Dequeni. We do it for the children

Dequeni: Dejad que los niños vengan a mi, let the children come to me (Mk 10:14). What Jesus said then is the name and program of Dequeni. For 40 years, Dequeni has been working to improve education for children from underprivileged communities in Paraguay: through early childhood development, improving the reading and writing skills of school children, and vocational training.
All of the Dequeni Foundation's activities are aimed at children from the poorest sections of Paraguayan society; only by providing children with a solid school education can the vicious circle of ignorance and poverty be broken. Dequeni has succeeded in drastically reducing the rate of children dropping out of school and getting children off the streets and into schools.

The focus is on three projects:

Alfombrita Viajera – The Traveling Carpet 

During the pandemic, the project facilitated access to households so that parents could also be reached. In 2021, health measures were gradually relaxed, but this project proved so successful that it was continued. Teachers visit the homes and have suggestions for games, fun and support for the development of early childhood skills in their backpacks. 

Ludolecto supports public schools and their often-overwhelmed teachers. The activities and didactically prepared materials help to improve reading skills and reading comprehension in children from preschool to sixth grade in a playful way. 

Emprender Mi Vida Joven – Shaping my young life 

This project promotes the participation of young people in formal and non-formal education. It fosters meaningful experiences and strengthens young people's skills for self- and co-management of life projects, both at the personal and school level, and prepares them for entry into working life.