THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO 

PARAGUAY

A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS

• June 2013 CCD
This map is used with permission from the State Department.
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A WELCOME LETTER

Welcome to the toughest job you’ll ever love. You may recall this as a 

former tagline for the Peace Corps. It’s not in quotation marks because it 

is the reality that Volunteers live every day here in their communities. 

Whether it becomes true for you largely depends on you and your 

commitment to serve the people of Paraguay for two years as a Peace 

Corps Volunteer.

I want to welcome you to Peace Corps/Paraguay. My expectation, and 

that of the staff in Paraguay, is that you will embrace this challenge, 

demonstrate your professionalism and commitment, and make longlasting friendships and contributions to Paraguayan development, just as 

thousands have done since the first Volunteers arrived in 1967.

This Welcome Book was prepared jointly by Volunteers and staff. We 

hope that this resource will help to answer some of your questions and 

concerns about Paraguay itself, the Peace Corps program in Paraguay, 

and what you can do to prepare for service. It is by no means 

comprehensive, but we trust that it will offer you some useful 

information ahead of your arrival. We recommend that you share this 

book with your family as well.

The Paraguayan people make this country an excellent place to be a 

Peace Corps Volunteer. After you get over the initial shock of having lost 

most of your privacy because of your guest status, you will find that 

Paraguayans are very friendly and compassionate. They love to laugh and 

tell jokes and stories. This makes it important for you to consider two 

fundamental points as you prepare for your arrival here. First, be 

prepared to not take yourself too seriously. Paraguayans will laugh 

heartily at your language mistakes, and comment on everything from 

your clothing to your hairstyle to your ethnicity and your weight. To the 

degree you can take a good-natured ribbing, and engage their friendly 

witticisms with your own, you will find that Paraguayans will “take a 

shining” to you. Achieving this will not mean that you do not take your 
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job seriously; it just means that you will have recognized that laughter is 

an integral part of the human development process. Second, please be 

prepared to initially practice engaging Paraguayans as people, and then, 

as people with whom you’ve come to do development work. Establishing 

this personal rapport and friendship is not just the Paraguayan way; it’s 

just plain good manners and essential to good sustainable development 

work.

It is important to underscore that development work here in Paraguay, as 

in many other places in the world, is a really difficult job. Another 

challenge you will face is motivating people to engage in, and stick with, 

a process of working together to assess their current reality and 

implementing a plan to change that reality. This challenges and frustrates 

most development professionals. It will probably challenge and frustrate 

you, too. Your degree of self-described “success” as a development 

professional here will depend on your ability and effort to meet those 

challenges and frustrations with professionalism, commitment, and

personal aplomb.

Peace Corps/Paraguay has an excellent staff that is committed to 

supporting you in your 11-week pre-service training period and 

throughout your two years of service. Our pre-service training staff will 

help you learn Spanish and Guaraní, and identify strategies to integrate 

into your community and work. It may be helpful to you to begin now to 

study up on Spanish and begin preparing for your immersion–Volunteers 

have commented that it helps to build confidence as one prepares for 

arrival to Paraguay. 

I want to thank you for your commitment to serve the people of 

Paraguay. We look forward to meeting you and working with you during 

what is certain to be one of the most challenging and rewarding periods 

of your life!

Best regards,

Donald Clark

Country Director
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Contents

A WELCOME LETTER ...........................................................................1

CORE EXPECTATIONS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS ....................6

PEACE CORPS/PARAGUAY HISTORY AND PROGRAMS......................7

History of the Peace Corps in Paraguay 7

History and Future of Peace Corps in Paraguay 7

COUNTRY OVERVIEW: PARAGUAY AT A GLANCE............................10

History 10

Government 12

Economy 13

People and Culture 14

Environment 15

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION......................................17

General Information About Paraguay 17

Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees 18

Recommended Books 20

Books About the History of the Peace Corps 23

Books on the Volunteer Experience 23

LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE ..........................25

Communications 25

Mail 25

Telephones 27

Computer, Internet, and Email Access 28

A Note about Blogs, Websites, My Space, etc. 28

Housing and Site Location 28

Living Allowance and Money Management 30

Food and Diet 31

Transportation 31

Geography and Climate 32

Social Activities 33

Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior 33

Personal Safety 34

Rewards and Frustrations 35

PEACE CORPS TRAINING...................................................................37

Pre-Service Training 37

Qualifying for Service 38

Health Training 43

Safety Training 43

Ongoing Learning 46
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YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY IN PARAGUAY ............................47

Helping You Stay Healthy 48

Maintaining Your Health 48

Women’s Health Information 49

Your Peace Corps Medical Kit 50

Medical Kit Contents 50

Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist 51

SAFETY AND SECURITY—OUR PARTNERSHIP ..................................54

Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk 55

Staying Safe: Don’t Be a Target for Crime 57

Risk Reduction Measures 58

Support from Staff 61

Crime data for Paraguay 62

Volunteer Safety Support in Paraguay 62

DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES ......................................64

Overview of Diversity in Paraguay 65

What Might a Volunteer Face? 65

Possible Issues for Female Volunteers 65

Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color 66

Possible Issues for Asian American Volunteers 66

Possible Issues for 50+ Volunteers 68

Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers 68

Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers 69

Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities 70

Possible Issues for Married Volunteers 70

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .....................................................71

How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Paraguay? 71

What is the electric current in Paraguay? 71

How much money should I bring? 71

When can I take vacation and have people visit me? 72

Will my belongings be covered by insurance? 72

Do I need an international driver’s license? 72

How can my family contact me in an emergency? 73

Can I call home from Paraguay? 74

Should I bring a cellular phone with me? 74

Will there be email and Internet access? 74

Should I bring my computer? 75

WELCOME LETTERS FROM PARAGUAY VOLUNTEERS .....................77

PACKING LIST ....................................................................................80

Family 83
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Passport/Travel 88

Medical/Health 89

Insurance 89

Personal Papers 89

Voting 89

Personal Effects 90

Financial Management 90

CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS .................................91
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CORE EXPECTATIONS

FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of 

promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and 

Volunteer, you are expected to:

1. Prepare your personal and professional life to 

make a commitment to serve abroad for a full term 

of 27 months

2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the 

people with whom you live and work; and, in 

doing so, share your skills, adapt them, and learn 

new skills as needed

3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, 

under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and 

with the flexibility needed for effective service

4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable 

development work is based on the local trust and 

confidence you build by living in, and respectfully 

integrating yourself into, your host community 

and culture

5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 

7 days a week for your personal conduct and 

professional performance

6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of 

cooperation, mutual learning, and respect

7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace

Corps and the local and national laws of the 

country where you serve

8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to 

protect your health, safety, and well-being and that 

of others
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9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host 

country and community, as a representative of the 

people, cultures, values, and traditions of the 

United States of America

10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, 

values, and traditions of your host country and 

community to people in the United States both 

during and following your service

PEACE CORPS/PARAGUAY

HISTORY AND PROGRAMS

History of t he Pe ace Corps in Paraguay

The Peace Corps has been working in Paraguay since 1967, and 

the country is one of the oldest continuously operating posts in the 

agency. After the government of Paraguay and the Peace Corps 

signed a joint agreement on November 4, 1966, the first 

Volunteers arrived in 1967 to work in agricultural extension in 

rural areas. Before long, projects were also established in the 

health and education sectors. Nearly 3,000 Peace Corps 

Volunteers have served in Paraguay since 1967, and more than 40 

years later, an average of 130 Volunteers arrive each year. Today, 

approximately 200 Volunteers are working in agriculture, 

community economic development, education, environment, and 

health. Many former Paraguay Volunteers continue to stay 

informed about the country’s affairs and assist in development 

efforts in the country—years after they completed their service. At 

the same time, returned Volunteers have contributed a great deal 

to increasing Americans’ knowledge and appreciation of Paraguay 

and its people.

History and Future of Pe ace Corps Programming in 

Paraguay
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Peace Corps/Paraguay works in the five major projects of 

agriculture, community economic development, education, 

environment, and health. The focus of the agriculture sector is to 

increase farm productivity and crop diversification of small-scale 

farmers while ensuring sustained food crop availability for 

families. Agriculture Volunteers work in two areas: crop extension 

and beekeeping extension. Crop extension Volunteers assist 

farmers in implementing new agricultural practices related to 

vegetable production, soil conservation, pest management, small 

animal husbandry, and the marketing of new products. 

Beekeeping extension Volunteers address crop diversification and 

promote beekeeping as a viable option for income generation. 

Beekeeping has proved to be a suitable project for any family 

member, including single mothers, who are often the poorest of 

the poor. Agriculture Volunteers work mainly with extension 

agents and representatives from different agencies and 

nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Paraguay suffers from an alarming rate of unemployment and 

underemployment. Peace Corps/Paraguay’s community economic

development project works to create jobs and increase incomes for 

low-income Paraguayans by providing technical training and 

assistance to small business owners, promoting entrepreneurship 

among urban and suburban youth, and helping families to better 

use their resources. The Volunteers work with committees, 

associations, youth groups, and cooperative education committees 

to strengthen local capacity in the areas of management, 

accounting, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and educational 

programs. Volunteers in this sector also help community groups 

work well with their municipalities and work with civil society 

organizations, neighborhood commissions, associations, schools 

and high schools—whether they are connected with their local 

government or not. This helps to increase community members’ 

organizational management and planning capacity, as Volunteers 

build leadership and use dynamic and participatory methodology 

of teaching in the classroom setting.
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The environmental education and conservation sector has been 

encouraging environmental awareness in local communities 

throughout Paraguay for nearly 30 years. The overall vision of the 

sector is to raise awareness of environmental issues in the 

communities where we work and to provide practical solutions to 

local environmental problems at a local level, while also offering 

tools for sustainable development. Environmental themes 

addressed by the sector Volunteers are in the areas of 

deforestation/reforestation, soil conservation, diversification of 

farm use, garbage management, nature appreciation, and home 

gardens, among others. Main community contacts are community 

leaders, agriculturalists, local teachers, school principals, youth 

groups, and women’s groups. Volunteers work in schools, with 

farm families and, at the community level, through local groups 

and commissions. The environmental sector Volunteers’ work 

complements the ongoing efforts of the government of Paraguay 

(Ministries of Education, Environment, Tourism, and Forestry) 

and NGOs (e.g., Guyra, WWF, Procosara).

The goal of the rural health and sanitation project is to improve 

the infant, child, and maternal health of rural Paraguayans. 

Volunteers promote preventive health care and sponsor seminars 

on maternal and child care for village nurses, parents, and 

community members. Additionally, Volunteers work in schools to 

promote improved hygiene and dental health. Volunteers also 

work in select communities promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and 

prevention. Finally, Volunteers work with the protection and 

decontamination of water sources, latrine construction, and the 

excavation of garbage pits. The Peace Corps’ health project 

counterpart is the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 

Until 2010, the education sector consisted of two projects: early 

elementary education, which concentrated on formal education in 

rural areas, and urban youth development, which focused on 

nonformal education in urban areas. These sector projects merged

into one project in 2011, under the new name of education and 

youth development. The purpose of this project is to work with 
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primary and secondary school principals, teachers, students, 

parents, and community leaders to strengthen basic reading and 

math, in addition to life skills and community service. The goal is 

to improve student performance and enable youth to become an 

active part of the community as empowered citizens. Besides 

working with early elementary education and the first cycle of 

primary school, this project will reach second and third cycles, 

including secondary education teachers and students in school and 

community settings, to promote self-esteem building, leadership 

skills, and values for a healthy lifestyle. Skills that lead to a 

successful integration into the work world and active citizenship 

practices will be emphasized. Peace Corps’ counterpart agencies 

for this project are the Ministry of Education, its dependent office 

for the Sub-Secretariat of Youth, and several NGOs. 

In addition to the major projects mentioned above, Peace 

Corps/Paraguay has four initiatives that cut across project lines 

and provide secondary work opportunities for Volunteers in all 

project areas: information and communications technology (ICT), 

HIV/AIDS education and prevention, youth development, and 

gender and development.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW: 

PARAGUAY AT A GLANCE

History

Almost no archaeological research has been done in Paraguay, and 

the pre-Columbian history of the country is poorly documented. 

What is certain is that the eastern part of the country was occupied 

by Guaraní Indians for at least 1,000 years before the Spanish 

conquest. Evidence indicates that those indigenous inhabitants 

developed a fairly sophisticated level of political autonomy, with 

quasi-sedentary, multi-village chiefdoms.

The first Spaniards settled in the territory in the 16th century. 

They were predominantly young men, as few women followed 
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them to the relatively unpromising region. Following the 

Spaniards’ assumption of power, a mixed, or mestizo, population 

developed that spoke the language of their indigenous mothers but 

adopted many of the cultural norms of their Spanish fathers.

The country’s colonial history was one of general calm punctuated 

by turbulent political events. The colony was economically 

unimportant to the Spanish crown, and the distance of its capital 

from other new cities on the continent virtually ensured the 

territory’s isolation. Paraguay declared its independence from 

Spain in 1811.

From independence onward, the country has had a fascinating 

history of dictatorial governments, from the utopian regime of José 

Gaspar de Francia (El Supremo) to the suicidal reign of Francisco 

Solano López, who nearly devastated the country in warfare against 

the combined forces of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay from 1865 

through 1870. The so-called War of the Triple Alliance ended in the 

near annihilation of Paraguay and set the stage for the formation of a 

two-party (Colorado vs. Liberal) political system that continues 

today.

Following political turmoil during the first three decades of the 

20th century, Paraguay went to war again, this time with Bolivia. 

From 1932 to 1935, approximately 30,000 Paraguayans and 

65,000 Bolivians died while fighting over possession of the Chaco 

region. 

