In Memory of Benson Venegas
|
Please join us in honoring our dear friend Benson Venegas (1962-2009)
Success is about how many people smile at you, how many people you love and how many admire your sincerity and the simplicity of your spirit. It is about your kindness, your desire to serve, your ability to listen, the courage of your conduct, your invincible dignity, and your desire to be more, not to possess more. Benson Venegas
Benson had a way of communicating to widely diverse audiences the importance of local and indigenous work, and the difference it can make, always in clear and simple terms that carried with them the honestly and integrity of a genuine spirit. There was no mistaking that he understood and cared deeply for his work. He inspired many community leaders by showing them that it was possible to truly “stand alongside” heads of state and governments to share the success of community-based approaches for sustainable human well-being. His greatest contributions, without a doubt, have been in the area of bringing people – from bureaucrats to campesinos – together and making them realize that solutions to problems are within the grasp of the community. Beyond his professional achievements, Benson was a friend. He endeared himself to so many along the way. We met Benson when the Talamanca Initiative won the inaugural Equator Prize in 2002 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then he has served as an ambassador of the Equator Initiative at countless events, as a speaker and panelist on biodiversity and poverty issues, as a facilitator at numerous dialogue spaces, and as a member of the Equator Initiative board. His love of life and laughter was contagious. He will be remembered by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him for this, for his big smile and his even bigger heart. He was and remains a hero of the Equator Initiative. On behalf of the Equator Initiative and all our partners, we invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating the life of a man who touched and changed the lives of so many of us. In the space below, we invite you to view the memories, remarks, and kind words of Benson’s many friends and leave your own. Thank you in advance for your kindness, and let us always remember the lessons we have gleaned from this truly wonderful man, Benson Venegas.
Comments (19)
Colega
written by Hugh Govan, August 16, 2010
Te extranamos, Benson. Gracias por todo, Pura Vida.
Rest in Peace Benson
written by George Mwale, March 19, 2010
Have never meet but have read much about him from this site,may his soul rest in peace and may he rest in the peaceful arms of the Lord
Guassa-Menz Conservation Initiative (Ethiopia)
written by Zelealem Tefera Ashenafi, March 14, 2010
Like so many others I was stunned to hear about Benson's death. Benson loved the EI. His energy, commitment and knowledge of communication and leadership skills inspired years of EI Fellows. Benson helped shape the EI through his work. He was a living example of what he taught and believed in. He will be sorely missed. His message reached many and will continue to be given by others now around the world.
He was,is and will always be an Inspiration
written by Ole Mepukori, February 24, 2010
I never met him, but his work is there for us so see and learn from. From his work i can tell you for sure what kind of man he was, he has inspired me from heaven and his work will inspire many more, May His Soul rest in a better place
In Memory of Benson Venegas
written by PIYASOMA BENTOTA, February 20, 2010
Dear ben [man with smil]
May you attain Nibbana.
Instructor - Sonoma County Indian Health Project
written by Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D., January 27, 2010
May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing and an inspiration
Instructor - Sonoma County Indian Health Projecct
written by Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D., January 27, 2010
May he rest in peace
Fundacion Accion Ambiental- Colombia
written by RODRIGO HERNAN VIVAS ROSAS, January 22, 2010
Tambie tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Benson Vanegas en nuestro trabajo y encuntro de la Comunnity Kraal en ubuntu Village en Johanesburgo sudafrica en el 2002, recurdo su seriedad y sonrisa y sobre todo su disposicion a oientar y su enorme sencilles. Luego en varias oportunidades pudimos curzar algunos email y conocer mas de su trabajo./ Que Dios lo tenga en su Gloria y decanse en Paz. Un Abrazo a nuestros amigos de Guatemala y todos de la red ambiental. adelante con nuetsro trabajo para luchar por un ambiente mas digno y mas limpio. Rodrigo Vivas Rosas- Popayan Colombia.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Programme Associate
written by Ana Isabel Carmona, January 21, 2010
His strength was transmitted in every gesture and in the way he related to each person. His passion for changing the world was reflected in each of his acts, his talks, when he shared, when he explained anything. His smile that invited to share and get enthusiastic. This is how, we all remember him.
But there is one characteristic that made him unique ... which is responsible for joining an entire Planet, and I have never met another human being like him. BENSON was a person in "third dimension", he moved in three dimensions, and assumed all of them with the same commitment and enthusiasm, and he felt comfortable. I met, BENSON "the Community", that BENSON who took the flag for the recovery of the community of Yorkin, regardless of obstacles or barriers. He always said “Yes, we can”. BENSON "the Country", who had his base of operations in ANAI, and who knew how to get inserted in those spaces at national level, with the main purpose of seeking better and fairer opportunities for communities in Costa Rica. And he did it, through the GEF/Small Grants Program. BENSON, “the World”. Wisdom and good humor, a perfect combination… He was repeatedly invited to represent the Equator Initiative in numerous meetings around the world, which inspiring many community leaders, pointing out that through local actions, sustainable human development is possible. He always tried to influence political spaces, so complex, no matter how big they were. I will never forget his face with joy and pride at the last COP of the Biodiversity Convention, in Germany, when he announced the winners of the Equator Initiative. On September 25, we lost a son, a father, a partner, a friend. But, he leaves behind his passion, commitment and enthusiasm to change the world. Doy gracias a Dios, BEN...por haberte cruzado en mi camino...
