Preocupado

My work as a business volunteer in Peace Corps Nicaragua is teaching high school students how to become an entrepreneur and how they can build a reasonable business from the ground up using local resources. You do not have to be rich nor come from a wealthy family. The only thing you need is an imagination that provides creativity. With a creative mind and being able to think reasonably and escape the box that most of us seem to be trapped in we can achieve the goals of an entrepreneur.

Each class builds of the previous class. It is a step by step curriculum that we teach the students. Their ultimate final project is to present their business and product to judges at a local competition. The winning group advances to regionals and one winning team from regionals will advance to compete with 11 other teams in the national business competition.

Outside of class, I work with the teachers co-planning each class, coordinate important dates with the principals, and seek help and guidance through the superintendent as he can further help direct me and use his connections with the mayor´s office when it comes time for fund-raising etc. We fund-raise to buy prizes for winning teams, space rental if needed, drinks and food if needed, and for the students to use this money for starting their business or initial capital. During the school year we as business volunteers try to prepare everything for the days leading up to the local business competition we hold in our municipal. That way we do not spend our last couple days freaking out.

Well, I thought I had everything under control. I forgot that I was working in a different culture. Not everything is going to go my way. I had a place secure for the competition, I thought my students were excited, and I thought we would have help from the Mayors office to transport my students from my outlying communities to my town for the day of the competition. Well, the fiscal year here ends end of September and begins first of October. You think a month a head of time would be sufficient to ask for help from the Mayors office, but by this time they have the budget set for their "Fiesta Patria" week and my sites birthday. When you come back after this week, they are like "well, we spent the last of our budget having a blast last week and do not have next years budget ready." What?!

So, what do you do now. For me, I worried. My mom is a worrier. Maybe I get it from her because I strive to have things in line, in-suit, perfect and to the "T". Life never works like that especially in a different culture. I have been correcting mistakes and math in my students written business plans and it has been overwhelming. I feel that if they would have paid attention in class like I had asked, or at least ask questions letting me know they did not understand so I could better explain or teach them, then I would not be correcting a million mistakes. I want most for my students to be successful and I felt like maybe I could help. I am just not receiving that response I was hoping.

I have since let my worries go. What ever is going to happen will happen and I will take the reins from there. I cannot let these things get to me when I do not have control, it is pointless.

"Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless." - Thomas A. Edison