Thanksgiving, Canadian Style

Oh, another Thanksgiving. Not another one of those. And I'm spending it alone, once again.

In years past my norm was to fire a glib global mental thank you note to the universe for everything. And then nonchalantly move on to the rest of my day.

Not this year.

Although alone, and relatively far away -- the fact of the matter is that I am surrounded by many people who take care of me. Odd as that may sound.

This thanksgiving I want to call them out.

I start with my mother Sophie Hunchak. She takes care of me.

My sister Kelly, brother-in-law Elmar Klapstein, and their children Serena, Matthew, and Mila. They take care of me.

I have four wonderful lifelong friends -- my four "horsemen" -- Darren Pentelechuk, Graham "The Weasel" Atkins, Ron Schuldhaus, and Albert Lavergne. Together with their wives Marlane, Maria, Avery, and Ingrid, they take care of me.

I also have a group of Ukrainian friends, of which Dale and Bernie Mandrusiak, and Lana and Kirk Toth are the principals. These people take care of me.

In my Nicaraguan home works a young housekeeper -- Mercedes -- who takes care of me.

As some of you know, in 2014 I lost two of my primary caregivers: my father Walter and my Godmother Rose Lunchak. They both took good care of me. Before they passed, I didn't have the opportunity to thank them for taking care of me. It is something I regret.

If you are blessed like I am and have people in your life who take care of you . . .

I am thankful.

Extended Coffee Break

I'm taking a break from blogging for a little while (effective February 2014).

Gracias for paying attention.

Gracias x 452 =

My formal term as Executive Director of BECA.org Nicaragua has come to an end.

As have my days of weekly blogging.

I have struggled for days to come up with the words for my "farewell" blog post.

I am left with only one, worth repeating 452 times.

Some of you may understand why.

Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias Gracias

Enjoy the Cold!

No, I'm not making fun of all of you people enduring harsh winters up north.

I feel for you.

I really do.

So much so that I did something in your honor.

I went to McDonald's in Managua and ordered a brimming, hot coffee to warm me up.

Well, okay, not to warm me up. I reside in a tropical country, after all.

But to remind me of my many, many visits to Tim Horton's drive thru's buying Canada's favorite coffee to warm me up on those chilly winter mornings.

Tim Horton's - Canada's Coffee Shop of Preference

Alas, no Tim Horton's here in Nicaragua. McDonald's would just have to be my surrogate.

And McDonald's did not disappoint.

Touching my heart with the snowflakes on the coffee cup.

Managua, January 2014

Isn't life wonderful?

I Like Mondays

One of my most enjoyable experiences living in Nicaragua is passing time with the BECA staff.

The staff is currently composed of Maryury Ruíz, Urania Montoya, and Reynaldo López.

Each has a very different personality. The words nonconformist, permeable, and maverick come to mind. I'll leave the matching up to you. [smile]

Historically our Mondays are spent together. We call it BECA Pro.

In BECA Pro, I try to impart some of the business techniques and knowledge that I believe have served me well in my business life. Admittedly, it's a very subjective curriculum.

I consider BECA Pro one of my most satisfying endeavors here in Nicaragua.

It is amazing what these young people are capable of when they put their minds to it.

As I begin to step off the stage, I am encouraging Maryury, Urania, and Reynaldo to continue with BECA Pro and share what they have learned with other BECA program graduates.

I hope they make it happen!

Is "Excited Canadian" an Oxymoron?

A newsworthy week for a lot of people in my native country, Canada.

The Winter Olympics are coming up soon.

With the Winter Olympics comes the hockey tournament.

And with the hockey tournament comes the announcement of the Canadian hockey team.

Where I come from this is a pretty big deal. Hockey pervades life in Canada on many dimensions beginning at an early age: participation, viewership, and discussion.

It's all very exciting. Even for yours truly thousands of miles and an ice hockey-ignorant culture away.

One thing I couldn't help but notice during the media frenzy up north: how can it be that Canadian hockey players are so darn dull?

You would think that being selected to "Canada's team" would allow a moment -- even a split-second -- of unbridled enthusiasm.

No way, José!

It got me to thinking. Are Canadian hockey players a microcosm of the Canadian population?

Are we all really that boring?

The Gulping Elephant in the Room

Since 2008 I have been married to BECA.

And while the relationship continues to be a joyful one, 2014 will be a pivotal year for both of us.

How so?

I'm looking for my "wife" of five and a half years to exert herself and stand up on her on own.

At least a little bit.

Yes, I think the BECA program is truly wonderful and deserves a place in the Charity Hall of Fame, but . . . . I'm mildly partial. ;-)

At the end of the day the local participants should be the judges of that, right?

Herein lies the elephant question in the room: "Would BECA survive without Walter?"

 
At the end of January I intend to relinquish my formal role as Executive Director. (My supervisory role will continue.)

For the balance of 2014, I will be paying attention to the following three indicators:

• The willingness of working program graduates to support new program entrants financially.
• The level of student participation in the weekend community projects. (They will be optional in 2014.)
• The will of the Nicaraguan staff to act impartially.

Ultimately, Nicaragua will decide my marriage's fate.

And I have no problem with that. 

[gulp]

@RSVP

Is it just me or is it that no one replies to e-mails anymore?

People just don't get back to you.

Or even acknowledge receipt!

Why?

• Is the social etiquette different for electronic communication?
• Is it the sheer informality of the medium?
• Or is it a larger sign of our latest modernity?

(I hope it's not the latter. I'd prefer to opt out.)

One thing that I have always tried to impress upon the BECA staff is the importance of acknowledging all communications. Including e-mails.

And they do!

But they must really be wondering why so few respond in kind.

Well, what is it? Why don't you respond to e-mails?

I promise to get back to you.

