New Horizon Methodist School

Our neighborhood, once a rural area, has experienced tremendous growth in the past fifteen years. Many have left the rural areas of Paraguay, and have flooded to the capital Asuncion, looking for work and homes. Lack of land and jobs have brought many to our area. Due to the poor public educational system which is overcrowded; many families want their children to have a quality education. When we started this school, the areas was mostly low income families; now we are seeing a mix in the community. Drugs and alcohol addictions; crime; lack of family supervision creates many temptations for children and youth. Between the church and the school, we are trying to teach the students wholesome Christian values to assist them in making quality decisions and to help them be change agents for Paraguay. The average education in Paraguay is the sixth grade. Many of our students’ families cannot assist their children in their studies. In the community around the school people are becoming aware that the school has people that are willing to help in the spiritual area of their lives. Many families come to ask for prayer or counseling. Most families and staff don’t understand the Methodist doctrine, nor do they understand the Biblical foundations of Christ. The current school building has a very small administrative area for the parents to enter to pay their monthly fees, etc. Anyone from the community has access to this area. It is very small and compact. The public has access into the school, which could potentially be dangerous. When groups come to visit from the US or other locations, there is no place close for them to stay.