Rene Escalera, an agricultural engineer by training, has worked with Alfalit Bolivia for 17 years, the last 11 years as director. Two experiences in his youth make Rene the perfect fit for his position with Alfalit Bolivia. As a child, his illiterate mother couldn’t attend school meetings because she was embarrassed by her lack of education. During his military service, the illiterate soldiers were humiliated and mistreated when they couldn’t read or write.
Alfalit Boliviano, working with USAID from 2003 to 2008, was recognized as one of the nine best programs in the world by First Lady Laura Bush. Rene is fluent in Spanish and Quechua (the native Indigenous language of Bolivia). At school he experienced discrimination because of his dress and language. Later, he saw in communities in rural areas that entire families did not attend school and had limited studies. “That inspired me to continue at Alfalit. The testimony of the student’s achievements keeps me motivated.” Rene and his wife, Marina, are the parents of three children.
