Community generosity powers local family’s largest aid trip to Cuba yet

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lora Abramovitch is used to shopping for deals and always looking for a good bargain, but it's not for her; it's for people living in poverty in Cuba.

For years, Abramovitch has been travelling to Cuba with a suitcase full of things to give away upon her arrival.

She and her husband first visited Cuba for their honeymoon and fell in love with it – not just with the resort at which they were staying, but also those who lived there.

Abramovitch shared that for many living in Cuba, it is almost impossible for them to improve their financial situation. With low wages and high living costs, it's hard for them to catch up.

According to The State of Social Rights in Cuba VII Report 2024 conducted by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, they concluded that in 2024 “at least 89% of Cubans

live in extreme poverty.”

Abramovitch and her family fill their carry-ons, suitcases, and bags with desperately needed items in Cuba.

She mentioned that not even half the suitcase holds their personal items; it only has the essentials to make room for more.

They try to keep costs low, explained Abramovitch, as they pay out of pocket for all of the extra baggage, sometimes even the bags they bring; they leave them for those in need.

They bring anything, from hygiene products and shoes to t-shirts and even toilet seats.

With the need growing, so are Abramovitch's donations.

Within the past year, she turned to the Caledon Facebook Community Groups to ask if the community had any products they weren't using.

She has since been overwhelmed with the mass amounts of items people are bringing to her door.

She says people are frequently messaging her not only asking what she needs, but what they can do to help.

“It's really overwhelming the feelings of how people are so generous in this community. I don't know any other community, but this one is,” said Abramovitch.

She moved to Bolton 25 years ago and says she instantly realized how friendly the community was.

Abramovitch's next trip is in October, and she has been collecting a large variety of items for her trip.

She mentioned she usually brings a main item she knows is desperately needed, and for this upcoming trip, it's hygiene products.

“Everything we take for granted, they need,” shared Abramovitch. “They're so happy. It's like they won the lottery.”

She shared during her last trip, when she dropped off feminine hygiene products, she was told that such items are costly there. 

This insight gave her the inspiration for this trip's items.

Her trips are getting bigger every time, and this year has grown more with community support.

Abramovitch said this will be her biggest trip yet, the most she has ever brought.

Reflecting on her past trips, Abramovitch watches videos on her phone that she has taken of her time in Cuba. On the screen, multiple young boys can be seen playing with soccer balls.

Abramovitch and her family were able to bring more than 12 soccer balls on their last trip, and then pump them up for the children to play with upon arrival.

Some were so excited they took off right away to play, laughed Abramovitch.

“If I can help somebody, I will,” she says. “I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. It makes me happy that I can make somebody happy.”

Abramovitch is currently collecting a wide range of items, including crayons, pencils, colouring books, glue sticks, hair accessories, hygiene products, small rechargeable fans, solar lights, soap bars, sunglasses, and more.