Blog 5 Microlending in the States

I do not think a Microlending program would work here in America. America is a country that is run by Corporations and their public official puppets. The market is such that a small business has to do all it possibly can and more in order to survive. The corporations are sucking resources and money out of the States and spreading it among the wealthiest in the world, which has no particular constituency or nation which they support. The corporations are the ruling institution right now and they are holding back other businesses and making it near impossible for small business to rise up.

Small businesses create jobs and are often the backbone of society. America has been on top of the world thus far for several reasons according to a theory of mine. After World Wars I and II America was the only super power left intact therefore their resources went directly into the economy and the growth thereof. When you are the only manufacturing nation left able to make goods, it’s not hard to be on top. Europe has finally caught up and is beginning to surpass us, as well as China. America has also had many resources which it can acquire inexpensively. Small business in the early 20th century has served this nation well and took it to the top. Now at the turn of 21st Century the world market has gone global and small businesses are becoming a thing of the past.

Belize is a "Third World Country" its market has not been touched by globalism like America; big business (corporate) cannot take off in the laid-back Caribbean culture. The internet is a rarity in Belize and the most media that the Belizeans are exposed to would be that of television. Here in the States, small businesses cannot keep up with the massive power and seemingly unlimited budgets of the mighty corporations. Not to mention, if they fail- the government will be there to refund them into existence with tax payer dollars, totally defeating the very tenets of a free capitalist market and becoming more of a Fascist government state where the Federal controls the market.

This is why I think Microlending has little to no chance of becoming sustainable here in America.

Blog 4 Comparing my observations to those of my career aspirations.

I want to be a masterful musician. I want to play shows, I want to teach drums, piano, and guitar, I also want to teach music theory in the high school setting. These are all about as related as a carpenter who can weld steel and make pottery. I know it will take a lot of work, but I do not mind it. Music moves me and it makes me happy and that is all that matters to me. My heart is what makes me who I am, and now it makes up what I do.
The people of Belize are easy going and make time to relax and enjoy their lives. This is something I want to carry with me for the rest of my life. Being a musician I will be in full control of my own life and my dreams. My experiences have always consisted of happiness and a new wholistic perspective that includes people of all beliefs and nationalities.
My career aspirations have become one with my hopes and dreams. My Belize experiences have become one with my new perspective. Belize has taught me to be a confident and independent person while still being unified in positive qualities and ways of life. Belize has taught me to feel my life while still being able to make intelligible decisions this is the way I want my music to be; skillful and full of soul.
What we physically did down in Belize does not have much to do with reading music, playing an instrument, or teaching someone to do these things. What we did down in Belize has everything to do with me being a stronger more driven person, and what is behind every successful person is a strong drive to be great.

Blog Post 3!

I connect to the service I engage in by fulfilling my beliefs. I think it is essential that humanity comes to a realization that we are one, but we think we are separate. My service to others is done in a fashion that helps my fellow people in one way or another. Just imagine if the whole world thought of itself as one great team and we all worked together to make the world a safer more efficient place. It would be a Utopia. I realize that this idealistic Utopian society will most likely never occur. That won't keep me from trying. I think it is our duty to fight for idealist things that may never occur, it is honorable and the very struggle and effort we put into the fight will help the world in some way. A man once said, "A man who will not fight and die for something is not fit to live." I live by this and my fight is for a better tomorrow. There will always be tomorrow; therefore, I will always fight to see to it that my fellow people will live on.
I think the Belize Microlending trip is a manifestation of the idea of helping each other, even if you are thousands of miles apart. The ideas are what make the world what they are. If there are positive, strong ideas being shared like the Microlending trip to Belize, others will admire it and hopefully take it into consideration. This in essence will keep the spirit of goodwill alive, thus making the world a better place.
I talked to my theology teacher recently and she is very passionate about the equality in human rights. We talked about the underprivileged in many societies and cultures around the world. She wants people around the world to be under a universal code of equality that gives everyone an equal chance to get ahead in life, regardless of social, racial or gender orientation. I told her about the trip to Belize and she was happy to hear that people here at Bellarmine really cared about the bettering of social situations and creating infrastructure to give underprivileged people a more equal chance at life.
JB

Blog Numero Dos

What is your reaction to yunnus' ideas? How do you connect or differentiate this ideology with philanthropy and service?
I think Muhammad Yunnus has powerful innovative ideas. His avant-garde theories and work have molded a new outlook on philanthropic and service work. Yunnus' visionary work has been uplifting, and people seem to connect with his persona, much like Obama's Hope campaign. I think it takes an idealist leader like Muhammad Yunnus to make real change, but I feel that his aspirations are too unrealistic and optimistic in nature. Yunnus has a universal plan to help the poor through methods of Microlending which are specific to his personal experiences and study. According to Yunnus, the best, most successful version of Microlending is his own. Results will tell another story; Microlending, by the book, has been used in Harlem, New York and places in the Appalachian Mountains, failing to make a wide scale impact. The people of Harlem specifically, did not respond well to the repayment aspect of the loan, and the people of Appalachia had trouble with communicating to their loan officials for lack of infrastructure. Clearly there needs to be some sort of adaptation for different cultures and peoples.
I connect with Yunnus on an idealistic level, hope and raising the standard of living for all people means a great deal to me. I do not connect to him on the specialized tactics he uses for philanthropic work. I think there needs to be some form of middle ground and the rest is catered to the culture and nature of the loan recipients.
My take on service work has been changed because of my Microcredit experiences. I think service work is great when it is necessary; for the elderly or disabled. Service for the able and willing is not making much of an impact on the infrastructure a society depends upon. Why not give the poor a tool instead of using it for them, if they are capable and willing, like Microloan recipients, let the people express themselves through labor and sweat.

Blog Entry Numero Uno..

My expectations for this class and the trip are reasonable and realistic. I expect to learn the microlending process thoroughly. I expect my classmates and myself to get to know eachother in a dependable and friendly manner. I expect my everyone to respect and immerse themselves in the laid-back Belizean culture. I also expect the students to have as much a role in the trip as the leaders do, democratically making group desicions will help mold us into Team Belize '10. I also expect those who have already been on the trip to take on roles that will help the group's desicion making process.
I am curious whether we are going to do team-building exercises or real-life problem solving situations. I think it would help us become a stronger team, and let everyone know we can rely on one another. From past experiences and going to Belize, I know that getting to know your team and being prepared for virtually any circumstance is key. When were are down in Belize. all we will have is eachother and our limited amounted of resources. I am not saying we are going to get lost our first day or we one of us will get ill, I am saying that we need to know we can depend on eachother in good times and in bad. Being familiar with one another will also help us have more fun. Granted we won't know eachother like the back of our hand, we will know basic things like what to talk about or what not to talk about. Last years trip was great, but one of things I would have liked to change is to do team building exercises and have Team Belize get-togethers. I hope we do some of those things this year.
I bring a sensible business savy outlook on our Belizean endeavors. I will be sympathetic to fellow Belizers and I plan on befriending everyone. I want others to bring a cool and level mind to help make this trip the best it can be in everyway.