02 - On the ramp in front of the Museo de La Lucha Clandestina (the Clandestine Fight Museum), located a hundred meters from Dayana’s home. The two children on the right are the children of Dayana's cousin, who lives with his wife in the next-door apartment. The other two are two of Dayana's daughters. In the background are the Sierra Maestra mountains. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

03 - In front of a bank. Hundreds of people queue daily to carry out transactions, withdrawals and other financial operations every day. These procedures are standard practice and are so slow that there are people who pay someone else to queue for them. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

04 - Queuing to buy a gas tank. Many houses in Santiago de Cuba are so old that they do not have a connection to the gas line. The number of tanks is provided monthly by the state based on the number of family members and one tank costs around 200 pesos. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

05 - Dayana at the entrance to the house while discarding the rotten rice grains before lunch. Julianis, her second daughter, 12, is in the background. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

06 - Dayana and her eldest daughter, Juliane, aged 14. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

07 - Julianis, 12, left, and Jimena, 5, right, are Dayana's other two daughters. Having no space at home, they sleep in an attic of approximately 10 m2 located in front of the apartment. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

08 - At home. In this apartment used to live an elderly person. Dayana was her caregiver. After her death two years ago, Dayana moved here. She has temporary permission to stay, as some neighbours claim the legal ownership. The house could be assigned to them in the future. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

09 - The morning routine. As soon as Dayana has some money, the priority is buying something for her daughters. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

10 - The entrance of Dayana's house courtyard. On the left Mariposa, 12, and Luis, 14. They’re part of a family from Tivoli, the neighbourhood where they live, with whom Dayana has very close relationships. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

11 - For coffee and soft drinks, cardboard signs or aluminum cans are hanging at the doors to let the passers-by know that these basic commodities are sold there. One coffee is 10 to 20 pesos. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

12 - At the central market of Santiago de Cuba. Here, Dayana was buying three papayas for Luis and Mariposa. They cost 700 pesos. At the market, 3kg of chicken, half a kg of rice and some vegetables cost around 4000 pesos. To give an idea of ​​inflation, a university professor earns 10,000 per month and a doctor 7-8,000. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

13 - Dayana at home preparing lunch in the kitchen. The state, which distributes food to its citizens, is able to guarantee fewer and fewer portions. They are currently limited to about 2.5 kg of sugar and 1 kg of rice per month. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

14 - On the phone with her mother, who lives in Havana, and her niece. Dayana has two sisters who live in Santiago de Cuba and a step-sister. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

15 - Dayana while applying makeup in the morning. She has only one mirror at home, in the bedroom, which is located behind the entrance room. Here, she sleeps on sponge mattresses. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

16 - Dayana and her youngest daughter, Jimena, 5. Jimena does not have the same father as her sisters. The girls are completely dependent on Dayana. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

17 - A moment at home with two of her daughters and Mercedes, 63, one of the neighbours living in the courtyard. Mercedes often helps Dayana in looking after the girls. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

18 - Visiting a neighbour. It's common to see kids playing in the street from late afternoon onwards. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

19 - Despite the hardships, dancing is one of the main ways to find relieve and connection. As soon as kids have some money, the first thing they look for is a soft drink. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

20 - Dancing in the bar of the neighbourhood. The big painting of Jesus shows that Cuba's population has traditionally been Christian, mainly Roman Catholic, though the irreligious have grown significantly in recent decades. In Cuba, Catholicism is often influenced by syncretism, the blending of different religious or cultural beliefs into a unified system. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

21 - Dayana during her morning prayer. She is praying a deity from Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religion with Catholic elements that developed in Cuba in the late 19th century, now widespread in Santiago de Cuba. On the left, a neighbour is warming up water for his breakfast. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

22 - At Elvis' house, Dayana's godmother. Elvis, 60, on the left, is Mariposa's grandmother. Elvis is a santera and many people come to her for propitiatory rituals. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

23 - Leonides, 102, middle, lives in the neighbourhood. Cuba's population is aging at the same rate as European ones. It ranks ninth in the world for the percentage of people over 60. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

24 - At Elvis' house during a Santeric ritual. Josè Angel, 76, the godfather, on the right, celebrates the ritual and is the religious chief. In the middle is Mabel, another santera. This ritual is to provide Chango, the main deity of Santeria, with his food. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

25 - Dayana, right after waking up, at the entrance of her 25 m2 house. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

26 - Dayana has no shower in her apartment. The government rations water, which comes every one or two weeks and it's stored in a big tank outside. That's why she has to shower Jimena with a watering can. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

27 - At home, preparing to go outside. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

28 - Visiting a friend. Normally kids play with cards or a ball. They have no smartphone. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

29 - Dayana is part of a group that collaborates with European dancers. They come to learn how dance is evolving in Cuba and import the most recent Caribbean influences into Europe. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.

30 - Dayana at a neighbour's house. Santiago de Cuba, July 2024.