Amid the darkness left by the COVID-19 pandemic, a small spark of life was born that clung tightly to the world. Thiago Alberto Bello Betancourt arrived in difficult circumstances, marked by the absence of his mother, who died from the disease, and by the aftermath of a complicated pregnancy. From his earliest hours, the child had to fight to breathe, sustained by his family's faith.
His aunt, Yarelis Peña Bello, took on the role of mother and caregiver, becoming the backbone of a household that learned to live between fragility and hope. Every day is a challenge. A tracheotomy, pulmonary dysplasia, hypertension, and chronic asthma mean that Thiago must be accompanied full-time under constant care. Every day is a victory, because the child is still here, growing, resisting, and surrounded by unconditional love.
"Since I took care of the child, I started asking for help. The doctors advised me to go to the government, and so I did. I went to all the agencies, and they always helped me. They recognized Thiago's case as critical and began to help me with everything I needed. I was living in a small house in terrible condition. It leaked, and I had a very hard time. Thanks to their efforts, we got this house where my mom, my dad, my other two children, and I now live with Thiago.
"The biggest surprise was when I got a call from the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI in Spanish). They asked me for the child's information because they had decided to install a solar panel in the house. I couldn't believe it. Electricity is vital for us because Thiago needs to be suctioned constantly, and the machine we use depends on the power supply. The battery was already running out after almost four years of use, and I lived in fear that it would stop working at any moment.
“When they gave me the news about the solar panel, I felt enormous relief. It's not just a device; it's the assurance that my child can continue to breathe. It's the peace of mind of knowing that, even if the weather changes or complications arise, we will always have the energy to care for him. Thiago can't go to school; he needs full-time care, and I am always by his side.”
The gesture by the government and the institutions involved was more than just material aid; it was recognition of the value of the life of a child who fights every day. It was also a relief for Yarelis, who is responsible for being with her nephew full-time, suctioning him regularly, and taking care of every detail of his health.
Her voice is intertwined with those who made this aid possible. Alberto Pérez Maldonado, director of the Renewable Energy Power Plants business unit of the Las Tunas Electric Company, tells 26 that "Last December, we received a communication from the National Directorate announcing a donation of solar systems.
"Each system consisted of a 400 W panel and a compact inverter, because it comes with an inverter, battery, and regulator in a single model. The instructions were clear: 50 solar systems would be donated to children with complicated conditions who needed full-time electricity to power the medical equipment they use, such as ventilators, nebulizers, and aspirators.
"In Las Tunas, we were assigned a single system, and it was for Thiago. The equipment arrived on December 24. That same day, we went to the house, but the family was moving out. We agreed, and on the 25th, even though it was a holiday, we went to install it."
Although not particularly large, this equipment perfectly fulfills its purpose: keeping the child's nebulizer and aspirator running, charging phones, connecting rechargeable fans, and providing lighting during power outages. The system has a unique feature in that it is not charged with electricity, but only with the solar panel.
"The family is responsible for the equipment. We draw up two contracts, one specifically for custody and another for payment of the service, which is just 10 pesos a month. We also maintain constant communication with them, because this is a new technology in the province, and we want to make sure that everything works properly. We have to service it every six months, and in the event of a breakdown, they can call the customer service center."
“For us, it was a special commitment to install this system in Thiago's home. We know that his life depends on this equipment working, and that's why the donation is not just a solar panel, it's an act of humanity,” says Pérez Maldonado.
The support chain includes those who ensure that everything works and that the aid really reaches those who need it. Maritza González Llorente, director of the National Office for the Rational Use of Energy (ONURE, in Spanish) in Las Tunas, assures that "With the installation of the photovoltaic solar system in the home of a child with a chronic illness, in this case a respiratory illness, it is up to us as an office to verify and monitor that this system is installed correctly and that the family is satisfied."
"We saw it in the field, we contacted them, and the level of satisfaction is high because the objective was achieved: the child has the equipment he needs for his illness, working all the time.
“For us, verifying that satisfaction is as important as the installation itself. Behind each panel, there is a life that depends on it, and in this case, Thiago's life. Knowing that the family feels more at ease and that the child is guaranteed the functioning of his medical equipment is the greatest reward.”
