HAVANA, January 16 (Silvio Herrera, AFPCP) – Some of Cuba's senior
citizens are upset by the contrast between the Cuban government's apparent
generosity to foreigners and the meager benefits it dispenses to Cuban
pensioners.
"While we don't have enough to eat, the government makes gifts of
low-cost housing to other countries, maintains 3,400 students in the so-called
Latin American Medical School [in Havana] and brings patients from Venezuela to
care for them here, with all the necessary comforts and resources. I read all
this in [official government daily] Granma," said one 80-year-old pensioner
at a day-care center for the aged.
These centers, called "houses for grandparents" here, provide the
elderly with breakfast and lunch and a place to pass the time until evening. For
that, they pay 25 pesos a month out of the typical 75- to 100-peso-a-month
pension.
For the last four months or so, the fare at these establishments has been
rice, watered-down chick-pea soup, an occasional boiled egg, or a piece of
potato or boiled plantain. Breakfast consists of a small glass of milk and a
taste of coffee.
But shortages are common. In the "Alegría de Vivir" (The
Happiness of Living) center, in Enrique Barnet street, in central Havana, as
well as in a similar one at the corner of Reina and Gervasio Streets, the
pensioners haven't seen any milk in the last six months.
"I have to come up with any excuse so I can skip out to eat a pizza,"
said the 80-year-old. "I can do this thanks to my son who lives in the
United States and sends me some money." The man, who would not give his
name, added: "The food is horrible, but I have to eat it; I don't have any
other option. You can't complain, because there are always many informers and
when they do the assesments every six months, they'll kick you out and that's
that."
Versión original
en español
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