Women’s Day: Thus they share hope in Cuba in times of crisis

In the midst of one of the most serious crises that Cuba is going through, a group of sisters from the company of Maria work with the elderly, young people and women, providing accompaniment and growth opportunities.

“It is a time to share and receive hope, to look with Osadía the future,” said these religious recently to the Pontifical Foundation helps the Church in need (ACN), despite the dollarization, inflation and shortage of basic supplies.

In the Tenmero neighborhood, on the outskirts of Havana, the sisters face the challenge of attending families fighting the lack of employment and resources. “Every day there are more people who play our door to ask us for help. But we continue betting on maintaining our presence and collaboration here, ”they say.

Their work includes support for the elderly and the guidance of young people to move them away from vices and social risks. “In spite of everything, we are witnessing how God helps others to discover themselves loved and dear,” they say.

Women’s workshops: A growth space

In addition, in communities such as Esmeralda, La Subsida and Caonao, they boost craft and embroidery workshops for women, combining training with personal development. “In the subsidiary, women sell their creations and distribute money with great honesty and solidarity. They say that gathering is like a therapy and that when they do the embroidery they forget the concerns, ”they explain.

Thanks to the training they receive in these workshops, “they not only grow in their self -esteem and feel more and more worthy as women, but also discover many gifts that did not know they had,” said the religious.

THE FRUIT OF THE MISSION AND THE HELP OF ACN

ACN support has been key to the work of the sisters in Cuba in recent years, allowing them to rehabilitate community spaces, distribute catechetical materials and organize training meetings. “The love of people and their trust in us is the greatest fruit we get. They are people of great faith, it infects us and fills us with joy in the God who inhabits us, ”they said.

With unwavering faith, the religious continue, convinced that a small act of love can change lives. “Sharing our life with people, greeting them, listening to them and praying together makes us happy. It motivates us to continue betting on this mission. ”

“We are very grateful to you – acn – for adding with us to continue responding to this portion of the kingdom where we have to collaborate,” they concluded.

ACN has supported 936 religious projects in 2024 for more than 10.4 million euros. Support has been mostly for construction, vehicles, religious formation and existence help projects. Among the emergency aid, aids of religious are highlighted in very poor and abandoned areas of Latin America as well as projects with female congregations schools in Lebanon.