Cubana in the U.S. Appeals for Support: "Don't Pity Me, Just Stand by Me"

"I've recorded this video three times and deleted it each time, fearing my words might be misunderstood," begins a Cuban woman residing in the United States who has deeply moved thousands on TikTok by sharing her current situation. Yardenis Alfonso Marrero (@yardenis.alfonso2), having emigrated from Cuba and spent nearly a year in the U.S., now faces the challenge of applying for residency without the necessary funds.

"A while back, I told you all I had little time left... next month, I need to apply for residency," she explains in the video. "We haven't been able to gather the money due to life's circumstances and economic issues... we just finished paying off the journey's debt." Her request isn't for financial or material aid, but for community support. "I don't need anyone to give me anything; I have two hands and two feet. I just need you to share my videos, like them, engage with them," she expresses. "Every time you see one of my videos, share it. That's how you can help me."

The Cuban clarifies that she is not asking without contributing: "I don't want people to think I'm using my social media to ask for things. I work, I get up at 5 a.m. to edit, create content, check my social media, then I go to work and return in the afternoon. That's my daily life."

Her goal is straightforward: boost the visibility of her posts to enhance monetization opportunities through product sales she promotes. "When you share my video, TikTok detects interaction and shows it to more people," she explains. "This increases the chances of someone buying the product, helping me gather the money needed to apply for residency."

The community responded swiftly and robustly. Hundreds of messages of encouragement, solidarity, and faith poured into the comments. "I've shared this and all of your videos I see, kisses," wrote one follower. "Your video moved me, but don't worry, God is great and you'll solve your problem," said another.

Numerous messages cheered her on with phrases like: "Trust in God and call out, He will answer you"; "You can do it, you'll succeed"; "Don't worry, everything will work out, you're not alone"; "Keep going, warrior, you'll see it can be done"; or "Don't feel sorry, we're here to support you."

There were also practical solutions and useful information offered: "You can apply for low-income assistance," "Seek help in Lutheran offices or churches, they advise for free," or "Use interest-free credit cards to manage."

Among the most emotional messages are shared experiences from other migrants: "I'm going through the same thing, I haven't been able to pay the debt and have to apply on the 21st," confessed one user. Another commented: "I spent 10 months in Mexico, arrived with debts and no job, but I made it, you can too."

This isn't the first time Alfonso Marrero has gone viral for her entrepreneurial spirit. Last October, she shared how she started a cleaning business in Arizona with minimal investment and determination: "You have to start with the basics, with what you can, and look for clients," she said back then.

In that video, she showed how she used part of the government aid to buy gloves, brushes, sponges, and a low-cost vacuum cleaner to generate her own income. Her message was clear: "We can all find ways to make money."

Now, with a crucial date for her immigration status approaching, she reaches out to her community once more: "Don't pity me, just support me. I'm not asking for charity, I only need interaction on my videos to keep working and achieve my goal."

Yardenis's story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and dignity amid the challenges faced by many Cuban migrants in the United States. Her voice, amplified by social media, symbolizes how digital solidarity can indeed make a difference.