At just nine years old, Manuel Prestamo boarded a plane in Havana—alone. His parents, like thousands of others, made the heartbreaking decision to send their child to safety in the United States rather than risk losing him to Fidel Castro’s regime. Between 1960 and 1962, more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children arrived in America as part of Operation Peter Pan, a humanitarian effort organized by Father Bryan O. Walsh of the Catholic Welfare Bureau to provide refuge, care, and hope for families torn apart by fear.
Dr. Prestamo brings this powerful chapter of history to life through poignant storytelling, music, and reflection. In From Cuba with Love: The Story of a Peter Pan Kid, Manuel traces his journey from a frightened child separated from his parents, to finding belonging in Sarasota, Florida, to ultimately becoming an American Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department and earning his Ph.D. from New York University.
Poignant, tearful, even comical at times, Dr. Prestamo’s story is both deeply personal and universally resonant—a testament to resilience, identity and the healing power of the arts. With world events unfolding today, his experience reminds us that courage, compassion and creativity can bridge even the deepest divides.
“At 9 years old, I boarded a plane without my parents. I never imagined the journey ahead would take me from fear and loneliness to becoming an American Cultural Ambassador.”
— Dr. Manuel Prestamo
Praise for From Cuba with Love: The Story of a Peter Pan Kid
“More than a story of exile, From Cuba with Love is a journey of the heart—where loss becomes resilience and memory becomes music. Dr. Prestamo reminds us that hope can take flight, even on the darkest days.”
“From Cuba with Love celebrates the courage of a child who crossed borders and built a bridge between cultures through the power of the arts.”
“A moving blend of history, humor and humanity.”
“Dr. Prestamo’s story brings history to life with rare authenticity and warmth. It’s a living lesson in courage, compassion and what it truly means to find home.”
“Part history, part heart, and entirely unforgettable—From Cuba with Love takes audiences on an emotional journey from Havana to hope, guided by the wit, warmth and wisdom of Dr. Manuel Prestamo.”
