Paraguay

Asunción, Paraguay

Paraguay is a landlocked country located in South America. With a population of 7.3 million, 35 percent are children. The main issues that affect the children of Paraguay are related to the widespread poverty in the country, which is the entry point leading to several other risk factors, such as child labor, child sex tourism, child marriage, early school dropouts, and malnutrition.

Paraguay is one of the poorest nations in the Americas. Nearly 40 percent of the population lives in poverty, and many lack sanitation, clean water, electricity, and decent housing. The country is currently ranked! 111th by the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), which evaluates a country’s development by looking at three key indicators: health, income, and education.

Poverty remains to be the root cause. In fact, people living below the poverty line amount to 0.8 percent in 2020 (World Bank, 2022), and rural poverty continues to be higher than urban poverty (34 percent compared with 23 percent) (UNICEF, 2021). Poverty is also additionally responsible for the perpetuation of harmful practices, such as child labor, early child marriage and pregnancy, and violence.

With our foundation here we have a long-standing (over 20 years) of field experience meeting the needs of children & families in the areas where we operate through an already established foundation called “Fundación Con Una Sonrisa” With a Smile Foundation. This foundation was established over 22 years ago by a local family with the help and support of a local church. Our ties to the foundation are long-standing.

Our management team has unique experience in Christian education and evangelism. In addition, all our local work is done through partnerships with local churches that provide resources and critical care to impoverished children.
Although Paraguay is a relatively small country, the Population of Asunción, the capital city, and surrounding areas is large enough to warrant more help for children than is currently available. There are many small ministries working throughout Asunción. However, the need is so great that the combined efforts of all are barely scratching the surface of the need.