At Acoforag, we want to highlight the story of Alberto Salinas, a forestry operator whose testimony reflects the values that have shaped the sector: hard work, love for nature, and a deep commitment to family.
"I started, being the eldest, by helping my father in the fields," he recalls. That early contact with the land shaped his character and allowed him to understand from a young age the value of effort and collaboration. Later, he studied at the Escuela Industrial de Chillán, where he graduated as a mechanical technician, a trade he practiced for several years without letting go of a childhood dream: to become a truck driver.
The Dream of the Wheel
"I always liked driving, and getting to drive trucks was my childhood dream," he says proudly. For twelve years, he dedicated himself to transporting timber to Santiago, traveling extensive routes that not only provided him a livelihood but also the opportunity to see diverse landscapes and meet different people.
On every trip, he found something more than work: the freedom of the road and the camaraderie among drivers. It was these experiences that solidified his bond with the forestry world, a sector that—as he himself points out—"teaches you to value patience and a job well done."
Timber as a Way of Life
Timber has been much more than his source of income: it is an essential part of his identity. With leftover planks and beams he transported, he built his own house.
"With all that raw timber, I assembled everything myself. I've always tried to make it artisanal, without iron, because I like wood," he comments. Every space in his home reflects his dedication, creativity, and respect for the craft.
Family and Pride
Today, Alberto lives with his wife, who tends a garden with chard, parsley, and mint, a symbol of a simple life in harmony with nature.
"In the afternoon, I wait for her here with something special, with a nice 'once' (light evening meal)," he says with a smile.
His greatest pride are his three children, all professionals, raised in an environment of effort and unity. "We have been a very close family, always together in everything. That is my fortune," he states emotionally.
The story of Alberto Salinas speaks not only of work and sacrifice but also of love, identity, and pride. It is the reflection of a world where timber, effort, and family intertwine like deep roots of forestry Chile.
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