The Manhattan Project

It was my Mother's dream to visit the heart of New York City (aka Times Square) in the wintertime.

And she was looking for volunteers.

Mother and Son in front of some NYC Famous Tree, 12/11

"Okay. I'm in."

So off we went. And it went pretty good.

One thing that fascinated me was the incredible array of languages to be heard on the street.

I found myself checking out people before I asked them to take our picture. Screening for English speakers, no less.

That bombed out pretty good, but I did run into some Latin Americans. (No Nicaraguans.)

Anyway, when I was hearing these foreign tongues I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if one day some of our BECA students had the opportunity to come to New York City and hear it for themselves.

Not sure why this popped in my head.

Is it a pipe dream? Probably, but you know sometimes dreams do come true.

Right, Mom?

Oddities from a Gringo Shopping Mall

"Dress Barn Man" . . . coming to a location near you soon.

What male suit buyer could refuse this offer?

Never did know what the top of Santa's head looked like. Until now.

The Asian Taxi Service stand is around the corner

This place should be reported to SPAWS
 (Society for the Prevention of Abuse of the Word "Surprise")

Strike my last observation. Their competitor is next door.

Still seeking naming rights.

The Seredipitous Joy of a Personal Visit

Not many people come here to visit me.

And I don't really blame them.

I mean, where would you rather find yourself? Walking barefoot on the pristine white beaches of Cayman Islands or . . . ummmm . . . navigating potholes in Nicaragua?

So I do understand.

Nevertheless, once in a while it happens. Somebody shows up here for their very first time. A virgin to this land.

And that is just what happened this past week.

The visitor was Mark -- or "Marco" -- as he quickly dubbed himself. A brother-in-law of a dear friend of mine. (The friend showed up too, but let's focus on the virgin for now.)

"Marco" and Becada Kelin García, Masaya, Nicaragua 12-7-11

It still isn't clear to me why Marco came in the first place. But that is besides the point. He came.

And his timing was perfect.

For me, that is.

I have been feeling a little weary. My friend -- the "other guy" on this visit -- noticed it.

2011 has been the most challenging year I have faced here with BECA since I started in Nicaragua three years ago. Things just didn't go the way I wanted. And I was feeling frustrated.

But then here comes Marco.

A bright-eyed capitalist, doubtlessly a maritime adventurer in a previous life, brimming with positive energy.

What a joy it was to watch as members of BECA here in Nicaragua like Urania Montoya, Edgar Castillo and Alba Guillen proudly shepherded him around to visit more than a dozen BECA program participants in three different municipalities.

Urania planning.
Edgar translating.
Alba guiding.
"El Gran Queso" Antonio supervising.
All the student hosts (and their families) engaging.

All of them delighted, thrilled and honored to "show-off" to their new gringo friend what they belong to and what they are about.

I couldn't help but beam.

And Marco went along for the ride, graciously and inquisitively.

All throughout I was reminded of why I do what I do. How fortunate I am to have the opportunity to do this stuff and how deeply blessed I am that all these kind Nicaraguans allow me into their lives so generously.

And to witness how they feel about BECA themselves. Isn't that the ultimate payoff?

Gracias, Marco.

Thanks to the gift of your visit all of my trials and tribulations of 2011 seem so inconsequential.

Photo album here

Investment not Charity

I could really relate to a newspaper article that appeared in a Canadian periodical recently.

It begins like this,

Former governor-general Michaëlle Jean has a message for Canadians about Haiti: The country now needs investment, not charity.

and further down in the article quotes Ms Jean:

“Aid is good in a crisis situation. But once the crisis is over, you have to build on what’s sustainable.”

In what I can see here in Nicaragua, a similar paradigm is at play.

Although Nicaragua has long been heavily dependent upon foreign assistance, funnelled through thousands of non-profit organizations, I believe Ms.Jean is on the right track and it's time for a “profound change in the paradigm.”

I would add one little thing to her thesis. It's also time for Nicaraguan stakeholders, like local governments, well-off citizens, and prospering Nicaraguan industy -- yes, there is such a thing -- to step up to the plate and participate.

Handouts just don't work.

This becomes clearer and clearer to me each passing day, week and month here on the ground in Nicaragua.

