My Father Washed His Hands Of Me And My Mom Did The Best She Could

"My Father Washed His Hands Of Me And My Mom Did The Best She Could" /
Cubanet

I studied at a Camilito [one of the Camilo Cienfuegos Military
Academies]. But for financial reasons, I had to drop out and start
working. My father washed his hands of me and my mom did the best she
could. When I used to go out on the weekends, I would come home with no
shoes. It was very hard.

I started working as a bicycle taxi driver approximately four years ago.
My work hours are around 7AM to 5PM, and I pay 3 CUC [equivalent to
$3.00 U.S.] a day for the bicycle rental. Clients call me or look for me
because I have a reputation for being trustworthy and honest. Thanks to
them I always have work.

What I'd really like is the restaurant business, to be a bartender or
something like that. I've always wanted to better myself professionally,
but if I were attending night school I couldn't work past 1pm. That
wouldn't allow me to earn enough money to accomplish the goals I've set.
If I continue down this path, ten years from now, I'm not going to be
much good to anyone unless my quality of life changes for the better.

I have thought about leaving Cuba. I love my country, but there is so
much that needs to be changed and no one knows where to start. My dream
is to have my own business. I'm willing to make sacrifices. But I don't
want to do it for no reason.

Translated by Mayra Condo, Karlina Cordero, Stephanie Desouza

Source: "My Father Washed His Hands Of Me And My Mom Did The Best She
Could" / Cubanet – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/my-father-washed-his-hands-of-me-and-my-mom-did-the-best-she-could-cubanet/