The Project

Jocotes - Credit: Oscar Mota

Project : Arena is about taking the opportunity we have today to try out and experiment with life around us with this online sandbox that we’re lucky to have. Being able to access knowledge and networks is something that I’ve been interested in ever since the first time I used the internet.

Arena means ’sand’ in Spanish and comes from the Latin harena, linked to the fact that sand was used in Roman amphitheatres to soak up the blood of unfortunate gladiators!

Fortunately, today, in the internet age we don’t have to pay for our mistakes with our blood. Lucky. Instead, with the internet, networking and social media, we have one big learning opportunity on all our doorsteps.

More than simply allowing us to communicate and converse, a big chunk of why I love the internet is how it helps us learn.

And why jocote.org? Why the jocotes? Here’s the thing: jocotes are a very special, sweet and fragrant fruit I learnt about in Guatemala. They’re small, often overlooked and even under-appreciated. But for me, they were something very specific that made that experience distinct and special. [Certainly not the only thing. Meeting my wife and starting our family, ranks quite high up there as well :- )]

In this way, while so much about life is confused and complex, to remain open to learn and relearn about life around you is certainly a special project as projects go.

Anyway…

Here are the topics and specific areas of interest on this blog (in no particular order):

• Volunteer management and volunteering in general
• Online advice and support services
• Human rights issues, particularly in Guatemala and Central America
• Work to combat extreme poverty