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.

The Demise of Project Call Center

This week the BECA staff decided -- with my full support -- to shut down BECA's "Project Call Center."

I'm very disappointed. From the beginning it has been a project close to my heart.

The original logic behind Project Call Center was the following. One of the only industries in Nicaragua in which there is demand for labor is the call center industry. The pay is well above average; about USD $500 a month. To get a job, you have to speak reasonably-good English.

My thinking was, let's take a bunch of interested students and teach them English. Intensively. At the best schools we can find. BECA's investment will be higher than usual, but the students will be able to pay us back once they are working.

How hard could that be?

It turns out much harder than I thought.

Almost two years have passed, and the original six participants still haven't received firm offers for employment.

I figure that the original six -- we call them the "pioneers" -- speak pretty darn good.

Obviously, the call centers think otherwise.

I feel we threw everything we had at them. Different schools (including months at a supposedly prestigious language institute associated with a supposedly prestigious university), personal instruction from native speakers, a custom-designed curriculum.

There comes a time when you say enough is enough.

And lesson learned.

But what exactly might that lesson be?

Don't stray from your original values.

One of the basic core values of our organization is impartiality.

We didn't practice what we preach. We dedicated an inordinate amount of resources to a handful of program participants, potentially at the expense of others. And then we did the unthinkable, admitting even more participants ("Project Call Center II") at the beginning of 2013.

It wasn't right.

It was my idea and I accept full responsibility.

I don't have any regrets. We pilot many things in BECA, always seeking to innovate and improve.

It was just that this pilot went on way too long.

In closing, allow me to extend my gratitude to the all of the program participants for their persistence and their patience. Thanks for hanging in there!

Our belief in you remains unequivocal.

My favorite pic of the BECA "Pioneers." (2013) From Left: Al, Ellie, Kel, Heissy, Manny and Ollie.

 

            

The Mystery of a Messy Masaya

The Nicaraguan town in which I live is called Masaya.

It's quaint, lively, and friendly.

And one big fat mess.

This month (October 2013) I celebrate six years in Nicaragua. And to this day all the garbage on the street remains a huge mystery to me.

A mystery for two reasons.

First, Masayans are fastidiously clean. Masayan homes are immaculate. They're spotless!

Second, Nicaraguans are patriotic people. They are extremely proud of their heritage and their beautiful country. It befuddles me why they choose not to pay attention to communal areas and their precious land.

When I receive new visitors to Masaya, I welcome them with two advices.

1) "Mind the cars."

2) "Don't mind the garbage."

They always have a harder time with the second one.

Me and 35,175 Ticos*

Maybe not quite 35,175.

But close.

What am I talking about here?

I am on vacation in Costa Rica and last night I took in the Costa Rican national soccer team match against Mexico in the national stadium.

Quite the adventure!

Here are some recommendations in case you care to attempt something similar:

• Don't bring your umbrella. It will be confiscated at the door.
• Don't buy the national team flag of the opposing national team.
• If you ignore the previous suggestion, don't even think about waving it during the match.
• Keep your cash in a zipped pocket.
• Feel free to wear the jersey of the opposing team, but don't cheer if they score.
• If the opposing team is the national team of Mexico, yelling "Arriba, Arriba, Arriba" (speedy Gonzalez-style) is a no-no.

If you missed it, the result was positive for the home team (2-1).

It ended with fans in my section yelling at the top of their lungs "Get Out, Get Out, Get Out."

No, they weren't shouting at me.

I think.

*Costa Ricans are typically known as Ticos.

How Does the BECA Team Work?

You may have heard me use the term "REY13" before.

What exactly is REY13?

It is the code name I gave a pilot project initiated this year in BECA.org.

In project REY13 -- with the cooperation of a high school in an outlying community of Masaya -- BECA began the scholarship qualifying stage while the students were still in their last year of high school. The logic is that in this way, the successful candidates will not "lose a year."

This is how we work in BECA Nicaragua. By project.

BECA's staff is trained in managing projects. I create and assign the projects. And then I do my best to try to help them along. (Or stay out of the way in some cases.)

Managing projects is an advanced skill. And in my experience, not many people know how to do it.

Fewer know how to do it well.

I decided that this was more empowering in the longer term for the organization.

It's a transferable skill that each team member can carry with them when they choose to leave us.

As it turns out, pilot project REY13 came to an end this week. Of 11 high school students who began their BECA journey eight months ago, 10 successfully completed their qualifying.

I congratulate all ten participants on their achievement and I congratulate project manager Miss Urania Montoya on its stewardship.

The Ideas Man

A good friend of mine calls me an "ideas man."

It's a fair description.

The BECA team would probably say the same thing.

I can just hear them say now "Uh oh, here comes Walter with another of his crazy ideas." (Of course they are WAY too polite to actually come out and say it.) 
 
Anyway, the point is that I come up with lots of ideas -- good ones, bad ones, and downright ugly ones.

Here are some examples from my time here in Nicaragua.

Expanding BECA in 2010 to two other Nicaraguan cities. BECA was not even close to being ready for that. It was premature and impulsive. Put that one in the ugly category.

Offering BECA.org Course One, BECA's scholarship classification stage, on the weekends. The desertion rate was close to 50%.  Bad idea.

Positively, partnering with Nicaraguan bank BAC and getting debit cards in the hands of all of our scholars was a good idea. It makes distributing their monthly stipends a breeze.

Adding a social service component, the "Brigada," to the classification stage has proven to be a big win-win-win for our organization, the participants, and the primary schools that benefit. Belongs in the good idea basket.

My best idea so far?

That's easy.

Deciding that BECA should be run by its own graduates.

And it was my idea, man!

Maryury Ruíz and Urania Montoya (September 2013)