Our Work

The Bolivian Quaker Education Fund (BQEF) is a 501(c)(3) established in 2003 to support connections between, Andean, American, and European Friends. On the ground, the dedicated staff and volunteer board (comprised of Graduates from the Scholarship Program) of BQEF's sister organization Fundación Quákera para la Educación en Bolivia, based in La Paz, oversee several education-based programs.

At the heart of our work, is the Scholar Program which provides scholarships for higher education and mentoring for Andean Friends.

Other non-formal education initiatives that we support include:

  • Alternatives to Violence and Quaker Education Workshops,

  • Internships for Bolivian Students,

  • Volunteer Opportunities in Bolivia,

  • Global North and South Visiting Scholars, and

  • Quaker Study Tours to Bolivia.

Irene McHenry, former director, of Friends Council on Education

"Your energy and vision have grown from small seeds of hope to young, strong saplings of joy."

BQEF Scholar Ruben Ruiz

“With the scholarship, I can study more and my grades have improved. Before, I was working at a fast food shop from seven in the evening until two or three in the morning, six days a week. In four weeks I earned about $58 and was able to pay my tuition. Now with the scholarship, I have stopped this work. I stay awake better during classes and can study without falling asleep. The scholarship has made all the difference for me."

Bill Thompson, Friends Meeting of Washington

" My ambition to help becarios--now a total of three--attend university has become a reality by BQEF and Alicia Lucasi, BQEF's onsite coordinator. Through Alicia, I receive periodic written progress reports, complete with photographs, of each of the three becarios' progress. And, thanks to periodic video conferences , I have met these young men and women and am beginning to know them, even though I have not yet visited Bolivia. Through video, I have been inside their homes, met their parents, and had lengthy conversations with them about their lives and ambitions. Of course, these meetings depend on my being able to speak and understand Spanish, which is a joy in itself. The greatest satisfaction, though, is seeing young becarios realize their dreams of learning a profession.”

BQEF Scholar Ruben Ruiz

“With the scholarship, I can study more and my grades have improved. Before, I was working at a fast food shop from seven in the evening until two or three in the morning, six days a week. In four weeks I earned about $58 and was able to pay my tuition. Now with the scholarship, I have stopped this work. I stay awake better during classes and can study without falling asleep. The scholarship has made all the difference for me."

Success Stories from BQEF’s First Cohorts

Ana Callisaya

"I was all ready to begin my university studies, but then my father lost his job and told me that he could no longer afford to pay my fees. I was devastated, because I counted on being able to improve myself and help my family. Then Hermano Bernabé told us of the possibility of a scholarship. I could hardly believe it. It seemed like a miracle." Anna has graduated, is practicing dentistry in a municipal medical center, and took the lead in initiating a Healthy Students program for Quaker schools.

Esther Tinco Mamani

Esther, an agricultural engineering graduate, tells of the class project in which they participated in a survey of rural farming practices, learning that more than 80% use toxic chemicals with resulting significant illness and birth defects.  They worked with a UN Food and Agriculture Organization project teaching organic methods and helping the urban poor in El Alto establish micro-gardens in their homes. Her team took top honors in the class for their work.

Valeria Carita Lupa

Valeria, a social work student, engaged in a practicum working with youth in El Alto helped develop a curriculum dealing with self-esteem, gender equity, and domestic violence. Valeria also volunteered in a literacy program while studying.