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Meet Passion for Paraguay (cont’d from page 1) path to change for Paraguay. The road may be rocky and paved with obstacles, but the end result will be full of rewards not only for Paraguay, but also for business relations between the United States and Paraguay. Through the creation of a new brand image, tourism
restructuring, infrastructure and leadership changes, Passion for Paragruay will make a difference. The brand image starts here, through spreading the word about all of the good elements and people of Paraguay.
Make a difference. Effect change.
Get This! Paraguay is commonly referred to as “El corazón de América” aka “The heart of America” because it is located in the middle of the continent. It is the second poorest country in South America. Paraguayan women produce some of the world’s best lacework, Nanduti. Nanduti, which is made in a circular design, gets its name from the Guaraní word meaning “spider web.”
Think Tank: Changing Paraguay
P
araguay is a country that is rich in land, life and people. The people who reside in Paraguay enjoy their calm, peaceful way of life. However, a change is necessary to build up the country and its people. Paraguay is in dire need of infrastructure changes. Paraguay needs expansion, by way of its roads and airstrips. Traveling through Paraguay is complicated because some areas are difficult to access. Another area that causes concern for Passion for Paraguay is leadership. Paraguay has a long history of leadership corruption, which has led to one of the most deadly wars in the history of Paraguay: the Triple Alliance War. In order to build up the people and give them something to
Rich in Land.
strive and fight for, we need to give them something and someone to believe in. This starts with the leadership of the country as well as with prominent business sectors. Currently, Paraguay is one of the largest exporters of soy beans. In order to grow soy beans, Paraguay is cutting down its jungles. Many Paraguayans are not fond of the resultant “soybean deserts” that are popping up all over the country. They want to preserve their natural resources. Thus, soybeans are both a gift and a curse. Paraguayan people have naturally generous hearts and giving spirits, and it is time for us to invoke those qualities while still preserving Paraguay’s natural resources.
Rich
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Yerba Mate: Paraguay Brew What is yerba mate, you ask? For many citizens of Paraguay, yerba mate is the national drink of choice! Yerba Mate starts off as a shrub and is often referred to as “yerba” which means herb. Yerba Mate can very in strength of flavor, caffeine levels, and nutrients depending on whether the plant was female or male.
Yerba Mate is prepared by roasting the broken leaves and twigs of the yerba plant over a wood fire. The wood fire is aromatic and gives the Yerba Mate a smoky flavor, which the natives think is intoxicating. The roasted leaves and twigs are then steeped in hot water (as opposed to boiling water). Dinking Yerba Mate from a shared gourd with a metal straw is a common social practice in Paraguay among all age groups.
The Itaipu Dam • The dam is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual energy generation. • When construction of the dam began, approximately 10,000 families living beside the Paraná River were displaced.
Paraguay
• The American composer Philip Glass has written a symphonic cantata named Itaipu, in honor of the structure.
A dramatic view of the Itaipu Dam at night.
in Life.
Rich in People.
The People of Paraguay Passion for Paraguay Images from: The Guarani
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-95502133/ stock-photo-map-of-paraguay-isolated.html http://picgetmob.blogspot. com/2011/02/crazy-carnival-with-crazy-people-in. html
Preview of Next Issue •
Meet the Expats
•
Financial Forum
•
Talk to the founders of Passion for Paraguay
Upcoming Holidays
Carnival
Virgen de Caacupe Immaculate Conception
December 25 •
http://urbanchristiannews.com/ucn/2012/10/ christians-come-together-to-participate-in-paraguays-prayer-marathon. html
Special thanks to the members of Passion for Paraguay and Dawn Balistreri, Design Consultant
December 8 •
http://www.deviantart. com/morelikethis/artists/332037623
Dia de Navidad Christmas Day
The Movement
Articles & Layout Tacey Lenyard
Passion for Paraguay Rich in Land. Rich in Life. Rich in People.
December 2013, Volume 1 Issue 1
Inside
this issue: • About the group Passion for Paraguay • Think Tank • Get This! Cool facts about Paraguay
Meet the group: Passion for Paraguay Passion for Paraguay began with just an idea. Ten Alverno College MBA students decided they wanted to turn their class into an independent study. They wanted to study something that would add value not only to themselves but also to anyone who came into contact with their project.
to hold a financial forum at Alverno with Paraguay officials at which time they will discuss the many riches that Paraguay has to offer as well share objective insights into some of the issues that plague Paraguay. The financial forum could kickstart new business relationships between Paraguay and the United
Sue DaBaco Krystal Pesch
• Just where is Paraguay?
• The people of Paraguay • What’s coming up in the next issue of Passion for Paraguay?
Krystal Baez Alex Bartoszewics
• Yerba Mate: Paraguay Brew
• Itaipu Dam
Who is Passion for Paraguay?
Amy Pietsch Annilee Pietsch Alverno College MBA candidate Alex Bartoszewicz meets with Paraguay advocates.
The students, Sue DaBaco, Alex Bartoszewicz, Erica Retzlaff, Krystal Baez, Andrea Schneiker, Amy Pietsch, Krystal Pesch and Annilee Pietsch, researched the country of Paraguay. As a result of their research, a movement began–a movement that they hope will change the country of Paraguay. The group plans
States by inviting U.S. businesses to assist in diversifying business markets in Paraguay. Carol Volmer Pope, Associate Professor of Business & Management, her Master’s degree students, and students in her undergraduate Marketing Principles class, have embarked upon laying
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Andrea Schneiker Erica Sielaff