What does this mean for BECA?

Beginning in 2012, it means putting a greater emphasis on pursuing local corporate participation.

After all, if Nicaraguan society refuses to recognize the value of what we are trying to do here, then . . . well . . .  what the heck are we doing here?

Trial + Errors = Joy

Note: This has been adapted from my letter in the BECA Newsletter, December 2011

As I've mentioned before, BECA has had its fair share of ups and downs in 2011.

Although frustrating at times, these bumps along the way really are to be expected.

How come?

I feel it is important to always keep trying new things. To experiment. To push the envelope.

This was my philosophy in business and I see no reason -- or am too stubborn -- to change now.

The benefit? Despite falling flat on your face on a regular basis, occasionally you stumble upon a jewel.

That happened this year with the BECA Brigade.

"Brigadista" Becada Yessica Lanuza from Estelí

The BECA Brigade mandates that each scholarship candidate spend three months volunteering full-time at a primary school as part of their qualification process.

At the beginning most of the students don't like the idea. Some hate it, and resist to the point of dropping out.

But the majority hang in there.

And after three years plugging along here in Nicaragua nothing -- NOTHING -- has given me greater joy than to personally witness the loving relationships that develop between our "Brigadistas" and their elementary school "clients."

(I encourage you to take a moment and check out some of the evidence.)

Although the main thrust of BECA remains to facilitate post-secondary educational opportunities, I am happy to report that BECA has made this kind of seredipitous and beautiful consequence possible.

A (very indirect) Blurb About Me

Did someone every tell you that you could learn about a person by getting to know their siblings?

Kelly Klapstein

No?

Now you have.

Kelly Klapstein - my one and only sibling - recently wrote a little blurb about herself.

(Knowing Kelly, that "little blurb" probably took hours, but that's another story.)

Anyway, it's quite a refreshing blurb.

Very direct and provocative. Okay, not provocative.

Did you learn anything by reading the blurb?

About her brother, that is?

(Other than I love the word "blurb"?) hahahahahahaha

Congratulations to Canada Scrapbooker's guest designer for 2012.

I Have Seen the Devil

Devils, actually.

And they are running rampant causing havoc all over the capital city of Costa Rica.

Fortunately, they can be easily identified.

They have two wheels.

And they wear . . . helmets (most of the time).

THEY ARE THE MOTORCYCLISTS HERE IN SAN JOSE!

I have commented before in this space on the abominable driving habits of Costa Ricans.

However a series of strict new road safety laws that came into effect last year seems to have worked wonders.

On the drivers of motor vehicles.

Not so with the "MotoTicos."

These two-wheeled maniacal monsters remain undeterred in their pleasure of making the roads of San José a most unpleasant driving experience.

I conclude that their taunting, incessant weaving in and out of traffic can only be the work of the devil.

I have been told that those heretofore-mentioned traffic laws also apply to the motorcycles.

It absolutely befuddles me why the "powers that be" not see it as their duty to apply the rules to all.

My response?

Sadly, Costa Rica goes back to bearing the "banana republic" label until such time that they straighten out this morass.

That would make President Laura Chinchilla Banana Republican numero uno. Are you listening Laura?

There are Two Economies in Nicaragua and Why it Matters

¡¡ Warning: Dry development-oriented subject matter with no cute pictures ahead !!

The title of this blog entry refers to something I've encountered often in my three years working in Nicaragua.

In the subculture of development work in Nicaragua, there are actually two economies at play.

Logically, one is the indigenous, national economy. When Nicaraguans (or Nicaraguan institutions) transact, it goes without saying that they do so in the Nicaraguan economy.

Something else happens when an international-based entity -- be it a person or an organization -- is involved is involved in the transaction.

The economy miraculously transforms. Prices go up and supply goes down. Sometimes dramatically.

This shouldn't come as any real surprise. The Nicaraguan party to the transaction operates under the impression that the foreign-based body has access to more funds. It is logical, and, it is often true.

There can be repercussions however to small grassroots organizations like BECA.

BECA's work is about facilitating educational opportunities for ambitious, serious-minded Nicaraguans.

If BECA has to pay more, that means fewer opportunities for these people.

