Yolanda Cardenas Diaz
General Information
Current Name
Yolanda Cardenas Ganong
Current Location
United States of America
Name on Arrival
Yolanda Cardenas Diaz
Age on Arrival
17
Date of Arrival
Saturday, August 4, 1962
Relocated To
CWB Florida City
Stayed With
Espinosa-RdgzHaded-Quesada
Groups
Haiti Pedro Pan
Yolanda has volunteered to help the children of Haiti. Find out how you can help, too.
Yolanda's Story
A story teller once told me that all stories begin in the middle. As I write this, the middle of my story has 17 years on one side and 47 on the other. For thousands of us Pedro Pan children, the midd...
Yolanda's News Feed
Leave a public message for Yolanda.
Yolanda, loved your story. There is so much to say in such a limited forum. On my story I concentrated on the actual journey but felt guilty about not talking more about the atmosphere in Cuba that made our parents make such a desperate decission. I am so glad that you went into that aspect in more detail. Hopefully between all of us the whole story will come to light. Thanks for sharing. Another Pedro Panner, Carmen
Message by
Carmen Valdivia
| Jun 22nd 2009
Hello Yolanda, I'm very happy to meet you. Other than the E-mail that Sylvia shows on her posting to me, I have no other way of reaching her. I did have trouble with the E-mail as well, it wouldn't deliver. I'm sorry you didn't make it to Saginaw, You would of loved it, I certainly did. It was quite an experience! The Sisters where great, we even had a Sister Mary John who would box with us as well as play basketball she was something! I'm glad you where reunited with your family so quickly, no matter how good the nuns where, family is always better. Lets keep in touch.
Message by
Raul C Ruiz Cepero
| Jun 22nd 2009
Yolanda, We have read hundreds of stories on this database; yours is one of the most eloquent and touching. All Pedro Pans should read it. One question: Where's Juanito?
Message by
Pedro Pan Administrator
| Jun 22nd 2009
Only God knows what my story would have been had my parents allowed me to travel with you... but they didn't. Then I had to wait almost three decades to see you again. I call it a blessing in disguise. Your soul sister, Ivy.
Message by Ivonne Martin | Jun 21st 2009
Hi Yoli, Your writing, as always beautiful, made me smile and cry at the same time. I hope to have Julio read it some day soon, when he is ready to face those years he'd rather forget.
Message by Carla | Jun 19th 2009
Yolanda, you remember so many details. You can write a book. My sister Rosa did her thesis on the Peter Pan Exodus and she also collected so many testimonies of different people. It is neat to read and remember things as you read other's testimony. I have not found all the friends I remember, maybe because not everyone is listed. But I am glad that we can reunite in a way sharing our thoughts. This is a great tool to help us remember and also share our experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Message by
Hilda Yara Muro Manguart
| Jun 19th 2009
Oh, Yolanda, what a way you have with words! Your story is heart wrenching!...and again I have to say how fortunate and blessed I was to have spent just 6 months without my family. I think, In a way, being younger during something like this is probably easier because you really don't know what's going on. You, on the other hand, being 17, were fully aware of the time and space in relation to the events surrounding your life at that time. There wasn't much left to the imagination and nothing was hidden from you. Your story brought back a couple of memories I did not include in my story like the part your Dad tells your Mom they have to leave Cuba. It closely parallels my parents' conversation. Also leaving your "Abuelita"; I only had one grandparent, my maternal grandmother and I never saw her again, sadly neither did my Mom. I guess I will keep remembering details and will keep adding little things here and there. My apology at the top of my story is sincere. This database is a permanent record for the ages and when I reach the end of my recall I can always copy it and print it and have a hard copy for my children to keep. Thank you so much for your comments on my story. I am proud you chose mine to read first. I hope it encouraged you to read more. The more stories I read the more thankful I am for my good fortune. God Bless you Yolanda. All my good wishes to you and your family. A Pedro Pan sister, Mary
Message by
Maria Petronila Hernandez Mills
| Jun 19th 2009
A fantastic story. I understand so much more about you now. And I'm very proud to call you my friend. hugs sss
Message by Sonya S Stewart | Jun 18th 2009
Yolanda....very moving...very well said.
Message by
Susy Rodriguez
| Jun 18th 2009
Yolanda, your account of events is absolutely wonderful! Isn't it amazing how some 50 years later, one's still able to recall past events in such great detail? Undoubtedly, pain has a very unique way of leaving its imprint on one's memory. I'd like to add: A mí también Cuba me duele todavía. Thank you for sharing with us. ¡Qué Dios te bendiga!
Message by Anonymous | Jun 18th 2009
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