Paraguay

This project will provide latrines for 21 families, comprised of 120 adults and children. It is a natural extension of a project that was begun in 2008 under the direction of a prior Peace Corps Volunteer working in the community. All construction work will be done by local professionals.

Barrio Maria Auxiliadora, Calle San Francisco, Guayaivi, San Pedro, Paraguay, is home to approximately 112 families, comprised of 650 people. While Guarani is the most commonly spoken language, the majority of the community also speaks Spanish.

This hard-working, well-organized community has an elementary and high school, a successful agricultural cooperative, various community groups/committees, two churches, small family shops, and soccer fields.

Most homes have running water and electricity. The principal economic activity is agriculture. Farmers primarily produce fruit, such as bananas and pineapples, and the average family income is about US $5.00 per day.

Although educational opportunities for children have improved, the average adult has only an elementary school education.

Intestinal parasites are one of the most serious health problems in Paraguay, affecting more than 90% of the country’s children, including most people in this community. According to a recent community census, nearly half the families lack a bathroom, and 85% of latrines are unsanitary.

An unsanitary latrine directly contributes to the presence of parasites, through exposed feces and flies that are attracted. This impacts on the entire community, with children more heavily affected.

The project is being implemented by committee participants, who attend regular meetings, organize fundraisers, pay monthly dues, and participate in Peace Corps-organized health classes.

A Paraguayan NGO is contributing 38% of total project costs. To ensure community ownership and sustainability, participants are contributing one third of the cost of materials and labor. The remaining funds for materials are being provided through donor contributions.

To indicate your desire that your donation be used for this project, please use the Donate button below.

This is our first project in Paraguay, a South American country with over 6 million people. Paraguay shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. In rural areas, over 40% of the people lack a monthly income to cover basic necessities,

This project will be carried out by the committee Oñondivepa ‘all together’. A modest multi-purpose center will be built in order to create the first, and much needed, bread bakery in their community. Future plans include the making of other food products, soap and clothing, as well as more ambitious goals like computer classes.

Peace Corps Volunteer M. Lebon, who is administering the effort, states:

This project marks an exciting moment for Paraguayan women, as it boldly challenges strictly defined gender roles and seeks to confront numerous challenges seen in today’s agriculture-based communities. A lack of access to capital and the laborious responsibilities of managing a household without appliances like washing machines and microwaves leave women with few opportunities to leave their homes, reach out to neighboring women, and improve upon their quality of life.

A practical solution, which taps into their entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities, starts with their own gathering place, located in the community. Its construction will be not only the launching pad for their bread bakery, but also a place for educational activities, experimentation, future planning, and female bonding.

To make this a reality, the women have already raised significant capital to buy the property and pay for the title. The community participation in this project is over 33%.

Additionally and quite significantly, their husbands have committed to greatly assist with the center’s construction, while supporting the concept without reservation.

We are pleased to be able to participate in this great project. In addition to the potential economic benefit to families in the community, it has value in creating a platform to demonstrate that women are capable of taking action to control their futures.

Please contribute toward this project by clicking the Donate button below.