Social Project
Work for People in Situation of Social Risk
Production will be outsourced by forming partnerships with micro-enterprises and associations of seamstresses in impoverished communities in Paraguay. The aim is to create a mechanism to distribute resources earmarked for production in a decentralized manner within these communities, with the goal of reaching as many families as possible.
In other words, if we required a workforce of 20 employees to produce the projected quantity of products for a given month, this approach allows us to involve 40 to 60 people since they would work on a rotating basis.
People can choose the most suitable time to work. For instance, if someone already has another job or other responsibilities, such as caring for a needy person, they can use this opportunity to increase their monthly earnings, thereby creating conditions for improving the quality of life for their family.
Reality of Paraguay - Poverty in Paraguay grows hidden and contrasts with attractive economy
According to statistics, around 30% of Paraguayans live in precarious
situations, unable to cover a daily basic food basket.
According to the National Institute of Statistics, poverty was 26.9% in 2021, an index equal to that of 2020 and higher than that of 2019, when it was situated at 23.5%. At the same time, unemployment rose from 5.7% in 2019 to 10.4% in 2021.
With 7.2 million inhabitants, Paraguay is an important agricultural producer and promotes itself as a safe destination for foreign investment.
The former president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) from 2020 to 2022, Mr. Mauricio Claver-Carone, defined Paraguay as "one of the most attractive countries to invest in", with one of the "most open and dynamic" economies in the region .
According to the Central Bank, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.2% in 2021.
— "It is time to place Paraguay at the center of the regional and global economy. Paraguay stands out for its economic stability and favorable conditions for business, including renewable energies, a large workforce, geographical proximity to the main markets in America of the South and attractive laws to encourage investment", said Claver-Carone, at an investor forum held in Asuncion.
The country has, however, significant inequality gaps. In Asuncion and in other cities like Encarnación, 370 kilometers southeast of the capital, and Ciudad del Este, 350 kilometers to the east, new gated communities and luxury buildings are being built next to marginal neighborhoods, whose population survives in precarious conditions.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 26 out of every 100 people were affected by food insecurity, confirmed Senator Esperanza Martínez (Minister of Health between 2008 and 2012). Since then, the so-called "popular pots" have been institutionalized, and parish leaders have taken charge of directing assistance to the poorest.
— "The numbers of poverty and employment do not correspond at all to reality. Working is having a secure income, with rights, with conditions. Selling "empanadas" is not work. We work a lot with recycling. It is the most horrible thing that exists. This is not work. Going out to dig through the trash isn't work, it's surviving. A woman who sells yuyos [medicinal herbs] on the corner is not the same as another woman who has a shop that gives her money to support her", laments Father Velasco.