Imagine leaving behind everything you’ve ever known, your family, your friends, your home, carrying only what fits into a single backpack. This is the reality for countless Latin American immigrants. “Solo Una Mochila” (translated as “Just One Backpack”) tells the stories of six individuals from North and Central America who made the life-altering decision to immigrate to the United States.

Each journey was driven by necessity, whether escaping economic hardship, pursuing education, or simply surviving. Through personal testimonies, they reveal the struggles of assimilation, the isolation of an unfamiliar culture, and the immense challenges of starting over in a foreign land.

Some arrived on visas, while others crossed borders on foot, each facing dangers such as theft, violence, and the constant fear of the unknown. Contrary to common misconceptions, immigration is not a simple process. Securing legal status, finding work, and navigating a country where they do not know the language can feel overwhelming and disheartening.

Yet, through it all, their greatest triumph lies in their children. They endure the hardship, uncertainty, and sacrifice so that future generations can thrive—with greater opportunities, education, and stability.

For many, migration is not a choice. It is survival.