Expanding horizons!

December 2023, and we are off with 10 young people on an exciting adventure! They have saved up for the past four months, counted down the days, and now we load into two vans, ready to experience the cultural, historical and natural wonders of Paraguay!

One important aspect was to build self-confidence - pushing limits and achieving goals. Water skills, swimming and rock climbing were all new challenges.

At the House of Independence, we learnt about how Paraguay gained its independence from Spain in 1811, we viewed the Lopez Presidential Palace that was built in 1772, visited a national library and also a natural history museum where the youth came face to face with a mummified ancestor!

For all three days the group worked together as a large family - taking care of each other, following “Mum & Dad”, joining another youth group for games night, and sharing a delectable asado (BBQ), thereby enhancing their social skills in different situations.

Another first was climbing the magnificent Cerro Arco (Arch Hill) where rock formations, natural pools and cascades made us feel like we were in another world.

Also included in the itinerary was a boat ride on the famous Lake Ypacarai, and exploring the Paraguay River waterfront and beach.

And of course, there were new things to try - huge shopping malls with lifts and escalators, American style pizza and soft serve ice-creams!

Overall we were proud of these young people for stepping up to the challenge - enlarging their worldview, expanding their knowledge, enhancing friendships, pushing their limits, as well as having a great deal of healthy fun!