How a community learned to believe in change

In Caazapá, trust didn't come easily. When Children Believe arrived in April 2024 to work with a local partner, the community was skeptical. Years of unmet promises had taught families to doubt outsiders. But the organization did something different—it listened first.

"There was a lot of need in the community," says Heve Noemí, a local businesswoman. "Many parents did not have steady jobs, and children attended school without uniforms, shoes, and school supplies. Families lived with just enough."

Poverty shaped everything. Children went to school hungry. Health posts had limited resources. Classrooms lacked materials. Water safety was uncertain.

The community, working alongside Children Believe and the local partner, began addressing these challenges together—child protection, nutrition, health, education, and clean water. The partnership started small, building trust through action.

Zoraida, an educational supervisor and community leader, explains the transformation: "Today, families are experiencing change. Needs are addressed holistically, with emphasis on school, family, and community. They offer training in trades, such as baking and masonry, which many mothers use to generate income."

Schools now have books and trained teachers. Health posts have supplies. Parents fill workshops, learning skills that create income and strengthen families.

"Everything has changed: parents are more involved, we have school supplies, and guitar, robotics, and environmental workshops are there for us," says Deisy Antonia, 13.

The program's most significant breakthrough is the shift in community perception. What began as skepticism has evolved into strong endorsement. Community members now advocate for the program's expansion—not because they were told to, but because they've seen change with their own eyes.

Check out more stories like Deisy's in the Fall edition of ChildVoice!