten in a place like that in a long time—some, not at all in years. It’s simply too expensive. Gas alone is around $10 a litre, which explains why the streets are so quiet. There are hardly any cars, and public transportation is scarce. Businesses that depend on fuel—or tourism—are struggling or completely shut down. And with tourism being such a huge part of the economy, the impact is everywhere.

And yet, despite all this, the people of Cuba haven’t lost their spirit. You still hear music playing in the streets, voices singing, laughter here and there. It’s their way of holding on, of pushing through.

On this trip, our team reached five vulnerable communities. We brought food, medicine, and basic supplies. The children came out to greet us dressed in their best clothes—it felt like Sunday morning, even though it wasn’t. There was pride in that, and dignity. We cooked meals together right there in the community centers, meals that many of them rarely get to enjoy. Most families cook outside, over wood fires, doing the best they can with what little they have.

We also distributed solar lights, because many homes and schools are left in complete darkness. Some of the houses… they’re barely standing—built from scraps of wood, bits of cardboard, whatever people can find. It’s hard to imagine raising a child in those conditions.

What’s even more heartbreaking is the impact on healthcare. Some children can’t access critical treatments, including cancer care, simply because there’s no reliable electricity. When the power goes out, babies in incubators are at risk—it becomes a life-or-death situation. There’s also a shortage of doctors, as many have left the country for better opportunities offered by USA.  Many Cubans working in the United States haven’t been able to return home to see their families because of current immigration restrictions. The risk of not being allowed back into the U.S. is simply too high.

One woman I spoke with shared something that really stayed with me—her children haven’t seen their father in two years. He’s working in the U.S., but he can’t come back to Cuba to visit them, because if he does, he might not be able to return to his job. It’s a difficult choice, and families are the ones carrying that burden.

Even getting there has become complicated. There are no direct flights from Canada at the moment, so we had to travel through Mexico to reach Cuba.

I’m sharing this because these children need help. If you’re able to support, please consider donating through our website.

We are a 100% volunteer-run organization, and every dollar goes directly to helping those who need it most.”
– Ashid Bahl (Charity Founder & President)