The reality is that consultants, merchants, and even educational institutions often prefer to negotiate with us in the "Gringo Economy."

Some might call these actors "greedy bastards." (Disclaimer: I've done that. Huge waste of emotional energy.)

Others might call them "good capitalists."

Irregardless, the "Gringo Economy" isn't leaving Nicaragua anytime soon.

Clearly, it is BECA's strong preference to transact in the Nicaraguan economy.

What is one to do? What is our response?

I'm not entirely sure I have the solution.

But I believe that one step is for me to move to the background and let the local people assume the public face of BECA here in Nicaragua. (And, with time, assume operations.)

It is an interesting situation and one of the reasons I continue to find great personal satisfaction in the work here.

The challenges are very different from running a business in, say, my native Canada, but they are challenges that fascinate, instruct and empower nonetheless.

Ticolandia

I'm in Ticolandia for a couple of weeks. (Tico = Costa Rican)

Costa Rica is Nicaragua's neighbour to the south.

The Border River - El Rio San Juan

Neighbour only in the geographical sense, that is.

(I've written before of their disdain for one another.)

Celebrate the differences.

Amen to that.

Which brings me to THE QUESTION.

THE QUESTION that I am asked more often than any other when people learn I have spent time in both countries.

"Who do you like more, Ticos or Nicas?"

Strangely, the question IS NOT "Which country do you prefer?" or "Do you prefer living in Nicaragua or in Costa Rica?"

Oh no.

"Who do you like more, Ticos or Nicas?"

I do have a preference.

It's quite a strong preference.

Wanna know what it is?

Sure, no problem.

My preference is to NEVER OVER MY DEAD BODY ANSWER THE QUESTION EVEN IF THE POPE IS ASKING.

There you have it.

And if you are find yourself travelling in these parts I might so as much recommend to you a similar strategy.

I am an Addict

It is time I came clean about something to all my loyal readers.

 All three of you.

I am an addict.

Yep, I can't live without my daily fix.

Of Sudoku.

This presents serious problems when one is stranded -- okay, not stranded, but melodrama doesn't cost extra -- in a nation where Sudoku is difficult to come by.

Serious problems. But not insurmountable.

To all thee heroin addicts I can relate. We are a brotherhood of which there is no known cure.

Until now.

The Internet age brings me relief.

I present to you my twelve step program. Okay nine steps, and one hot tip. (Windows users only.)

1. Visit websudoku.com

2. Choose from your desired strength.

3. Activate your favorite screen capture program. I use the free, nifty (and vasectomy-friendly!) Windows Snipping Tool.

3. Using the Snipping tool, highlight the puzzle box.

4. Save to your computer.

5. Use this creative naming convention and save as type .JPG

6. Repeat using sequential numbering until your addiction forces you to curtail the activity. (My initial goal is always 100. Sadly, my addiction typically begs me to stop around the 50 mark.)

7. It's time to print your precious goodies! Right-click on each file and choose Print.

8. In the Print Pictures dialog box that ensues, make sure that the "Fit picture to frame" box is unchecked.

9. Print and repeat.

HOT TIP: Zip to recycle your files for printing again at a later date.

I Love It When I Hear These Three Things

I'm not really sure when it happened.

Last year?

Five years ago?

Maybe it was 1986. (I doubt it though. I was a very late maturer. Ahem. I am.)

Anyway, I can't quite remember.

But this happened.

I began to appreciate and admire when people admitted their failings.

I realized this the other day when I was spending some time with a couple of BECA students here in Nicaragua.

One of them tried very hard to answer a question, and eventually made something up. They thought it better to take a wild stab at it than admit that they really didn't have the foggiest idea.

(His wrong answer almost led us into a lagoon, but that is another story.)

I suggested that sometimes it is better to say "I don't know."

Him and his buddy marvelled at the concept, like it was some kind of Einsteinian revelation.

The funny thing is that I'm positive I used to think that way too. And, like I say -- I don't know exactly when -- I changed my tune.

I find myself attracted to the people who unreservedly offer any of the following:

1. I was wrong.
2. I don't know.
3. I'm sorry.

[Honour roll: "You're right." "I have no idea." "I screwed up."]

