In a Cuba in economic crisis, the soup kitchen is full

Before the arrival of the coronavirus on the island, in March 2020, some 700 people came to this soup kitchen every day.

The economic crisis caused by the pandemic and the strengthening of US sanctions has exploded the number of beneficiaries.

"Pepin" is the nickname of Pedro Pablo Vazquez, in the kitchen for this community project called Quisicuaba and dedicated to social reintegration in the Los Sitios district, one of the poorest in the Cuban capital.

"I was a kid who hung out in the street without working, I had problems ... the godfather welcomed me here, and now thanks to him I'm a good person", confides to the AFP the 40-year-old man, in the small kitchen where he has been busy since dawn.

This "godfather" he mentions is Enrique Aleman, director of this community project and leader of a spiritualist religious organization that helps single mothers, families of prisoners, HIV-positive, alcoholics and homeless.

Distribution of meals as part of the Quisicuaba community project, November 1, 2021 in Havana, Cuba ADALBERTO ROQUE AFP

"Vulnerable neighborhoods"

"The boom in crowds at the soup kitchen is an effect of the blockade (the American embargo in force since 1962 and recently reinforced, editor's note), in the midst of a pandemic," said Enrique Aleman, surrounded by objects linked to spiritualism in his office, once a home to former Kissi slaves who came from Angola in the 16th century, and now a museum, owned by his family since 1932.

And "we are in one of the 61 most vulnerable neighborhoods in Havana".

Enrique Aleman, director of the Quisicuaba community project, inspects the food that will be distributed in the poor neighborhood of Los Sitios, on November 1, 2021 in Havana ADALBERTO ROQUE AFP

After the historic demonstrations of July 11, when thousands of Cubans protested to cries of "We are hungry" and "Freedom", President Miguel Diaz-Canel had designated about sixty disadvantaged neighborhoods of the capital as priorities for establishing social programs.

"The biggest actions are linked to social issues and to what is for everyone. What is for everyone? Basic essential services in the neighborhood, bodegas (where food is sold at low prices, editor's note), doctor's office, the children's park "and housing, the governor of Havana, Reinaldo Garcia, had specified in October.

The government program was launched as the economic crisis - the worst in 27 years, with a GDP drop of 11% in 2020, is hitting the poorest most of all.

In Los Sitios, water and electricity were often cut off, while the difficulties in obtaining food grew.

A man waits for a meal distribution at the Quisicuaba community project on November 1, 2021 in Havana Adalberto Roque AFP

The neighborhood soup kitchen, however, receives no money from the State and is financed only through the religious community, through donations and alms.

"A little to eat"

On a table, containers of different sizes were placed.

We read the first names of their owners, "Esther" or "Lecida", or a simple number, "19", "92" ...

Isabel Antomarchi, 70, has worked there for 30 years.

With an old metal spoon, she serves the meat accompanied by yellow rice.

This service is for "people who are homeless, who live on the streets, who have no family, nowhere to live, they are evicted from their homes and come here to have a little food", says the one everyone. world calls "tia" (aunt).

Isabel Antomarchi, 70, responsible for distributing food at the Quisicuaba community project, November 1, 2021 in Havana Adalberto Roque AFP

The beneficiaries wait in a nearby field for a volunteer to return their filled containers to them through a window.

In this country of 11.2 million inhabitants and led by the Communist Party, the only authorized one, religious organizations have for several years filled the spaces that the State can no longer cover.

Because despite the desire to impose a Marxist atheism, 70% of the population still say they have a belief, very often a syncretism that mixes the Catholic and Evangelical religions with African and spiritualist cults.

Unlike the opposition, which demands more freedom and accuses the government of being largely responsible for the economic difficulties, the Quisicuaba project fully coincides "with the feelings of the revolution and the will of the Cuban revolution," says its leader. .

© 2021 AFP