Paraguay, with a population of over 7 million people, has 986 confirmed cases, 11 dead and 477 recovered according to the latest data. But they cannot let their guard down; on the contrary, they are working to ensure that the population does not suffer the consequences or poverty due to the lockdown.
The miracle of Minga Guazú was built with the collaboration of many people, associations and institutions, such as the Municipality and the Office of the Governor, beyond political allegiances and beliefs, with a very strong presence of the young people of the Salesian youth ministry," explains Fr Sergio Maciel, coordinator of the committee.
In the first phase, the headquarters of the committee was located in the Salesian religious community of 20 km. Food kits were distributed to help the most needy families, with the collaboration of the coordinators of the 65 chapels of the parish. When the organization grew and the requests increased, it was decided to move the headquarters of the committee to the Mary Help of Christians Technical Institute, where it still operates today.
In this hard work of support for families, the collaboration of Itaipu Binacional has been and still is fundamental. Currently, the committee is distributing basic products to around 370 canteens for the poor across the Minga Guazú district, benefiting over 60,000 people.
According to Fr Maciel, the work takes place in a "pleasant atmosphere of Salesian joy, a real minga (community work, in Quechua language, Ed.'s note), in the style of the founders of the District."
For his part, Fr Mario Villalba, Provincial of the Salesians in Paraguay, together with Fr Wilfrido Baez, Provincial Economer, visited the community and learned about the work done by the Salesians of Minga Guazú.
