15 Minutes

I'm sure almost all of you have been on the receiving end of one of the following:

1. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." 
2. "It shouldn't take me more than fifteen minutes." 

Yeah, right.

Quickly, fifteen minutes turns into thirty minutes, and sometimes more.

Interestingly, the same phenomenom exists here in Central America.

Except for "fifteen minutes," one might hear "ahora" (Nicaragua) or "cinco minutos" (Costa Rica).

Why do we insist on these little white lies?

Wouldn't it be easier to say 30 minutes and then issue a pleasant surprise by arriving early?

One of those great unexplained mysteries in life.

Perhaps not on the same scale as Stonehenge, but mysterious nonetheless.

I gave myself 15 minutes to write this piece.

You know what happened.

Sigh.

"You are Cheapskates!"

A common refrain of the students in BECA. 

Directed to all of us on the BECA team who administer the BECA scholarship program in Nicaragua.

This complaint often arises when it comes to student requests for extraordinary school supplies. (An example might be a nurse's uniform.)

Admittedly, our current process is very bureaucratic. BECA asks for a signed and sealed letter from the Director of the school. And we are the first to acknowledge that it isn't an easy matter.

Why in the world do we make it so complicated?

First, the process was not always this way. In fact, as early last year the process was a lot simpler. Unfortunately, there were abuses and some students took liberties. The consequence? The team decided that stricter rules were necessary and, as a result, all of the students are paying for these indiscretions.

Second, we know that the present process must be improved. It is on the agenda of the 2013 staff retreat in October. In the meantime, any idea that any student may have to streamline the process in a fair, efficient way is welcome.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, is the following: BECA's funds are not unlimited! I have personally tried to impress upon the team that we have to watch every penny. BECA is about offering an educational opportunity. Every penny saved means a penny that can go towards creating an opportunity for another serious, young Nicaraguan next year.

Fortunately, the current BECA team of Urania, Maryury, and Reynaldo understand this last point very well.

So don't be surprised if the next time we hear "you are cheapskates!", you hear the following in response:

"Thanks for the compliment!"

I Believe in You

"Creo en usted."

I go around saying this all the time to BECA's students (and to BECA's staff).

I say it in e-mail communications.

I say it in blog commentaries.

And I say it in person, when I get the chance.

I suspect that some students are even tired of hearing it. "There goes Walter again with his I believe in you shtick."

Why do I continue?

It's the basic principle upon which BECA is founded. A belief in the young people of Nicaragua.

The scholarship is a way of confirming that belief in them.

Happily most BECA scholars finish their studies. But not all do. Sometimes the harsh realities of life here dictate.

And I'm okay with that.

What matters to me is that this tiny organization steps up to that serious-minded young person and says "Here you go. You deserve this opportunity. We believe in you."

That, folks, is what it's all about.

Today, August 14, 2013, marks the "official" five-year anniversary of BECA.org Nicaragua. It's an opportune moment for me to turn the tables a little bit and say . . .

Thank you to my supportive family and my lifelong friends.

Thank you to the people who have advised me along the way.

Thank you to all of the becados since day one and to their families.

Thank you to the current BECA staff: Maryury, Reynaldo, and Urania.

Thank you for what?

Thank you for BELIEVING IN ME and this little idea I had.

I am very grateful.

It's been the best five years of my life.

Hidden Treasure of BECA

We have something in BECA that is special.

Very special and rarely trumpeted.

It's our hidden treasure because we really don't do enough to let people know about it.

It's the student blog.

Every week, our students share a little bit about their lives with us.

EVERY WEEK!

And in all my research of youth organizations all over the world, I must say I haven't come across anything quite like it.

Yes, I've seen attempts. A student essay here. A collection of photos there.

But nothing comes even close to the discipline of our program participants. Week in and week out, the great majority of our becados write about their lives. 

I consider it quite an accomplishment.

Let's put this into perspective. Before they joined BECA, most didn't even know how to use a computer or surf the Internet, let alone write a blog.

Pretty cool.

Now if we only figure out a way to tell the world about it . . .

A blog, perhaps?