Jesus Antonio Nodal

“Tomorrow, January 21st, is my 21st anniversary of working at Ransom Everglades!” says Jesus Nodal proudly when I meet him. Upon arrival to Miami from Sagua La Grande, Cuba, Mr. Nodal began searching for jobs and landed his first job in the United States at the Ransom Everglades Middle School in 2001. He was born in 1947. At the age of 25 he fell in love and married. As he grew older, he worked as a cook and driver, and did a variety of other jobs in Cuba. At the time he lived in Cuba, the country was suffering economically and had a great political divide. “There was a lack of food, jobs and materials,” he said. Freedoms were restricted. It was Nodal’s eldest child who, in search of new opportunities, first left for America. After six months, another of his three children followed, and the third followed six months later.

 

 

One of Mr. Nodal’s favorite aspects of working at RE, he told me, is the sense of community. He explained that he loves watching students grow up and come back and visit after they graduate. Similarly, he enjoys the company of his coworkers and friendly students on campus. This wonderful sense of inclusion has made him love his life here in America and on our campus. One of his greatest challenges in living in America is that he never learned how to speak English. However, he has been able to navigate his life in Miami easily. Also, whenever needed, he has friends who can translate for him.

 

When asked if he would ever return to Cuba, he responded, “No, and I wouldn’t recommend living there!” Having said that, Mr. Nodal still celebrates his Cuban heritage by enjoying all different types of Cuban cuisine. Some of his favorites include arroz con frijoles (rice and beans) and yuca. In his spare time, he enjoys seeing his children and his two grandchildren.

 

Mr. Nodal is now 75 years old, and he is not planning on going anywhere after his time at Ransom Everglades.