Modern-day Paraguayans look with pride on their history of 

surviving devastating wars and rebuilding their country in the face 

of great odds. On the other hand, initiative and creativity were 

stifled for many years during the rule of a series of dictators. From 

1870 to 1954, Paraguay was ruled by 44 different men, 24 of 

whom were forced from office. In 1954, General Alfredo 

Stroessner took advantage of the strong link between the armed 

forces and the Colorado Party to overthrow the government; he 

ruled until 1989.
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Although there is little ethnic strife to impede social and economic 

progress, there is social conflict caused by underemployment and 

the enormous gap between the rich and the poor. Positive steps to 

correct these inequities have occurred since the 1989 ousting of 

the last dictator, and the country is moving toward a fully 

functioning democracy. However, the tradition of hierarchical 

organizational structures and generous rewarding of political 

favors prevails.

Gove rnme nt

Because of Paraguay’s long history of dictatorship, the 

government has always exercised strict control over the political 

system and economic activities of the country, including local 

government activities. However, in 1992 Paraguay approved a 

new constitution that introduced several changes in its political 

system. The new constitution calls for a process of 

decentralization in which certain powers are to be transferred to 

municipal and departmental governments.

Since Alfredo Stroessner was deposed in a military coup in 1989, 

Paraguay has undergone a process of democratization. Open 

elections, liberalization of the press, and public debate of issues 

have created an atmosphere conducive to change. In May 1993, 

Paraguay elected its first nonmilitary president in 40 years. In 

another landmark election in May 1998, Paraguay voted to pass 

the presidency from one civilian government to another. In March 

1999, the assassination of the vice president led to the resignation 

of the new president. In spite of threats of a constitutional crisis, 

the presidency passed to the president of the Senate, Luis Angel 

González Macchi, as mandated by the constitution. The Macchi 

government, however, was ineffective in making necessary 

reforms, and the country’s socioeconomic difficulties worsened 

during his mandate. The Duarte Frutos government (2003-2008) 

began with promise but fell well short of expectations. That paved 

the way for the upset victory of ex-bishop Fernando Lugo, the 

opposition candidate. His victory broke the more than 60-year rule 

of the Colorado Party. Swept in under the promise of reform, the 
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Lugo government has plodded along, mired in personal scandals 

and general disorganization. Nevertheless, the government’s goals 

of reducing poverty and eliminating corruption in the public sector 

remain in place.

Economy

With an estimated 6.2 million people, Paraguay ranks as the 

second smallest country in Latin America. The economy is 

fundamentally agrarian, with agriculture and agribusiness 

representing about 40 percent of output and employment.

Paraguay depends heavily on exports and prices of a few key 

commodities, such as beef, lumber, cotton, and soybeans. These 

sectors provide about one-third of the gross domestic product and 

45 percent of the employment. 

For many years, cotton had been the main source of income for

campesino (farming) families. However, the export of cotton has 

decreased over the past decade, being supplanted by soybeans. 

Paraguay is ranked as the world’s fourth largest exporter of 

soybeans and its fifth largest producer. At the same time, 

dependence on so few export crops places Paraguay in a highly 

vulnerable position when there are drastic shifts in international 

market prices or serious climatic perturbations.

Beef exports have also increased substantially. This shift has 

contributed significantly to rising poverty among campesino

families since meat is produced by large ranches with low labor 

input. 

Paraguay ranks as the second poorest country in South America, 

with a 2010 GDP per capita of US $2,860. According to the 

National Statistical Office, by 2007, 2.1 million (35.6 percent) of 

the population was still living in poverty and the percentage of 

those living in extreme poverty had actually increased from 15.5 

percent in 2005 to 19.4 percent in 2007. Approximately 1 million, 

or 15.9 percent, are unemployed.
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Household economic patterns in the countryside vary from basic 

subsistence to full-wage labor. Most families earn a living from a 

combination of strategies, with cultivation of some food crops and 

some cash crops, and the occasional outside paid labor of one or 

more family members. As the population increases and land 

becomes scarcer, increasing numbers of farm families abandon the 

land and search for wage-labor opportunities in rural areas or the 

capital city of Asunción. Of these rural origin migrants, 48.7 

percent go to other urban/metropolitan areas, and the remaining 

51.3 percent go to rural areas. 

A traditional release for Paraguay’s unemployed has been 

Argentina, but this option no longer exists because of that 

country’s own economic conditions. Beginning in 2002, there was 

a sudden surge in migration to Europe, and primarily to Spain. By 

2007, there were an estimated 100,000 Paraguayans living in that 

country, of which only 11,000 were legal immigrants. In 2007 

alone, over 42,000 Paraguayans attempted to enter Spain, and 4.3 

percent of them were sent back. 

Remittances from Paraguayan workers overseas have increased 

significantly over the years, from approximately $200 million in 

2000 to $500 million today.

Pe ople and Culture

In Paraguay, a multitude of customs, beliefs, and art forms 

contribute to the richness of the culture. These customs and beliefs 

provide a sense of continuity to Paraguayans, and some may 

regard change with suspicion. The pace of life and work tends to 

be slower than that to which Volunteers are accustomed. Indeed, 

the universal watchword is tranquilo, or tranquil.

Paraguayans hold their native language, Guaraní, very dear, 

viewing it as the vessel that carries and transmits their culture. 

However, music is undoubtedly the art that has given Paraguay its 

greatest prestige around the world. It is the country’s most 

efficient means for the dissemination of its culture, even if the 
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common tunes are known as “waltzes” and “polkas” (Guaranias

are also a musical staple). Native handicrafts unique to Paraguay 

include the delicate ñandutí lace. Employing great imagination 

and skill, Paraguayan women produce some of the world’s finest 

lacework. Ñandutí, which is made in a circular design, takes its 

name from a Guaraní word meaning “spider web.”

Environme nt

Landlocked Paraguay, located in the heart of South America, is a 

place of great physical beauty and considerable environmental 

diversity. Surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil, it is 

linked to the Atlantic through the Paraná-Paraguay River system, 

which flows south through Argentina. The country lies in the 

subtropics, mostly south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Similar to 

central Florida in climate, it can be very hot in the summer months 

and extremely cold in the winter months. Freezes are rare but do 

occur once or twice each year.

The Paraguay River divides the country into distinct eastern and 

western regions. Eastern Paraguay is more temperate and has a 

gentle, rolling terrain with wooded hills, subtropical forests, and 

fertile grasslands. Rainfall is plentiful for most of the year in this 

section of Paraguay. So, too, are heat and humidity, especially 

from October through April, when temperatures typically rise 

above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The Chaco in western Paraguay is a 

low plain covered by marshes, savannas, and dense scrub forests. 

As one travels westward from the Paraguay River, rainfall 

becomes increasingly scarce and living conditions become 

increasingly harsh.

Although Paraguay is in many ways more fortunate than more 

densely populated Latin American countries, it is nonetheless 

undergoing an alarming degree of environmental degradation. 

Paraguay’s deforestation rate is among the highest in the world, 

and its fragile soils are subjected to unsustainable farming 

practices that also involve high use of chemical pesticides and 

fertilizers. These factors and others have led to decreased 
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agricultural productivity and shortages of firewood, fruits, and 

lumber.
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RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Following is a list of websites for additional information about the 

Peace Corps and Paraguay and to connect you to returned 

Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although 

we try to make sure all these links are active and current, we 

cannot guarantee it. If you do not have access to the Internet, visit 

your local library. Libraries offer free Internet usage and often let 

you print information to take home.

A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may 

find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which people are free to 

express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own 

experience, including comments by those who were unhappy with 

their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not 

those of the Peace Corps or the U.S. government, and we hope 

you will keep in mind that no two people experience their service 

in the same way.

Ge ne ral Information About Paraguay

www.countrywatch.com/ 

On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the 

Asunción to how to convert from the dollar to the Guarani .Just 

click on Paraguay and go from there.

www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations

Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in 

the world.

www.state.gov

The State Department’s website issues background notes 

periodically about countries around the world. Find Paraguay and 

learn more about its social and political history. You can also go 

to the site’s international travel section to check on conditions that 

may affect your safety.
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www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm

This includes links to all the official sites for governments 

worldwide.

www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm

This online world atlas includes maps and geographical 

information, and each country page contains links to other sites, 

such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive 

historical, social, and political background.

www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp 

This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical 

information for member states of the U.N.

www.worldinformation.com

This site provides an additional source of current and historical 

information about countries around the world.

Conne ct With Re turne d Volunte e rs

and Othe r Invite e s

www.rpcv.org

This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up 

of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to all the 

Web pages of the “Friends of” groups for most countries of 

service, comprised of former Volunteers who served in those 

countries. There are also regional groups that frequently get 

together for social events and local volunteer activities. Or go 

straight to the Friends of Paraguay site: 

http://www.friendsofparaguay.org/

www.peacecorpsworldwide.org

This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a 

monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer accounts of 

their Peace Corps service.

Online Article s/Curre nt Ne ws Site s About Paraguay
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www.discoveringparaguay.com/home/

Discovering Paraguay is full of articles, recommendations, and 

links with all kinds of valuable information about food, culture,

and life in Paraguay.

www.lanacion.com.py

Site of La Nación, a Paraguayan newspaper

www.ultimahora.com.py

Site of Ultima Hora, a Paraguayan newspaper

www.abc.com.py

Site of ABC Color, a Paraguayan newspaper

Inte rnational De ve lopme nt Site s About Paraguay

www.usaid.gov/country/lac/py

U.S. Agency for International Development

www.worldbank.org

World Bank (search for Paraguay using the “Countries & 

Regions” link in the left navigation column) 

www.jica.go.jp/paraguay/espanol/index.html

Japan International Cooperation Agency

http://www.planinternational.org/wherewework/americas/paraguay/

Plan International

www.unicef.org/paraguay

UNICEF

www.unesco.org

UNESCO (search for Paraguay)

www.worldwildlife.org
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World Wildlife Fund (search for Paraguay)

Re comme nde d Books

1. Abou. The Jesuit republic of the Guaranis. (1609-

1768).1998.

2. Boschmann. Paraguay – a tour guide. 2009.

3. Brodsky. Madame Lynch & friend: a true account of an 

Irish adventuress and the dictator of Paraguay. 1975.

4. Caraman. The lost paradise: an account of the Jesuits in 

Paraguay, 1607-1768. 1975.

5. Carver. Paradise with serpents: travels in the lost world 

of Paraguay. 2009.

6. Cawthorne. The Empress of South America. 2003.

7. Clastres. The land-without-evil:Tupi-Guarani prophetism. 

1995.

8. Dyck. Up from the rubble: the epic rescue of thousands of 

war-ravaged Mennonite refugees. 1991. 

9. English. The green hell: a concise history of the Chaco 

War between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932-35. 2008.

10. Farcau. The Chaco War: Bolivia and Paraguay, 1932-

1935. 1996.

11. Giles. Guarani. 2006.

12. Gimlette. At the tomb of the inflatable pig: travels 

through Paraguay. 2005. 

13. Graham. Portrait of a dictator: Francisco Solano López

(Paraguay, 1865-1870). 1933.
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14. Graham. A vanished Arcadia: being some account of the 

Jesuits in Paraguay, 1607 to 1767. 2008.

15. Greene. The honorary consul: a novel. 1973.

16. Grow. The Good Neighbor Policy and authoritarianism 

in Paraguay. 1981.

17. Hill. Aché life history: the ecology and demography of a 

foraging people. 1996.

18. Hilton. The General (In: Granta, No. 31, spring 1990)

19. Horst. The Stroessner regime and indigenous resistance 

in Paraguay. 2007.

20. Jaenike. Black robes in Paraguay. 2008.

21. Keeney. Guaraní shamans of the forest. 2000.

22. Kolinski. Independence or death: the story of the 

Paraguayan War. 1965.

23. Leuchars. To the bitter end: Paraguay and the War of the 

Triple Alliance. 2002.

24. Lewis. Paraguay under Stroessner. 1980.

25. Lewis. Political parties and generations in Paraguay’s 

Liberal era, 1869-1940. 1993.

26. Lewis. Socialism, liberalism and dictatorship in 

Paraguay. 1982.

27. Lopez. The colonial history of Paraguay: the revolt of the 

Comuneros. 2005.

28. Macintyre. Forgotten fatherland: the search for Elizabeth 

Nietzsche and the Aryan colony in Paraguay. 1992.
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29. McNaspy. Conquistador without a sword: the life of 

Roque González, S. J. 1984.

30. McNaspy. Lost cities of Paraguay: art and architecture 

of the Jesuit Reductions, 1767. 1982.

31. Miranda. The Stroessner era: authoritarian rule in 

Paraguay. 1990.

32. Mora. Paraguay and the United States: distant allies.

2007.

33. Mora. Portrait of a dictator: Francisco Solano López 

(Paraguay, 1865-1870). 1933.

34. O’Shaughnessy. The priest of Paraguay: Fernando Lugo 

and the making of the nation. 2009.

35. Pallamary. Land without evil: a novel. 1999.

36. Phelps. Tragedy of Paraguay. 1975.

37. Roa Bastos. I, the Supreme. 1986.

38. Saeger. Francisco Solano López and the ruination of 

Paraguay: honor and egocentrism. 2007.

39. Schmidt. Do you have an Opy: politics and identity 

among the Mbya-Guaraní of Argentina and Eastern 

Paraguay. 1995.

40. Service. Spanish-Guaraní relations in early colonial 

Paraguay. 1971.

41. Stoesz. Like a mustard seed: Mennonites in Paraguay. 

2008.

42. Tuck. The news from Paraguay: a novel. 2004.
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43. Turner. Community politics and peasant-state relations in 

Paraguay. 1993.

44. Warren. Paraguay: an informal history. 1949.

45. Warren. Paraguay and the Triple Alliance. 1978.

46. Washburn. The history of Paraguay: with notes of 

personal observations, and reminiscences of diplomacy 

under difficulties. Vol. 1-2. 2001.

