Investment not Charity

I could really relate to a newspaper article that appeared in a Canadian periodical recently.

It begins like this,

Former governor-general Michaëlle Jean has a message for Canadians about Haiti: The country now needs investment, not charity.

and further down in the article quotes Ms Jean:

“Aid is good in a crisis situation. But once the crisis is over, you have to build on what’s sustainable.”

In what I can see here in Nicaragua, a similar paradigm is at play.

Although Nicaragua has long been heavily dependent upon foreign assistance, funnelled through thousands of non-profit organizations, I believe Ms.Jean is on the right track and it's time for a “profound change in the paradigm.”

I would add one little thing to her thesis. It's also time for Nicaraguan stakeholders, like local governments, well-off citizens, and prospering Nicaraguan industy -- yes, there is such a thing -- to step up to the plate and participate.

Handouts just don't work.

This becomes clearer and clearer to me each passing day, week and month here on the ground in Nicaragua.

What does this mean for BECA?

Beginning in 2012, it means putting a greater emphasis on pursuing local corporate participation.

After all, if Nicaraguan society refuses to recognize the value of what we are trying to do here, then . . . well . . .  what the heck are we doing here?