Osmel Almaguer's Diary Archives

The Difference of “Voluntary” Work in Cuba and Brazil

One of the most traumatic memories from my life in Cuba is of those so-called “voluntary” workdays that weren’t really voluntary at all…

I’ve spent a lot of quality time going out with my family, and even celebrating my little daughter’s birthday at one of those natural parks.

Near where I live, about a 10-minute walk away, Presidente Wenceslau Braz Avenue connects important parts of the city of Curitiba.

The vast majority of immigrants in Brazil like our family live in rented homes. Owning a house is not easy.

Last year, we witnessed the cost-of-living increase considerably month after month, while wages saw only a slight rise.

For a Cuban immigrant like me, strawberries are often an unfulfilled desire, because in Cuba, they’re practically nonexistent.

Every year, the Federal Police calls us to update our refugee protocol. My wife and I went, with the hope we would receive our residency.

Fernando is my coworker. I still remember that when he first started, he was happy to have a source of income…

The monthly amount to be paid is manageable for our family income, which currently is around 5,000 reais (about 800 US dollars)…

During my first months in this country, I was quite affected by the fact that I couldn’t find malt beverages in the stores and markets.