Support for three Early Childhood Care Centers (CEPI) to help young children reach their full potential by ensuring their educational and nutritional needs are met.

Paraguay currently has the highest illiteracy rate among Latin American countries, with a rate of 5.3%.

The educational system is unable to meet the growing needs of the population, and this situation worsens as children get older. Nearly 95% of young children do not have access to preschool education, particularly in rural and Indigenous areas. Furthermore, many parents view education as a burden due to their extremely limited financial resources. As a result of this high level of poverty, children’s diets are often insufficient and unbalanced, and they rarely receive the developmental support they need, particularly in areas such as fine motor skills.

To counter the negative effects of limited access to education, this project provides an alternative learning model through Early Childhood Care Centers (CEPI). These community-based centers aim to help fulfill the fundamental rights of children in three highly vulnerable communities in the Alto Paraná department, a border region between Brazil and Argentina.

This project is carried out in cooperation with the Luxembourg-based NGO  Nouvelle PNP, in partnership with Callescuela, a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of children.

Children taking part in a CEPI activity

The support focuses on three CEPI centers dedicated to the holistic development of children aged 2 to 5. Stimulating games are offered to help develop their cognitive, psychomotor, and psychosocial skills, and each child receives a snack (a glass of milk and a biscuit). More broadly, the CEPI centers provide a safe and nurturing environment that respects the natural pace and specific needs of children at this stage of life.

Due to the pandemic, CEPI activities have been adapted and are now carried out through individualized support as part of the “CEPI at Home” program.

Thanks to this program, 30 children in each neighborhood will receive appropriate levels of nutrition and care to support their psychomotor, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. In addition, the parents of these young children will strengthen their parenting skills, with the aim of preventing domestic violence and promoting positive, caring attitudes toward their children.

A meeting with the mothers of children participating in CEPI activities

This project is carried out in partnership with Callescuela, a local organization based in Paraguay that works to improve the lives of children.