Machuchal is a rural healer that uses ancient methods and herbs as cures, obtaining the confidence of the community for many years. After an emergency in which a child almost dies, Machuchal is persuaded to attend nursing school.

A realistic look at the plight of the Mariel Boat People, the so-called "undesirables" who were shipped off to America by Cuba's Fidel Castro in 1980. Ramon is among these people, and suffers the resentment of the longtime Cuban residents of Miami.