EMBASSY COMMUNITY HELPS RURAL CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000549

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC KBEAMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY COMMUNITY HELPS RURAL CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE


1. (U) Carmen Cason, wife of Ambassador James Cason, visited
the Santa Rita Children's Home in rural La Colmena, Paraguay
July 28 and delivered much-needed donations to the home. The
donation, totaling more than USD 2,300 and including ten bunk
beds, a freezer, an oven, bedding, and sporting equipment,
was made possible by a generous grant provided by the J.
Kirby Simon Trust Foundation, as well as a donation from the
Embassy community's Mission Group.


2. (U) The Catholic orphanage, which provides a home for 20
orphaned children as well as schooling and a daily meal to
120 improverished children, relies solely on private
donations. The home is located in an isolated area of
Paraguay, and Mrs. Cason -- recognizing the many obstacles
the orphanage must overcome each day -- actively sought out
and successfully found donors who could help meet some of the
home's most pressing needs. The home's administrator, Sister
Maria Aurelia, expressed her sincere gratitude for the
donations, as well as for the kindness and generosity of Mrs.
Cason, the J. Kirby Simon Trust Foundation, and the Mission
Group.


3. (U) The Embassy thanks the J. Kirby Simon Trust
Foundation for its generous donation to the Santa Rita
Children's Home. This donation played an integral role in
the Embassy's public diplomacy outreach to Paraguay, and
improved conditions for the many children living in poverty
in La Colmena. POC for this donation is Embassy Asuncion
Political Officer Michael Edwards, telephone:
011-595-21-213-715, e-mail: edwardsmg@state.gov.

Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion

Robinson