THANK YOU

We are so incredibly grateful to the overwhelming support that this campaign has received. Thanks to your generosity - whether donating or sharing the link - we have been able to help 6 families in Cuba who were hit by the tornado.

WHAT WENT DOWN?

My mum and cousin (Marisela & Julio Cesar) met with the families on the 6th February, along with our family friend, Loreto. Thankfully, the families who were hit the hardest have started to receive governmental support. Building brigades and materials are being sent out and rebuilding efforts are well underway. The donations will help boost these efforts, as well as replace the countless household items and belongings that were lost with the tornado. Sadly, the families who did not suffer severe damages (e.g. the Brito Family and the O'Farrells) have received no governmental support - so they are extremely grateful and in need of the donations that were sent. My mum plans to visit the families again before she leaves in order to get more updates.

Everyone was extremely warm and grateful for the help they received. A resounding feeling in most responses was that beyond the (useful and appreciated) material aid, they were extremely touched by the emotional support shown by the compassion and generosity of all the campaign backers.

VIDEO LINKS & EXCERPT TRANSLATIONS

1.ACOSTA FAMILY

"We have to keep going. One thing we want to do is thank you for everything you've given us. But it's not just the amount. The little things when they're done with love have more value. It doesn't matter what you give, it's the act of sending affection, love, solidarity - that's what truly reaches us, more than the material. This means a lot to us. I hope I never lose you guys. You have to come back so you can take photos and see everything nicely done up.'

Marisela - "Everyone who contributed wants to know how you get on, so he'll [Julio Cesar] come back."

"That's even more love. You can't get lost. You live around here [Julio Cesar] so you have to come round and see us!"

2. ROSALES FAMILY

'Very thankful to everyone who has helped and supported in this difficult situation, but we've lived with the support and affection of everyone who has shared our pain with us. This is the best that has happened.. Keep on the help, today it might be us, but tomorrow it might be other people.. hopefully another catastrophe won't happen, but maybe one day we'll be able to help other people too.'

'Apart from the donations and money, that tear, that pain that people have been feeling for us - that's the most moving. We know we're not alone, and that people feel our pain.'

'It's been beautiful. Even people with nothing have been sharing their rice with us.. sharing the little they have.'

'It's not so much what you give, but the gesture in itself. So many people came together - in Cuba and abroad'.

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3. O'FARILL FAMILY

'We're very grateful to everyone who has helped and collaborated, to the person who brought us this present. Thank you so so much, I don't know how to thank you. May God protect you all so you can continue helping people.'

'We're so thankful to this compañero [Julio Cesar], because he made this all possible, he went up there with me - and that's all dangerous up there - but he went up there with me.'

4. GARCIA FAMILY

Marisela - 'I know that there's a lot of necessities but I hope that this helps you in some way'.

'Thank you my love, yes. I'm very thankful to everyone who sent money to help us. But it's not just the material - it's just the presence of all you that gives us a little breath of hope .. because this is traumatic, especially when there's children and elderly people. Thanks a million, there's no words to thank everything you're all doing'.

5. BRITO FAMILY

'Thank you so much.. may God give you all health, so that you can continue to help people, which is the most important, what we most need at this moment is help. Thank you.'

'We will use this well.. we really need it.'

'Don't worry grandma, I will give you some too! You're my grandmother after all, aren't you?!'

'You're welcome to our house whenever you want.'

6. ESCOBAR FAMILY

'Thank you so much, I'm grateful... imagine... I feel bad/embarassed.'

[Loreto] - 'You'll see, you'll get things back to normal'

[Julio Cesar] - 'You'll soon have the baby back here'.

'Echar pa' lante' (need to move forward).