CAMAGÜEY.- The pain was inevitable. Hurricane Ian brought a lot of devastation to national territory, shaking the lives of many people after total collapses, floodings, crop damages, and human losses. However, once again, Cuba rises to face the catastrophe with solidarity and love. Professionals and workers from all over are joining forces to improve the living conditions for those most in need. These anonymous heroes have the support of their families, who are patiently waiting for their fathers, brothers, and sons to return home after accomplishing their task.
For more than 21 days, hours have been passing slower and slower for Zuramis Hernández Cartaya, mother of Gaspar Estévez Hernández, a collaborator of the Electric Company of Santa Lucía. After her son's departure, Zuramis declares that household chores have been more difficult because his absence hits her hard.
"The distance is difficult, but we communicate with Gaspar every day, he always tells us that he is well, that the attention he is receiving is very good where he is staying, and even better the welcome and gratitude of the people. He is currently working in Artemisa where he works as an operator of technological equipment, and he is about to leave for Pinar del Río", she explained with a firm voice, but her face gave her away. Although her face shows the pride that a mother feels seeing the achievements of her son, it cannot hide the tears that leak when she states that she, her daughter-in-law, and her grandson miss him very much.
"This is already the eighth hurricane in which he has helped, in addition to other works he has done supporting in natural disasters, and he is still firm in his labor, and our family supports him in everything," said José Mario Paret Basulto, son of one of the brave men who are doing their best in the west of the island these days.
José Paret Valsatorre, a worker of the Cuban Telecommunications Company (Etecsa) in our province, has been working for more than 20 days as one of the repairmen of damaged equipment in Artemisa.
"The readjustment in the tasks at home has been tough; however, we did well", said José Mario. "The most important thing is that we are proud of him, and we know that thanks to the good attention he has there and his hard work he will be soon back with the guarantee of a fulfilled duty", he added.
María Esther Pérez happily narrates the praise worthy performance of her two sons in this exceptional situation. José Carlos and Luis Mariano del Risco Pérez, workers of the maintenance brigade of the Camagüey’s Electric Company, are working together with their colleagues to reestablish the power line in the municipality of Bahía Honda.
"They are doing well, fulfilling their task, and from here, their families and friends cannot be happier about it. In the beginning, it was a little difficult to adapt to their absence, mainly because they have children, but we have moved forward, and although there are still some worries and tensions because of the work they do, pride is greater than any feeling", said the mother of these two brothers who will soon complete a month of service.
The joy and emotional support of those closest to them are vital in situations like this because although they feel committed to the work performed by their loved ones, the obligation to take care of themselves and not let others down falls constantly on those who fight on the front lines of disasters.
Yoanni Peña Mora, director of the UEB of Aqueduct and Sewerage in the municipality of Sibanicú, and collaborator in the province of Pinar del Río, knows this firsthand. The specialist in hydraulic resources affirmed that the departure was early, and they still felt the hurricane-force winds when arriving in Pinar delRío. "The arrival was hard, especially to see the pain of our brothers in Pinar del Río, and the misery brought by the hurricane, but that motivated us to work nonstop.”
"I was in affected areas such as Viñales, La Coloma, Consolación del Sur, and the municipal capital bringing bits of water to the people, which gave them a little happiness. It turned out to be a very nice mission because the locals’ gratitude was very sincere, they applauded and hugged us, they made their town our second home".
For the first time, Yoanni experiences a situation of this type. Although he had to leave his family behind for 14 long days, his voice does not tremble when he says the same phrase others have repeated, each one with their own words:"I will do it again when necessary."
Translated by Claudia Quesada 3rd year English Language student
Reviewed by Linet Acuña Quilez
