Good Shepherd Programs in Itauguá, Paraguay

**Please note that the following programs are run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and are thus potential placements for volunteers. However, upon arrival in their host country, Good Shepherd volunteers spend 2-3 months trying several different programs to see where they can best use their skills and gifts. After this “introduction period,” the volunteers choose 2-3 programs to which they devote their energy for their remaining service time.**

Child-Sponsorship Program: The sisters in Paraguay work with Christian Child Care International, a Canadian aid agency, who links donors from Canada with children in the community in Itauguá. CCCI supports over 1000 children in Itauguá, several hundred children in the nearby communities of Villeta and Capiata, and about 80 children in a new program in Ayolas. The donors support the children through funding for necessity items like school supplies, medicines, and clothing. The children and donors keep in touch with one another through letters and photos to develop a relationship.

Club de Niños: A club for young children in the community from ages 6-12. The club includes educational opportunities and activities around hygiene, respecting self and others, self-esteem, dealing with emotional abuse, and understanding the diversity in community. These classes on values provide the opportunity for the children to get to know one another and also provides as a support group and a safe space where they can talk about issues and concerns.

Escuela Taller (“Sembrando Semillas”): A small trade school that reaches out to young adolescent girls in the community. The taller provides medical and psychological attention to the girls, and also there are workshops on self-esteem, cooking, basic trade skills, and opportunities to work in a small flower garden.
Family Visits: The sisters interact with community members not only at the Obra Social, but through going out into the different neighborhoods for home visits. By getting to know the community in a different way, the sisters are able to better minister to their needs. They are also implementing a socio-environmental study and starting more accompaniment of families in need.

Health and Counseling: Opportunities for community members to visit with a doctor, dentist, or psychologist are available through the sister's work as well. They work directly with clients who come to the Obra Social and also work to educate the community about healthy habits.

Literacy Classes and Trade Skills: The sisters offer classes for people in the community who do not have or have not had access to formal education. Many people learn how to read and write, take cooking classes, learn how to cut hair, and learn how to knit/sew.

Pastoral de la Mujer: A women's empowerment group. Women come from the various neighborhoods in Itauguá to participate in this support group. At this support group the women have a safe space to talk about issues/concerns as well as learn about human rights, respect and self-confidence, and the value of being a woman.

Pastoral del Varron: A support group for men. Men from the community come to discuss their challenges and their spiritual lives in this supportive atmosphere. There is also a livestock workshop where they can learn how to raise, use, and sell pigs, fish, chickens, etc.

Tekojoja Kuña Rembiapópe: A fair trade craft program that allows women to use their creative energy and talents to share their crafts through the sisters network in Australia, England, and the United States (called HandCrafting Justice in the U.S.). The traditional craft in Itauguá is nanduti, beautiful intricate designs made from thread and linen. Many women sell their nanduti and clothing that they make through HandCrafting Justice in the U.S. The sisters in Itauguá also work with the Maka, an indigenous community outside of Asuncion in this fair trade program.

El Hogar (In Caacupé): About a 45-minute bus ride from Itauguá, the sisters run a home for adolescent women that provides outreach, education and a safe place to live. The girls who live here have been living on the streets, are abandoned or have fled abusive or dangerous situations. The girls not only go to school, but they have the opportunity to grow and mature in a healthy environment.

Pastoral del Niño (In Capiatá) – About a 20 minutes by bus from the Obra Social is another child-sponsorship program run by lay people. They run a kitchen for kids and offer basic resources for mothers such as clearing supplies, food products, and also educational workshops.