"I recently moved into my first little house since I arrived here in Gran Canaria, Spain," confessed the young Cuban Sairis Castillo (@saycu_) in a video, exciting her followers by sharing the moment she began furnishing her first home in Spain.
In the video, Sairis explains: “My first little house for the first time, yes, because I am 24 years old and I had never owned a home until now. When I was in Cuba, my home was my parents' house. At 22, I emigrated and left my country on my own. I arrived here and practically lived as a guest for two years in a house that wasn't mine until today when I can finally call this house mine.”
Even though it is not a property I own, I celebrate it as a big step: “Even though it's not in my name, even though I'm paying rent, because yes, let's not deny that in these times, trying to pay a mortgage instead of rent is asking too much, so for now, I am content with this, 30m² but it's mine, which is quite small, yes, but it's mine.”
Regarding her choice, she commented: “For what I’m paying, I simply couldn’t find anything better than this in the city center, which is where I wanted to live.”
The video concludes with a personal motivational message: “I came alone from my country and started my life here from scratch, this is step by step, meanwhile happy and grateful for the little things, enjoying and learning from the process, and striving every day to build the future I want in my life”.
In the text accompanying the post, she wrote: “It makes me so happy to share every stage of my life with you. I feel so fortunate to have you all, thank you for being here, for watching me, reading me, and supporting me.”
Supportive and encouraging messages from followers quickly poured in. “If you have happiness in your home, you are rich; there are those who have a palace and are not happy. Always protect your tranquility and keep your home sacred. Avoid arguing and negative energies; you will see that despite all the work and situations you face, when you get home, it will offer you peace and harmony. Enjoy it with health,” wrote one user. Another commented: “Congratulations!!! Every effort has its reward. The mere act of emigrating and starting over is courageous. Good luck…” A third person remarked: “Congratulations, starting out can be very tough, and it’s admirable how enthusiastic you are at such a young age; keep it up.”
Stories like Sairis's add to a growing list of testimonies from Cuban emigrants who share their small yet significant achievements after leaving the island.
In July, Dayi Salgado (@dayisalgado) shared on TikTok how she obtained her driver's license in Spain at the age of 51: “This has cost me sleepless nights, headaches, everything. I thought I would never pass this,” she confessed, before admitting that, after passing, “now I don't have money to buy a car.”
Another recent case involved another Cuban in Murcia - son of Antolín El Pichón - who celebrated “living in a country where you can choose things,” referring to the freedom of choice in Spain compared to the state control in Cuba. His reflection went viral and sparked a debate about the quality of life on the island.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Cuban Leidy Aragón (@leidy.aragon) surprised everyone with this message: “Second house in the United States, and although it's hard to believe since not long ago I was just a girl cleaning houses for $20, today I can say I have two businesses: my cleaning company and my digital marketing business.” In the video description, she added: “Three years. Two houses. A dream come true. I don’t come from a wealthy family. I had no connections. I only had debts, fear... and a child who depended on me. But I decided I wasn't going to give up.”
These publications reflect a common message: with effort and persistence, many Cubans have begun to achieve goals that seemed impossible in their homeland.
Frequently asked questions about the lives of Cuban emigrants and their achievements abroad
Who is Sairis Castillo and what recent achievement has she shared?
Sairis Castillo is a young Cuban who has shared on social media her excitement about moving into her first house in Spain, specifically in Gran Canaria. Although the property is not in her name and she is renting, Sairis views this step as a significant personal achievement after emigrating alone from Cuba at the age of 22.
Why does Sairis consider her new home significant despite not being a owner?
For Sairis, having a place of her own, even if rented, represents a significant step in her life as an immigrant, as it symbolizes independence and the result of her efforts to start anew in a foreign country. Despite the limitations of space and ownership, she values her new home as an important personal milestone.
What challenges do Cubans face when emigrating and settling abroad?
Cubans who emigrate face challenges such as cultural adaptation, loneliness, and the search for economic stability. Furthermore, many must start from scratch in an unfamiliar environment without the direct support of family. Despite these difficulties, stories like that of Sairis Castillo demonstrate that with effort and perseverance, it is possible to achieve goals that seemed unattainable in Cuba.
How has Sairis Castillo's community of followers reacted to her achievement?
The community of followers of Sairis Castillo has responded with messages of support and congratulations, highlighting the value of her effort and her bravery in moving alone to Spain. Many comments emphasize the importance of finding happiness and peace in her new home, as well as acknowledging her ability to adapt and overcome.
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