Moving Out

Some days around here are very special for me.

Case in point, Sunday.

For three BECA students, Larry, Fanny and Frank (below),

Sunday, February 21st was moving day.

They received scholarships to study in the city of Granada.

Fortunately, the technical college INTECNA has student housing and that's where they will be staying.




I was fortunate enough to tag along on Sunday as they said goodbye to their families and headed up to Granada to set themselves up in their new "homes."

It might not be easy for them. From what I've seen Nicaraguan families, especially from the country, are very close-knit.

This move represents a HUGE adjustment for them and for their family members at home, too.

It was an honour to be with them on this special day.


Bravo!

BECA Gets Married

Well, sort of . . . 

To go along with our first baby back in August of last year, BECA is proud to announce our first marriage. Felicidades to one of our students Eliezer Alvarado who just got married.

If he looks really young, it is because he is.

18 years old.

But they get married a lot earlier around here.

Giving Back

An important principle in play at BECA is giving back.

BECA relies upon the generosity of sponsors from all over the world to give back and help send Nicaraguans to school. Without this "giving back" BECA would be dead in the water.

But what about the students? After all they receive 100% scholarships (tranportation included!), right?

The students show their appreciation in two ways.

First, they have the option of working in their community on a social project of their choosing.

Some work in health clinics. Some help out at schools. Others volunteer at their church. Still others clean parks in their community.

We suggest a minimum of three hours a week. Some work less. Some work more.

For 2010 we have a second way in which the students can give back. We are setting up group activities in the community.

Our first group social "project" took place this Saturday (February 6th, 2010). We went to visit the Masaya Seniors' Residence. Out of 52 eligible students, more than 40 showed up to spend a couple of hours with the elders of their community.

I was very, very proud of these young people and judging by the number of smiles, it was far from a  one-way street as they had the privilege of drinking in the wisdom and gentle spirit of their community's "ancianos."

Take a peek at the video. It's only 88 seconds. And it might make you smile too.