In closing, allow me to turn the tables and make mention of one of my least favorite: "I am a humble person." Fodder for another blog, I suppose . . .

Picture of my Spanking New Blackberry . . .

. . . pouch. [laughing hard]

Well, I find this funny.

My Main Man

I've been grumbling quite a bit lately.

It's time to take a moment to appreciate some of the good things BECA has going for it. And it has many.

But one thing stands out from all the others. By a long way.

Antonio Rodriguez.

He's anointed Executive Director of BECA Nicaragua, but, more than that, he's my main man here in Nicaragua.

He's been with me for more than two years now doing everything from chopping grass with a machete alongside students to making strategic plans for our future.

Moreoever, the poor guy has to put up with listening to all my crazy ideas. Worse yet, he has to implement some of them. [jajajaja] (And there have been some doozies!)

And he always does so with such grace, with such aplomb. He never complains. He just gets the job done.

I tell people his hiring was a curse. Why?

I thought all future employees would be like him. 

Antonio Rodriguez, with "Becados" Jhelem and Martha, Matagalpa, September 2011

The future of BECA Nicaragua is in great hands.

I Have Two Questions for You

#1) Would you give this Nicaraguan girl a buck if she approached you?

"María", Matagalpa, Nicaragua (September 2011)*

#2) Would it change your mind if I told you she was actually asking for five cents? Should it?

*Permission granted to take photo.

Do You Believe in Tough Love?

Wikipedia says that "tough love is an expression used when someone treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run."

Do you believe in tough love?

It is something I've been thinking about quite a lot lately.

Quite a few of the young people in BECA have a lot of problems or "challenges" (for those of you who write me to say that "problem" is a negative word.)

We know that they have serious economic issues, but I didn't realize how many health issues, learning issues, and other family issues they also bring to the table.

At times, it's a little overwhelming.

What's BECA to do?

The tendency is to stick our nose in and try to help them sort everything out.

But . . . and here comes the hard part . . . we really can't.

It is a wonderful idea, a beautiful concept, a noble goal, and on and on, but it ain't realistic.

I've come to the conclusion that BECA's life expectancy as a sustainable organization is greater if it sticks to the knitting: giving an opportunity for serious-minded Nicaraguans to get a technical career.

Here's the cruel bottom line. BECA is not in the saving lives business. 

More than anything, it means that if you can't attend school on a consistent and regular basis, then we can't help you. Period.

And believe you me, it isn't easy to watch.
 
Now, is that tough love?

You tell me.

I Deconstruct a Nicaraguan Parade

September 15th is Independence Day in Nicaragua. They have a parade and every school is obligated to send a delegation.

I took it in. Here is what I was thinking . . .

Funny Names

They give their children interesting names in Nicaragua.

Yeah sure Nicaragua has it's fair share of Josés, Juans, Anas, and the ubiquitous Marías. (Fun fact: 6% of BECA female students are "Marías.")

But then come the Adalias, Arelis, Arlens  . . . the Elidas, Maximas, Kelins, Igdanias . . . the Jhelems, Lisllems, Kelins . . . the Lesbias, Seferinas, Tirsas, and Zenias.

And I'm just getting started.

As far as I can tell, parents have a refreshingly freewheeling attitude when it comes to naming their children, that's all.

During house visits, I've asked the parents where the names come from. The most typical response: "I heard it somewhere."

Most of the time I leave scratching my head, wondering . . .
     heard it on television? 
     in the market? 
     saw it in a newspaper? 
     saw something like it in the bible?

Jorge and Family (August 2011)

Sometimes, I am not left to wonder.

Last week I asked BECA student Jorge's mother -- who is a single parent -- the same question about Jorge's sister.

The father chose her name. 

Henike.

Is a Train Always Coming?

I love many things about the Nicaraguan people I've met, but one seemingly insignificant detail of life here never ceases to impress me.

"Nicas" will almost never be the first to terminate a personal face-to-face conversation.

They wait for me to say "adios" and pull the plug. (And I usually indulge them.)

I am awed by this unselfish act of grace and respect I encounter on a daily basis.

It ain't so easy. Go and give it a try.

I challenge you to go 24 hours without being the first to end any of your one-on-one personal interactions.

