A young Cuban residing in Porto, Portugal, has touched many on social media by sharing a TikTok video detailing a typical workday far from his homeland. The clip, uploaded by user @rafaoramas233, quickly garnered reactions among emigrants and fellow Cubans both within and outside the European nation. Titled "A Workday of a Cuban in Porto, Portugal," the video has attracted numerous comments of support, empathy, and pride from Cubans residing in various parts of the country.
Rafa begins his narrative by admitting he forgot to record his morning routine, but soon transitions to showing himself at work, reviewing information from the previous shift, and preparing for the day ahead. Although he doesn't specify the hotel's name, he describes his customer service role as an unexpected challenge: he never imagined himself working face-to-face with people, yet here he is. The video, with its casual and spontaneous tone, captures moments like his short lunch break, interactions with Portuguese and Brazilian colleagues in the cleaning department, and the relief of clocking out after eight hours on the job.
Rafa also mentions that his salary allows him to send financial support to his family in Cuba, a constant motivation amidst difficulties. He emphasizes that he always remembers everything is temporary and values the salary that enables him to assist those he left behind.
Community Support: "Stay Strong," "We're Few, But We're Here"
The community was quick to respond. Many Cuban users residing in Portugal left encouraging messages, shared their locations, and agreed on the challenging yet rewarding journey of being an emigrant. "Stay strong; there's no monster with seven heads," wrote a Cuban woman from Lisbon. "There are very few of us here," replied Rafa, confirming he lives in Porto. Others inquired about the hotel he works at, how he arrived in the country, or even recognized him from an old youth show in Cuba, to which Rafa responded affirmatively.
A Milestone Before the Story: Receiving Residency
A day before posting the video about his routine, Rafa publicly celebrated another significant milestone: receiving his residency card in Portugal. In an emotional clip, he showed himself receiving the official envelope, opening it, and proudly displaying his document, accompanied by the message: "Only those who emigrated know the importance of this moment." This post generated a wave of congratulations, inquiries about the immigration process, and hopeful messages from other Cubans awaiting or having already obtained their residency. "The sacrifice is well worth it," commented one user, while another said, "Congratulations, brother." Rafa explained that he actually received his residency months earlier, in the previous August, but only recently shared the video. He also detailed that he arrived in Portugal with a tourist visa and has been in the country for over two and a half years.
Context: The Voice of a Diverse and Hardworking Diaspora
This young Cuban's testimony adds to a series of stories shared by CiberCuba in recent months, featuring other emigrants illustrating the reality of starting anew in countries such as the United States, Spain, Italy, or the United Kingdom. From a Cuban woman in Nebraska organizing shelves at Walmart, to another in California working at Burlington; from a Cuban doctor in Benidorm now caring for the elderly, to those cleaning houses in Italy or driving trucks across England, the narrative of Cuban migration is woven with effort, adaptation, and profound nostalgia.
Rafa's video in Portugal not only depicts the daily lives of thousands of Cubans scattered across the globe but also reinforces an essential message: the path of an emigrant is filled with sacrifices, yet also with achievements celebrated with the same intensity as the challenges they face.
Understanding Cuban Migration Experiences
What challenges do Cuban emigrants face in Portugal?
Cuban emigrants in Portugal often encounter challenges like adapting to a new culture, language barriers, and finding employment. However, many find support within the Cuban community and manage to achieve personal and professional milestones.
How do Cuban emigrants support their families back home?
Many Cuban emigrants support their families in Cuba by sending remittances from their earnings abroad. This financial support is crucial for many families given the economic challenges in Cuba.
What motivates Cubans to emigrate to countries like Portugal?
Cubans often emigrate to countries like Portugal seeking better economic opportunities, political stability, and the chance to provide a better future for themselves and their families.