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? 

I Don't Have Anything to Write About !

This is a complaint the BECA team hears quite a bit.

From our students.

About their blogs! [Parenthesis: The students are asked to keep a weekly blog. Most of them do it. The directory is here.]

Here are some of the regular refrains:

• "I have nothing to write about." 
• "Nobody is interested in what I have to say."
• "My mind is numb."
• "My head is full of school stuff. No room for blog stuff."
• "My life is boring." 
• "I've already written about everything there is to write about."

What our students don't realize is that their lives are actually super-interesting. They just don't see it that way. Oh well.

So I've decided to be proactive and make a few suggestions for blog topics:

1. If I could change one thing about BECA.org what would it be and why?
2. Five things I want to do before I die
3. If I came face to face with God, what would I ask?
4. My bravest moment
5. How I met my best friend
6. What makes my mom (or dad) so special
7. If I won a million dollars, what is the first thing I would buy and why?
8. If I could change lives with someone, who would that person be?
9. If my dog could talk, what would I ask it?
10. What will nicaragua be like in 100 years?
11. The animal I'd most like to be
12. If I could change one thing about myself
13. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my whole life

Hey, and if you have any good ideas, why don't you stick them in this document. (English is okay.)

Let's call this "Mission: NMBC" (No más blog complaints.)

Gracias for reading.

One of My Favorite Professional Sports Moments Ever

I am not much of a professional baseball fan.

In fact, I rarely watch it.

Sometimes I pay attention to the World Series, but I don't lose any sleep if I miss it.

Nevertheless, there is one thing I adore about it.

Mariano Rivera.

He's a pitcher from Panama who plays for the New York Yankees.

What makes him so great in my eyes? His "best relief pitcher of all time" stats?

Nope.

It's the way he carries himself, despite his superstar status in the sport.

I have never seen any star player in any North American professional league at any time conduct himself like Mariano Rivera conducts himself. (And that's saying something coming from someone who grew up watching Wayne Gretzky.)

A model of decency and humility.

Happily, it's not only me who thinks so.

How You Can Save an Endangered Species Today

I'm concerned about the future of a species that seems to be dwindling fast.

It's a human sub-species that we are familiar with.

It's the "optimist."

You know the type.

The person with something positive to say, usually with a smile.

The person who looks at the bright side.

The person who sees opportunity, instead of defeat.

The person with nary a bad word to say about anyone.

In these modern times characterized by a pervasive cynical press this species is dying, folks.

What can we do to prevent extinction?

1. Keep them close. 
2. Let them know how important they are to us: look them in the eye, and tell them how much we value them and their positive outlook on life.

I'm optimistic the species can be saved with this spiritual nourishment.

Open Letter to our BECA Family in Nicaragua (Spanish)

Estimada Familia BECA.org Nicaragua,

Recientemente los becados del programa han compartido sus pensamientos con nosotros por medio de la encuesta intensiva.  (Para ver el resumen de los resultados, ir aquí.) 

Ahora, a mi me toca.

Primero, quiero agradecerles por el alto nivel de su participación en la encuesta:  46 de 51 la llenaron -- más de 90%!  

Tomamos los resultados seriamente y el equipo dedica sesiones a la evaluación de sus respuestas.

Dos grandes puntos derivados de la encuesta que me llamaron la atención:

1. Descontento con el programa. Parece que la mitad de nuestros becados intensivos están contentos con el programa. Lamentablemente, la otra mitad no.
2. Descontento con nuestros coordinadores. Las quejas parecen indicar un equipo parcial y sin la disponibilidad de resolver problemas.

¿Qué es mi reacción?

Sobre todo, me siento sorprendido con los resultados. Este año, para ser la primera vez, mandaba el equipo. En realidad la gran mayoría de las decisiones fueron tomadas por el equipo. Y cómo saben, el equipo está compuesto 100% de los graduados de su programa.

[Paréntesis: mi perspectiva es un poco diferente. Estoy orgulloso del trabajo del equipo. Manejaban más de 50 intensivos -- distribuidos en todo el país - y más de 110 aspirantes (Curso Uno). Ni siquiera mencionar las numerosas jornadas que supervisan cada mes, etc.]

Está sorpresa viene a un momento interesante en el camino de la fundación. Estamos en la transición de buscar apoyo y sociedades con las empresas y instituciones de Nicaragua. Además, esperábamos contar en el apoyo de nuestros mismos graduados quienes están trabajando.

Les pregunto, si la mitad de los supuestos beneficiarios de nuestro programa no están contentos, ¿cómo podemos pedir apoyo?  Sin mencionar pedir apoyo adicional de los donantes extranjeros. 

Tiempos interesantes . . .

Gracias por leer,

My Early Nicaraguan Mornings

They play out approximately like this:

3:15 am. Rise and shine. Actually, more like just shine.

3:15 - 3:30 am: Inspirational reading on my Kindle. I follow these daily devotionals:

• Daily Guideposts Fun, light read
• My Utmost for His Highest - Dry and deep, but occasionally inspirational
• Through the Year with Jimmy Carter - Enjoy this the most. Shares personal anecdotes

3:30 - 4:15 am: Sudoku with coffee. In bed. I've written about my passion for Sudoku before.

4:15 - 5:00 am: Review my day and plan my agenda. I really enjoy doing this. Not sure why.

5:00 - 6:00 am: Morning walk for gym workout. Yuck. My least pleasant part of the morning (the gym part, that is).

Gimnasio "Adrenalina" (July 2013)

6:15 - 7:00 am: Cardio on my elliptical machine. Don't care for this part much, either.

Yeah, I know I should clean the sucker.

There you have it.

Wait a minute! I just about forgot the very best part. 

On my way home from the gym these days I pass by a primary school. No ordinary primary school, however. It's one of the schools that BECA has some students doing their social service. 

I'll tell you what. Seeing those eager, smiling faces makes my sordid trip to the gym every morning all worthwhile.

Six BECA Brigadistas Ready for Action (July 2013)