47. White. Paraguay’s autonomous revolution, 1810-1840.

1978.

48. White. El Supremo: a romance of the great dictator of 

Paraguay. 2007.

49. Whitehead. Paradise mislaid: in search of the Australian 

tribe of Paraguay. 1998.

Books About the History of the Peace Corps

1. Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. All You Need is Love: The Peace 

Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard 

University Press, 2000.

2. Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps. Notre 

Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.

3. Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver.

Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2004.

4. Meisler, Stanley. When the World Calls: The Inside Story of the 

Peace Corps and its First 50 Years. Boston, Mass.: Beacon Press, 

2011.

Books on the Volunteer Experience
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1. Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place. 

Santa Barbara, Calif.: McSeas Books, 2004.

2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace 

Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red Apple Publishing, 

2000.

3. Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the 

Heart of an African Village. New York, N.Y.: Picador, 2003.

4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New 

York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.

5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories out 

of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, Calif.: Clover Park Press, 

1991.

6. Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. 

Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press, 1997 (reprint).
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LIVING CONDITIONS AND 

VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE 

Communications

Mail

Your mailing address in Paraguay will be:

“Your Name,” PCT [for trainee] or PCV [for Volunteer] 

Cuerpo de Paz

162 Chaco Boreal c/Mcal. López

Asunción 1580, Paraguay

South America

Compared with mail in many developing countries, mail between 

the United States and Paraguay is relatively dependable, but slow 

in arriving. Letters usually take two to three weeks to reach 

Paraguay; surface mail can take months. Packages and other types 

of correspondence are delayed much longer and may take several 

weeks to several months.

As a result of the departure of two major airlines, only regional 

carriers serve Paraguay with smaller aircraft, and cargo space for 

mail is extremely limited. Packages and other types of 

correspondence are being delayed for weeks and even months at 

intermediate points, such as Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo, where 

they await eventual delivery to Paraguay by other means of 

transport.

All packages from overseas pass through the Paraguayan 

International Package Center, where postal and customs inspectors 

determine which packages will be sent directly to the Peace Corps 

office for distribution and which will be retained for further 

inspection. Any package—regardless of content, weight, type of 

packing material, or religious slogans—may be held at the 

International Package Center (also known as “the package place”
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or the “package center”). In this case, the Volunteer will receive a 

notice in his/her mailbox indicating that the package is being 

retained. PCVs who receive this notification must collect their 

parcel/s personally; packages must be retrieved within one month 

of the date on which the notification is prepared.

Another option for sending packages to Paraguay is by courier 

services such as DHL, FEDEX, and UPS. Although these services 

are more expensive, packages do arrive here in 3-5 days. Another 

point in favor is that packages sent through courier services do 

NOT go through the Paraguay Postal Service. U.S. Express Mail 

works in the same way.

Packages with a declared value—the value claimed on the green 

sticker affixed to the package—in excess of $100 are usually sent 

to customs. If the package is sent to customs, the PCV will be 

assessed a tax based on the type of merchandise and its declared 

value. Volunteers whose package/s is/are sent to customs will be 

advised to this effect. Peace Corps/Paraguay’s customs agent will 

do the leg- and paperwork to process and retrieve the parcel. The 

Volunteer is responsible for paying any fees and taxes assessed, as 

well as the customs agent’s fees. Note: Packages which arrive 

through a courier may also be sent to customs.

We recommend that you establish a regular pattern of writing or 

emailing friends and relatives in the United States, as they may 

become concerned if they do not hear from you for an extended 

period of time. You may want to tell them, however, that once 

Volunteers move to their sites and become more involved in their 

projects, their correspondence habits often change.

Some Volunteers and their families number their letters in 

sequence to try to keep track of how many have been sent and 

received. This is a good way to know whether someone is just too 

busy to write or if letters are not arriving for some other reason.

Peace Corps regulations prohibit Volunteers from accepting gifts of 

property, money, or voluntary services directly. Such gifts can 
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cause confusion about the role of the Volunteer, who might be 

perceived as a facilitator of goods and funding, rather than a person 

who is working to build a community’s capacity to identify local 

resources. You are not permitted to solicit materials or funds for 

your community during your first six months at site so you have 

time to engage the community in project identification. To ensure 

that any request for funding or donations is appropriate for your 

project and your community, you must have prior authorization 

from your program director and the country director.

The Peace Corps has a mechanism in place for you and the 

communities you work with to access U.S. private-sector funds. 

The Peace Corps Partnership Program, administered by the Office 

of Private Sector Initiatives, can help you obtain financial support 

from corporations, foundations, civic groups, individuals, faithbased groups, and schools for projects approved by the country 

director. To learn more about the Partnership Program, call 800-

424-8580 (ext. 2170), email pcpp@peacecorps.gov, or visit 

www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.volproj.

Telephone

International phone service to and from Paraguay is fairly reliable 

and accessible to most Volunteers. Volunteers are provided with a 

cellular phone and a basic calling plan. If Volunteers want to 

increase their minutes and/or upgrade the cellphone model, they 

must do so with their own living allowance. Although not all areas 

of the country are accessible by cellphone, most Volunteers are 

able to call Asunción and to receive international calls with their 

cellphones. Those who call you on your cellphone from the States 

must dial the following: 011-595-981/2/3/4/5- <your phone 

number>.

The Peace Corps office, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in 

Asunción, has access to a direct phone line between Asunción and 

Washington, D.C. This line is mainly for conducting official 

business with Peace Corps headquarters; however, it is available 

for Volunteer use after office hours during the week, as well as on 
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weekends and holidays. Volunteers can place direct calls to the 

Washington area at no charge, while calls to all other areas are 

billed at the long-distance rate from Washington. Use of this line 

is on a first-come, first-served basis. To utilize this service, 

Volunteers must have a calling card.

Computer, Internet, and Email Access

Paraguay is hardly at the forefront of the “e-revolution,” but 

Volunteers increasingly are able to rely on the Internet to 

communicate with family and friends in the United States. There 

are several Internet cafes in Asunción, and cafes are opening with 

increasing frequency even in rural towns. There are also 

computers with Internet access available for trainee and Volunteer 

use in the Peace Corps office. Many Volunteers acquire free email 

accounts and use these computers to send and receive email while 

they are in Asunción on official business. Trainees and Volunteers 

also use the library’s computers for work-related matters. Trainees 

and Volunteers are assigned individual user accounts, which 

enable them to access the computer, Internet, etc.; these accounts 

are non-transferrable. Please note that use of PC computers is 

restricted to Volunteers and trainees. The office now has 

“hotspots” throughout the complex to which PCVs can connect. 

Volunteers are also able to buy a portable modem for use with 

their personal laptops. This cost will be deducted from the 

Volunteers’ monthly living stipend. Many Volunteers find that 

bringing a laptop is useful to them for filling out their trimester 

reports for Peace Corps, watching movies, and accessing the 

Internet. However, do keep in mind that there is always the risk 

that these computers may get lost, stolen, or damaged here in 

Paraguay. 

Housing and Site Location

Most Volunteers live and work in rural areas, but a growing 

number are being assigned to work in urban centers in response to 

a recent increase in urban migration. The latest census shows that 

more than half of the population lives in larger towns or cities. 

Your Volunteer Assignment Description (VAD) should indicate 
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whether your project site is likely to be urban or rural. All 

Volunteers spend some time in Asunción because it is the location 

of the Peace Corps office, as well as the site of conferences and 

some in-service training.

About 80 percent of Volunteers live in small towns or villages 

with fewer than 5,000 people, and some of these campo

(countryside) sites have fewer than 200 inhabitants. Most (but not 

all) have electricity, as the country has increased the availability of 

electricity from 24 percent of Paraguay’s 3 million people in 1978 

to more than 60 percent of the current population of about 6.2 

million. Generally, streets in the campo towns are unpaved, and 

there is no running water or indoor toilets. Few people in these 

towns have traveled outside Paraguay, and many have never even 

been to Asunción. The only people with cars are likely to be the 

doctor, the priest, and a few business people, government officials, 

and ranchers. Horses, motorcycles, bicycles, and ox carts make up 

the majority of local traffic, with children playing freely alongside 

roaming cows, pigs, and chickens.

For both rural and urban Volunteers, housing in Paraguay is basic. 

Volunteers are required to live with a Paraguayan family during 

their initial three months of service. Some Volunteers then choose 

to live alone in one- or two-room wood or brick homes; others 

choose to live with a Paraguayan family for their entire two years 

of service. Peace Corps/Paraguay strongly recommends that 

Volunteers, especially single women, consider this option. Living 

with a family not only helps with community integration, but also 

decreases personal security risks. If you choose to live with a 

family, the furniture will be adequate and functional, but probably 

not overly comfortable. If you choose to live on your own, you 

will likely need to furnish the place yourself.

Volunteers who live in the capital or other large cities will have 

easier access to services such as running water, electricity, 

telephones, public transportation, and the Internet. They will also 
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enjoy many of the same shopping and entertainment amenities 

found in similar-size cities in the United States. 

Living Allowance and Mone y Manage me nt

As a Volunteer, you will receive a living allowance that enables 

you to maintain a modest but safe and adequate lifestyle. While 

the living allowance is calculated to enable you to live at the same 

standard as your Paraguayan neighbors, the Peace Corps requires 

that Volunteer housing meet minimal standards for security and 

that Volunteers have the resources to maintain a healthy diet and 

respectable lifestyle. Living allowances are reviewed once a year 

to ensure that they are sufficient to meet basic needs, and they are 

adjusted by the Peace Corps if necessary.

You will receive three additional allowances: a monthly vacation 

allowance (along with two days of vacation for each month of 

service); a one-time settling-in allowance to cover the initial 

expenses of furnishing a house or room and purchasing basic 

supplies; and an allowance, set aside by the U.S. government, of 

$275 for each month of service. This readjustment allowance, 

which is available upon completion of service, permits returning 

Volunteers to resettle in the United States without undue financial 

burden.

While Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the 

Paraguayans in their communities and are are able to do that with 

the allowances provided by the Peace Corps, some Volunteers 

bring additional money or credit cards for extraordinary expenses 

or for travel during vacations. The Peace Corps strongly 

recommends that cash be held in the form of traveler’s checks to 

prevent loss or theft; these checks may be cashed at 

“MaxiCambios.” The ATMs that are increasingly available in 

Asunción and other large cities accept ATM cards from most U.S. 

financial institutions, including Citibank. Peace Corps will 

safeguard traveler’s checks for Volunteers in the office. Cash will 

not be safeguarded, nor will PCVs be able to deposit it into their 

Peace Corps bank accounts. Volunteers are unable to open 
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personal bank accounts in Paraguay due to local banking rules. 

Keep this in mind should you decide to bring cash, as Peace 

Corps/Paraguay strongly discourages Volunteers from bringing 

large amounts of cash.

Food and Die t

Paraguayans tend to eat more simple meals than people do in the 

United States. Dietary habits and the lack of agricultural diversity 

often limit meals to beans, rice, noodles, meat (when available), 

corn, onions, tomatoes, and manioc. Manioc, or mandioca (more 

commonly known in other countries as yucca or cassava), is the 

staple food in rural Paraguay and is as ubiquitous at the table as 

bread is in other countries. Paraguayan food is not spicy and is 

quite different from Mexican food (for instance, in Paraguay, a 

tortilla is a kind of fritter). Most Paraguayans are exceptionally 

generous and will insist on sharing their food, no matter how little 

they have.

Volunteers who choose to maintain a vegetarian diet are able to do 

so with varying degrees of difficulty, as it is a challenge not only 

to find the variety of foods necessary to remain healthy, but to get 

Paraguayans to understand such a decision. A vegetarian diet is 

much easier to follow if one incorporates eggs and dairy products, 

and some Volunteers choose to add fish and chicken. 

Transport ation

Most Volunteers live in communities served by a simple dirt road, 

which may or may not be close to a paved road. Inexpensive bus 

service is available to almost all communities, although heavy rain 

can unexpectedly close dirt roads to bus traffic for an 

unpredictable length of time. While a community may not be a 

great distance from the capital in miles, getting there may involve 

a trip of several hours because of the condition of unpaved roads. 

You will receive assistance in identifying alternative forms of 
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transportation (i.e., a private vehicle, taxi, or truck) from your site 

in the event of an emergency. Volunteers may, upon request, be 

issued a mountain bicycle and helmet.

Peace Corps/Paraguay, as mandated by Peace Corps/Washington, 

prohibits Volunteers from driving or riding as a passenger on any 

two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicle (such as a motorcycle) 

for any reason. Moreover, Volunteers are not allowed to own or 

drive private vehicles in Paraguay. These prohibitions are in 

response to serious safety concerns, and violation of the policy 

will result in the administrative separation of the Volunteer from 

Peace Corps service.

Ge ography and Climate

Unlike more tropical countries, Paraguay does have distinct 

seasons. Summer (November through March) is long, hot, and 

humid, with temperatures on occasion reaching as high as 115 

degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). Winter (June through 

mid-September) is short and mild, with periods of cold weather 

(down to 30 F) and occasional frosts. Because of the high 

humidity and lack of indoor heating, cold winter days may seem 

more severe than they actually are. The short spring and autumn 

seasons usually are mild and balmy.

Because of Paraguay’s southern latitudes, the length of daylight 

also differs according to the season. In the winter, the sun may set 

by 5 p.m. In October, the country goes on Daylight Savings Time, 

and by mid-December it is light outside until nearly 8:30 p.m. 

Paraguayans adjust their social and business calendars according 

to these differences. In the winter, activities are compressed, and 

people are in bed by 10 p.m.; however, in the summer, people may 

not even eat dinner until after 10 p.m. At the same time, activities 

slow down remarkably during the summer, especially in rural 

areas, and a long midday siesta divides the workday into early 

morning and late afternoon periods.
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In the eastern part of the country, there is no marked rainy or dry 

season, and there is apt to be abundant rain throughout the year. 