Let me know how it works out for you.

My own experiment bombed. Mind you, I was up against the masters.

What's the hurry? Is a train always coming?

Shout out to My Scrapbooking Sister

"Shout out" -- that's what they say these days, right? -- to Kelly.

She's a scrapbooker.

She does other stuff, too, but let's focus on the scrapbooking for a moment.

It seems she was just chosen to supply the Fall cover of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine.

Supposedly this is a prestigious publication in Scrapbooking circles.

¡Que bueno, Kelly! 
  
Did you know?: Incredibly, Wikipedia says that "over 4 million women in the United States alone consider themselves to be scrapbookers."

What they fail to mention out is that 7 men are also involved in the activity. Kelly swears one of them is in Edmonton. I have yet to see evidence of this, but I will take her word for it.

Two Things BECA Can Learn from Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs packed it in last Wednesday and the accolades in the print media -- sorry, me no watch TV -- keep pouring in. The New York Times, my primary source of Western news, has been particularly effusive.

And the guy is still alive. And still working at Apple in a leadership role. Pretty impressive stuff.

It got me thinking. What can BECA learn from this guy?

Two things jump out.

1) Perseverance. Jobs was unceremoniously forced out of Apple, the company he personally founded, 25 years ago. Ouch.

But he never, ever gave up.

In a 2005 Stanford commencement speech he noted, "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."

That brick showed up on BECA's doorstep in August. In a month in which both Coordinators BECA hired for the cities of Matagalpa and Estelí quit, it crossed my mind to pull the plug in those places and retreat to the friendly confines of Masaya, where we have enjoyed a wee bit of success.

But my main man here, Antonio Rodriguez, and I believe in what BECA is trying to do. So, Steve, we're going to stubbornly keep wombling along.

2) Systematic Innovation. I'm not exactly sure how he did it. Was it by surrounding himself with creative people? Or implementing facilitative work processes? Or something else? But he turned Apple into an innovation machine.

I believe that BECA can learn from this and try to adopt a mindset of permanent innovativeness. You know, constantly plumb our students for new ideas. Motivate our team to regularly give suggestions. Survey all of our stakeholders at every opportunity for feedback.

We're coming along.

I can tell you this with some confidence because we've had a lot of bombs.

Individual social projects.
Remedial Spanish classes.
Remedial math classes.
Weekend "Course One" screening classes.
Hiring our own teachers.

And now I can add another experiment-gone-bad to this list . . . young, professional university-educated employees.

(In all fairness, Jobs had his share of bombs too.)

However, it can only be through this succession of failures that we stumble upon the things that seem to click.

Thanks for paying attention and understanding that we aren't completely sitting still here in Nicaragua.

Meet Mr. Hard-ass

One of the BECA Coordinators quit this week.The "official" reason submitted was that she found a better job. The "unofficial" reason: Walter is too difficult to work for. He's a hard-ass.

It's grapevine stuff, but I really can't deny it. The now ex-Coordinator is right. I am very demanding.

Here's the thing.

I make NO apologies for it.

BECA isn't about creating another ordinary middling do-gooder organization. I assure you that there are plenty of those to go around here in Nicaragua. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. To each their own.)

But I won't stand for it. Not for BECA.

Here's why.

1. I feel strongly that to achieve sustainability -- so BECA will keep going when I'm out of the picture -- we have to deliver good value to all of our "stakeholders" out there. We want you to keep supporting us. Fancy marketing doesn't provide that. Hollow promises doesn't provide that. Mediocre performance definitely doesn't. Only excellent results will make it happen.
2. We call our students "clients." And it's for good reason. BECA only exists to serve them. Many, many, many -- did I say many? -- have been dealt a crappy hand in life. They really deserve a break. Geez, I figure it's the least we can do. And over my dead body are they going to be served poorly. They've been there, done that.
3. I am a perfectionist. It just isn't in my DNA to do something halfway. It isn't going to happen, no matter how hard I try to adjust. 

In the end, people who come to work at BECA have to know that we won't accept half-ass contributions. Only dedicated people need apply. People willing to do their very best. At all times.

Our first Nicaraguan hire is one. So I know they exist.

And I'll keep going until I find more.

