The Certificate

In Nicaragua, we have learned that "the certificate" is important.

In fact, they give certificates for almost anything.

Five year university degree: certificate
One year technical training: certificate
Weekend babysitting course: certificate
One day trade fair participation: certificate
Driving school course: certificate
90 minute changing a tire seminar: certificate

Okay, I'm only kidding about the last one, but do you get the picture?

When I lobbed the idea around with some locals that BECA was thinking of not offering certificates for Curso Uno (aside: those that know me know that I am absolutely obsessed with cutting out unnecessary fluff) -- well, they looked at me like I had just burned the Nicaraguan flag or something.

Eventually I relented because we figured out a way to do it cost-efficiently.

So, without further ado, I present to you the inaugural Curso Uno BECA.org certificate:

Guilty admission: I did kinda enjoy signing the suckers.

Testing the test

Pilot #2 is winding down, and I have been handed the responsibility of testing our becados on the material they have learned in BECA Course One.

How does one test a group of 40+ becados on typing, windows, internet, and Microsoft Word? Well...through the internet...of course! As novices in administering exams, and even more so in creating them, we decided to put our examen final before some graduated becados from Pilot #1, who are familiar with our course material.

This past Tuesday I set out to a local internet cafe to meet three of our graduated becados. Prior to testing the test, I was only concerned about one thing, "What will they score?" That simple-minded approach left me in a big pickle. Approximately one hour into the exam, I noticed the internet was running a little slowly. No biggie, I thought, this is Nicaragua! A few moments later the worst case scenario became reality, the internet was lost.

I was frustrated for several reasons. 1) The becados had no way of submitting the exam. 2) I did not have a back-up plan. 3) I was paying for the time on these computers, only to result in nada.

So here I am, five days away from the first exam, and still without any clear gauge on how our becados will perform. But at least I have a back-up plan.

Driving Ahead

The mission of BECA is to "combat poverty with education." The idea is to give Nicaraguans an opportunity to improve their economic situation via education.

When I talk to "Becados" I often ask them: "Why are taking this course?" (referring to CURSO UNO, the three month computer course)

Often I hear one of the following responses:
1) Quiero seguir adelante.
2) Quiero superarme.

In other words, they want to "keep driving ahead."

It is a noble thing to say, but frankly it won't be good enough if they want to apply for the second, more intensive scholarship.

They need to have a concrete, tangible career plan. In fact the career plan will represent 20% of their evaluation to see if they qualify for BECA Intensiva.

It is truly wonderful that the becados want to "drive ahead."

We want to know how.

Why Make People Study Computers?

BECA has two scholarship steps in its program: first, CURSO UNO and, second, INTENSIVA.

We are often asked "why"?

BECA is about giving educational opportunities to Nicaraguans who cannot afford to go to school.

Indeed, this sounds very well and good, but the challenging part comes when we have to select scholarship candidates.

Enter CURSO UNO.

If a person has a high school education and is impoverished, we at BECA feel they deserve an opportunity to prove themselves.

CURSO UNO gives them that. It is an introductory computer course that lasts three months. We tell them that if they attend class, apply themselves in their studies, and do a social project in their community, they earn the right to apply for a second "intensive" scholarship which is more substantial.

And because CURSO UNO is only $60 -- yes $60 for a three month, 120 hour computer course! -- we think it is a very cost-effective way of screening candidates.

The rest is up to them.

169 years young

As a stranger in a strange land, I often feel like I'm learning as much as our becados. This is especially true when we are invited to join our becados in Nicaraguan festivities.

On September 2, we were invited to celebrate the birthday of Masaya with partner school, INTECOMP. It started with an early mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in the center of town, and followed with a march from the central plaza to the city's old train station.

As we walked together through the city streets during the heat of the day, I felt honored to be a part of this march. I was honored to be associated with individuals so proud of their city, and to be surrounded by a dynamic group of becados that are a part of our program.











There is no doubt that one of the best parts of my job is the cultural immersion that comes with it. Cultural immersion gives me insight and helps me understand the world around me. That said, it is my hope that our sponsors one day accept our invitations for a visit, just as I do when an invitation is thrown my way.

Four Thousand Words

Cristina, a BECA.org sponsor from Costa Rica, showed up in Masaya this weekend to visit her "becados."

Supposedly, a picture is worth a thousand words.

So, without further adieu, here are four thousand words:

Changing Spaces

After the first 8 months of our existence occupying space kindly donated to BECA.org by Alternativa (a local Microfinance institution), I decided it was time to move on and spread our wings.

I located a house in a central part of Masaya. In the front of the house is an open, tiled area that will serve as our office area. I will live in the back.

I am not crazy about living in the same place where I work, but this solution is in keeping with my obsession about keeping the administrative costs of BECA.org to an efficient, functioning minimum.

The hardest part of all this? Saying goodbye to the Chavarria family with which I have stayed here in Masaya.