Summer rains tend to be short and intense, while winter rains tend 

to be longer and lighter. There are months with little or no rain 

and months when it rains nearly every day.

Social Activitie s

Recreation in smaller towns often centers on the family, with an 

occasional dance, soccer game, or horse race to attend. In the 

evening, many families gather with friends for volleyball games. 

The losers pay for drinks, which might be soft drinks (gaseosas) 

or beer. People frequently sit in clusters (often limited to one 

gender or age group) to drink the ubiquitous yerba mate, a 

common local drink made from the leaves of a shrub native to the 

region, either cold (tereré) or hot (mate) in the early morning or 

wintertime. During the hot summer, an important social activity is 

likely to be bathing in the local stream (arroyo). The 

electrification of the countryside has increased the popularity of 

“boomboxes,” TVs, DVDs, etc. Volunteers often participate in 

organized groups, such as ecology clubs or youth groups, that 

meet occasionally for selected activities.

In Asunción and larger towns, there is a wider variety of options 

for social activities, including movie theaters, nightclubs, 

restaurants, and sporting events. Volunteers usually take 

advantage of their rare weekends in the capital to see the latest 

movies and enjoy some night life. Volunteers also have access to 

the swimming pool at the U.S. Embassy while in Asunción.

Profe ssionalism, Dre ss, and Be havior

Cleanliness and a neat personal appearance are very important to 

Paraguayans. You must dress appropriately when meeting with 

government or other officials. Shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops 

are inappropriate except around your home or for 

recreational activities. Whether you work in a school or office 

setting, in rural or urban Paraguay, proper attire will help 

establish your professional credibility. It also reflects your 
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respect for the customs and lifestyle of the people with whom 

you are living and working.

Although affluent Paraguayans in Asunción may be influenced by 

international trends and fashions, most Paraguayans view 

shoulder-length hair, dreadlocks, ponytails, tattoos, and earrings 

on men with suspicion. It is not unusual for a person to be labeled 

a drogadicto (drug addict) based on appearance alone. Therefore, 

Volunteers are not permitted to have facial piercings (nose, 

tongue, and eyebrow). Tattoos for both men and women should 

remain covered until Volunteers have been at their sites for at least 

six months and can realistically judge the degree to which these 

would be accepted by community members. Female Volunteers 

should always wear bras outside of their homes. Male Volunteers 

with beards must keep them well-trimmed and clean. 

Nevertheless, we ask that men arrive in Paraguay clean shaven for 

their official identification photo.

If you do not cut your hair and remove body rings before you 

arrive in Paraguay, you will be asked to do so before you are 

placed with a host family during training. Adherence to these rules 

is considered to be a sign of your motivation and commitment to 

adapt to your new environment. If you have reservations about 

this, or if you view this as an unacceptable sacrifice, you should 

re-evaluate your decision to become a Peace Corps Volunteer in 

Paraguay. If you decide to conform to the country’s norms, you 

will be amply rewarded by the great adventure and lasting 

friendships that await you.

Pe rsonal Safe ty

More detailed information about the Peace Corps’ approach to 

safety is contained in the “Health Care and Safety” chapter, but it 

is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in 

the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer 

entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar 

environment (oftentimes alone), having a limited understanding of 

local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are 
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some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many 

Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and 

harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and 

incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most 

Paraguay Volunteers complete their two years of service without 

incident. The Peace Corps has established procedures and policies 

designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety 

and security. These procedures and policies, in addition to safety 

training, will be provided once you arrive in Paraguay. Using 

these tools, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety 

and well-being.

Each staff member at the Peace Corps is committed to providing 

Volunteers with the support they need to successfully meet the 

challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive 

service. We encourage Volunteers and families to look at our 

safety and security information on the Peace Corps website at 

www.peacecorps.gov/safety.

Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health 

and Volunteer safety. There is a section titled “Safety and Security 

in Depth.” Among topics addressed are the risks of serving as a 

Volunteer, posts’ safety support systems, and emergency planning 

and communications.

Re wards and Frust rations

Volunteers have a variety of reasons for joining the Peace Corps, 

but high on the list must be the desire to help others. Most 

Volunteers bring a high degree of motivation and enthusiasm to 

their service. These are not lost in serving others, but are 

necessarily tempered by the process of learning about the daily 

realities of a different culture. So while Volunteers should not 

expect to “change the world,” they can look forward to making a 

tangible impact.

Being a Volunteer requires adjusting to alternative ways of 

thinking, living, and working. Such adjustments are neither simple 
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nor painless. The people you work with may have strong feelings 

of pride and nationalism, so your own enthusiasm for change, 

however well intended, may be misunderstood. You will 

constantly need to take into consideration the emotions, needs, 

traditions, institutions, and way of life of the people you work 

with.

Your satisfaction will come from your commitment to learning 

and the flexibility you possess to deal with new values and 

experiences. After living and working with the people of another 

culture, Volunteers often develop strong ties that are reflected in 

strong emotions. Intense feelings of desperation, satisfaction, 

anger, happiness, anxiety, and peace of mind will crop up over 

and over. These feelings are all part of the Volunteer experience. 

But in the end, it is a rare Volunteer who does not feel that the 

experience was one of the most important in his or her life.
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PEACE CORPS TRAINING

Ove rvie w of Pre -Se rvice Training

Pre-service training (PST) is the first event within a competencybased training program that continues throughout your 27 months 

of service in Paraguay. PST ensures that Volunteers are equipped 

with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively perform 

their jobs. Training is conducted in Paraguay at the Peace Corps 

Training Center by the training staff, with participation from 

current and former Volunteers, program managers, some 

representatives of Paraguayan organizations, medical officers, the 

safety and security officer, the program and training officer, and 

the country director. The length of PST varies, usually ranging 

from 10 to 11 weeks, depending on the competencies required for 

the assignment. Peace Corps/Paraguay measures achievement of 

learning through written tests that have a minimum score 

requirement, through ongoing qualitative technical assessments of 

the various tasks assigned trainees, through periodic personal 

interviews and language interviews, through a self-evaluative 

process called TAPS, through staff observation of the trainees in 

their communities, and through conversations with the host 

families and other members of the satellite community. If a trainee 

has successfully achieved competencies, including language 

standards, he/she is then sworn-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance 

competencies. Initially, PST affords the opportunity for trainees to 

develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play 

an active role in self-education. You will be asked to decide how 

best to set and meet objectives and to find alternative solutions. 

You will be asked to prepare for an experience in which you will 

often have to take the initiative and accept responsibility for 

decisions. The success of your learning will be enhanced by your 

own effort to take responsibility for your learning and through 

sharing experiences with others.
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Peace Corps training is founded on adult learning methods and 

often includes experiential “hands-on” applications, such as 

conducting a participatory community needs assessment and 

facilitating groups. Successful training results in competence in 

various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety and 

security areas. Integrating into the community is usually one of 

the core competencies Volunteers strive to achieve both in preservice training and during the first several months of service. 

Successful sustainable development work is based on the local 

trust and confidence Volunteers build by living in, and 

respectfully integrating into, the Paraguayan community and 

culture. Trainees are prepared for this through a “homestay” 

experience, which requires trainees to live with host families 

during PST and during their first three months at their sites. 

Integration into the community not only facilitates good working 

relationships, but it fosters language learning and cross-cultural 

acceptance and trust, which help ensure your health, safety, and 

security. 

Woven into the competencies, the ability to communicate in the 

host country language is critical to being an effective Peace Corps 

Volunteer. So basic is this precept that it is spelled out in the 

Peace Corps Act: No person shall be assigned to duty as a 

Volunteer under this act in any foreign country or area unless at 

the time of such assignment he (or she) possesses such reasonable 

proficiency as his (or her) assignment requires in speaking the 

language of the country or area to which he (or she) is assigned.

Qualifying for Service

The PST experience provides an opportunity not only for the 

Peace Corps to assess a trainee’s competence, but for trainees to 

re-evaluate their commitment to serve for 27 months to improve 

the quality of life of the people with whom Volunteers live and 

work and, in doing so, develop new knowledge, skills, and 

attitudes while adapting existing ones. 
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Peace Corps/Paraguay’s competencies are designed to be 

accomplished throughout the Volunteer’s 27 months of learning. 

A trainee may not be able to complete all learning objectives for a 

competency during pre-service training; however, he or she must 

show adequate progress toward achieving the competencies in 

order to become a Volunteer.

Technical Training

Technical training will prepare you to work in Paraguay by 

building on the skills you already have and helping you develop 

new skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of the country. The 

Peace Corps staff, Paraguay experts, and current Volunteers will 

conduct the training program. Training places great emphasis on 

learning how to transfer the skills you have to the community in 

which you will serve as a Volunteer. 

Technical training will include sessions on the general economic 

and political environment in Paraguay and strategies for working 

within such a framework. You will review your technical sector’s 

goals and will meet with the Paraguay agencies and organizations 

that invited the Peace Corps to assist them. You will be supported 

and evaluated throughout the training to build the confidence and 

skills you need to undertake your project activities and be a 

productive member of your community.

Paraguay has the following competencies:

Common Area (Core Curriculum) Competencies for all 

Paraguay PCVs 

Competency 1: Integrate into Paraguayan family, community, and 

culture

Competency 2: Commit to Peace Corps mission, goals, work 

placement procedure

Competency 3: Facilitate participatory community development

Competencies for Community Economic Development 

Volunteers 
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Competency 1: Form and strengthen community groups through 

needs assessment and by linking to resources

Competency 2: Promote improved business management practices

Competency 3: Improve financial decision making among families 

Competency 4: Teach computer skills and promote the 

implementation of information and communication technology 

Competency 5: Civic education and participation

Competency 6: Entrepreneurship 

Competencies for Agriculture Extension Volunteers

Competency 1: Facilitate sustainable community development.

Competency 2: Promote organic gardening, human nutrition, and 

increased environmental awareness with youth and other 

community groups.

Competency 3: Promote holistic farm management and improved 

production techniques 

Competencies for Environmental Education and Conservation 

Volunteers

Competency 1: Build Paraguayan community awareness and 

capacity for sustainable environmental protection.

Competency 2: Promote soil conservation, organic gardening, and 

agroforestry practices.

Competencies for Rural Health and Sanitation Volunteers

Competency 1: Build awareness of hygiene issues in Paraguay

Competency 2: Promote healthier nutrition and fogón (brick oven) 

construction

Competency 3: Advance the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and 

reproductive health 

Competency 4: Improve existing water sources through protection 

and promotion of running water projects.

Competencies for Education and Youth Development

Competency 1: Promote Ministry of Education educational 

requirements and support equal participation for girls and boys

Competency 2: Build teacher capacity and improve student 

learning in math, health, and reading
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Competency 3: Build contextual knowledge of Paraguayan youth 

Competency 4: Develop, organize and implement community 

analysis, planning, and integration techniques

Competency 5: Design and implement strategies for working with 

youth on critical issues 

Competency 6: Design and implement enrichment activities with 

youth 

In response to the needs expressed by Paraguayans, Peace 

Corps/Paraguay is in the process of restructuring some of the 

program sectors. The Rural Economic Development (RED) and 

Municipal Service Development (MUNI) sectors have been 

combined to form the community economic development sector, 

otherwise known as CED. The agricultural sector has been 

expanded to include aspects of the beekeeping sector and the 

agroforestry sector. All of these topics will be combined under the 

agriculture sector. The agroforestry Volunteers who work more 

closely with schools will be absorbed by the environment sector. 

The early elementary education sector is also being expanded to 

include education from grades K-12. The urban youth 

development sector is being dismantled and the competencies for 

developing, organizing, and implementing strategies for working 

with youth on critical issues and developing enrichment activities 

for youth are being absorbed by all sectors. 

Evaluation of your performance throughout service is a continual 

process, as Volunteers are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a 

week for personal conduct and professional performance. 

Successful completion of pre-service training is characterized by 

achievement of a set of learning objectives to determine 

competence. Failure to meet any of the selection standards by the 

completion of training may be grounds for a withdrawal of 

selection and disqualification from Peace Corps service.

Progress in one’s own learning is a dialogue between you and the 

training staff. All of the training staff—including the training 

director, and the language, technical, medical, safety and security, 
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and cross-cultural trainers—will work with you toward the highest 

possible competencies by providing you with feedback on 

learning objective performance throughout training. After 

reviewing and observing your performance, the training staff 

makes recommendations to the country director, and it is the 

country director who is responsible for making the final decision 

on whether you have qualified to serve as a Volunteer in the host 

country.

Upon successful completion of training, trainees who qualify for 

Peace Corps service are required by law to swear or affirm an oath 

of loyalty to the United States; it cannot be waived under any 

circumstance. The text of the oath is provided below. If you have 

any questions about the wording or meaning of the oath, consult a 

staff member during training.

I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support 

and defend the Constitution of the United States of America 

against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation 

freely, and without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, 

and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace 

Corps (so help me God).

Oath

Language Training

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills are 

key to personal and professional satisfaction during your service. 

These skills are critical to your job performance, they help you 

integrate into your community, and they can ease your personal 

adaptation to the new surroundings. Therefore, language training 

is at the heart of the training program. You must successfully meet 

minimum language requirements to complete training and become 

a Volunteer. Paraguay language instructors teach formal language 

classes five days a week in small groups of four to five people.
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Your language training will incorporate a community-based 

approach. In addition to classroom time, you will be given 

assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your 

host family. The goal is to get you to a point of basic social 

communication skills so you can practice and develop language 

skills further once you are at your site. Prior to being sworn in as a 

Volunteer, you will work on strategies to continue language 

studies during your service.

Cross-Cultural Training

As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a Paraguay

host family. This experience is designed to ease your transition to 

life at your site. Families go through an orientation conducted by 

Peace Corps staff to explain the purpose of pre-service training 

and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in Paraguay. 

