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.