Chalice has been serving children and seniors in Paraguay since 2012 in four sites in primarily urban communities. Compared to neighbouring countries, there are very few international NGOs working in Paraguay. In the communities where Chalice works, there are no similar programs and the family circle-based sponsorship program is highly distinctive.
Children in Paraguay are at a high risk of dropping out of school to find work, exacerbated by the high cost of education after junior high and the few opportunities for post-secondary education. Families who live outside major urban centres have extremely little access to public services. In the communities where Chalice works, families struggle with high rates of domestic and criminal violence.
Chalice sites in Paraguay:
Dominica
Chalice has partnered with Proyecto Dominica, based in Luque and Villarica, since 2004. Site Director Hermana Ursulina Benítez, O.P and the Dominican Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament oversee the sponsorship program for both children and seniors across five locations. They run four separate homes for boys, girls, seniors and at-risk adults. In addition to sponsorship, the site provides adult skills training workshops on baking, embroidering, sewing, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Dominica site also has a partnership with a local health centre to provide checkups for the children and elderly.
Annual Report 2020 for Dominica - Read about our Year!
Villeta (CMAVIL)
Chalice has partnered with the Hijas de Maria Auxiliadora (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) in the city of Villeta since 2012. Sr. Marcelina Irala and her Salesian congregation run the sponsorship program from the Centro María Auxiliadora - Villeta (CMAVIL), as well as providing after-school programming and two soup kitchens. The site runs an illness prevention program, clinics, dental and parasite programs, and artisanal skills training for women.
Annual Report 2020 for CMAVIL - Read about our Year!
Paraguay
- Category: Countries