Many Volunteers form strong and lasting friendships with their 

host families.

Cross-cultural and community development training will help you 

improve your communication skills and understand your role as a 

facilitator of development. You will be exposed to such topics as 

community mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and 

development, nonformal and adult education strategies, and 

political structures.

Health Training

During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical 

training and information. You will be expected to practice 

preventive health care and to take responsibility for your own 

health by adhering to all medical policies. Trainees are required to 

attend all medical sessions. The topics include preventive health 

measures and minor and major medical issues that you might 

encounter while in Paraguay. Nutrition, mental health, setting up a 

safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other 

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also covered.

Safety Training
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During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to adopt a 

lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at work, and during your 

travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective strategies for 

coping with unwanted attention and about your individual 

responsibility for promoting safety throughout your service.

Paraguay has the following safety and security competencies: 

1. Trainees articulate a personal safety strategy that includes an 

awareness of how Volunteer characteristics, such as race, age, 

sexual orientation, ability, religion, etc., influence personal safety, 

and are able to apply this strategy, identifying risks to which 

Volunteers are most vulnerable and strategies to reduce 

vulnerability, including being able to make inquiries concerning 

personal safety in Spanish and/or Guaraní.

2. Trainees are able to travel safely in Paraguay, practice the steps 

for emergency travel, use knowledge of what to look for when 

selecting a mode of public transportation, and identify potential 

transportation risks and response strategies to reduce exposure.

3. Trainees are competent in effective and safe site entry, apply 

the minimum housing security standards for Volunteers, and 

demonstrate culturally appropriate community integration skills.

4. Trainees identify the types of unwanted attention/sexual 

advances that are most likely to occur to Volunteers and 

demonstrate an ability to cope effectively with unwanted attention 

or sexual advances and to decline, in a culturally appropriate 

manner, offers of food, drink, assistance, etc.

5. Trainees identify specific risk factors associated with assault 

and strategies for reducing risk (including behavior that 

discourages harassment and reflects concrete preventive strategies 

for assaults) and are able to identify the support resources 

available to victims of assault.

6. Trainees demonstrate the importance of, and reasons for, 

incident reporting, define a reportable incident, and detail the 

procedure for reporting an incident.
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7. Trainees describe the importance of the Emergency Action Plan 

(EAP) and their own roles and responsibilities in the EAP and 

develop a complete site locator form, including a map.

8. Trainees communicate sufficiently in the local language with a 

basic safety and security vocabulary, including the ability to ask 

for assistance in the local language, to describe their 

assignment/Peace Corps Volunteer role in the local language, and 

to give the address and phone number of the Peace Corps office in 

the local language.

9. Trainees determine how gender roles, relations, and perceptions 

in Paraguay may be different than those in the U.S., how these 

differences can influence the Volunteer perspective, judgment,

and understanding of Paraguay and how they can support and 

constrain Volunteer personal life and work. They also determine 

how these differences may impact Volunteer safety.

10. Trainees demonstrate knowledge of, and comply with, Peace 

Corps policies and procedures that affect their safety and personal 

well-being (as described in the Peace Corps Volunteer 

Handbook); they understand the rights and responsibilities that 

Volunteers have under Paraguayan law and recognize important 

points where Paraguayan laws and U.S. laws differ, including a 

strategy for dealing with police or military detention.

Additional Trainings During Volunte e r Se rvice

In its commitment to institutionalize quality training, the Peace 

Corps has implemented a training system that provides Volunteers 

with continual opportunities to examine their commitment to 

Peace Corps service while increasing their technical and crosscultural skills. During service, there are usually three training 

events. The titles and objectives for those trainings are as follows: 

• In-service training: Provides an opportunity for Volunteers to 

upgrade their technical, language, and project development 

skills while sharing their experiences and reaffirming their 

commitment after having served for three to six months.
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• Midterm conference (done in conjunction with technical 

sector in-service): Assists Volunteers in reviewing their first 

year, reassessing their personal and project objectives, and 

planning for their second year of service.

• Close-of-service conference: Prepares Volunteers for the 

future after Peace Corps service and reviews their respective 

projects and personal experiences. 

The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to 

country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the training 

system is that training events are integrated and interrelated, from 

the pre-departure orientation through the end of your service, and 

are planned, implemented, and evaluated cooperatively by the

training staff, Peace Corps staff, and Volunteers.

Formal opportunities for ongoing learning in Paraguay include the 

following:

1. Integral education and youth development 

2. Health and education and youth sectors COS conference 

3. Agriculture and environment sectors midservice IST

4. Community economic development(CED)tech IST 

5. Health and education midservice IST 

6. PDM No. 1 

7. CED sector midservice IST 

8. Agriculture and environment sectors COS conference 

9. Health sector tech IST 

10. CED sector reconnect IST
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YOUR HEALTH CARE AND

SAFETY IN PARAGUAY

The Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health 

and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs 

emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to 

disease. The Peace Corps in Paraguay maintains a clinic with a 

full-time medical officer, who takes care of Volunteers’ primary 

health care needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and 

basic treatment, are also available in Paraguay at local hospitals. If 

you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an 

American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United 

States.

He alth Issue s in Paraguay

The most common illnesses that plague both Paraguayans and 

Volunteers are also found in the United States: colds, bronchitis, 

diarrhea, constipation, sinus infections, skin infections, headaches, 

dental problems, minor injuries, STDs, emotional problems, and 

alcohol abuse. These problems may be more acute in Paraguay 

because certain environmental factors increase the risk or 

aggravate the severity of some illnesses and injuries. For instance, 

problems associated with cultural adaptation may exacerbate 

emotional problems or contribute to alcohol abuse. However, the 

most common ailments, which are easily preventable, such as 

diarrhea and giardiasis (caused by a common parasite) are either 

water- or food-borne. Hepatitis is much rarer, but it can also be 

transmitted by polluted water or poorly prepared food.

Paraguay is fortunate to be free of many of the diseases endemic 

to tropical areas, such as amebiasis, Guinea worm, and typhoid 

fever. However, there are seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever, 

which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Yellow fever is uncommon; 

however, there was an outbreak recently. Chagas disease is found 

in Paraguay, but no Volunteer using the safety measures taught 

has ever contracted it. Malaria is rare and limited to a small part of 
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the country. Therefore, Volunteers do not need to take malaria 

medication, but Volunteers traveling outside of the country may 

be exposed to malaria or other diseases not normally encountered 

in Paraguay. Volunteers are issued mosquito repellent and 

mosquito nets, which can be effective in the prevention of 

mosquito-borne diseases.

He lping You St ay He alt hy

The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary 

inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon 

your arrival in Paraguay, you will receive a medical handbook. At 

the end of training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to 

take care of mild illnesses and first aid needs. The contents of the 

kit are listed later in this chapter. 

During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical 

supplies through the medical officer. However, you will be 

responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any 

other specific medical supplies you require, as the Peace Corps 

will not order these items during training. Please bring a threemonth supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may 

not be available here and it may take several months for shipments 

to arrive.

You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your 

service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your 

service, the medical officer in Paraguay will consult with the 

Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined 

that your condition cannot be treated in Paraguay, you may be sent 

out of the country for further evaluation and care.

Maintaining Your He alth

As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for 

your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your 

risk of serious illness or injury. The adage “An ounce of 

prevention ...” becomes extremely important in areas where 

diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of 
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the United States. The most important of your responsibilities in 

Paraguay is to take the following preventive measures:

Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely 

preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These 

illnesses include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, 

dysentery, Guinea worms, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your 

medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food 

preparation in Paraguay during pre-service training.

Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with 

HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. You are taking risks 

if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom 

every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host country 

citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this 

person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more 

information from the medical officer about this important issue.

Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth 

control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your medical officer 

can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your 

individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without 

charge from the medical officer. 

It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical 

office or other designated facility for scheduled immunizations, 

and that you let the medical officer know immediately of 

significant illnesses and injuries.

Wome n’s He alth Information

Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health 

conditions that require medical attention but also have 

programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for 

determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate 

medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the 

circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace 

Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps’ medical and 
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programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy 

can be met. 

Pap smears will only be performed on an individual basis if the 

Volunteer requires it. Mammograms are done for women over 

age 40, also at midservice and the end of service.

Female Volunteers should consider bringing a one-year supply 

of feminine hygiene products. Tampons are expensive and 

choices may be limited and are not always available near their 

sites.

Your Pe ace Corps Me dical Kit

The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a kit that 

contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that 

may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked 

at the medical office.

Me dical Kit Conte nts

Ace bandages

Adhesive tape

American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook

Antacid tablets (Tums)

Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)

Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)

Band-Aids

Butterfly closures

Calamine lotion

Cepacol lozenges

Condoms

Dental floss

Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)

Insect repellent stick (Cutter’s)
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Iodine tablets (for water purification)

Lip balm (Chapstick)

Oral rehydration salts

Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)

Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)

Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)

Scissors

Sterile gauze pads

Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)

Tinactin (antifungal cream)

Tweezers

Be fore You Le ave : A Me dical Che cklist

If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or 

dental—since you submitted your examination reports to the 

Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical 

Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or 

pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your 

eligibility to serve. 

If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your 

physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of 

Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your 

records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has 

recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you 

must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends 

requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical 

Services.

If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your 

physician’s office to obtain a copy of your immunization record 

and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any 

immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps 

cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide 

all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, 
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either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you arrive 

in Paraguay. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication 

prior to departure.

Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-thecounter medication you use on a regular basis, including birth 

control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for 

this three-month supply, it will order refills during your service. 

While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you 

will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace 

Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such 

as St. John’s wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant 

supplements.

You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions 

signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but they 

might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about 

carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.

If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you—a pair and a 

spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace them, using 

the information your doctor in the United States provided on the 

eyeglasses form during your examination. The Peace Corps 

discourages you from using contact lenses during your service to 

reduce your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye 

disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate 

water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact 

lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses 

or associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has 

recommended their use for a specific medical condition and the 

Peace Corps’ Office of Medical Services has given approval.

If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have 

a health condition that may restrict your future participation in 

health care plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist 

about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace 

Corps will provide all necessary health care from the time you 
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leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your 

service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service 

health care benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer 

Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health 

plan in effect during your service if you think age or pre-existing 

conditions might prevent you from re-enrolling in your current 

plan when you return home.
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Safe ty and Se curit y—Our Partne rship

Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security 

risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited 

understanding of the local language and culture, and the 

perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors 

that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property theft and burglaries are 

not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, 

although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service 

without serious personal safety problems.

Beyond knowing that Peace Corps approaches safety and security 

as a partnership with you, it might be helpful to see how this 

partnership works. Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and 

training in place to promote your safety. We depend on you to 

follow those policies and to put into practice what you have 

learned. An example of how this works in practice—in this case to 

help manage the risk of burglary—is:

 Peace Corps assesses the security environment where 

you will live and work

 Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live 

according to established security criteria

 Peace Corp provides you with resources to take 

measures such as installing new locks

 Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country 

authorities in your new community

 Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you 

raise

 You lock your doors and windows

 You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community 

where you live

 You get to know neighbors

 You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is 

appropriate for you

 You don’t change residences before being authorized 

by Peace Corps
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 You communicate concerns that you have to Peace 

Corps staff

This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and 

Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care 

and Safety that all include important safety and security 

information to help you understand this partnership. The Peace 

Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to 

function in the safest way possible, because working to maximize 

the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not 

only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the 

unexpected, but we teach you to identify, reduce, and manage the 

risks you may encounter.

Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk 

There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer’s risk, 

many of which are within the Volunteer’s control. By far the most 

common crime that Volunteers experience is theft. Thefts often 

occur when Volunteers are away from their sites, in crowded 

locations (such as markets or on public transportation), and when

leaving items unattended.

Before you depart for Paraguay there are several measures you 

can take to reduce your risk: 

• Leave valuable objects in U.S.

• Leave copies of important documents and account numbers 

with someone you trust in the U.S.

• Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a 

decoy

• Purchase personal articles insurance

After you arrive in Paraguay, you will receive more detailed 

information about common crimes, factors that contribute to 
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Volunteer risk, and local strategies to reduce that risk. For 

example, Volunteers in Paraguay learn to:

• Choose safe routes and times for travel, and travel with 

someone trusted by the community whenever possible

• Make sure one’s personal appearance is respectful of local 

customs

• Avoid high-crime areas

• Know the local language to get help in an emergency

• Make friends with local people who are respected in the 

community 

• Limit alcohol consumption

As you can see from this list, you must be willing to work hard 

and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a 

target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist 

in Paraguay. You can reduce your risk by avoiding situations that 

place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or 

town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know 

each other and generally are less likely to steal from their 

neighbors. Tourist attractions in large towns are favorite worksites 

for pickpockets.

In general, the crime rate in Paraguay is still one of the lowest in 

the region; but, as stated before, the majority of incidents happen 

in the city. There are several “typical” ways to commit robbery in 

Paraguay: Caballos locos (crazy horses) are men who usually 

pretend to be street vendors. However, when they detect a victim 

(either on foot or on a bus), they run up from behind, grab a 

cellphone, purse, necklace, or other valuable object (iPod, 

earrings, etc.) and run away so fast that they are almost impossible 

to catch. Also, while walking alone on the street, we may 

encounter peajeros—teenagers who demand money or threaten to 

harm you. They don’t demand wallets or cellphones, just coins or 
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a small amount of money. Sometimes a group of street children 

will surround the person and beg for money. If this happens 

during daytime it is usually OK, but at nighttime it can become a 

dangerous situation as some of the children are older and may 

carry sticks, stones, or any kind of object. 

While in the countryside, Volunteers should use common sense in 

order to be safe at all times. We recommend that you not walk at 

night. However, if it is necessary for you to do so, take someone 

from the community along with you. Jogging is a good idea, but 

using the same route or going out too early (or too late) is not. 

