Pro Paraguay Initiative e.V.

About us

The Pro Paraguay Initiative is a non-profit-making development politics association, founded in 1992. There are over 100 members, mostly from Kempen, in the Lower Rhine area, who are directly and continually involved in our work, including making financial contributions. In addition we have several hundred Friends of the Initiative, who are continually with us, critically but with solidarity, and who support us with their donations.

Our aim is to make solidarity with the so-called „Third World“ – in our case Paraguay – the concern of many of our town’s residents. We have achieved this through many years of observable on-the-spot development work. Public members’ meetings, slide and film presentations, exhibitions, charity concerts, school and community events, visits from our Paraguayan partners, press publicity and also the information on our web page – all these tell the story of our aid projects in Paraguay.

Schools in and around Kempen support our work and they get regular information about the projects and the conditions in the country. Information and publicity – also concerning the political and cultural situation in Paraguay – are an important part of our association’s activities.

Our projects are long-term and systematically constructed so that they show small steps of successful progress in selected, manageable areas.

We do not work with private individuals or groups, but on a par with small Paraguayan NGOs which are the equivalent of our non-profit organisations. One of our partners is a Paraguayan hospital. Important criteria are that the people use their own initiative and efforts.

We plan the projects with our local partners, who carry them out with the beneficiaries. The undertakings vary according to existing needs and conditions, and respect the people’s economic, social and cultural identity.

Our partner organisations are not detached aid agencies, but are closely connected with the people benefiting, often coming from the same area. They tackle the problems in their country with dedication, self confidence and expert knowledge because they are not prepared to accept the existing conditions. Finding such partners and the long term, trusting and verifiable cooperation with them are the foundation of our work.

We correspond regularly in the local language (by post, fax, phone, email) and visit the projects at least once a year. In addition, we offer information and education trips for those who are interested.

For us, solidarity is not a one-way street. Our assignments for disadvantaged people in the „third world“ give us a lot in return. We profit from contact with these people, their country, their language and culture and it changes our outlook on the world.

On request, we can offer other net participants a consultation, an expert opinion or make a presentation. We can provide up-to-date information and contacts in the field of our work.