With a historic response and direct impact on rural communities in northern Paraguay, Instituto Belén celebrated its opening year with more than 1,000 young people and adults pre-enrolled in its technical and entrepreneurial training programs.
This initiative is led by Fundación Paraguaya and Fundación José De la Sobera, with the goal of expanding opportunities and strengthening development in the country’s most vulnerable regions.
Since its launch, Instituto Belén has become a local growth engine. A total of 428 students earned certifications in short-term, job-oriented courses across five graduation cohorts. The most recent ceremony took place at the Belén Agricultural School in Concepción, with the presence of authorities from both foundations.
Courses offered include:
- Office software skills
- Restaurant service and customer care
- Industrial safety and occupational health
- Forestry management assistance
- Mobile phone and device repair
- Air conditioning and refrigeration technology
- Logistics and distribution assistance
- Basic residential electricity
- Introductory commercial management and sales
- Plumbing
Dr. Martín Burt, Executive Director of Fundación Paraguaya, emphasized the project’s transformative vision:
“Instituto Belén was created with a clear purpose: to drive rural progress, offer real opportunities to vulnerable youth, and help farming families thrive. We want each graduate to have not only a trade, but also the tools to start a business, generate income, and transform their community.”
Under the slogan “Learn, Grow, and Succeed with Us,” Instituto Belén provides accessible, relevant training focused on immediate employability. Its presence in northern Paraguay marks a turning point for hundreds of rural families gaining access—often for the first time—to quality education with real impact.