Instead, having someone else or a group of children join you is 

always more secure. Also, lengthy travel at night should be 

avoided as assaults happen more often on night buses than on day 

ones. The other preferred method to rob or assault is using a 

motorbike. Burglars use motorbikes to run around and to choose 

random victims, so please avoid isolated streets outside of the 

downtown and also keep yourself in visible areas. 

While whistles and exclamations may be fairly common on the 

street, this behavior can be reduced if you dress conservatively, 

abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to the 

training you will receive. 

Staying Safe : Don’t Be a Targe t for Crime

You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility 

for your own safety. You can make yourself less of a target, 

ensure that your home is secure, and develop relationships in your 

community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. While 

the factors that contribute to your risk in Paraguay may be 

different, in many ways you can do what you would do if you 

moved to a new city anywhere: Be cautious, check things out, ask 

questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more 

risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You can 

reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your 

community, learning the local language, acting responsibly, and 

abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely 
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and effectively in Paraguay will require that you accept some 

restrictions on your current lifestyle.

General Safety on the Street:

• PRACTICE awareness, vigilance, and other safety do/don’ts!

• Don’t call attention to yourself with flashy clothes and 

jewelry.

• Keep cameras out of sight.

• Know where you are going (or look like you know). Learn 

landmarks. Plan your route in advance. Be aware of what 

“part of town” you are in and take precautions accordingly.

• Learn higher risk areas:

o Plaza Uruguaya

o Downtown (el Centro) Asuncion

o Chacarita

o Mercado 4 

o Known gringo hangouts

o Any crowded bus areas

• Know local caution times: Noon-3 p.m. (siesta) and nights; 

weekends, especially slow Sundays when streets are more 

deserted.

• Be alert to surroundings and people (avoid suspicious people 

in crowds and on buses: cross the street, change routes, go 

into a store or hotel).

• Project confidence and assertiveness.

• Know your strengths and plan for emergencies.
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• Pedestrians do not have the right of way in Paraguay! 

Pedestrians should use EXTREME caution because traffic 

laws are commonly violated.

When you are new and meeting new people:

• Be somewhat wary.

• Take your time: establish relationships slowly and don’t feel 

that you must be liked by everyone.

• Observe and learn about local behavior, take cues from your 

family and how they act around new people, share 

information with others in your group.

• Don’t let others take advantage of you, do not give loans or 

loan your possessions!

When you go to fiestas (parties):

• Come and go with a friend you trust. Do not go alone.

• Tell people where you are going. Plan to stay until a certain 

time BEFORE you go, and make definite plans. Is it a fiesta 

or drinking fest? A “good” crowd? Place? Time?

• Avoid really late nights, as crowds get rougher, drunker 

(particularly men, who can become aggressive), and chances 

of mugging and other kinds of fights and assaults increase.

• Know your drinking limit! Don’t drink too much!

• Think and act like a role model: defuse situations vs. 

responding with physical force, when possible.

When you travel:

• Try not to travel at night, plan ahead, and travel with a friend, 

where possible.
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• Be prepared–get good directions and schedules for your route 

and choose wisely. Have a Plan B.

• Divide up your money and valuables and carry only what is 

necessary; put money that you will need, with a little extra (in 

case of mugging, to have something to give), in a front pocket 

or another accessible spot, and hide the rest elsewhere on your 

body. 

• Safeguard emergency money at home or with nearby friends. 

• Attach bags to body, under your feet, on your lap, etc. 

• Maintain body space and control of whom you sit by or who 

sits by you. Try and sit with a female if you are female, move 

to a different seat if someone you feel uncomfortable with sits 

beside you.

• Don’t leave your possessions unattended. 

At Home:

• Develop a good relationship with your neighbors (vecinos).

• Don’t leave your possessions out and in view.

For your future sites, when you are Volunteers:

• Select your home with safety in mind (good locks, windows, 

bars)

• Place strong physical barriers on doors and windows. 

Consider changing locks on new houses.

• Look and ask when people come to the door/gate. 

• Don’t open the door at night to anyone you don’t completely

• Don’t let strangers in.

trust.

• Use good judgment in decisions about staying over with 

persons of the opposite sex–what kind of impression do you want 

to give?
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• Live with a family until you get to know the community.

• Allow the community to get to know you slowly.

• Leave valuables with a trusted vecino (neighbor) or family or 

secure them with a lock.

• Don’t be obvious about leaving (especially with luggage).

• Do be obvious about locking up and always do it.

• Balance privacy with personal safety (a house on the outskirts 

of town, with high grass nearby or few neighbors is a high risk).

If something happens:

• Don’t panic, but react.

• Call the safety and security coordinator at Peace Corps 

immediately to help guide you through the next processes.

• Find witnesses and get a physical description.

• Get pertinent information: for buses (the line number, driver, 

route), what happened, and where.

• Go to the comisaría (local police station) to file a report (list 

missing items, file report, call Peace Corps).

• File Peace Corps Incident Report.

• Seek assistance and support.

** The most important thing is to be careful and 

conservative–especially at the beginning**

Support from Staff

If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace 

Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts 

have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime 

committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the 

aftermath of an incident is to ensure the Volunteer is safe and 

receiving medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of 

the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff response may include reassessing 
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the Volunteer’s worksite and housing arrangements and making 

any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the 

incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps 

staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to 

pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is 

very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not 

only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the 

future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the 

process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their 

assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the 

event has not been preserved at the time of the incident. 

Crime Data for Paraguay

Crime data and statistics for Paraguay, which is updated yearly, 

are available at the following link: 

http://www.peacecorps.gov/countrydata/paraguay

Please take the time to review this important information.

Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and 

crimes that do occur overseas are investigated and prosecuted by 

local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the 

victim of a crime, you will decide if you wish to pursue 

prosecution. If you decide to prosecute, Peace Corps will be there 

to assist you. One of our tasks is to ensure you are fully informed 

of your options and understand how the local legal process works. 

Peace Corps will help you ensure your rights are protected to the 

fullest extent possible under the laws of the country.

If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get 

to a safe location as quickly as possible and contact your Peace 

Corps office. It’s important that you notify Peace Corps as soon as 

you can so Peace Corps can provide you with the help you need.

Volunteer Safety Support in Paraguay
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The Peace Corps’ approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help 

you stay safe during your service and includes the following: 

information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a 

detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for addressing 

safety and security incidents. Paraguay’s in-country safety 

program is outlined below.

The Peace Corps/Paraguay office will keep you informed of any 

issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information 

sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer 

newsletters and in memorandums from the country director. In the 

event of a critical situation or emergency, you will be contacted 

through the emergency communication network. An important 

component of the capacity of Peace Corps to keep you informed is 

your buy-in to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff. 

It is expected that you will do your part in ensuring that Peace 

Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements incountry so they are able to inform you.

Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and 

security issues in Paraguay. This training will prepare you to 

adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that 

promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while 

traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is 

integrated into the language, cross-cultural aspects, health, and 

other components of training. You will be expected to 

successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of 

areas, including safety and security, as a condition of service.

Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing 

for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps staff works 

closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help 

prepare them for a Volunteer’s arrival and to establish 

expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. 

Each site is inspected before the Volunteer’s arrival to ensure 

placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and worksites. 

Site selection is based, in part, on any relevant site history; access 
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to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; 

availability of communications, transportation, and markets; 

different housing options and living arrangements; and other 

Volunteer support needs.

You will also learn about Peace Corps/Paraguay’s detailed 

emergency action plan, which is implemented in the event of 

civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at 

your site, you will complete and submit a site locator form with 

your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If 

there is a security threat, you will gather with other Volunteers in 

Paraguay at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved 

or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.

Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the 

needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately 

report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The Peace 

Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and 

security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it 

collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and 

develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.

DIVERSITY AND 

CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES

In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host 

countries, the Peace Corps is making special efforts to assure that 

all of America’s richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More 

Americans of color are serving in today’s Peace Corps than at any 

time in recent history. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, 

religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among 

our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps’ mission is to help dispel 

any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to 

establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the other 

despite our many differences. 
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Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways, 

however, it poses challenges. In Paraguay, as in other Peace Corps 

host countries, Volunteers’ behavior, lifestyle, background, and 

beliefs are judged in a cultural context very different from their 

own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly 

accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, 

unacceptable, or even repressed in Paraguay.

Outside of Paraguay’s capital, residents of rural communities have 

had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures, races, 

religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American 

behavior or norms may be a misconception, such as the belief that 

all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The 

people of Paraguay are justly known for their generous hospitality 

to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you 

will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences 

that you present. 

To ease the transition and adapt to life in Paraguay, you may need 

to make some temporary, yet fundamental compromises in how 

you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For 

example, female trainees and Volunteers may not be able to 

exercise the independence available to them in the United States; 

political discussions need to be handled with great care; and some 

of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will 

need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with 

these and other limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead 

diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training 

and will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately 

will be your own. 

Ove rvie w of Dive rsity in Paraguay

The Peace Corps staff in Paraguay recognizes the adjustment 

issues that come with diversity and will endeavor to provide 

support and guidance. During pre-service training, several 

sessions will be held to discuss diversity and coping mechanisms. 

We look forward to having male and female Volunteers from a 
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variety of races, ethnic groups, ages, religions, and sexual 

orientations, and hope that you will become part of a diverse 

group of Americans who take pride in supporting one another and 

demonstrating the richness of American culture. 

What Might a Volunte e r Face ?

Possible Issues for Female Volunteers

Machismo manifests itself in obvious and subtle ways, and both 

Paraguayan men and women generally adhere to male dominance 

at work, in the home, and in community matters. Female 

Volunteers may be targets for harassment, particularly if they 

disregard norms for behavior and dress. Male Volunteers, on the 

other hand, may be viewed as sexual competitors and be pressured 

to discuss their “conquests.”

Female Volunteers in Paraguay face the kinds of unwelcome 

attention from men that Paraguayan women experience. Some of 

this attention can be avoided by dressing and behaving in 

culturally appropriate, more conservative manners.

Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color 

Because of Paraguay’s general lack of experience with diverse 

ethnic groups, some Volunteers of color have encountered verbal 

harassment, especially in Asunción or when traveling away from 

their sites. African Americans are most often mistaken for 

Brazilians, and due to the commonly held Paraguayan stereotype 

of the Afro-Brazilian soldier who fought against Paraguay in the 

War of the Triple Alliance, Volunteers should be prepared to hear 

and receive negative remarks about skin color or hair.

Asian-American Volunteers are often mistaken for Koreans or 

Japanese and may be questioned about whether they are “real 

Americans.” While Hispanic Volunteers may enjoy some 

advantages because of their ethnic background, they may also face 

irritating questions about their “true” nationality or their inability 

to speak the local languages of Spanish and Guaraní. 
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As a Volunteer of color in Paraguay, you should be prepared to 

handle offensive remarks or attitudes, which stem primarily from 

ignorance and a lack of direct contact with people of color. Once 

you become established in your community, such harassment will 

be less common, though you will probably continue to encounter 

it outside your site. In many cases, these incidents provide 

opportunities to educate people about America’s diversity. There 

are Volunteer support groups to address diversity issues in Peace 

Corps Paraguay.

Volunteer Comment:

“As a Colombian-American Volunteer I have always 

viewed myself as having some unique advantages, along 

with some inconveniences. Having the same pinta, or 

characteristics, as a Paraguayan (brown hair, brown eyes) 

certainly allows me to blend in with the masses and hide 

my yanqui (yankee) attributes. It’s kind of like having an 

on-and-off switch ready at my fingertips. When I want to 

find some solitude I simply stop playing the role as 

yanqui and play the Paraguayan: I just act naturally and 

speak only castellano (Spanish)—it’s not that hard for 

me. I can eat without being stared at and walk into any 

town without anyone taking a second glance. Now that 

can be difficult when you are a blue-eyed, blonde male or 

female, speaking castellano with an American accent.

“However, I have confronted some unforeseen hurdles in 

my time here in Paraguay. For instance, speaking 

castellano with no accent and having Paraguayan 

attributes automatically eliminate the fact that I could be 

Colombian American. Many people can’t see past the 

physical attributes. Some Paraguayans will ask 

themselves, ‘How can he have origins from Colombia and 

be from the United States?’ The idea of living in a 

melting pot in the U.S. is still something that many 
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Paraguayans are learning about. When they see me it is 

difficult for many of them to understand my background 

and perceive me as an American citizen with a 

professional background. As a result, when I am working 

alongside Paraguayans, I don’t have that immediate 

credibility that many Volunteers experience upon initial 

contact in their communities. 

“Throughout my experience, though, I have used this 

minor inconvenience to teach others about the diversity 

that exists in the U.S., and as an advantage in various 

work situations. Each one of us comes down here with a 

special set of characteristics and will have to juggle them 

in our own way. But I believe that is part of the 

experience and is what molds us as people and as 

Volunteers in our communities. My advice to you is to 

embrace your uniqueness and use it to your advantage in 

making your two years that much more interesting! Good 

luck!”

Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers

Although senior Volunteers may encounter hardships related to 

the rugged living conditions and the difficulties of learning two 

languages, many have served very successfully in Paraguay. 

Seniors may find peer support within the Volunteer community to 

be inadequate, especially during pre-service training, as the 

majority of Volunteers are under age 25. Seniors have sometimes 

formed informal support groups to deal with the specific issues 

seniors share.

Volunteer Comment:

“As a senior Volunteer in Paraguay I could not feel more 

accepted and respected by both country nationals, especially 
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adolescents, and my fellow Volunteers. There are no words to 

describe the feeling that I have when people in passing greet me 

warmly as señora or when I am invited to an asado (barbecue) 

or a birthday party. I find that people in my site are always 

interested in hearing my thoughts about a topic and in problem 

solving together. My fellow Volunteers, the majority of whom 

are younger than my own children, have consistently included 

me in their social and work-related activities and I never lack 

the company of someone fun to dine or dance with when the 

Volunteers come together as a group.”

Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual 

Volunteers

Gay and lesbian Volunteers should be aware that homosexuality is 

considered taboo by most Paraguayans and that they, therefore, 

must exercise discretion regarding their sexual orientation. 

Although Asunción has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, to develop 

productive social and professional relationships and for reasons of 

personal security and well-being, most Volunteers find that they 

must reconcile their lifestyle to the demands of extremely

conservative communities. Gay and lesbian Volunteers have a 

support and resource network that can be of assistance.

Volunteer Comment

“After living in an open and accepting community in the States, 

it was hard at first to live my life back in the closet. As a woman 

and a gay Volunteer, I especially feel the pressure my 

community puts on me to have a boyfriend and get married. A 

sense of humor is essential in responding to the comments I 

hear. Fortunately, I have been able to find support among my 

fellow Volunteers, and have encountered Paraguayans outside 

my community I can be open with. And I keep in touch with the 

gay community at home through emails, phone calls, and 

magazines my friends send me.”
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Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers

Paraguay is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, and Paraguayans 

have little experience with other religions or with people who 

have no religious affiliation. While Paraguayans tend to be 

tolerant of non-Catholics, they may be curious about your beliefs, 

which could lead to seemingly rude behavior. On the whole, 

however, they recognize a difference between “belief” and 

“practice,” and some non-Catholic Volunteers simply state that 

they are not “practicing.” Those who feel uncomfortable skirting 

the issue in this way usually find that if they state their beliefs in a 

non-challenging way, they will be accepted by their community. 

Be aware that very few Volunteer sites will have a place of 

worship other than a Catholic Church or chapel.

Jewish Volunteers have been surprised to discover a certain 

degree of anti-Semitism in Paraguay as a result of General Alfredo 

Stroessner’s open-border policy toward Nazis and World War II 

war criminals. It is not unusual to see swastikas and other antiSemitic graffiti, and Jewish Volunteers should use caution when 

visiting German communities. It is also advisable to get to know 

the members of your community before “coming out” as Jewish. 

Kosher food products and religious paraphernalia are not available 

in Paraguay, but there is an active Chabad House and a Reform 

synagogue in Asunción.

Possible Issues for Volunteers With 

Disabilities

As part of the medical clearance process, the Peace Corps Office 

of Medical Services determined that you were physically and 

emotionally capable, with or without reasonable accommodations, 

to perform a full tour of Volunteer service in Country without 

unreasonable risk of harm to yourself or interruption of service. 

The Peace Corps/ Country staff will work with disabled 

Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations for them in 

training, housing, jobsites, or other areas to enable them to serve 

safely and effectively. 
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Possible Issues for Married Volunteers

Married Volunteers have both advantages and disadvantages to 

service. Living with your best friend and support system is the 

biggest advantage that many couples cite. Issues such as language 

discrepancy between the couple and cultural issues, such as the 

expectation that wives work in the home and maintain the house 

while husbands are in the field or should be more “macho” may 

allow for more difficult integration. 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

How much luggage am I allowed to bring to 

Paraguay?

Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess 

charges for transport of baggage that exceeds those limits. The 

Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay 

the cost of transport for baggage that exceeds these limits. The 

Peace Corps’ allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with 

combined dimensions of both pieces not to exceed 107 inches 

(length + width + height) and a carry-on bag with dimensions of 

no more than 45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 80 

pounds total with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one 

bag.

Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, 

explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted), 

automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not 

pack flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning 

solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important 

safety precaution.

What is the electric current in Paraguay?

The voltage is 220 volts—any electrical appliance of 110 volts 

will require a transformer (these can be brought with you or easily 

and affordably purchased in-country)

How much money should I bring?

Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in 

their community. You will be given a settling-in allowance and a 

monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses. 

Volunteers often wish to bring additional money for vacation 

travel to other countries. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are 

preferable to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the 

amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs. 
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When can I take vacation and have people visit 

me?

Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service 

(excluding training). Leave may not be taken during training, the 

first three months of service, or the last three months of service, 

except in conjunction with an authorized emergency leave. Family 

and friends are welcome to visit you after pre-service training and 

the first three months of service as long as their stay does not 

interfere with your work. Extended stays at your site are not 

encouraged and may require permission from your country 

director. The Peace Corps is not able to provide your visitors with 

visa, medical, or travel assistance. 

Will my belongings be covered by insurance?

The Peace Corps does not provide insurance coverage for personal 

effects; Volunteers are ultimately responsible for the safekeeping 

of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal 

property insurance before you leave. If you wish, you may contact 

your own insurance company; additionally, insurance application 

forms will be provided, and we encourage you to consider them 

carefully. Volunteers should not ship or take valuable items 

overseas. Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive 

appliances are subject to loss, theft, and breakage, and in many 

places, satisfactory maintenance and repair services are not 

available. 

Do I need an international driver’s license?

Volunteers in Paraguay do not need an international driver’s 

license because they are prohibited from operating privately 

owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or taxi. 

Rural travel ranges from buses and minibuses to trucks, bicycles, 

and lots of walking. On very rare occasions, a Volunteer may be 

asked to drive a sponsor’s vehicle, but this can occur only with 

prior written permission from the country director. Should this 

occur, the Volunteer may obtain a local driver’s license. A U.S. 

driver’s license will facilitate the process, so bring it with you just 

in case.
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What should I bring as gifts for Paraguay

friends and my host family?

This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient. 

Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for the house; pictures, 

books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area; 

hard candies that will not melt or spoil; or photos to give away.

Where will my site assignment be when I finish

training and how isolated will I be?

Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until after 

they have completed pre-service training. This gives Peace Corps 

staff the opportunity to assess each trainee’s technical and 

language skills prior to assigning sites, in addition to finalizing 

site selections with their ministry counterparts. If feasible, you 

may have the opportunity to provide input on your site 

preferences, including geographical location, distance from other 

Volunteers, and living conditions. However, keep in mind that 

many factors influence the site selection process and that the 

Peace Corps cannot guarantee placement where you would ideally 

like to be. Most Volunteers live in small towns or in rural villages 

and are usually within one hour from another Volunteer. Some 

sites require a 10- to 12-hour drive from the capital. There is at 

least one Volunteer based in each of the regional capitals and 

about five to eight Volunteers in the capital city.

How can my family contact me in an emergency?

The Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services provides assistance 

in handling emergencies affecting trainees and Volunteers or their 

families. Before leaving the United States, instruct your family to 

notify the Office of Special Services immediately if an emergency 

arises, such as a serious illness or death of a family member. 

During normal business hours, the number for the Office of 

Special Services is 800.424.8580; select option 2, then extension 

1470. After normal business hours and on weekends and holidays, 

the Special Services duty officer can be reached at the above 

number. For non-emergency questions, your family can get 
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information from your country desk staff at the Peace Corps by 

calling 800.424.8580. 

Can I call home from Paraguay? 

Yes. As mentioned earlier, Peace Corps/Paraguay has a direct 

telephone line from Asunción to Washington, D.C., that is 

available for Volunteer use after office hours and on weekends 

and holidays. Calls made to the Washington area are free, but calls 

to all other areas are billed to Volunteers at the long-distance rate 

from Washington, D.C. To take full advantage of the service, you 

should bring a major telephone company calling card or prepaid 

phone card to Paraguay to bill non-free calls made through this 

line. Volunteers who call home from their sites (or the telephone 

office nearest to a site) usually place collect calls, since the 

telephone company, COPACO, is unpredictable about accepting 

calling cards and credit cards. VoIP services such as Skype 

currently function in Paraguay, accessible via a cybercafé or a 

personal computer.

Should I bring a cellular phone with me?

Although not every site may be within the range of cellular 

service, Peace Corps/Paraguay provides you with a basic model 

cellphone and a monthly stipend. Should you choose to upgrade 

your cellphone or purchase more credit, you may do so by using 

your own living allowance. Peace Corps/Paraguay also has a 

corporate calling plan for these telephones (all PCVs and staff) 

where the first 10 minutes are free. If you still desire to bring a 

cellphone, make sure that it supports GSM 850/1900. Although 

these happen to be the same frequencies used in the U.S., make 

sure that your phone is not “locked” by your carrier (AT&T, 

Cingular, etc.)

Will there be email and Internet access? 
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Many businesses and individuals in the capital and the larger cities 

have Internet access, and Internet cafes are springing up even in 

some of the more provincial towns. Volunteers posted at rural 

sites, however, may be limited to sending and receiving email on 

their occasional visits to the capital. The Peace Corps office has 

computers with Internet access that Volunteers can use. Before 

leaving the United States, most Volunteers sign up for free email 

accounts, such as Yahoo, Hotmail, or Gmail, that they can access 

worldwide.

Additionally, the office has a free wireless hotspot for personal 

laptop use. Although Internet access and coverage is improving 

throughout Paraguay, it may still be difficult to get reliable 

Internet access in your site. Internet access is generally attained by 

purchasing a USB modem from one of the local cellphone service 

providers and the cost is approximately $15 to $50 USD per month 

based on bandwidth and/or traffic volume. The signal coverage 

will vary depending on what part of the country your site is in, 

ranging from very good to nonexistent. For more specifics, see 

http://www.hipuu.com.py/int_movil.html and 

http://www.tigo.com.py/seccion/banda-ancha-movil-tigo

Should I bring my computer?

Many Volunteers find it useful for both work and personal reasons 

to bring a laptop computer. Should you do so, please be advised 

that the laptop may be at risk not only of theft but also damage 

due to the varying extreme environmental conditions (heat, dust, 

humidity and rain–bring a sleeve or case!). Should Volunteers 

decide to bring their laptop computers, they are responsible for 

insuring and maintaining the equipment themselves. The Peace 

Corps will not replace stolen computers and strongly encourages 

those who bring computers to get personal property insurance. 

Because of the high value of laptops, owners may significantly 

increase their risk of becoming a victim of theft. Be aware that 

you probably will not find the same level of technical assistance 

and service in Paraguay as you would in the States and that 

replacement parts could take many weeks to arrive.
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Additionally, bring any software that might need to be reinstalled 

(the Operating System, Office, etc. but not items that can be easily 

downloaded, such as iTunes, Skype, etc.) on CD or DVD disks as 

these have proven to be essential. A reliable anti-virus program is a 

must as the majority of publicly accessible computers tend to be 

infected and this has been the leading problem with Volunteers’ 

personal computers. Unfortunately, Peace Corps does not offer 

software for sale or use of the Volunteers.
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WELCOME LETTERS FROM

COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS

CONGRATULATIONS! I imagine you are thinking to yourself 

“For what? Paraguay? Where is Paraguay?” I was in your shoes 

just a few short years ago, but so much has changed for me during 

my Paraguayan experience that I feel compelled to say once again, 

CONGRATULATIONS! You are about to become a member of a 

select group who call themselves Peace Corps/Paraguay 

Volunteers. The program has a long proud history and a very 

prestigious reputation in the Peace Corps world, routinely 

identified as a “high performance post.” So as you look over your 

welcome packet and realize that Paraguay has neither mountains 

nor ocean, keep in mind the tradition of excellence and steel 

yourself for an amazing and life-changing experience.

My Peace Corps experience began in December 2007, with my 

arrival in a rural community in north central Paraguay. I had the 

good fortune of being within 30 minutes of a town with Internet 

and markets, and with frequent buses to Asuncion. On the other 

hand, I became accustomed to living with electricity that would go 

out when strong winds blew and the mixed blessing of running 

water that would disappear for days at a time. I had a latrine I dug 

myself and a roof so leaky my floors would flood when it rained. I 

learned to cook “campo gourmet,” pickled my own pickles, and 

built a solar dryer just to handle all the hot peppers in my garden. 

It’s important to understand that my experience was not common 

in an amenities sense. That is, each Volunteer’s living experience 

is unique. Some Volunteers have refrigerators and electric stoves, 

some live in wood houses, some have grass-thatch roofs, and 

others have modern bathrooms. Perhaps you will have running 

water in your front yard or perhaps you will have to draw water 

from your neighbor’s well. Regardless of where you are and the 

place that you might live, the conveniences and inconveniences 

become background to the larger experience you are going to 

have. 
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More than hot showers and flush toilets, your experience will be 

formed by the Paraguayans you meet. You will never meet a more 

giving, caring, curious, laid back people in your life. From the 

moment that you get off of the plane, you will find yourself being 

invited to drink tereré, to a soccer game, to a family event, to 

dinner, or to experience anything and everything else happening in 

the community. You will be peppered with questions about 

everything: how much do your shoes cost, if your teeth are real, 

what Americans eat, and where is the U.S. anyway? At times 

these questions will be too much to bear, but as you become 

accustomed to Paraguayan curiosity, you will find yourself 

becoming more open as well. You will discover that the American 

need to schedule every hour of every day may not be the most 

effective way to accomplish things in Paraguay. Yes, you will get 

frustrated, but you will also develop profound patience and the 

ability to let the unimportant details slide ... at least a little. 

One last bit for you as you are making your final preparations to 

leave. This is going to be hard in ways that you cannot anticipate. 

In no way are you signing up for something easy, so be ready for 

the low points that will present themselves. Yet, with every low 

point there will be a high point. You might enter your community 

as a strange and awkward foreigner, but you will almost certainly 

leave it as a departing family member. You might even begin to 

wonder how you will ever leave it at all. 

So, get your family pictures together, grab your banjo, yoga mat, 

and running shoes, and get ready for the craziest ride of your life. 

