Our plan in Paraguay

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Paraguay to help communities make real and lasting change, so that their children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan began working in Paraguay in 1994 and currently has programs in five areas, Cordillera, Paraguari, Guaira, San Pedro and Caaguazu to address the following issues:

• Violence against children
• Poverty and food insecurity
• Unhealthy households and environment, including poor sanitation
• Limited access to and poor quality education
• Low access to healthcare
• Lack of support for child welfare and rights

Plan's programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Health, education and healthy environments

A high illiteracy rate, unhealthy household conditions and environment as a result of low access to basic sanitary services and environmental deterioration is a focus of Plan Paraguay.  Plan works with local, regional and national authorities to provide quality health and education conditions and services.  Plan Paraguay's healthy environment program focuses on improving water and sanitation services, hygiene habits, household conditions and environmental protection.

Participation and organisation

Plan Paraguay works to encourage children and young people to be involved in their community and in decision-making processes, particularly in relation to children's rights.

Financial services and saving

With approximately 41.3% of Paraguayan population lives under conditions of poverty, Plan Paraguay works to improve the financial situation of families by providing access to credits and donations.

Food security and improvement of productivity

Plan Paraguay offers technical assistance and training for families and groups in relation to food quality and quantity management and production to ensure greater food and economic security.

Institutional strengthening

Plan Paraguay facilitates social processes to assist child and adolescent development with the aim being to contribute to the overall wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Country Facts

Country	Paraguay	Australia
Flag
Population	6 Million	21 Million
Language	Spanish and Guarani	English
Capital	Asuncion	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	1,220	$37,300
Life expectancy	71.2	81.5
Access to safe drinking water	86%	100%
Literacy	87.7%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006