Spoken like a bonafide hard-ass, huh? :)

The Luckiest Man in the World (Part 2)

A dear friend of mine goes goofy on me when I attribute something in life to "luck."

"Luck is not in my vocabulary," he beams proudly.

Then go ahead and explain this one, bud. :)

Having a good father.

Walter Hunchak (ca. 2008)

I can't explain my good fortune any other way.

I didn't pick him. He was just there.

And was* he ever there. A decent, soft-spoken fellow. Always quietly supportive of me through all my trials and tribulations. (And there have been a few.) Never, ever judgmental.

What did I do to deserve him? Beats me.

This simple fact resonates loudly for me here in Nicaragua.

Why?

It is astounding how many of the students in BECA don't have a father.

Or a good father.

I have a father. And he's a great one.

That would be lucky squared, no? 

*If you are wondering, Dad isn't doing so good these days. He is struggling with advanced dementia. Happily, he remains an active participant in my life by his wonderful examples I feebly attempt to live up to on a daily basis.

The Luckiest Man in the World

Who's that? That would be me. Here are 30,000 words in support of my thesis.

"The Nanny Diaries" and IFOBTAO

Actually the book was "You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again:The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny." Yeah, I read this kind of stuff once in a while.

As the title suggests, the book documents the adventures and ongoing thoughts of Suzy, a young, wide-eyed young woman who ventures off to Los Angeles and secures a job as a nanny for a super-uber-wealthy couple.

What could I have possibly gleaned from this journalistic gem?

Bear with me on this one. You see a good part of the book chronicles Suzy's complaints about how incredibly cheap the power couple are, despite their billionaire status. Stingy. Close-fisted. Penny-pinching. You'll find all of the above in Suzy's rants about her former employers.

Ultimately, I came to the following realization. I could relate.

But NOT to Suzy.

To the power couple!

Now, this couple very well might be super-uber-stingy, but there is an alternative explanation for their miserly behaviour. They could, like me, suffer from IFOBTAO [ahy-fohb-tou].

Huh? IFOBTAO.

Yep. Irrational Fear Of Being Taken Advantage Of.

In Nicaragua, it is always in the back of my mind.

When I'm negotiating a contract.
When I'm buying a coffee.
When I'm hailing a cab.

All the time.

I acknowledge that I have more resources than the typical Nicaraguan. Mucho more.

But people who deal with me in Nicaragua here think I'm a super-uber-cheapskate.

Listen up, all my Nica friends and associates, I'm not that cheap.

But I do suffer from IFOBTAO.

And I'm really not sure if there is a cure.

Ruben Dario Avenue

Imagine my surprise on my recent trip to Gringolandia.

There I was driving in Miami and eyeballing my suggested route on the GPS computer. (Are they called GPS computers? Never mind . . . )

So I look up, see the red light, and hit the brakes. (HOT TIP: The GPS computer will not say, "Recalculating. Stop at the red light!")

(Almost) Zipping Through Ruben Dario Avenue, Miami

And what street name do I see? Nothing other than Ruben Darío* Avenue. Cute reminder of my adopted home. So nice to see homage of him here. One of those little random things that makes life special.

Of course after the incident I couldn't help but ask myself, "What does this mean? What does this mean?" jajajajajaja

*Ruben Dario was a Nicaraguan poet, infamous in Latin America.

Remember When Flying Was Fun?

Flying used to be a lot of fun. Not any more.

What happened? I have a theory.(And, no, I don't believe the culprit is increased airport security.)

Flying has become a commodity. A boring, listless homogenizing commodity.

At every opportunity the airlines have been mindlessly racing to remove any and all frills, perks and conveniences from the experience.

It all started twenty years ago when smoking was banned. Pillows, "real" first class, blankets, free food, free movies are all now pretty much dinosaurs. And the glamorous stewardess? [sigh] The T-Rex of them all.

Why? Beats me. Some kind of herd mentality into a creative abyss.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. Isn't it about time they removed all those "No Smoking" messages wallpapering aircraft interiors?

It's been 23 years, people. Can we put a smiley face there instead?

