Why Isn't He Helping?

Interesting situation these days in the BECA weekend community service projects here in Nicaragua.

(Parenthesis: Scholarship recipients are asked to perform community service for three hours every other Saturday. About 75% comply. They are rewarded for doing so with a payment.)

It seems that some of the students are quite unhappy that some of the participants do all the work while the others just sit around and twiddle their thumbs.

A lot of grumbling and finger-pointing."Why should we do all the work? Why don't those guys get off their asses?"

I really understand their frustration. It doesn't seem fair.

But to all of you frustrated students, may I offer a comment?

"Welcome to the real world, muchachos!"

What is happening in the jornadas is not at all unusual.

Some people do most of the work. The rest are largely bystanders.

In the church. In the community. In schools. And in the workplace.

And here's the catch. The lazies are not going to change.

Nope. No matter what you say, or how you look at them. It won't make any difference.

I suggest an alternative strategy, which I admit isn't easy.

1. Take pride in your own contribution and continue doing the best you know how. 
2. Enjoy the nice, warm feeling that goes along with helping someone. 
3. Accept that not everyone thinks or acts the same way.

The option is yours.

Becado Nelson Chavarria (2010)

It Happened Like This

Masaya, May 2013

"Hey, José, long time no see. How are you?" I belted out to catch an acquaintance's attention on the other side of the street.

"Not bad, Walter. Hey how are you?" José blurted back, making his way across the street to greet me.

"Excelente. What happened to you? Are you still living in Masaya?" extending my hand.

"Always. I will die here. I thought you moved back to Estelí or something like that," José responded.

"Nope. I've been spending more time in Costa Rica recently, but I still live here, José. My mansion is in La Reforma," laughing at my own joke.

"Well that explains that. It doesn't explain why you don't answer your phone," eyeing me skeptically.

"Well, that's odd. I still have the same number. Oh well," sighing and then preparing myself for an amicable adios.

"Before you go, write down your number for me Walter," José demanded.

Patting down my pockets, "I have a pen, José but no paper."

"Well I don't have my phone on me either. "Here, scribble it down on this," reaching down and picking up something from the street.

"On this? Are you serious?" I asked incredulously.

"Of course," he retorted. "Hurry up, I have a meeting."

"Okay," I sheepishly replied. "Here you go."

"Gracias. Take care, Walter."

"Ciao, José."

The "A" Word

Someone asked me the other day what really really bugs me. You know the list of contenders: racism, ignorance, poverty, selfishness, etc.

I didn't have an immediate answer and although the subject matter is a little negative for my tastes, I found myself pondering the question later that day.

And come to think of it there is something.

Arrogance.

I have no patience for it.

It has to do with people (or organizations) who think that they are in some way superior to other people (or organizations).

The default is to associate arrogance with money. For me, material wealth is only one of several dimensions in which arrogance can rear its ugly head. Consider the following:

• Intelligence . . . . . . .I can outsmart you!
• Physical beauty . . . You are fat!
• Career . . . . . . . . . . .He's a taxi driver!

Interestingly, I find there is much less arrogance in Nicaragua than in Canada. Or for that matter, than most other places I've visited or lived.

Appreciation.

I much prefer this "A" word.

I Know Somebody

Let me tell you a little bit about a person I know.

It's a person who is willing to hear out the problems one may have.

It's a person who is willing to listen (and not interrupt).

It's a person who is willing to admit their errors and offer an apology -- without justifications -- if the person deems it necessary.

It's a person willing to say "I don't know," if they believe they really don't know.

Yes it's a person who is not perfect and may have faults, like working way, way too hard. How horrible!

And I ask you dear reader to guess the age of the abovementioned person.

50?

Not even close.

40?

Nope.

30?

Getting warm.

This person celebrated her 22nd birthday yesterday (6-4-13).

Many happy returns, Maryury. 

What a bright future BECA.org has with you on its team.

Thank you for being one of the inspirations for my continuing to work in Nicaragua.

Point Taken

All of the active BECA scholarship recipients are asked to participate in weekend community service projects twice a month.

On the second and fourth Saturday morning of every month for about three hours most of our students get together to clean up schools, tutor children, donate blood and other stuff like that. They pay their own transport to attend.

And beginning this year, the students have been coming up with the project ideas themselves. The default choice is usually cleaning up a primary school.

It all sounds really great, right?

Not so fast.

A lotta grumbling lately. From the students. And who bears the brunt of this grumbling? Our Coordinators, which really isn't right.

The projects aren't obligatory but the students who participate receive a "bonus" payment along with their regular monthly stipend. Therein may lie the problem, I dunno.

Some staff members and students feel that the social projects should be compulsory. And without any "bonus." Others think we should do away with the projects entirely. Or at least put them on hold. Yada yada yada.

I was explaining this situation to an Argentinian friend. Her response was quite interesting.

"Let's not forget that BECA itself is a social project." 

Hmmmm.

Point taken.

Just Because

Did you know that BECA has a video of every scholarship recipient since 2008?

Yep.

(Here's the link to the playlist on our Youtube channel.)

The idea at that time was to make a video of all of the candidates and post them on our website to aid individual sponsors in selecting a student to sponsor.

BECA has since abandoned the individual sponsorship model.

Nevertheless, we intend to continue with more videos of our new becados this July.

Economically it doesn't make much sense.

But it serves as a lasting memory for the student and for our BECA family.

It isn't all about dollars and cents. Sometimes you have to do some things just . . . .

Well, just because.

Here's one of my all-time faves:

Blood, Sweat, Tears & Pesos

"Why doesn't BECA pay for student transportation in the classification stage? BECA is supposed to be helping young people, not be making it more difficult for them." 

This is something that I hear once in a while.

I admit that the criticism irks me a bit, especially when it comes from do-gooders working in other non-profit organizations here in Nicaragua.

Nevertheless, I kind of understand their logic.

After all, if BECA is an anti-poverty organization, what in the world is it doing making poor people scrape up bus money to attend computer classes? Just give 'em the money, say the critics.

Here is the opposing -- and our -- view.

BECA is all about facilitating scholarships for serious-minded young Nicaraguans.

The key word is serious.

And the way we see it, somewhere along the line there has to a sacrifice of some kind. And in our program that happens to include a financial sacrifice.

Our experience in BECA has shown that ambitious, passionate young people will do what they have to do to come up with that transportation money for six months.

• They work part-time jobs. 
• They bug their parents. 
• They ask their relatives. 
• They ask around at their church. 
• They ask their local governments (new for 2013!)

If people feel an opportunity is worthwhile, they will make the sacrifice.

Bottom line? Handouts just don't work!

And you know the best part?

At the end of their journey, when our candidates make it to graduation day, they can proudly declare that they have earned their scholarship, fair and square.

And not because of any handout from some generous, high-minded benefactors.

But because of their own blood, sweat, tears and pesos.

It's a glorious day.

BECA Course One Graduating Class, Matagalpa, December 2011