Sailing toward a better life

ST. PETERSBURG - Eidy Diaz decided to put his life and his son, Pedro's, in the hands of the south winds and the currents of the Gulf of Mexico.

For approximately one week each year, Diaz says, the winds are strong enough to propel a makeshift raft from the north coast of Cuba toward Florida.

And in April of 2008, Diaz decided to take his chances, and set sail.

He and his son were clinging from a light boat without food for five days to get to the United States from Cuba.

After a storm on the open water, Diaz, his son, and a friend barely made it to the shores of Miami Beach.

But ultimately, this time Diaz’s eighth attempt to escape from Cuba was successful. He arrived with a pair of shorts, no shoes, no shirt and nothing else to start a new life in St. Petersburg.

The first thing the visitor sees on the wall where he stays is a diploma of an Award of Achievement for ESOL course for Adults.

“My goal is to study to get a better job so I can get ahead,” Diaz says through Isabelia Rios, an interpreter. “I am studying English and computer and will start a CNA course in July.”

Childhood tragedies; religious persecution

Diaz fled Cuba for fear of religious persecution. He does not want to reference his religious affiliation for fear that it may affect other Cubans of the same faith.

He says he did not have an easy childhood in Havana because he lost his parents early.

“I was 13 years old and I found myself alone on the street. The government did not help me,” he said.

Diaz was 9 years old when he lost his father in an accident, and then his mother died from asthma when he was 13.

Seven times, he tried to come to the U.S., he says. His first attempt to come to the United States was when he was 14 years old. He didn't get far -- state officers caught him, he said. In 1991, he attempted to flee the country twice. At 16, he was thrown into jail.

“I had a lot of problems while in prison,” Diaz said. “The government had a bad reference about me. When I came out, I would not get a job.”

While in jail, he studied and wrote a novel and trilogy based on his experiences in Cuba from 1959 to present.

“When you will read my novel, you will see my story,” he promised.

A treacherous journey

After he came out of jail, he planned his escape under scrutiny. He designed a 13 to 14 feet long and four feet wide polyurethane boat, he said. One sail, a wheel and rustic oars were all made by him.

Diaz also took advantage of the south winds that kick up once a year, giving him and his boat a better chance of escaping. He left on a Wednesday at 9 p.m. with his son, and a friend.

“We were five days on the water without food. We got very serious burns,” he said. “Every boat we saw, we would signal for help, but nobody saw us.”

They were fairly close to the U.S. when a storm hit them, they lost the bag of food in the ocean and they got lost at sea, he says.

“On Monday morning, we saw light and birds. We went all the way across, but nobody saw us,” he said.

They passed a lagoon with mangroves, swam to the beach, and asked for help. They ended up going through immigration, and went to stay with a family member in St. Petersburg.

A better future

Now, far from Cuba, Diaz faces a new reality in America. He now goes to school, and his son, Pedro, will have a better future, he says.

With the help the Refugee Youth and Family Program, run by Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services in Clearwater, Diaz and Pedro are set up for new careers. Pedro’s dream is to work in electronics and Diaz wants to become a doctor to help people.

“They have been a real support,” said Diaz. They helped sign up Pedro for school. We are grateful because we did not get this type of support in our country.”

His new life in the U.S. is very promising, says Alen Janjus, Program Team Leader for Refugee Youth & Family Program that serves Diazs 16-year-old son and 100 other refugee youth in Tampa Bay.

Janjus encourages Eidy to study further and continue writing dramas.

“My real interest has always been the literature. That’s my dream,” he said.

The program provides tutoring and case management for refugees who face the same challenges in their new country: acculturation, language, career, and the school system. Janjus says he was in the same shoes 12 years ago.

“I came as a refugee from the former Yugoslavia, so I can understand how Pedro and Eidy feel. They need connection to the society and I am here to help them,” he said.

Janjus says he is a little bit of everything: he teaches the refugees about their new country, he is liaison to the community services, and he is also a friend.

“It’s very fulfilling,” he said. “When you see their success, it makes you feel that you accomplished something.”

After eight attempts and help from friends and an organization, a better life is no longer just a far-off hope for the Diazes.

“I feel very happy here,” said Diaz. “I opened a new chapter in my life. I am a second Marco Polo.”

 Editor's note: Isabelia Rios with Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services