International Sites
Itauguá, Paraguay
Itauguá is a small city located just outside Paraguay’s capital city of Asunción. It is known for its fine artwork and vibrant folkloric music, and the people of Itauguá are a tight-knit and friendly community. The weather is warm year-round and can get very hot in the summer months.
The Good Shepherd Sisters have had a presence in the community for years, and they’ve developed several programs to minister to women, children, and adolescents. Together with a staff of dozens of lay people, they run a community center that runs a variety of programs outlined below. There are two volunteers in Itauguá, and they have the opportunity to work in any of these programs.
Child-Sponsorship Program
The sisters in Paraguay work with an international aid agency that links donors from Canada with children in the community. This program supports hundreds of children in Itauguá and nearby communities 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.
GSV volunteer Katie Harrison working with staff of the
“Tekojoja” fair trade program
Tekojoja Kuña Rembiapópe
This is a fair trade craft program that allows women to use their creative energy and talents to share their crafts through the Sisters’ networks in Australia, England, and the United States (called HandCrafting Justice in the U.S.). The traditional craft in Itauguá is “Ñanduti”, beautiful intricate designs made from thread and linen. Many women sell their Ñanduti 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.
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, 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
A small trade school that reaches out to adolescents in the community. The Taller provides medical and psychological attention to the youth and also there are workshops, tutoring, and recreational activities.
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.
English through the game Twister!
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.