How food and hygiene kits are providing hope in Paraguay

“I lit a candle to my granddaughter’s sponsor so nothing happens to him in Canada, and now you’re coming with a bag that for sure he sent us,” one man told Clara Villalba from Fundación Alda, a local partner working with our other partners, Global Infancia and Crecer, to help deliver care packages in Paraguay during the pandemic.

That’s just one example of the kind words we’ve been hearing as we deliver more than 2,800 food and hygiene packs.

Each gift — filled with flour, sugar, milk, rice, oil, noodles and other non-perishables as well as soap and bleach for disinfecting — is benefiting those not receiving other assistance. It’s helping single parents, breadwinners whose income has been lost due to COVID-19 and families who simply have nothing to eat.

We hear every day how much the support is needed. “Thanks for the gift. I already drank my milk,” Fatima, 4, told Dionisia Fleitas, an early childhood’s teacher from one of our programs. Her mother added, “Thank you very much. It is a huge help in this situation. God bless you.”

Delivering care packages is not new to us. We regularly drop off food, clothing, school supplies and anything that contributes to the well-being of a family or community. But, this time is different.

This time there are restrictions and health protocols to protect families, staff and partner teams. “Careful thought and great emphasis is placed on implementing safety measures. We ensure the safety of those delivering the kits and the safety and hygiene of recipients,” explains Juan Carlos Ortiz, our program manager, noting when kits are delivered or picked up social-distance regulations are met, hands are washed and everyone is wearing masks. “All hygienic regulations mandated by our government, plus additional ones are in place, including communicating delivery schedules to local authorities.”

Everyone’s hard work and support is making a difference. But, it’s difficult to convey how much this all means to families in Paraguay and in our programs around the world where similar packages are being delivered.

Angela’s words help explain. The mother and grandmother, who’s very active at her local community centre in one of our programs, said: “Thanks to all who joined together to send us this food. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all.”

May her words and one grandfather’s wish for a sponsor reach every Canadian family and the world.

To learn more about how you can help during this time, visit https://uat.childrenbelieve.ca/covid-19.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.