August 20, 2003 - Virginia Commonwealth University: Christina Turner: This new school was being constructed by the community we lived in during our Peace Corps days.

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Paraguay: Peace Corps Paraguay: The Peace Corps in Paraguay: August 20, 2003 - Virginia Commonwealth University: Christina Turner: This new school was being constructed by the community we lived in during our Peace Corps days.

By Admin1 (admin) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 9:03 am: Edit Post

Christina Turner: This new school was being constructed by the community we lived in during our Peace Corps days.



Christina Turner: This new school was being constructed by the community we lived in during our Peace Corps days.

This new school was being constructed by the community we lived in during our Peace Corps days. The community was hoping that if they provided the building that the government would eventually supply the salary for teachers. In 1985 the only education available was through the sixth grade.

By 1998 the new school construction had extended to three brick buildings. Over the intervening years the community had started by paying for their own teachers, then getting funding for one extra grade level at a time. They now have a fully functioning high school and it serves students from all the surrounding communities.

This is our famous (infamous?) "mixto" with wooden benches to sit on. They are not bolted down so watch out! In 1984-86 this was the only means of transportation. It would arrive at about 2:30 a.m. and would arrive in the nearest town about four hours later. The distance was only 35 kms. but the road was nearly impassable and frequently closed for weeks or even months at a time.

This is the new bus, 1998, but with the same chofer! There are now several options by way of a new road that runs within two kilometers of Ñu Pyahu Guazu, but this is still the only bus the enters the community. It now only takes about an hour to get to town and the new road never closes.

Guido, our godson, and his cousin playing soccer in the yard of the house where we stay while doing field work.

Ñu Pyahu Guazu, Caazapa, Paraguay- 1998

Typical house, yard and pasture land. The agricultural fields fan out in the higher ground around the community.

Having a "tea party" with the local equivalent, yerba mate. These two girls are the daughters of a young couple who have profitted by the new road by opening a successful small store and storage garage for cotton.

This is their grandfather who is also attempting alternative means of capitalist development now that reliable transport is available. He is growing ornamental plants for sale in town.

This couple own the most land of anyone in my research site of Ñu Pyahu Guazu. During the dictatorship of former President Alfredo Stroessner, this man, his brother, and several of their relatives were arrested and eventually charged with being "Communists" of the Maoist line.

Our godson, Orlando, in a pensive mood.

Ñu Pyahu Guazu, Caazapa, Paraguay- 1998

Jesuit ruins- Yes, there are some tourist attractions in Paraguay!

Trinidad, Paraguay

1990

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Story Source: Virginia Commonwealth University

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Paraguay

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