Eating Mosquito

Excerpt from Actual Conversation circa 30 June 2011, Masaya, Nicaragua (Eng.Translation):

 "Where are you going for your vacation?"
"Edmonton, Canada."
 "Do you have mosquitoes over there?"
"Yep."
"Are they as bad as here?"
"Nope. Nothing like here."

Excerpt from Future Conversation (anticipated) 25 July 2011, Masaya, Nicaragua (Eng.Translation):

"How do you say 'Eating Crow' in Spanish?"

Never Say Never

Just to build on that Justin Bieber theme from my last blog a little bit, I think his song "Never Say Never" would make a wonderful theme song for BECA.

Why?

It often amazes me what BECA students in Nicaragua achieve in the face of incredible adversity.

Some spend hours on their daily commute -- walking, waiting, and busing -- to and from school.

Others can't count on their family for moral support.

Still others seem to manage with woeful diets. 

A few even continue to hold down tough manual labor jobs while studying full-time.

And I don't hear them complain very often. Their wide smiles never telegraph their realities.

Did I just say that?

Oh well. Allow me a sentimental exception. Bravo, becados of  BECA.org. May my admiration for you NEVER weaken.

I Know, I Know . . . (Air Canada and Justin Bieber)

The trip back to Edmonton from Nicaragua is a long one. There are no direct flights and it takes a day, more or less.

Basically, there are two travel options from Nicaragua. Air Canada and Continental.

Air Canada delivers me via Costa Rica and Toronto. Continental only makes one stop: Houston.

The "via Houston" route is MUCH faster. I still MUCH prefer Air Canada.

Two reasons.

1) U.S. Customs. They are a real pain. I know, I know . . . they have a job to do. But it befuddles me to no end why they have to ask me all these questions when ALL I'M DOING IN HOUSTON IS CHANGING PLANES. Grrrrr. 

I'm sure there is a good reason for it. There usually is. But it still bugs me.

2) Air Canada Seat Console Entertainment systems. Air Canada has this video thing on the back of the seats on the aircraft with a surprisingly wide selection of TV shows, movies, music videos, news programs, documentaries (even HBO!).

I know, I know . . . all the major air carriers have them, but they all want me to stick my credit card through this narrow channel in the back of the seat in front of me. Huh? Nope. I don't think that is going to happen.

Conversely, the Air Canada video system is free! Well, I guess what I should say is that there is no extra cost. Yippee!

And this brings me to Justin Bieber.

I heard about this guy before. Some kind of cute young kid turned social media pop star. I heard he was from Canada and how he somehow tweeted his way to fame.

Anyway, it turns out that one of the movies on my recent Air Canada flight was called "Never Say Never" starring this Justin Bieber character.

It was a largely fluffy 95 minutes of self-promotion. 

Nevertheless, I thought the movie was absolutely great. Hey, I felt really good inside after watching it.

I really loved it. (For those that know me, it warrants an 8.75 out of 10.)

I know, I know . . . HAVE I LOST MY MIND?

Maybe, but the kid is talented. And I'm standing up for him.

3 Weeks of ________ ?

I'm taking a three week break. (I'm going to Gringolandia for a week followed by two weeks in my hometown of Edmonton.)

I've taken breaks before but there is a difference this time.

Usually when I take a break I continue micro-managing BECA.org from a distance. This time I've told myself -- and I've told the BECA team in Nicaragua -- that they're on their own for three weeks.

You see, we have some very smart people working for BECA in Nicaragua.

It's a good opportunity to step back a little bit and let them show me, and themselves, what they are capable of.

After all, the master plan is to leave BECA in the hands of Nicaraguans.

It's where BECA Nicaragua ultimately belongs.

Frampton Comes . . . Alive?

Since when does Peter Frampton looks like this? The Peter Frampton? When did this happen?

Ugh. Be right back. Gotta go consult a mirror I know.

Pulling My Hair Out

I have had some challenges on this "adventure."

Nothing too, too serious.

I have come to believe that the "tranquilo" approach to life in Nicaragua often tranquilizes what otherwise might have been an aggressive reaction on my part.

Tough to get too worked up about a lousy website programmer when some of the people around you don't have enough money to buy medicine for their sick kid.

Nicaragua, I think it's fair to say, has mellowed me.

