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Logo: Fundación Dequeni Logo: Foundation Dequeni Logo: Stiftung Dequeni |
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Garantizar el crecimiento saludable de los niños carenciados Guarantee the healthy growth of children from poor families Dass Kinder aus mittellosen Familien gesund aufwachsen können... |
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Dequení cuenta actualmente con 14 programas en desarrollo Dequeni counts today with 14 running programs Dequeni unterhält zur Zeit 14 Programme für Kinder |
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Los programas se desarrollan gracias a una red de voluntarios y amigos benefactores. The programs are posible thanks to a network of volunteers and benefactors Die Programme sind möglich dank eines Netzes von Ehrenamtlichen und Wohltätern |
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Un futuro mejor para cada niño A better future for each child Eine bessere Zukunft für jedes Kind Fotos: www.dequeni.org.py |
PARAGUAY, cfd. The Dequeni Foundation completed 20 years of service to children, families and communities of limited resources on the 4th of May. For this reason a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on Wednesday, May 4th in the main house at 4:00 p.m. During these twenty years, Dequeni has covered a lot of territory, creating alternatives for life for numerous children and countless families. All human potential has been generated around confidence, solidarity, and volunteerism which has made it possible to accomplish an institutional life complete with accomplishments and social commitment. Loyally entrusted to the Blessed Mother, the prayers and the generosity of many have made it possible to continue this task for the well being of the beneficiaries in the struggle against poverty and for the fulfillment of the rights of the child.
The Dequeni Foundation was created in Paraguay in 1985; its name comes from the phrase in the gospel:
Dejad que los ninos vengan a mi" (Mc 10,14). (Let the children come to me). It was born of the solidarity of the Schoenstatt Boys' Youth of Paraguay in the Parish of the Miraculous Medal in Fernando de la Mora, as a result of a simple service of solidaraity for the "street children". Over a period of time it was organized with the purpose of generating programs focused on the development of the poor communities in the capital and in the interior of the country. Today it is an institution that offers programs which struggle against poverty, promoting the wholesone development of children, youth, families and communities of the country. More than 41% of the Paraguayans live in poverty. There is still much to do. The campaign for the "Solidarity Scholarships", published in www. schoenstatt.de, made Dequeni known in many countries in the world.
As a tribute to Dequeni for its 20 years of life, some examples of its work will be published...
Community Center in Luque, faces the necessities of the children and families in the Maka'i neighborhood
The community of Macabi of Luque is one of the most populated sectors of this city. Six years ago about 80 families populated this neighborhood. In June 2003, the necessity emerged to face the disorganization and the needs of the community whose principal victims were the children. The neighborhood is located scarely meters away from the main street that leads to the center of the city, about 15 minutes away. Beautiful homes with grilles and paths, and imposing businesses are close to the establishment. However, through a dirt road full of ruts, caused by rains, surrounded by weeds that grow around it, crossing some old wood that serves as a bridge, we arrived to the neighborhood where the reality is totally different.
Unsafe houses built with cardboard, plastic or whatever material can be used to raise a wall and a roof reflect the bad quality of life of the inhabitants, especially of the children, because of the lack of adequate conditions for education, health or a wholesome development.
The nauseating, stagnant water in trenches constitute a constant in the narrow dirt road that leads to the local community building raised with hollow bricks, doors and windows made of "karanday".
The Center was built by a group of Tesapeara neighbors with the help of Dequeni. It houses 150 children who come two or three times a week depending on the space available, most are children of street vendors and recyclers.Protected in their rights, in this small place, the boys and girls receive education, medical attention, psychological orientation, a snack, and lunch. Mrs. Teofila Sandoval is one of the mothers of the committee, who directs the local community center. Her effort as well as that of other parents, made it possible to build this place of hope for the children who grow in poverty and social injustice. Teofila assures that the community was able to organize itself slowly, but with a firm conviction to conquer their rights and that of their children. Besides receiving the support of Dequeni, this year they received economic support from the International Agency of Canadian Christian Funds for Children. The community project also has the recognition of the City of Luque and the collaboration fo the local Health Center. Teofila,says that in spite of the important results they have obtained with the community participation, they still cannot prevent the constant abuse of some parents against their children.
Teofila assures that the committee of parents is qualified to face this situation, but some cases exist where the intervention of CODENI and the public prosecutor is infallible. Another of her concerns is the situation of the youth of the community who because of lack of leadership and motivation cannot organize itself.
From the streets to the classrooms
Many of the children who come to the center work in the streets, but gradually they left this activity, thanks to a greater commitment on the part of the parents for the education and welfare of their children. The case of Ivan Rodrigo, who is 10 years old, is worth mentioning. His father is a bricklayer and his mother is a housewife. He has 5 siblings, the oldest is 16 years old and is helping the family economically: he works selling candy in the center of Asuncion.
With a difficult economic situation, all the family was obligated to work recycling cardboard. However, this work did not contribute to the education and wholesome formation of the children of Celia dn Pablino, Ivan's parents. Two years ago they decided to take their children away from the streets and they sent them to the Community Center. Ivan's parents became more interested in the project to the point of becoming members of the parents' committee. Today, Ivan is a child who is trying to be outstanding, he attends school and the Community Center regularly.His dedication to learning and to forming himself has revealed that he has a surprising intelligence and talent. He enjoys his classes of scholastic reinforcement and the company of other children while he dreams of a prosperous and different future for himself and his family.
Jonathan
Mirtha Graciela and Roque live in a humble town of Barrio San Pedron in the edge of the Paraguay River. The small dwelling shelters their family of 4 children, the oldest, Jonathan is 6 years old. This young couple came from the interior and several years ago settled in this populated neighborhood of Chacarita, close to the Tory Center of Mitarenda. Jonathan goes to the open center in the afternoons. Roque works everyday in the intersection of Espana and Gral. Santos, where he sells newspapers, while Mirtha takes care of the little ones in her home. Both parents only went to elementary school. Conscious of the difficulties they are going through because of this, they try to offer the best they can to each one of their children.
Jonathan who is 6 years old is the first of their children who goes to Dequeni since the middle of last year. He receives scholastic reinforcement, lunch, a snack, and all the attention necessary to grow in a healthy and cordial atmosphere. Mirtha assures that a short time after sending Jonathan to Dequeni she already noticed changes in the child's behavior, his grades have improved noticeably and he even takes care of his hygiene and appearance.
Roque does not hide his satisfaction "sometimes when it rains I do not want to send my son to the center or to school, but Jonathan insists that he wants to go and I can't do anything else but to take him by bicycle", he says. The humble couple very enthusiastically confides that with the help of Dequeni they will be able to raise their children without the necessity of taking them out to the streets to beg or sell candy. Roque affirms that many times they were obligated to turn to their neighbors for help, but it never crossed their mind to take the children out on the street with them.
"Although it is difficult to believe, there is always a hand of solidarity that supports us, and it makes me happy to know that in Dequeni Jonathan, and very soon his other siblings will be very happy and will grow healthy becoming good persons for the community."
Learn more about Dequeni: www.dequeni.org.py