Who is Ivanito from Dreaming in Cuban and what is their importance?

Luz and Milagro's brother and Felicia and Hugo's son, Ivanito is a sensitive child who is close to his mother. After the summer of coconuts, he is sent to a boarding school, along with his sisters, and cries nearly every night. He has few prospects until Lourdes and Pilar come to visit. Lourdes takes him under her wing and will sponsor his escape from Cuba to give him a new life in America.