Case in point. I was going to write about how maddening and frustrating it has been to get the BECA team here in Nicaragua to understand the importance of being well-organized.

[Aside: It's always been my experience that effective, successful companies are super well-organized -- organizationally and on an individual "key actor" level -- and I see no reason to believe that the non-profit sector should be any different.]

But you know, as I started to write, I realized that I'm not that bothered about the whole thing.

And instead of pulling my hair out, you ask?

I went and got a haircut.

Why I Do What I Do

I'm asked THE question on a regular basis:

"Why are you doing this?" or it's more subtle (but no less pointed) cousin "Don't you miss Canada?"

I thought I'd 'fess up in this blog. That way, the next time someone asks -- usually happens a couple of times a month -- I'll be ready with the link to this blog and he or she can go read the answer for themselves.

Beats the heck out of squirming and fidgeting like I usually do.

Anyway, the answer is a personal one and it goes something like this.

!!Boring Sappy Blog ALERT!! !!Boring Sappy blog ALERT!!

10 years ago I lost everything I had. There was this little problem with the stock market. I bet big and, as it turns out, I bet wrong. The (now ex) wife following the same trajectory shortly thereafter.

It was 2001 and it was my own personal version of 9/11.

I was about to turn 40 and I found myself back in my old room in my parents' home

• without a job,
• seriously indebted to financial institutions, and, 
• alone.

Thanks to a dear friend, I landed a job in a cubicle in a software company punching a keyboard that paid the minimum wage.

So, at 40, a

• cubicle job, 
• seriously indebted to financial institutions, and,
• still alone and sleeping in my old room in my parents' home.

It was a big, big mess.

I decided to make myself a pledge. I promised myself that if I ever got myself out of that mess financially, I would

. . . drum roll please . . . 

give it away somehow (Thinking to myself at the time, "Yeah right, you hero, so easy to make these gutsy promises from such a deep hole.")

I then made the mistake of telling someone about my pledge. In this way, I couldn't turn my back on my pledge if it ever materialized. ("Yeah, right" I repeated to myself.)

So as it turns out I hatched some fluky Internet marketing scheme and I did make that very unlikely comeback.

And being that stubborn man of my word, here I am.

In Nicaragua. Living up to my pledge.

Epilogue. As I read these words back I realize one little thing about my answer to THE question.

In 2001 I didn't lose everything I had.

Nope.

I gained everything.

And now you know why I do what I do.

Is There a Better Way to Sell a Bed?

In my continuing series of beautiful curiosities from Nicaragua, I present to you "selling a bed, Nicaraguan style"

Masaya Street Corner, May 2010

The sign says something like "The day was made to dance, the night was made to rest."

Not sure how many beds were sold.

Very sure that not many speeding tickets were issued that day.

Musings on Giving People the Boot

I thought that might get your attention. Now to our regularly-scheduled programming . . .

 
BECA does a monthly newsletter. Actually two of them. One in English. Another in Spanish.

Occasionally I attempt to write something more on the serious side.

That was the case in the June edition.

The BECA newsletter doesn't reach too many people -- direct to SPAM anyone? -- so I thought I'd reprint my "Dear Loyal Supporter" note here.
 

June 2011 Update

Dear (Your Name Goes Here),

May was tough.

We were faced with some difficult decisions.

What to do when a scholarship recipient consistently refuses to live up to their obligations with the BECA program?

The way I see it -- and saw it -- there are a few options.

One is to do nothing and accept that in any program some people will refuse to follow the rules.

Another is to continue to try to change their behaviour through a combination of incentives and penalties.

A third way is expulsion.

I really don't think BECA asks for a lot. We want our students to write 4 blogs a month, attend 6 meetings a year, and send in a monthly report. (All students receive payments to cover these expenses.)

The other side of the coin is that for some (many?) of these people, their lives are incredibly complicated and challenging. Understandably, their BECA tasks are low on their priority totem poles.

But also at stake is the credibility of the BECA program. What kind of message are we sending if we tolerate, and ultimately accept, non-compliant behaviour?

Ultimately, I "approved" the recommendation of the Masaya Coordinator to expel six students.

I'm not happy about it, but I thought you should know about it.

Sincerely,
Walter Hunchak
Founder, BECA.org