Cuban husband gets emotional buying gifts for poor children because he never had any as a child

For many families in the United States, "holiday giving" is a familiar tradition, often marked by toy drives, donation bins, and charity trees in shopping centers. But for those who grew up in places where such customs didn’t exist, the experience of participating in them for the first time can be unexpectedly emotional. In a video shared by Yoel and Mari (@mimaincuba) on Instagram, Mari shared how her Cuban husband, Yoel, broke down while selecting gifts for underprivileged children for the very first time.

Mari introduced Yoel to an Angel Tree, a seasonal program where donors pick a name and buy the gifts on a child's wishlist. As his wife explained the tradition, he listened intently. "You pick a tag off of that tree, and we're gonna buy them the toys that they want," Mari said. When Yoel asked, "For whom?" Mari answered, "A kid who cannot have toys this year." Yoel, visibly surprised, said, "Wow. Oh my god. That's amazing," moved by the idea that he could give what he never received. "I want a child to have something I never had as a kid. That's so beautiful," he added.

As the couple walked through the store, choosing dolls and games for children they would never meet, his emotion deepened and his eyes welled up. He paused and said, "Where I'm from, there are millions who don't know what this is." In Cuba, he explained, the idea of a stranger buying toys for a poor child was almost unimaginable. "I never had these in my country. And no one in mine, the kids in my neighborhood, ever had these, and this is emotional," he shared. His voice cracked as he said, "I hope parents can come and buy toys for their kids." For Yoel, choosing a toy for someone else was a chance to offer a child the joy he never got to feel.

His wife captioned the video, "He was sooo amazed by the angel tree, you guys. I don't care what anyone says, this country is the most philanthropic in the world, and the people are the most giving. We hope next year we can organize something for the children in remote towns in Cuba and can do more angels," she wrote. The emotional weight of his experience reflects a broader reality. According to the BTI Transformation Index 2024, Cuba continues to face severe economic restrictions and widespread shortages that affect daily life for much of the population. Basic goods, including food and hygiene products, are difficult to find or afford, making even modest gifts for children a rare luxury in many households. 

Yoel's emotional connection with his childhood hit home for many, and they shared their heartfelt reactions in the comments. @kellykleinwallace wrote, "What a guy! It's refreshing seeing that kind of caring and emotion from someone." @yoli6601 commented, "I love that although he has already been in the United States for a few years, he is still in awe of this country and still gets emotional. He hasn't forgotten the immense difference from where he came." @maggiemoonpie00 shared, "As a social worker, I get to work with the kids that receive these gifts, and I can tell you it means so much to them and their parents."

You can follow Yoel and Mari (@mimaincuba) on Instagram for more content on their journey as immigrants.