Street life in “La Chacarita”

Paraguay is one of the least visited countries in South America, mainly because it lacks the typical tourist highlights. That made it an interesting country for me to travel and experience daily life (October 2023). La Chacarita, a slum of the capital Asunción, is located on the banks of the Paraguay River and is one of the poorest locations in the entire country. Mostly working-class and low-income people live there, looking for a way to survive with the neighborhood's problems, such as the lack of social services, open garbage dumps and the risk of landslides. Although some parts are considered quite dangerous to walk around (as an outsider), it is also a real working-class neighborhood with easy-going, friendly people and even its own football team. Through a donation from the MIF, the municipality has started a program with the participation of the residents to improve their living situation, including attention to youth playgrounds, music lessons and stimulation of tourism. In this way, this program hopes to sow the seeds for the transformation of the neighborhood and the lives of its residents.