A man makes it with hope!

Interviewee: Rafarl Doniyer
Interviewer: Taina Martinez
Relationship: Family Friend
Date: March 22, 2001

What is your full name?

Rafarl Doniyer

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

January 1, 1932

Where were you born?

Cayey, Puerto Rico

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

June, 1957

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Well for a better live and better work.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

Oh, my country very good but that time I left Puerto Rico was because no work, no work.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I choose Philadelphia because a lot of people that was in Puerto Rico and they told me about it's that Philadelphia was good.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

Airplane

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Because I had a cousin here before I came.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

Alone

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

What I remember about my home town Puerto Rico will now I no remember. Ah, I remember I just left my home to come over here then later on I bring my family over here then I remember nothing.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

My life change because I found a job and to make better living.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I be here for 43 year. I can no expect nothing. I don't know what to expect because in 43 I no see progress.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I say it before better life, look for better work.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

The different was I come here young and getting old now.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left my family and house.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

There was no problem I just came here because I want to come.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I didn't had much about 25 dollars in my pocket.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I got family to help me speak English.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

There was very no change very good change.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Ninth grade I went to school in ninth in Puerto Rico and when I came here to finish school but when I went to school I couldn't join because I had to get a job. I wanted to bring my family over here.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No way am I going to leave the way I am.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

I have no reason to go to Puerto Rico. I got no more family and I just go there to travel for two to three weeks. To see the couple of people I got over there. I have no father or mother.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

I was working in Philmont Country Club. I was a bus boy.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No, that's all right. All I want to add is that I am retired and I can't work anymore because I have too many operations. Two open heart surgeries and the doctors said I can't lift anything heavy and that's why I got no job and I am very sick.
 

5/2001