Help Poor Rural Girls in Paraguay go to University

Given the situation that has been faced worldwide and the negative effects that it caused in businesses, institutions and individuals, as support for the students of the Mbaracayu School and especially their families, we have implemented small businesses called Micro Franchises with the aim that they can increase their income through the sale of these products. In this period we have worked together with the families, carrying out follow-up, training, delivery of implementation manuals, tips and assisting their doubts and queries in the process.

It is important to mention that the families were trained in the development of a business plan, which strengthens the management of a micro-enterprise. On behalf of the other families, today we share the story of Gloria Riquelme González, from the Mbaracayu Self-sustaining School, who, with much effort and perseverance, finished the Organic Vegetable Garden course. The harvest of chard, squash, green onion, and carrot used for her family consumption and the sale of it for saving and reinvestment. Gloria learned to improve her plot construction and management techniques, she remained organized by planning her activities and following her organic crop management plan.

She expresses being very grateful and above all happy with the benefit that she was able to get from both the teachings of the course, as well as the final results when harvesting her vegetables from her.

All the families of the students of the third year of the Mbaracayu School were the people that benefit from this project. 

Amount used in local currency Gs. 15,000,000 aproximate an USD 2350.00

Given the negative consequences of the pandemic on businesses, educational institutions and families, we have implemented small businesses, called microfranchises, as a support to the students of the Mbaracayu School and their families. They aim to increase the family’s income through the sale of different products offered by our program.

Three types of Microfranchises were delivered: Premium Vegetable Garden, Cleaning Kit, and Covid Prevention Kit, based on a market study that guarantees a high percentage of success. Moreover, we organized training sessions for the students and their families to learn to develop a business plan, soft skills and business management, among others. The students collaborated with their families in the implementation of the business plan.

The Vegetable Garden Microfranchise contains seeds of lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, chard and onions. This kit is accompanied by an online vegetable garden management and production course. 

The Cleaning Kit and the COVID Kit contain chemical products that must be prepared by the owners of the microfranchises to obtain cleaning and disinfection products they can sell.

These initiatives will make it possible to increase the income of the students and their families, thus allowing them to save for their educational future and aspire to a better quality of life.

Two alumni from the Mbaracayú School, class of 2013 and 2011, were invited to participate in a webinar on Tourist Destinations in Paraguay, organized by the National Secretariat of Tourism. In this seminar each presented the area where they are working, the departments of Caníndeyu and Alto Parana, where the school and home are located and shared all the potentials of ecotourism for operators and travel agencies in the webinar. 

These two alumni have successfully finished school and went to university to study Tourism, where they have stand out in topics related to nature tourism and sustainability. They are constantly called to share their knowledge and experience in webinars. Currently, they are working in the tourism area of the Moisés Bertoni Foundation, in the Mbacayú reserve and in the Moisés Bertoni Scientific Monument respectively.

One step closer: bringing girls closer to science 

The last year of high-school is often critical to decide what students want to do for the rest of their lifes. In this sense, the experiences they have at this stage in life in critical and could make a profound impact. Many study show that the interest of girls on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is equal or more than boys in highschool. However,  a agender gap in participation starts to appear as girls take fewer of the more advanced STEM courses and tests as they get closer to college. This gap widens the longer girls are in school and is often compounded by issues of race and class. This might be different for a rural girl in a Self-sustainable Shcool in Paraguay. 

Ana, a third year student was selected along with other two paraguayans to participate in the Bayer Scientific Camp Kimlu 2020. This event took place in Valle del Elqui, Coquimbo Region, Chile from March 4th and 14th. This initiative is co-organized by Bayer and Fundación Ciencia Joven, with the collaboration of the Center of Advanced Studies on Arid Zones (Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas-CEAZA, in spanish), that focuses on outdoor activities, science, technology, engineering and math looking to contribute to the next generation of leaders in these topics in Latin America. Students were selected based on their interest and aptitudes in STEM areas. In total, 40 students from Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay were selected among 500 applicants.

The main objective of the Scientific Camp is to promote the development of scientific skills and leadership in all participants. Students participated in outdoor activities such as workshops, sports and others to enhance their leadership skills through various dynamics. Moreover, they had to develop a collaborative scientific investigation. At all times, students were immersed in an environment of high demand, teamwork and discussion, where they had to use their skills to solve problems with scientific focus. 

On December 13, the graduation ceremony of the Mbaracayú Educational Center took place, celebrating 27 new graduates. These graduates all received technical diplomas in environmental sciences and are leaders in environmental protection. The 27 graduates join a total of 307 young people graduated so far in 10 years of school operations.

In rural areas, receiving a bachelor's degree is a challenge for young women, so this graduation means a very important achievement for the families and communities to which they belong, They now have environmental technical skills and stand out for their knowledge and leadership.

Congratulations to the Mbaracayú Educational Center Class of 2019!