New phase will benefit 40 additional families in Paraguay’s indigenous community of Paraíso

In partnership with other actors, Habitat for Humanity Paraguay launches the second phase of housing construction in the indigenous community of Paraíso.

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (February 24, 2012) – Roughly 89 kilometers from Neuland in the Paraguayan “chaco”, the second phase of a housing construction project in the indigenous community of Paraíso has begun. Habitat for Humanity Paraguay is providing technical support for the project, with additional assistance from The Indigenous Menonite Cooperation Services Association (ASCIM), the Neuland Neighborhood Association and the National Ministry of Habitat, through the National Fund for Social Housing (FONAVIS).

Prior to launching phase two, the 40 families who participated the first phase of the project signed the agreements to receive their new homes.

The homes that Habitat and its partners are helping families to build in this community are 43 square meters, each with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower a washing area and a typical “kulata jovai” area with a traditional brick oven for cooking. Hollow, ceramic bricks are used for the main part of the house, with tiled floors and galvanized steel roofing over a wood frame.

In 2010, these families of the Cayin o’Clim indigenous settlement demonstrated their interest in earning a better living through farming and changing their quality of life. They organized themselves into the “Comunidad Indígena Paraíso” (Indigenous Community of Paraíso), which later received legal recognition by the Paraguayan government. With the support of ASCIM and the Neulan Neighborhood Association, they developed a project, which was later approved by SENAVITAT. Habitat for Humanity Paraguay supported the development of the project and assessed the projects compliance with technical requirements. Read more

In partnership with the second group of families, Habitat for Humanity is currently working on the construction of 40 houses for phase two, which includes agricultural training and community development activities for the partnering families.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian nongovernmental housing organization that brings together people of all races, nationalities and religions to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by building and improving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Habitat for Humanity first opened its doors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in 1979, and has since helped more than 100,000 low-income families to access adequate housing in the region.