Rosalía is a rural area in Camajuaní, poor and in decline, like so many small towns in Cuba. That place full of history, which was prosperous thanks to the sugar industry, is today almost abandoned by its population, despite its good land and cool climate.
In its best times, that place in the province of Villa Clara had a collection center and a railway, with its pooch, which today are just ruins; there was an infirmary for small aid that disappeared and even the primary school has received alarms of disappearance. The town is so small that it only has one road with the occasional swamp, which makes it difficult for its citizens to move.
Transportation is done in family carts and bicycles, but not everyone has one. Years ago there was a public bus with several daily frequencies, but over time it decreased and it only came “when it could”. After the pandemic, it was eliminated and has left residents without means of transportation.
Every morning some children, young people and adults are seen at the door of the winery, next to the embankment, hoping that someone, earnestly, will do them the favor of taking them to Taguayabón.
Every morning some children, young people and adults are seen at the door of the winery, next to the embankment, hoping that someone will kindly do them the favor of taking them to Taguayabón, the neighboring town, where their schools are and where the highway that connects Camajuaní and Remedios.
Elisa is one of those few young women with a bicycle and every day, at 5:00 am, she pedals the four kilometers to reach the highway, where she will board a transport to get to her work as a seamstress.
Like her, there are other women who work in the suburbs and take their children to school by bicycle.
The oblivion in which Rosalía has been left makes many of its inhabitants think of migrating, even four kilometers away, to Taguayabón, where life becomes easier.
Lele delivers his product to the State, who will export it to the European market and Rosalía’s honey will end up being sold in a German market at a price that the beekeeper cannot imagine and of which he receives a minimal part
Others, despite the shortcomings, are committed to continuing to keep their farms full of crops, cattle, horses, birds or beehives. This is the case of Lele, as his neighbors affectionately call him, a man who has been a beekeeper for 10 years and, between September and November, loads his oxcart with the tools to collect honey.
Lele delivers his product to the State, who will export it to the European market and Rosalía’s honey will end up being sold in a German market at a price that the beekeeper cannot imagine and of which he receives a minimal part.
Juan, another resident of Rosalía, survives thanks to the small farm inherited from his grandparents and his crops of cassava, peanuts and, sometimes, beans, which help him feed his family and face the widespread shortages on the Island.
In the countryside, products such as oil, which reaches 600 or even 700 pesos when it is found, are even more scarce than in the cities.
Despite all the difficulties, Lele, Elisa and Juan have made the decision to continue with their lives in Rosalía and have resisted the temptation to move to Taguayabón, as many of their neighbors have done in search of services that now do not exist in their home. small town.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for joining us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our journal. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
