15 Minutes

I'm sure almost all of you have been on the receiving end of one of the following:

1. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." 
2. "It shouldn't take me more than fifteen minutes." 

Yeah, right.

Quickly, fifteen minutes turns into thirty minutes, and sometimes more.

Interestingly, the same phenomenom exists here in Central America.

Except for "fifteen minutes," one might hear "ahora" (Nicaragua) or "cinco minutos" (Costa Rica).

Why do we insist on these little white lies?

Wouldn't it be easier to say 30 minutes and then issue a pleasant surprise by arriving early?

One of those great unexplained mysteries in life.

Perhaps not on the same scale as Stonehenge, but mysterious nonetheless.

I gave myself 15 minutes to write this piece.

You know what happened.

Sigh.

"You are Cheapskates!"

A common refrain of the students in BECA. 

Directed to all of us on the BECA team who administer the BECA scholarship program in Nicaragua.

This complaint often arises when it comes to student requests for extraordinary school supplies. (An example might be a nurse's uniform.)

Admittedly, our current process is very bureaucratic. BECA asks for a signed and sealed letter from the Director of the school. And we are the first to acknowledge that it isn't an easy matter.

Why in the world do we make it so complicated?

First, the process was not always this way. In fact, as early last year the process was a lot simpler. Unfortunately, there were abuses and some students took liberties. The consequence? The team decided that stricter rules were necessary and, as a result, all of the students are paying for these indiscretions.

Second, we know that the present process must be improved. It is on the agenda of the 2013 staff retreat in October. In the meantime, any idea that any student may have to streamline the process in a fair, efficient way is welcome.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, is the following: BECA's funds are not unlimited! I have personally tried to impress upon the team that we have to watch every penny. BECA is about offering an educational opportunity. Every penny saved means a penny that can go towards creating an opportunity for another serious, young Nicaraguan next year.

Fortunately, the current BECA team of Urania, Maryury, and Reynaldo understand this last point very well.

So don't be surprised if the next time we hear "you are cheapskates!", you hear the following in response:

"Thanks for the compliment!"

I Believe in You

"Creo en usted."

I go around saying this all the time to BECA's students (and to BECA's staff).

I say it in e-mail communications.

I say it in blog commentaries.

And I say it in person, when I get the chance.

I suspect that some students are even tired of hearing it. "There goes Walter again with his I believe in you shtick."

Why do I continue?

It's the basic principle upon which BECA is founded. A belief in the young people of Nicaragua.

The scholarship is a way of confirming that belief in them.

Happily most BECA scholars finish their studies. But not all do. Sometimes the harsh realities of life here dictate.

And I'm okay with that.

What matters to me is that this tiny organization steps up to that serious-minded young person and says "Here you go. You deserve this opportunity. We believe in you."

That, folks, is what it's all about.

Today, August 14, 2013, marks the "official" five-year anniversary of BECA.org Nicaragua. It's an opportune moment for me to turn the tables a little bit and say . . .

Thank you to my supportive family and my lifelong friends.

Thank you to the people who have advised me along the way.

Thank you to all of the becados since day one and to their families.

Thank you to the current BECA staff: Maryury, Reynaldo, and Urania.

Thank you for what?

Thank you for BELIEVING IN ME and this little idea I had.

I am very grateful.

It's been the best five years of my life.

Hidden Treasure of BECA

We have something in BECA that is special.

Very special and rarely trumpeted.

It's our hidden treasure because we really don't do enough to let people know about it.

It's the student blog.

Every week, our students share a little bit about their lives with us.

EVERY WEEK!

And in all my research of youth organizations all over the world, I must say I haven't come across anything quite like it.

Yes, I've seen attempts. A student essay here. A collection of photos there.

But nothing comes even close to the discipline of our program participants. Week in and week out, the great majority of our becados write about their lives. 

I consider it quite an accomplishment.

Let's put this into perspective. Before they joined BECA, most didn't even know how to use a computer or surf the Internet, let alone write a blog.

Pretty cool.

Now if we only figure out a way to tell the world about it . . .

A blog, perhaps? 

I Don't Have Anything to Write About !

This is a complaint the BECA team hears quite a bit.

From our students.

About their blogs! [Parenthesis: The students are asked to keep a weekly blog. Most of them do it. The directory is here.]

Here are some of the regular refrains:

• "I have nothing to write about." 
• "Nobody is interested in what I have to say."
• "My mind is numb."
• "My head is full of school stuff. No room for blog stuff."
• "My life is boring." 
• "I've already written about everything there is to write about."

What our students don't realize is that their lives are actually super-interesting. They just don't see it that way. Oh well.

So I've decided to be proactive and make a few suggestions for blog topics:

1. If I could change one thing about BECA.org what would it be and why?
2. Five things I want to do before I die
3. If I came face to face with God, what would I ask?
4. My bravest moment
5. How I met my best friend
6. What makes my mom (or dad) so special
7. If I won a million dollars, what is the first thing I would buy and why?
8. If I could change lives with someone, who would that person be?
9. If my dog could talk, what would I ask it?
10. What will nicaragua be like in 100 years?
11. The animal I'd most like to be
12. If I could change one thing about myself
13. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my whole life

Hey, and if you have any good ideas, why don't you stick them in this document. (English is okay.)

Let's call this "Mission: NMBC" (No más blog complaints.)

Gracias for reading.

One of My Favorite Professional Sports Moments Ever

I am not much of a professional baseball fan.

In fact, I rarely watch it.

Sometimes I pay attention to the World Series, but I don't lose any sleep if I miss it.

Nevertheless, there is one thing I adore about it.

Mariano Rivera.

He's a pitcher from Panama who plays for the New York Yankees.

What makes him so great in my eyes? His "best relief pitcher of all time" stats?

Nope.

It's the way he carries himself, despite his superstar status in the sport.

I have never seen any star player in any North American professional league at any time conduct himself like Mariano Rivera conducts himself. (And that's saying something coming from someone who grew up watching Wayne Gretzky.)

A model of decency and humility.

Happily, it's not only me who thinks so.

How You Can Save an Endangered Species Today

I'm concerned about the future of a species that seems to be dwindling fast.

It's a human sub-species that we are familiar with.

It's the "optimist."

You know the type.

The person with something positive to say, usually with a smile.

The person who looks at the bright side.

The person who sees opportunity, instead of defeat.

The person with nary a bad word to say about anyone.

In these modern times characterized by a pervasive cynical press this species is dying, folks.

What can we do to prevent extinction?

1. Keep them close. 
2. Let them know how important they are to us: look them in the eye, and tell them how much we value them and their positive outlook on life.

I'm optimistic the species can be saved with this spiritual nourishment.