Genildo was much more than a teacher: he was a guide and advisor for generations of adolescents and young people who passed through the José Martí Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE) in the city of Holguín; but today, retired and ill, he survives by collecting empty cans and doing any work that allows him to bring something home.
This was revealed on social media by Saydanys Góngora, a former student, who recounted the impact of reuniting with her old teacher in the middle of the street: “What my eyes saw, no matter how hard I try, I can't describe it.”
“Hacia nosotras venía caminando un hombre mayor, wearing tattered clothes and broken shoes, a bag in his hand with something inside (probably empty cans and bottles), a dirty piece of wood in the other (simulating a cane). It was Genildo,” Góngora stated in a post in the IPVCE José Martí Pérez group on Facebook.
“Also, I saw despair and resignation, sadness, shame,” confessed the former student. “I managed to greet him with a... ‘dear teacher!’ He initially avoided eye contact, then smiled at me and just said... here, my dear, surviving.”
According to Góngora's testimony, Genildo and his wife, retired teacher Esther, "collect cans, act as messengers, clean houses, yards, anything that allows them to eat; they live day by day as best as they can, because their health does not allow for more."
And she added, moved: “They live poorly, very poorly. And they gave so much! I don’t know, brothers, if together we can do something for them. I hope so. They need it.”
Another former student who recently visited Genildo's home and requested to remain anonymous told CiberCuba that the family "survives the entire month on about 5,000 pesos (CUP): Esther's check, his partner for over 50 years, is 1,578; the son's is 1,500, and a little over 2,000 for Professor Genildo."
"Some neighbors help them with what they can. I remember that while we were talking, a neighbor arrived with a small package of coffee. Later, another came with some peppers and a few plantains. These are small gestures that feel significant in that context," he illustrated.
Repay everything he did for us
The story of Professor Genildo, 80 years old, has shocked former students, ex-teachers, and those who remember him with admiration. Many describe him as an educator who left a mark. Juan Carlos Reynaldo Espinosa wrote: "An amazing teacher and an excellent person. I always remember him."
Yosvany Batista considered him not only his teacher but "my friend and like a father... I belong to the 1997-2000 generation, and my group has generally tried to support him in various ways." He urged everyone to reflect not only on "this situation but also on that of other beloved teachers who gave us so much and received little or simply nothing; count on me, and may other friends and students join this cause."
The former student Aliuska García Cruz, also from the class of 2000, shared a moment that left a mark on her: “I ran into Professor Genildo eight years ago, and he mentioned me by my full name and my group number… What we do will be little compared to all that he gave.”
From the neighboring province of Granma, Estela Pérez Guevara expressed, “I am willing to help. Please, if there's anything we can do, let me know,” while Sara Liz Ricardo Suárez proposed coordinating collective assistance: “If you provide us with a card, we can deposit money and visit them.”
Mahilen Montaña, another former student, explained that for more than a year, a network of alumni has been providing financial assistance to Genildo and Esther through various purchases delivered to their home. "This year we celebrated his birthday; we know it's not enough, but it's a way to give back for everything he did for us. The teacher is not alone; he has us and everyone who remembers him," she detailed.
Other comments, however, went further by highlighting one of the issues affecting hundreds of thousands of elderly people in Cuba. Maribel González Calzadilla criticized the pitiful pensions that many receive: “It’s sad, shameful, and tragic that they are now impoverished victims of fraud.”
In tune, Yanelys Castellano Elías stated that “everything that retirees experience is pitiful, after contributing the best of themselves to society, they are repaid with this ingratitude, being left to their fate because they cannot have a dignified pension.”
Yasmani MP and Harley Finalé Blanco were more intense. “The ‘revolution’ exploits them and then discards them,” wrote the former, while the latter added: “That’s called Communism… the result of dedicating your entire life to teaching for a miserable salary and an even worse retirement. Fidel deceived and cheated everyone with promises of a better tomorrow… and left people like Genildo, who devoted their entire lives to a cause, with empty hands.”
Between scarcity and despair
According to official data published last October, 39% of retirees in Cuba receive the minimum pension of 1,528 CUP per month, which is equivalent to about four dollars in the informal exchange rate.
In the context of rampant inflation, scarcity, and rising prices of basic commodities, this amount doesn’t even cover a minimum diet: a pound of rice (200 CUP), a pound of black beans (300 CUP), three eggs (100 CUP each), a package of ground beef (600 CUP), and two cloves of garlic (40 CUP). In fact, a kilogram of powdered milk can cost as much as 1,800 CUP.
In February, the Cuban writer Eider Matos recounted his encounter with an elderly woman in Havana who confessed to him that her retirement pension as a teacher was not enough “even for the luxury of eating tomatoes.”
A year ago, the case of two Cuban elderly individuals living in extreme poverty also emerged in the province of Holguín.
Thousands of retirees, without support from abroad or additional resources, resort to searching in the trash, collecting raw materials to survive or relying on the charity of passersby.
Recently, the official media has referred to the growing number of beggars in the streets, but instead of acknowledging the government's share of responsibility for the exponential growth of poverty in Cuba, the regime has chosen to shift that responsibility to Cuban families.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Retirees in Cuba
How do retirees in Cuba manage to survive on such low pensions?
Many retirees in Cuba survive by resorting to informal work, such as collecting cans, cleaning houses, or receiving help from family and neighbors. The minimum pension of 1,528 CUP (approximately four dollars) is insufficient to meet basic needs due to inflation and product shortages.
What is the impact of the economic crisis on the Cuban population?
The economic crisis has led to a significant increase in extreme poverty in Cuba, affecting 89% of families according to recent reports. Inflation and shortages of basic goods have forced many to live in miserable conditions, relying on charity to survive.
What role does the Cuban government play in the crisis of retirees?
The Cuban government has not implemented effective solutions to improve the living conditions of retirees. The lack of adequate medical care and the economic decline have left many citizens in a state of abandonment and misery.
How has the community responded to the situation of the elderly in Cuba?
The community, both local and abroad, has shown solidarity with Cuban seniors through donations and support networks. However, these actions are not enough to alleviate the widespread crisis affecting retirees and the general population.
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