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?