Program Updates

When Alicia Lucasi came to Carolina Friends School in September of 2008, she brought a wealth of information to share about Bolivian Quakers.  In her own life, Alicia reflected the migration common among Aymara-speaking Quakers from the rural areas to the cities. 

On July 1, 2009, Ruben Hilare and Alicia Lucasi took time out from their other activities at the 2009 FGC Gathering in Blacksburg, Virginia, to talk about their 2008-09 internships at Oakwood School (Ruben) and Carolina Friends School (Alicia), their BQEF scholarships, and how BQEF has made a difference in their lives. Alicia and Ruben are now back in Bolivia, working on ways to use their internship experiences to improve education among Bolivian Quakers. All who met Ruben and Alicia during their internship year know what wonderful ambassadors they were!

Dear Friends,

Emma Condori, former scholarship student, English teacher at Colegio Emmanuel, English program coordinator,  volunteer coordinator of volunteers in Bolivia, editorial board member of QUIP's Quaker Youth Book Project, FWCC-trained translator, and willing office assistant to Bernabe (I'm quite likely leaving something out here - did we mention she's also served on BQE-Bo's scholarship committee?), has been awarded a full 3-year international student scholarship to Earlham School of Religion's Masters of Divinity program.

Internado staff and students are working their new vegetable garden - on land loaned by a local supporter who also volunteers tutoring - so they can grow more of their own food and help keep costs down. (Food prices are rising rapidly in Bolivian due to widespread inflation.)

I attended Southeastern Yearly Meeting’s annual Business Meeting, held at the Life Enrichment Center  in Fruitland Park, Florida in April 2009. I was blessed in many ways. I got more information about Quakers in the U.S.  I met many friends from Florida and other states. I spent my breakfast, lunch, dinner and break time with them, telling them about the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund, my life, Quaker schools, Quaker meetings, etc.

I cannot believe that I am in America; it is like in a dream and in the films. I believe that God is amazing,
friendly - and U.S. Friends are, too. In the last AVP workshop, I chose Realized Ruben as my positive adjective
name. (“Realizar” in Spanish means to fulfill or carry out/bring into being.) I feel realized thanks to God and thanks to YOU.
I think Americans...

Click here to read the full article and several more.

I went with 11 students and  professor Susan K. to Selma,  Alabama, a journey and an unforgettable experience. Selma is a historic town: in 1965 a march for 5 days began from Selma to Alabama's capital, calling for respect of their rights and succeeded with the African-Americans liberation(?) Dr. Martin Luther King. We visited the... Museums and Libraries, known to Mrs. Afriye We-kandodis, who is a very special friend to me. I talk with her alot, always follow her advice. We all rested at her home, a very nice lady who gave us her entire home for 4 days...

The English Program Teachers:     Three teachers participate in the BQEF English Program - Elena Torrez, Margarita Coaquira, and Elizabeth Lucero. We meet once a month to share and discuss how the English classes are going at the three Quaker Schools. Teacher Elena usually has a lot to share about her classes at Los Amigos Quaker High School. She is in charge of all 12 English classes weekly, which is a very demanding and interesting work for her. In each class of the four secondary levels (9th through 12th grades,) she has over twenty-five students. She holds these classes at the English lab which was installed BQEF's help.

Wonderful News!

By the time you read this, Alicia Lucasi and Rubén Hilari, two young Bolivian Quaker teachers, will be on their way to the US for face-to-face interaction with US Friends and with Quaker education in the US.