Graduate Stories

To give you an idea of the impact that FEISA is having on children in Paraguay, here are stories about four of FEISA's graduates:

Anabel graduated in 2003 and now works for a government project aiming to tackle the huge numbers of children working on the streets in Asunción and surrounding towns. The project works with the families to eliminate the need for the children to work by helping the parents generate sufficient income. It also provides health, nutrition and educational support. Of the 1,340 children being supported by the project, 96% are no longer working on the streets. Annabel is completely fulfilled in her work. “I always knew I wanted to reach more than the children in one class. These children are vulnerable and isolated. Nothing was being done for them. To see the success of the project and know that this is possible for more and more children in Paraguay thrills me.”

Lili graduated in 2004 and now works with the indigenous Aché community. Educational provision amongst indigenous communities is the worst in Paraguay and it is difficult to find teachers for these communities due to the harsh living conditions. Lili’s dynamic, interactive teaching methods in pre-school made even the youngest children want to attend so she decided to start a nursery class as well! The community is delighted that their children are learning so much. Her teaching about basic hygiene is also ensuring better health for them and their families. Had Lili not received a full scholarship from FEISA, she would not be teaching today.

Silvia graduated in 2004 and now teaches in a day nursery run by a Mennonite charity. As well as having a class of 25 four-year-olds, she co-ordinates the volunteers who work with all the children, aged from 6 months to 5 years. The charity’s vision is to offer economic, social and spiritual help to disadvantaged families, most of whom come from shanty towns. They wash, feed, educate and provide basic medical care for the children and they provide talks and workshops for the parents on parenting and life skills. Silvia is now studying for the degree at FEISA and she says she’s learning an enormous amount. She says, “My whole life I have wanted to be a teacher. FEISA gave me very good training, which prepared me well for the job. Now my desire is to become the director of a Christian school. Doing the degree is the first step. This is my vocation.”

Elisa graduated in 2006 and is now teaching in a charity-run school for children at risk. She has a class of 23 five-year-olds, all of whom come from families where the parents are either in prison, working on the street or ill, often with AIDS. She acts as nurse and mother as well as teacher to these very needy children. Before she came to FEISA she felt called by God to work with young children, but did not have the economic means to pay for teacher training. By offering her a scholarship, FEISA gave her the opportunity to qualify as a teacher and she says it was a dream come true for her to be able to study, a real gift from God. She now feels fulfilled in her work; “I feel useful and I’ve got so much to give. I try to make a difference to the children’s lives, giving them the love and attention they need.”