Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Paraguay! If you’re considering volunteering in Paraguay, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Paraguay and explore Paraguay as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Paraguay. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Paraguay is right for you.
Volunteers in Colombia work on projects in Agriculture & Environment (leave in September); and Community Economic Development & Health (leave in May).
What is the History of Peace Corps Paraguay?
The Peace Corps has been working in Paraguay since 1967, which is more than 50 years. During this time, many volunteers have been part of various projects to help the country. These projects have focused on things like farming, healthcare, education, and protecting the environment.
Volunteers in Paraguay have helped local communities with things like growing crops, making sure people have access to good healthcare, and teaching kids to read and write. They’ve also worked to keep the environment healthy.
This partnership between the Peace Corps and Paraguay shows how both countries work together to learn from each other and make positive changes.
What about Paraguay as a nation?
Paraguay is a country in South America, but it doesn’t have a coastline. Instead, it’s surrounded by land. The people in Paraguay speak Spanish and Guarani, which is a native language.
Paraguay has an interesting history. It went through a big and tough war in the past, called the War of the Triple Alliance. This war had a big impact on how the country grew.
Today, Paraguay grows a lot of soybeans and sells them to other countries. They’ve been working to make their country better by improving things like roads and making sure kids can go to good schools.
Paraguay has a stable government, and they have regular elections. They’re also proud of their culture, which is a mix of different influences.
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America with a unique history, with a focus on agriculture. And they are doing what they can to make life better for its people through development and education.
What languages do they speak in Paraguay?
In Paraguay, people speak two official languages: Spanish and Guarani. Most folks use Spanish for things like government, school, and regular conversations. But, a lot of Paraguayans also speak Guarani, especially in the countryside. Many people in Paraguay can talk in both Spanish and Guarani. The country is special because it has an indigenous language and Spanish as official languages.
During their service in Paraguay, Peace Corps volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Guaraní and Spanish.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Paraguay?
In general, 93% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Paraguay. And 97% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 5% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to medical reasons and reasons beyond volunteer’s control. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Paraguay Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Paraguay are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Paraguay because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Paraguay are seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever, Chagas disease, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, diarrhea, skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, and minor injuries. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Paraguay can be found in the Paraguay Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Paraguay?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 89% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 81% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 79% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Paraguay Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Paraguay volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Paraguay. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Katy (Health) – 2016-18
- Chance (Environment) – 2014-16
- Kaelyn (Agriculture) – 2018-20
- Tyler (Health) – 2016-18
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Paraguay, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Paraguay with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Paraguay?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Paraguay?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Paraguay
- Projects in Paraguay
- Stories from Paraguay
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Paraguay“, published in 2013. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Paraguay. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Paraguay is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Paraguay, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Paraguay.
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