A Tico Christmas

It looks like I'll be spending this Christmas in Costa Rica.

I came across the following brochure in a Costa Rican bank.

Scotiabank Costa Rica Brochure (December 2013)

Rough translation: "Costa Ricans are famous for their saving habits."

Oh really? I would never have guessed that. But it got me to thinking . . .

What would Canadians consider themselves famous for?

And Nicaraguans too?

With respect to Canada, I would say for being polite. And maybe a little bit boring.

Now in the second case . . . well, I would have to ask. But after six years -- if I had to choose one word -- I would say decent. Nicaraguans are a very decent people.

Not said lightly.

It's how I describe a man I know. A man I happen to admire greatly.

My father.

2013: The Beauty and the Beast

This video captures some of BECA's finest moments of the past twelve months.

Very much to celebrate!




But . . . it doesn't tell the whole story.

Of my six years in Nicaragua, 2013 goes down as my most challenging to date.

Frankly, 2013 was a beast.

Where do I begin? My pet project (Project Call Center) was shuttered, BECA experienced lower than expected student participation in our weekend social projects, the ex-director of BECA started legal proceedings against the foundation, and the program received poor marks from -- wait for this -- the students themselves! [sigh]

We have plenty of work to do.

I should say, the BECA team has plenty of work to do. 

2013 was the first year with BECA's own graduates in charge and they responded positively to my calls for independence and professionalism. Most of the decision-making was theirs.

And, despite the adversities, they passed with flying colors. 

It has been my dream that BECA's staff be composed entirely of its own graduates. And my dream will be realized in early 2014 when I plan to formally step down as Director.

I believe with my whole heart in these young people.

And next year's video?

It'll be a beauty. 

My Illegal Activities

The other day, a friend of mine suggested to me -- subtly and indirectly -- that he doesn't do anything illegal.

Nothing.

Absolutely lives 100% by the book.

Hmmm. It got me thinking. What about me?

Being the listmanic person I am, I started (finished?) a list. I limited my illegal activities to the last two years of my life and to the two countries where I spend the most time.

Illegal Activities - Canada

• Not declaring everything to Canadian customs when entering the country
• Jaywalking
• Not wearing my seatbelt
• Talking on the cell phone when driving

Illegal Activities - Nicaragua

• Not stopping for pedestrians when driving
• Speeding 
• Bribing transit officials
• Watching sports and TV shows on rogue websites
• Downloading music (without paying)
• Downloading books (without paying)
• Buying pirated DVDs
• Buying controlled medicines without a prescription

Two themes emerge: driving, and technology/entertainment . . . with the occasional valium purchase thrown in for good measure. To ease the moral burden, no doubt!

An interesting exercise in transparency.

And you? Are you willing to publish something similiar?

Oddly Enough

In my years away from Canada, I have come across other North Americans residing permanently outside of their native country.

The fancy term used to describe us people is expatriate.

Who are these expatriates?
 
There is no simple answer but attitudinally I classify them into two broad groups.

People that embrace the challenges and oddities of living in a foreign country.

And those that don't.

I'd like to think that I fall into the first group -- see my previous blog post on the subject here -- but it isn't always easy.

And I wasn't always this way. 

What provoked the attitude adjustment?

Oddly enough, I can't tell you. 

 

A park near my house in San José. Would you bring your children here? (September 2013)

Steve Who?

I have written about Steve Jobs before.

 
And I'm a huge fan.

But this authorized portrayal by Walter Isaacson has stirred me up.

"History will place him in the pantheon next to Edison and Ford." (Isaacson, 2012)

Are you kidding me? This seems a bit much.

Indeed the iPod, iPhone and iPad are revolutionary products.

For rich people.

I see no evidence of impact in the developing world. Where most of the people on this planet happen to live.
 
May I suggest a rewrite.

"History will place him in the pantheon of gadget makers." (Hunchak, 2013)

Sorry Steve.

#iJustSaying
 

(A)Social Media

Instagram.

Facebook.

Twitter.

Pinterest.

And there are many, many more.

I've heard social media referred to as an essential tool for non-profit organizations.

After five years of religiously posting BECA.org news on the most famous one -- facebook.com, may I offer up another description: time-waster.

The "reach" statistics are mindnumbingly low (below).

And these things take time to administer. (BECA has a Spanish page too!)

And they take time away from BECA's core work of screening and supervising scholars.

If anyone were to ask me about Facebook's utility for a grassroots non-profit like ours, I wouldn't mince words.

Fuggedaboutit. 

Screen capture of BECA's Facebook administration panel (13-11-13). Is it worth it?

An Important Moment in BECA's History (For Me)

For the first time, BECA is dipping its toe in the waters of financial sustainability with Campaign 1000.

BECA's graduates are directly being asked to step up and contribute to BECA -- their organization -- for the first time.
 
Right now, BECA is supported entirely by foreigners. In 2013, 95% of the donors are people I personally know.

This is not sustainable.

If BECA is to survive in the long run, I feel that people who have benefitted from the program should chip in.

Not a lot, but something.

The deadline for "Campaign 1000" is New Year's Eve. 

I am paying close attention.