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Cuba's Elderly Abandoned Amid Exodus: Church Steps In
11 Oct
Summary
- Nuns provide care for elderly Cubans left behind by families fleeing the island.
- The San Francisco de Paula Home struggles with severe shortages of medicine and supplies.
- Cuba's aging population faces challenges due to mass emigration and economic hardship.
The San Francisco de Paula Home in Havana is providing care for elderly Cuban women abandoned as families emigrate. Sister Cecilia María Fuentes Ávila manages the facility, which operates as a crucial safety net for those left behind by the island's mass exodus.
Daily operations are challenged by severe shortages of essentials like chlorine, dementia medication, and fuel. The home relies on solar power for critical needs like freezers and washing machines during frequent blackouts.
Cuba faces a demographic shift, with over 26% of its population aged 60 or older. This aging demographic is ill-prepared for the challenges posed by emigration and economic instability.
Families often leave relatives behind due to their own struggles or plans to flee. Some residents arrive with complex medical conditions, requiring constant attention and a difficult supply chain for medicine.
Despite hardships, including power outages and heat, the elderly residents find stability and care. Donations and fundraising efforts by Sister Fuentes aim to secure more solar panels and essential supplies.
Sister Fuentes sees her work as a divine calling, offering mercy through charitable service amidst Cuba's ongoing crisis and emigration.
