Ariana, a young mother of three, is grateful to Cuba

Ariana Izquierdo Ortega, a 29-year-old single mother, cannot conceal her emotion and gratitude as she tells the story of her past months together with her little girls aged two, four and ten.

Overjoyed when she was granted a house just a few days ago as part of a government policy for mothers of three or more children, she states her gratitude with tears in her eyes.

“I used to live with my blind grandmother and my grandfather, who passed away recently, but I also had in the house my cousins and siblings, so there was no room to even sleep,” she told ACN.

Izquierdo Ortega is one of the three parents favored so far this year with a house valued at 350,000 pesos that she won’t have to pay, according to Osmara Hernández del Sol, an official with the Labor and Social Security office who pointed out that the policy is intended to use the budget allocated to the provincial housing department to give people like this mother a decent place to live to improve their quality of life.

Ariana, who expects to receive further resources in the next few weeks—including pieces of furniture and cooking utensils—says that her three girls are very happy to be finally living in a safe house.

“I had nothing, so I am grateful to my country and government for all the help I have received. Now I know that I will do well from here on out,” she stressed, recognizing how much Cuba is doing for the benefit of its citizens despite the economic problems.