Paraguay

Welcome
Bienvenidos! Thank you for interest in working in a country known as the “Heart of America”.  Paraguay is so called because of its location in the center of the continent.  A poor country with a tragic history, Paraguayans nonetheless are gracious and receptive to the Good News of Jesus.

Geography
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina.

Area: slightly smaller than California.

Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere.

History
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown in 1989, and relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.

Weather
Subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west.

Goverment
Constitutional republic with its capital being Asuncion.

Economy
Currency: Paraguayan guarani (G)
Industries: sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products.
Agriculture: products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber.

Project Sites
Volendam: This site is located 280 km north of the capital city of Asuncion.  Travel time is approximately four hours, much of it on paved road. You will be staying in the homes of Mennonite families while on the project.  The Mennonites are very hospitable, but conservative.  It would be a nice gesture to bring a small house gift to your host family (like a box of chocolates, etc.)

Caaguazu: This site is located five hours east of Asuncion. Same accommodations as Volendam

Electricity is 220 volts.

Important Information
A valid passport is needed for this mission.  All US and Canadian participants must also obtain a 30-day tourist visa to enter Paraguay.  You can contact your travel agent or www.visaconnection.com for more information on the visa process.  Please note that there are fees associated with obtaining your visa and going through Visa Connections will result in a slightly higher fee as they will obtain the needed paperwork for you.  No visa is required for stays of less than 3 months for US participants.