Doug Stephens

Crop Extension Volunteer Coordinator
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Congratulations and welcome to Peace Corps/Paraguay! Finding 

Paraguay on a map will probably be your first step to discovering 

this beautiful and tranquilo South American country. As a future 

Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, you will discover why it is a 

place that many people fall in love with. You will develop 

relationships with people of a very different background and 

culture from your own, discovering things about yourself and your 

culture that you may never have known. Your experience will be 

uniquely and genuinely “Paraguayan.”

When I swore in as a Peace Corps Volunteer in December 2007, I 

had some ideas about what my work would be and what I might 

do. For one thing, I had no plans to work in a school. What a 

mistake that would have been! Reflecting on my two years of 

service, I can easily say that open-mindedness and flexibility were 

two everyday necessities. 

My site was located in what used to be the San Rafael Forest in 

the department of Itapúa. For many years, unchecked 

deforestation and the expansion of large-scale mechanized 

agriculture has led to the near extinction of this once rich biodiverse habitat. As an environmental education Volunteer, I 

worked with community contacts to identify ways to spread 

environmental awareness about these local problems. 

When not working on environmental projects, most of my time 

was spent integrating. This is a word that you will grow very used 

to hearing as it is a huge part of our work. In Paraguay, most 

integration takes places among a circle of people drinking tereré. 

Tereré not only provides a rest from the incessant heat and a 

means of re-hydration, the act of tereré consumption is ideal for 

planning, brainstorming, and getting to know members of your 

community. Imagine a group of people seated in a circle passing 

the same guampa (cup) from person to person, discussing the 

day’s events, the weather forecast, honey production, local gossip, 

recipes, tips on crop cultivation, etc. This process could happen 

from one to 20 times daily, depending on many factors: if the 
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weather is hot, if the gossip is hot, if the cotton prices are hot, and 

if your tereré company is hot. But, if the water is hot, then you are 

drinking something called mate.

Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer can be a powerful opportunity 

for personal change while serving others. Take advantage of this 

unique time and you will emerge a better person. Good luck!

Austin Durr

Environmental Project Volunteer Coordinator

PACKING LIST

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Paraguay and 

is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making 

your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. 

There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything on 

the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you 

personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to 

you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have 

an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get 

almost everything you need in Paraguay. 

The standard for work attire in Paraguay is neat and professional, 

but not fancy. This (business casual) applies during both preservice training and Volunteer service. Volunteers working in 

different professional capacities will need different sets of 

clothing, although, in general, Volunteers should be prepared to 

have a couple of good business casual-type outfits. For example, 

community economic development Volunteers and Volunteers 

working within the school system will need more clothes for an 

office setting than a Volunteer placed in a rural setting. Think in 

terms of comfort, versatility, and, most important, durability. 

Since there are extremes in weather, separates that coordinate well 
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and that can be layered on or off as needed are useful. Remember 

that it gets really hot in the summer and, although it does not 

freeze in the winter, homes in Paraguay are not insulated and are 

drafty—imagine going camping in 40 degrees Fahrenheit weather. 

It is a very good idea to bring a mummy-type sleeping bag for the 

cold (comes with a stuff sack, is lightweight, and easy to pack). 

Thick-soled shoes are best purchased in the United States because 

of price and quality, and men’s sizes over 10 1/2 and women’s 

sizes over 9 are difficult to find in Paraguay. 

It is also important to consider the color of your clothing. 

Volunteers generally recommend darker colors because they are 

less likely to show dirt. However, Volunteers working in 

beekeeping will need light-colored work clothes, and education 

Volunteers working with teachers should bring navy blue pants or 

skirts and white shirts or blouses. Red and royal blue are the 

colors of the main political parties. Wearing these colors inside a 

municipality may have political implications. Business casual is 

recommended for community economic development and 

education and youth development Volunteers. For both men and 

women, simple, non-flashy clothing will open more doors and 

minds. Everything on the general clothing list applies to both 

women and men. Also, Paraguayans wear typical embroidered 

clothing called ao’poi for formal occasions, as well as business 

casual, which is very popular with Volunteers in Paraguay. Most 

Volunteers buy at least one ao’poi item of clothing during 

training. Do not pack anything precious or expensive that you 

could not reasonably part from. 

Note: Many Volunteers bring their laptops to Paraguay to assist 

them in their work, personal communications, and for 

entertainment purposes; however, there is always the risk of theft 

(personal insurance is recommended).
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General Clothing

• Two to four pairs of durable, dark-colored pants or jeans (one 

nicer pair for special occasions) 

• Two sets of long underwear for the winter (a necessity) 

•One pair of sweatpants

• Six or more T-shirts 

• One or two long-sleeved shirts or flannel shirts for layering with 

sweaters and sweatshirts 

•Two sweaters for special winter occasions

• Two winter sweaters/sweatshirts/fleece shirts 

• One medium winter jacket (fleece generally works great)

• Hooded raincoat 

• Two or three pairs of shorts to wear around the house or for 

sleeping or exercising, etc. (shorts are not to be worn at the 

training center or in the Peace Corps office)

• Six to eight pairs of socks—include cotton and wool (at least one 

pair of Smart Wool socks is recommended) 

• Your favorite hat for sun protection (baseball hats work well, but 

wide-brimmed are best to keep the sun off your neck, which can 

be purchased in-country) 

• Warm hat and gloves and scarves for winter—a necessity!

• A belt (there is a tendency for people’s weight to fluctuate)
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For Women

• Ten to 15 pairs of cotton underpants and five to 10 bras 

(including sports bras) 

• Four or five nice shirts (this may include blouses, some 

sleeveless, nice long-sleeve or short-sleeve) 

• Three or four lightweight, loose-fitting, knee-length skirts or 

lightweight pants (bring at least one nice one for special

occasions) 

• One or two lightweight sun dresses 

• Something nice for swearing in and special occasions (this can 

include nice pants, a skirt and blouse, or dress) 

• Three or four thick-strapped tank tops (tank tops should not be 

worn for training or professional activities) 

• Swimsuit (you will wear them at Volunteers events; Paraguayan 

women usually wear shorts and T-shirts to swim) 

For Men

• Dress shirt and tie for swearing in and other special occasions 

• Cotton underwear (boxers are difficult to find in Paraguay) 

• Three or four short-sleeved, button-down shirts with collars for 

work settings (they are cooler in the summer than T-shirts or polo 

shirts) 

• Three pairs of khaki-style pants 

• Two pairs of durable, dark-colored pants or jeans 
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• Three to four short-sleeved, button-down shirts—if Volunteers 

don’t have these, ao’poi shirts are a great substitution! 

• Swim trunks 

Shoes

• At least one pair of sandals for summer (sandals are not normally 

worn by men at work) 

• One pair of tennis shoes or all-terrain shoes, preferably in a dark 

color to hide the red dirt (good ones are expensive locally) 

• Flip-flops (available locally) 

• One pair of durable hiking or other boots (preferably waterproof) 

(optional)

• Soccer cleats, if you play soccer

• For women, one pair of flat shoes (in a basic color like black and 

with thick soles)

• For men, one pair of informal, closed-toe dress shoes 

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

• Contact lens solutions (available in Paraguay but very 

expensive) 

• Makeup (if you are picky about brands)

• Good supply of tampons (only applicator-free tampons, pads, 

and panty liners are available locally) 

• Sunscreen (only if you have a favorite brand; the Peace Corps 

provides some) 
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• Three-month supply of any prescription drugs you use (to last 

you until the Peace Corps orders refills) 

• Two pairs of eyeglasses, if you wear them 

• Two or three bandannas or handkerchiefs (available locally) 

• Shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash (one-month supply, 

three- to four-month supply if you are brand picky); while many 

brands are available locally, bring enough for pre-service training 

(three months) as time and money will be limited to allow for you 

to buy replacements 

Miscellaneous

• Travel bag or small daypack

• Large backpack for longer trips (one with an internal frame is 

recommended)

• Camping sleeping pad (great for visitors) or yoga mat (some 

Volunteers swear by these)

• Tent (optional)

• Travel alarm clock (the Peace Corps cellphones have an alarm 

feature)

• Multipurpose tool/pocket knife (Make sure to put it in your 

check-in luggage, not allowed as a carry-on in the airport)

• Water bottle

• Flashlight or headlamp, LED for longer battery life

• Sunglasses with UV protection

• Ponytail holders (available locally, but of very poor quality
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• Washcloths and bath towels, preferably lightweight (extra-large 

quick dry recommended

• Warm (down, or compactable) sleeping bag-considered essential 

by Volunteers, especially in winter

• Set of sheets to fit a double-sized bed (can also be purchased 

locally but of low quality)

• Duct tape (considered a must by many)

• Small, basic cookbook and/or favorite recipes

• Dietary supplements you take other than multivitamins

• Sealable baggies (they are essential for keeping out bugs, ants, 

etc.)

• Photos of your family, friends, and home (a good conversation 

starter)

• Frisbee, soccer ball, baseball glove, football, and other 

recreational or sports equipment

• Permanent markers (available locally, but expensive and of poor 

quality)

• Portable games such as cards, Uno, checkers, chess, etc.

• Rechargeable batteries (regular batteries are available in 

Paraguay)

• 220-volt adapter, preferably with a surge protector (small ones 

cost about $20 in Paraguay)

• USB flash drive or high capacity external hard drive (for 

information sharing)

• Portable CD player or MP3 and traveling speakers (there are inexpensive electronics available locally, so you can choose to wait 

until you get here)
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• Camera and rechargeable batteries (expensive cameras are not 

recommended without insurance)

• Laptop computer (optional; there is an Internet plan offered 

through the Peace Corps and Wi-Fi in the office, but please note 

that not all rural Volunteers have Internet access at their sites)

SECTOR–SPECIFIC PACKING LISTS

CED Sector

Computer (if brought, also bring an external hard drive) 

:

Nicer clothes for meetings

Nice but comfortable shoes for meetings

Old clothes for working outdoors

Small calendar to stay organized

Please bring enough professional clothing (business casual) for 

pre-service training (six days a week), in-service trainings (3-4 

days at a time) and one to two days a week in the school or health 

post.

Health (RHS) Sector:

One pair of shoes you can work in, such as Chacos, good tennis 

shoes, or work boots

Two pairs of pants you don’t mind ruining

Agriculture Sector:

One long-sleeved white button-up collared shirt (for beekeeping 

activities, doesn’t have to be nice)

One pair very light-colored pants (for beekeeping activities, don’t 

have to be nice)

One pair of work/gardening gloves

Professional clothes for training, working in the schools, and 

working at the Peace Corps office (lightweight dark pants with a 

light-colored top will generally work) 

Environmental Education and Conservations Sector

Two pairs of clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty for working 

in gardens or on tree planting projects 
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Garden or other work gloves

Work boots and/or footwear that can walk/work in for extended 

periods of time 

Markers, paints, stickers, and other art supplies to use with the 

kids at the schools or camps. 

Calendar or planner to keep yourself organized (can be purchased 

locally)

Kids’ books in Spanish, especially relating to the environment

Games (playing card games, puzzles, board games) in Spanish

Education and Youth Development Sector

Kids’ books/chapter books in Spanish

Materials–markers, crayons, coloring books

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as 

you prepare to live outside the United States for two years. Not all 

items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include 

everything you should make arrangements for.

Family

• Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps’ Office of 

Special Services at any time if there is a critical illness or 

death of a family member (24-hour telephone number: 

800.424.8580, extension 1470).

• Give the Peace Corps’ On the Home Front handbook to 

family and friends.

Passport/Travel

• Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the 

Peace Corps passport and visas.
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• Verify that your luggage meets the size and weight limits for 

international travel.

• Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your 

service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will expire three 

months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel 

longer, you will need a regular passport.)

Me dical/He alt h

• Complete any needed dental and medical work.

• If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.

• Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications 

(including birth control pills) you are currently taking.

Insurance

• Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.

• Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you 

are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is responsible for 

your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is 

advisable for people who have pre-existing conditions to 

arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health 

coverage. If there is a lapse in coverage, it is often difficult 

and expensive to be reinstated.)

• Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.

Personal Papers

• Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.

Voting
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• Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many 

state universities consider voting and payment of state taxes 

as evidence of residence in that state.)

• Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.

• Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas. 

Pe rsonal Effe cts

• Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time 

you leave your home for service overseas until the time you 

complete your service and return to the United States.

Financial Management

• Keep a bank account in your name in the U.S. 

• Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan 

service.

• Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your 

property and business.

• Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to

pay alimony, child support, and other debts through the Office 

of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 

1770.

• Place all important papers—mortgages, deeds, stocks, and 

bonds—in a safe deposit box or with an attorney or other 

caretaker.
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CONTACTING PEACE CORPS 

HEADQUARTERS

This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate 

office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer various questions. 

You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly 

using the local numbers provided. Be sure to leave the toll-free

number and extensions with your family so they can contact 

you in the event of an emergency.

Peace Corps Headquarters Toll-free Number: 800.424.8580, Press 2, Press 1, then Ext. # (see below)

Peace Corps’ Mailing Address: Peace Corps

Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters

1111 20th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20526

For Questions About: Staff: Toll-Free Ext:

Direct/Local Number:

Responding to an Invitation: Office of Placement x1840 202.692.1840

Country Information: Desk Officer/ Meghan Curley x2516 202.692.2516

Plane Tickets, Passports, Visas, or Travel: SATO Travel x1170 202.692.1170

Legal Clearance: Office of Placement x1840 202.692.1840

Medical Clearance (includes dental): Screening Nurse x1500 202.692.1500

Medical Reimbursements (handled by a subcontractor) 800.818.8772

Loan Deferments, Taxes, Financial Operations x1770 202.692.1770

Readjustment Allowance Withdrawals, Power of Attorney, Staging (Pre-Departure Orientation), and 

Reporting Instructions: 

Office of Staging x1865 202.692.1865

Family Emergencies (to get information to a Volunteer overseas) 24 hours: 

Office of Special Services x1470 202.692.1470