Our partners in Paraguay
Callescuela
Since 1983, the Paraguayan organization Callescuela (which means “street school”) has been supporting working children and young people, as well as those living in very precarious situations.
Founded in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the organization is now active in the Central Department and the Alto Paraná Department, particularly in Ciudad del Este, where it runs a community center.
Their goal is simple and essential: to protect children, defend their rights, and give them better prospects for the future.
Her work is based on three strong pillars:
Help in everyday life
On site, Callescuela offers:
- School support and homework assistance
- Educational and cultural offerings
- Meals and nutritional support
- Caring support
- Safe spaces where children can learn and rest
In Ciudad del Este, for example, the community center provides a stable and safe place for the children and young people in the neighborhood.
These measures enable children and young people to continue learning, gain new confidence, and not face difficulties alone.
Protection and prevention
Callescuela organizes group workshops with children, young people, and their families.
The topics covered are concrete and closely related to their everyday lives:
- Prevention of violence
- Protection from exploitation
- Children’s rights
- Equality and respect
- Health and safety
The organization works closely with communities and participates in several national networks for the defense of human rights in order to strengthen the protection of children beyond individual assistance.
Children make their voices heard
Callescuela does not view children solely as recipients of aid.
It encourages them to organize themselves, express their opinions, and participate in decisions that affect them.
In this spirit, it has been supporting the CONNATS movement (see below) for many years, while respecting its independence.
Why is this work so important?
In Paraguay, many children work to support their families. There is a high risk that they will be excluded from school or exposed to violence and exploitation.
Callescuela is committed to ensuring that work does not mean the loss of childhood or the loss of a future. It creates safe spaces where inequalities are particularly great, supports access to education, and strengthens children’s dignity. Its work is concrete, committed, and deeply humane.
And it needs long-term support.
CONNATS
The National Coordination of Working Children and Adolescents (CONNATS) is a Paraguayan movement founded in 1999.
Unlike a traditional NGO, CONNATS is a movement made up of working children and young people themselves. They organize themselves to defend their rights, their dignity, and their place in society.
The movement is present in several cities and departments of Paraguay, particularly in Asunción, in the Central Department (San Lorenzo, Villa Elisa, and other municipalities), as well as in Ciudad del Este, Minga Guazú, and Presidente Franco in the Alto Paraná Department.
It also brings together young people from rural and indigenous communities.
Your mission: raising awareness of child labor
CONNATS represents children and young people aged 6 to 18 who work in simple and often disadvantaged circumstances.
You wish to be recognized as a legal entity with:
- the right to education
- the right to protection
- the right to participate
- the right to dignified and non-exploitative work
Overview of goals and methods
- Promoting participation: Children learn to get involved in councils, local events, and local politics.
- Training on rights and roles: Young people acquire the knowledge and tools they need to publicly advocate for their demands.
- Raising awareness among adults: Parents, teachers, and authorities are encouraged to respect children’s rights and create respectful spaces.
- Support for working children: The movement implements measures to improve their working conditions, protect them from exploitation, and make their work safer and more dignified.
An example: the national meeting
Every year, delegates from different regions of the country come together to share their experiences and decide on joint measures.
There they discuss topics that directly affect them:
- Zugang zur Schule
- Violence and discrimination
- Working conditions
- Health and protection
These meetings strengthen their ability to engage in dialogue with local authorities and make their demands heard.
Why does CONNATS play a strategic role?
Because it gives a voice directly to those who are affected themselves.
Children don’t just ask for help: they demand respect, protection, and the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
CONNATS operates at the local and national levels, in conjunction with other social organizations and with administrative support from Callescuela.
Their actions are participatory, courageous, and essential for building sustainable change in Paraguay.
