Zambia → Cuba → United States

No straight line leads to a life.

A chronological, accessible route through the places, passages, and turning points that shaped Abel's memoir.

Young Abel standing beside the sea in Cuba at sunset
  1. 01Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a Black Zambian child walking toward a modest school in Kalulushi
    Visual reconstruction

    Zambia

    Kalulushi — Childhood

    Family, community, Mitobo Primary School, faith, and early education.

  2. 02Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a Black Zambian student carrying technical drawing materials near Livingstone
    Visual reconstruction

    Zambia

    Livingstone — Hillcrest and Victoria Falls

    Boarding school, technical education, friendship, discipline, and growing independence.

  3. 03Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a young Black Zambian man studying accountancy and engineering materials in Chingola
    Visual reconstruction

    Zambia

    National Service and Chingola

    National service, accountancy training, professional uncertainty, and the decision to pursue engineering in Cuba.

  4. 04Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a Black African student learning with classmates in a Cuban language classroom
    Visual reconstruction

    Cuba

    Greater Havana Region — Language School

    Spanish-language training, cultural adjustment, faith, political contradictions, and Abel's introduction to Cuban life.

  5. 05Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of engineering students studying near a red-dust mining landscape in Moa, Cuba
    Visual reconstruction

    Cuba

    Moa — Metallurgical Engineering

    Engineering studies, red-dust mining country, friendships, personal testing, and graduation.

  6. 06Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a Black immigrant carrying books and a work bag through a modest Miami corridor
    Visual reconstruction

    United States

    Miami — Early Immigrant Years

    Immigration uncertainty, temporary work, housing struggles, teaching, and rebuilding.

  7. 07Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a Black graduate student studying mechanical engineering in a quiet Miami lab
    Visual reconstruction

    United States

    Florida International University

    Graduate education, mechanical-engineering research, grief, and completion of Abel's master's degree.

  8. 08Journey stage
    Visual reconstruction of a mature Black engineer inspecting precision metal components in the United States
    Visual reconstruction

    United States

    Professional Life

    Investment casting, medical-device engineering, family responsibility, citizenship, marriage, and the continuing journey.