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More than 500 children attend the community built school in the 21 de Julio Community in Tobati, Paraguay, located approximately sixty miles northwest of Asuncion. Most of the students are the sons and daughters of poor artisans who produce ceramic pottery and bricks. Electricity will arrive soon in this community, where warnings are posted on proper sanitation to avoid cholera and yellow fever. Travel in the region is accomplished mainly by ox cart, since the roads are made of dirt and mud. Normal vehicles get stuck up to their axles in mud. After visiting this community and it's school on February 1996, (and getting stuck up her axles in mud) Project for the People of Paraguay (PPP) Director Sheri Bitzan decided that the PPP would use this community as a pilot program to establish a feeding program for the school and community. The school received dehydrated food, clothing, school supplies and funds to purchase items for a large garden. In September 1997, PPP volunteers witnessed the success of the program. Under the direction and supervision of Ozvaldo and Alejandra Codas, directors of Hecho A Mono, items were purchased and the Garden Project was underway. All the students from every grade level were responsible for the planting and upkeep of this beautiful garden. The vegetables were combined with the dehydrated food to produce a nutritious meal for the students at the school. Clothing donations were given to children and parents in exchange for work done at the school. The school grounds are now clean and beautifully landscaped with brick walkways and flower gardens. The walkways were produced with the help of local artisans who taught the children how to make and lay the bricks. The next ambitious step for this innovative program will be to purchase a cow for milk, a bull for beef breeding, 100 chickens for egg production and breeding for food, as well as seed for chicken and cattle feed. |
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