ANA LAURA RAMIREZ LAVANDERO, 10, CUBA
Her drawing depicts a simple enough dream for a 10-year-old — “Viaje a la Playa,” a trip to the beach. On the page, she has colored a palm tree with three brown coconuts, a boat floating in the distance and a shining yellow sun.
It is a scene representative of life on her island country, known for its white sand and aqua-blue waters. For now, however, Ana Laura Ramirez Lavandero can only dream of the beach. Under lockdown, she finds herself confined to the fourth-floor apartment she shares with her parents and grandmother. On the balcony, she watches life through a rusted iron trellis. It can seem like a jail.
“My life changed,” says the girl, who’s accustomed to playing on the streets of her working and middle-income neighborhood in Havana.
The only time she’s been able to go out in nearly two months has been for an emergency trip to the dentist. Schools are closed, and because many people in Cuba don’t have internet, the education ministry is broadcasting lessons on state television.
Ana Laura dreams of becoming a famous drummer. This was her first year at a highly selective institute for students identified early on as musically talented. She is continuing with classes in math, history and Spanish, but not music.
Her children’s chorus also can’t meet right now. Usually, her own choir meets alongside another one, with boys and girls of all ages.
“People feel united in the chorus,” she says wistfully. She can’t wait to see them again.