Crisis in Cuba

Aymee,* a young mother in Cuba, was discouraged. All her attempts to find work had failed. They needed food; her children were hungry. “My children haven’t eaten,” she lamented to a CAM contact. The gift of food our contact gave to her provided Aymee and her children with something to eat that day.

Thousands of Cubans like Aymee face a desperate reality: rampant inflation, severe food shortages, and a battered economy. People are finding that their incomes and savings are rapidly losing value while prices of food, fuel, and other basic necessities are soaring.

Cubans of all ages have difficulty providing enough food for themselves and their families. Children go to bed at night with empty stomachs. “The vulnerable population, such as the sick or elderly, bear much of the burden,” states a contact who works in Cuba. “Food is not only unaffordable, but often inaccessible.”

Families struggle to survive and feed their children. Karolay, a single mother, shared, “Your gift came to us at the right time as we are going through a lot of hunger. There are days when I have nothing to feed my son because my salary is very low and it is not enough to buy the food we need. Thank you for your help!”

Carlos is graduating from school as a mechanic and expects a monthly salary of $10 USD. He wants to get married, but wonders how he would ever provide for a wife and family.

Canned chicken for hungry Cubans

The biggest cry we hear right now is for food. Our contact shared, “People are still starving. The reality is many go without food at all, especially the homeless, elderly, disabled, and children.”

In response to the crisis, CAM’s cannery in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, is sending containers of canned chicken to Cuba. This valuable protein is in high demand and Cubans are receiving the gift of meat with joy! This year we hope to send six sea containers of chicken to Cuba.

Responding to spiritual hunger in Cuba

Cubans are also showing significant spiritual hunger as they face adversity. People are interested in learning about the Gospel. Many are coming to Christ, as desperate times force people to cry out to God for help. As part of this project, we plan to help supply Bibles and Bible story books.

Food and literature distributions provide a special opportunity to encourage Christians and share the Gospel with those who have not heard about Jesus Christ. Gavin knew something was missing in his life, and was searching for truth. When CAM contacts gave Gavin a gift of food and shared the Gospel with him, the Word of God reached the depths of his heart. He recognized Christ as the only hope for his life.

If you would like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in caring for the people of Cuba, your support will be a blessing. Our contact shared, “Each time someone eats the food you gave them, they think of you. They’re reminded that someone far away cared enough about their struggles to help.”

“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress” (Isaiah 25:4).

*Names used in this article are not actual names.