Born to a couple of Cuban immigrants, Evelyn Vitória Liy Garcés made history as the first baby of 2025 in the Greater ABC region of São Paulo, Brazil. The baby girl, daughter of Zulienny Liy Garcés, aged 20, and Rider Soler Revilla, aged 22, came into the world through natural childbirth at 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1st, at the Women's Hospital in Santo André.
Weighing in at 3,178 grams and measuring 48 centimeters, Evelyn's arrival was a momentous occasion, as reported by Diário Do Grande ABC. “She was expected to be born today (January 1st), according to the doctor’s calculations based on the gestation period. Zulienny began feeling contractions yesterday (December 31st) in the morning. By 11 p.m., we headed to the maternity ward, thinking she might arrive on the 31st, but she waited until the 1st, right on schedule,” Revilla shared with the newspaper.
Like many others, Revilla and his wife left Cuba in search of better opportunities and prosperity, joining hundreds of thousands who have fled the island in recent years, marking the largest migration wave in Cuban history. Upon arriving in Brazil, Revilla found employment in a bakery, and the couple plans to continue their life in Santo André, according to the Brazilian newspaper.
As a new mother, Zulienny received a "Mãe Andreense" (Andreense Mother) kit from the public health network, which includes essentials like diapers, newborn clothes, soap, a towel, and a changing mat. “Another gift from the maternity ward is a placenta stamp, which transfers the image of the pregnancy symbol onto paper, commemorating the birth,” explained Gisele Minosso Baptista, a nurse at the Women's Hospital of Santo André.
The second birth of the year in the Greater ABC public network occurred around 4:30 a.m. at the Doutor Radamés Nardini Clinics Hospital in Mauá, where twin boys were born.
In recent years, amid Cuba's severe economic and social turmoil, Brazil has become an appealing destination for thousands of Cuban migrants seeking better prospects beyond their homeland. As of November 2024, over 19,700 Cubans had arrived in the South American nation, according to DataMigra and the International Migration Observatory, as reported by Folha de São Paulo.
Understanding Cuban Migration to Brazil
Why are Cuban immigrants choosing Brazil as a destination?
Cuban immigrants are selecting Brazil due to the country's growing economy and the opportunities it presents compared to the challenging economic and social conditions in Cuba.
How many Cubans have migrated to Brazil recently?
As of November 2024, more than 19,700 Cubans have migrated to Brazil, seeking better living conditions and opportunities.
What kind of support do new mothers receive in Santo André?
New mothers in Santo André receive a "Mãe Andreense" kit, which includes essential items for newborn care, such as diapers and clothing, along with a commemorative placenta stamp.