Oasis' Story - Refugee Journeys

When her parents gave their daughter a name that means a place of refuge they hardly imagined they would soon be seeking that very thing, running from the persecution they faced in their native Cuba for their political and religious beliefs. At nine, Oasis fled with them to Spain, eventually settled in Miami and became a caseworker for the International Rescue Committee, where she's since devoted her life to helping others like herself find their way on what she calls the refugee's flight of freedom. Now 36, Oasis can speak proudly about that journey, through both painful memories and the joy of finding that now she no longer has to whisper her words. 

Oasis is interviewed by Roman Martinez, a fellow Cuban refugee and IRC Board member.

Refugee Journeys is a project of the IRC and StoryCorps.

(October 2008)