On Wednesday, October 29, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 3 storm, swept through eastern Cuba. This date will be marked as the beginning of countless stories about one of the devastating natural phenomena in the Caribbean region. For Jenifer Salmón Mondeja, that name and date will forever be etched in her memory.
Jenifer, a writer and member of the Hermanos Saíz Association, awarded in several literary contests and actively involved in the cultural life of Guantánamo, experienced the brutal force of nature firsthand.
“This experience has been very sad. As the hurricane approached, I was very worried because it had been announced as a Category 5 storm, which promised a lot of damage. This created tension within the family due to the destruction that Melissa could cause.”
The young writer recalls the day before the cyclone, when concern turned into action.
“The day before, I evacuated to a relative’s house of my partner, fearing the destruction the hurricane could bring. My house is made of wood and has a light roof, not very resistant to the strong winds that were forecasted. We decided to seek help and take refuge in a sturdier house, where we still remain because our home is uninhabitable at the moment.”
Like many of the thousands evacuated in the city of Guantánamo, Fer, as she is known in artistic circles, could only think about what she had left behind and what she might have lost in Melissa's path.
“As the hurricane passed, I clung to faith. I wanted to be safe, for our lives and physical integrity to remain intact because, in the end, that is what matters most. I hoped to see the state of the house afterward and prayed that there would be no damage. Unfortunately, that was not the case, but I am grateful that we are alive.”
Jenifer lost her home but not her hope.
“I expect assistance from the government in the form of subsidies for construction materials to expedite the reconstruction process. Our house cannot be inhabited right now due to the debris and the danger of collapse from what is still standing.”
The writer has followed the established steps to receive help.
“We have approached the relevant authorities. We contacted the district delegate, who assessed our case. We went to the processing desk and are waiting for the information to reach the competent authorities. At this moment, we await any type of support.”
In the midst of disaster, solidarity did not take long to arrive. Neighbors, friends, and colleagues from cultural projects mobilized immediately.
“We have already received help and concern from the Café con Tinta project of the Hermanos Saíz Association and from friends like Daniel Ross, who made a recharge for me so I could stay connected, which was essential for coordinating the procedures. These people have been very attentive. The Café con Tinta project, for example, allocated its first donation to us: a sum of 10,000 Cuban pesos, which my partner and I are infinitely grateful for.”
Beyond material damages, Jenifer emphasizes the strength that arises from mutual support, from everyday gestures of help among those who share the same pain.
In the darkness following Melissa’s passage, it was neighbors, friends, and strangers who upheld hope, who extended a hand and helped clear away debris.
Each act of solidarity, every gesture, every call or donation became a ray of light amidst so much devastation.
Like Jenifer, many Guantanameros today face losses, but they are not alone; no matter how imposing the circumstances or how devastating the winds may be, the Cuban state has not abandoned its people, and there will always be a helping hand ready to comfort, share bread, or simply help lift what the hurricane sought to destroy.
