Alberto Salinas: the story of the forest operator who built his home and his life with wood, effort, and family

Behind every forestry task there are stories of effort, perseverance, and deep roots in the land. One of them is that of Alberto Salinas, a forest operator, who has dedicated a large part of his life to working with wood, turning it not only into his trade but also into the material with which he built his home and planned his family's future.

His story began in the countryside, where from a very young age he took on responsibilities alongside his father.

"I started, as the eldest, helping my father in the field," he recalls.

That experience awakened in him a work ethic that would mark his entire career. Later, he entered the Chillán Industrial School, where he graduated as a mechanical technician. Although he practiced that profession for a few years, there was a dream that remained intact since childhood: to become a truck driver.

A dream on wheels

His love for driving eventually led him to forest transport, an activity in which he spent twelve years traveling the routes between southern Chile and Santiago, transporting wood.

"I always liked driving, and getting to the trucks was my childhood dream," he states.

Beyond work, those trips allowed him to meet people, visit different places, and live experiences that he still remembers fondly.

A house built with his own hands

Wood has always held a special place in his life. Over the years, he gathered boards and beams from the loads he transported, materials that he transformed, with patience and dedication, into the home where he now lives with his family.

"With all that raw wood, I put everything together myself. I've always tried to make it artisanal, without iron, because I like wood."

Every space in his house reflects that personal touch and the value Alberto places on manual work, favoring traditional constructions and the use of wood as the main element.

Family, his greatest asset

Although much of his life has been linked to forestry work, Alberto assures that his greatest pride lies in his family. He especially highlights his wife, who cultivates a garden with chard, parsley, mint, and various vegetables that are part of the household's diet.

"In the afternoon, I wait for her here with something special, with a nice little snack," he comments.

Together they have raised a family of three professional children, brought up under principles of effort, unity, and commitment.

"We have been a very united family, always together through everything. That's where my fortune lies," he concludes emotionally.

The story of Alberto Salinas reflects the human face of the forestry sector: workers who, beyond the tasks they carry out every day, build life projects where effort, dedication, and family become the main legacy.