My friend
written by Jalliet, January 21, 2010
I met Benson in ANAI when I worked on Talamanca Adventure project... We had such great time! He taught me a lot of thing and we stayed in touch since 2003... I am very sad to learn this bad news only now... I remember his wonderfull smile...
Director, Shorebird Recovery Project
written by Charles Duncan, January 15, 2010
Tuve el gusto de conocer y colaborar con Benson y el equipo de ANAI, empezando en 1999, creo, cuando trabaja por TNC en su programa de aves migratorias. De Benson, recuerdo con cariño la amistad, el profesionalismo, el sencillo gusto en compartir de un buen cafe y, más que nada, la dedicación a la causa que nos conectó a través de nuestras diferencias de cultura, lengua y antecedentes.
Pura vida, amigo, te extrañamos.
Director Corporación Serraniagua
written by CESAR A. FRANCO LAVERDE, January 10, 2010
Hoy estoy pensando en Benson y en el testimonio de su vida. Estuvimos compartiendo residencia en Barcelona mientras el Congreso Mundial de la Naturaleza en 2008, compartimos algunos documentos, me prestó una camiseta cuando perdí mi maleta en el vuelo hacia Barcelona, me brindó algunas recomendaciones sobre nuestro trabajo, en fín alcance a valorar y conocer su extraordinaria vitalidad y personalidad.
Desde aquí un abrazo para su familia, amigos, para los miembros de la ANAI y un agradecimiento imperecedero a Benson Vanegas por enseñar con el ejemplo y por la labor realizada.
...
written by America Rodriguez, December 20, 2009
Conoci a Benson en Sudafrica en el cual el apoyo que nos dio a todos fue muy importante, fue amigo de miles o de millones, y sus enseñanzas estan en nuestro corazon y en el mundo entero.
...
written by Lucia Riba, December 17, 2009
Conoci a Benson durante nuestro trabajo en Johanesburgo en el 2002, nunca falto su sonrisa y alegria, y sobre todo las ganas de compartir su experiencia, como costarricense y facilitadora de la Iniciativa en ese entonces, me senti sumamente orgullosa cuando la Iniciativa Talamanca obtuvo uno de los premios. Mis condolencias para su familia, Benson es de las pocas personas que dejan como herencia su vida.
Project Director
written by Peter Claesson, December 10, 2009
I met Benson briefly in Mauricio at an UN Conference on Small Islands, a wonderful inspiring person with fantastic energy that made dreams come true.
Your footprints of love wherever you have walked will continue to light up the world.
...
written by Ravi Corea, November 11, 2009
I met Benson and got to know him only for the short time we were in Barcelona but it didn’t take one long to notice the zest and passion for life in him and the “universal love” personality of Benson’s. Please convey my Deepest Sympathies to his family.
...
written by Luis J. Montero, November 11, 2009
Benson was a consistent source of inspiration for me while I was in Costa Rica. I will miss him dearly.
Executive Director
written by Apolinario "Poli" Cariño, November 10, 2009
It was so nice knowing and having Benson as a friend while receiving our Equator Prize Finalist Award in Bonn, Germany (PENAGMANNAKI, 2008). He is a very charismatic type of person and was so amazed on his facilitation skills during one of every Community Dorf activities that we had at that time in Bonn. I like the way he shared his experiences whilst working with his community and somehow gave us more insights in managing our respective projects.
Recalling him as a good friend and an older brother seems very likely the kind of person he was for me. To you my brother ... I would rather remember you this way... Poli
Executive Director written by Celia Mahung, November 05, 2009
I met Benson in 2002 when the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) won the Equator Initiative Prize in South Africa. Benson worked with Sean to organize presentations by local communities and the Award Ceremony. I recall him taking hundreds of photographs of events and interacting with everyone from all over the world. At the end of each day I asked if he was tired and his response was, 'I am doing fine and having fun!' He never stopped smiling as he eagerly tried to make everyone feel welcomed.
I recall seeing Benson reaching out to a participant from India who had left her community for the first time and obviously felt 'lost' in the midst of the large crowds. He communicated with her using sign language and had her smiling throughout the conversation. Benson will always be remembered as a charismatic leader and an outstanding ambassador of Costa Rica!
Write comment
|
Benson Venegas was many things to many people: Father, Brother, Son, and Friend to thousands. Professionally, he was the Executive Director of Asociación ANAI, a Costa Rican NGO dedicated to integrating community-centered economic development and environmental conservation. Benson was born and raised in Talamanca, Costa Rica. After receiving a degree in Marine Biology from Costa Rica’s National University in 1985, he began work with ANAI in a program collaboratively managed with the Costa Rican Government that saw the creation and consolidation of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and the associated development of a series of community development projects, including a land titling project for all of the small famers living in and around the conservation area.
