Trial + Errors = Joy

Note: This has been adapted from my letter in the BECA Newsletter, December 2011

As I've mentioned before, BECA has had its fair share of ups and downs in 2011.

Although frustrating at times, these bumps along the way really are to be expected.

How come?

I feel it is important to always keep trying new things. To experiment. To push the envelope.

This was my philosophy in business and I see no reason -- or am too stubborn -- to change now.

The benefit? Despite falling flat on your face on a regular basis, occasionally you stumble upon a jewel.

That happened this year with the BECA Brigade.

"Brigadista" Becada Yessica Lanuza from Estelí

The BECA Brigade mandates that each scholarship candidate spend three months volunteering full-time at a primary school as part of their qualification process.

At the beginning most of the students don't like the idea. Some hate it, and resist to the point of dropping out.

But the majority hang in there.

And after three years plugging along here in Nicaragua nothing -- NOTHING -- has given me greater joy than to personally witness the loving relationships that develop between our "Brigadistas" and their elementary school "clients."

(I encourage you to take a moment and check out some of the evidence.)

Although the main thrust of BECA remains to facilitate post-secondary educational opportunities, I am happy to report that BECA has made this kind of seredipitous and beautiful consequence possible.