By María Josefina Arce

Daily life in Cuba is full of constant challenges, but also of beautiful gestures, which are born of friendship or that solidarity that distinguishes Cubans and that speaks of the greatness of a people and especially of its young people.

And although they are selfless actions, which do not seek recognition, they are well worth mentioning because they are part of our daily lives, and they are a hope in an increasingly selfish world.

That is why I want to refer first to those who voluntarily donate blood to save lives. It is an altruistic gesture that is replicated every day in our society, and that has its main protagonists in the new generations.

I am reminded of the massive and immediate attendance at the Blood Banks of countless young people and other Cubans, after the explosion recorded in May 2022 at the Zaratoga Hotel in Havana, an event that shocked the country.

A call was not necessary; Once again, the solidarity of Cubans was evident, who have always been willing to provide help to whoever needs it, whether it be a compatriot or a citizen from other latitudes.

In Cuba there is an effective blood donation program that has always been characterized by broad and active participation of the population.

There are plenty of examples of other generous actions. Let us remember that all of Cuba mobilized to help those affected by the passage of powerful Hurricane Ian through the west of the nation in September 2022, which caused considerable damage, mainly in the province of Pinar del Río.

Donations from citizens, civil society organizations and small, medium and micro businesses, as well as workers from various sectors, came from all parts of the country to help with reconstruction.

Likewise, during the COVID 19 pandemic, many young people remained in their jobs and took on other tasks so that the most vulnerable remained at home and did not become infected with the virus.

But they were also present in isolation centers, where they performed various tasks, and in communities to assist older adults.

Cuba has shown countless signs of solidarity, providing its selfless help to numerous peoples in various spheres, and internally, as a society, it treasures beautiful pages of generosity among its children.