Synopsis

Lola, an Afro-Ecuadorian woman of 53 years old, returned to Ecuador in 2009 because her four Colombian children’s lives were at risk. Once back home, poverty and the lack of opportunities led her and a group of refugees to organize and create an adult literacy school, demonstrating that people on the move, regardless of the obstacles, strive for a better life.

Context
Across Ecuador, three Colombian refugees share intimate reflections on displacement, resilience, and rebuilding life far from home. Through everyday moments—teaching, selling food, starting a business—the series reveals how migration reshapes identity while opening unexpected paths to belonging. Soy H follows Lola, Adriana, and Soraya as they navigate uncertainty, nurture their families, and transform hardship into acts of community, dignity, and hope.

Produced in 2017 in Ecuador for Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados Ecuador, this three-part testimonial series is part of the Soy H campaign, an initiative designed to promote hospitality within Ecuadorian society toward people seeking safety and a place to rebuild their lives. Filmed in different cities across the country, the videos feature Colombian refugees reflecting on the everyday challenges of displacement while highlighting the resilience and contributions of migrant communities.

Role
Director, Producer & Editor