Community Corner

Franconia Native Promotes Leadership Development in Paraguay

Peace Corps volunteer Shavon Whitehead is working to raise funds for a four-day leadership development camp for more than 80 youth in Paraguay.

Peace Corps volunteer Shavon Whitehead — a native of Franconia — is currently working with her local community in Paraguay to raise funds for a four-day leadership development camp for more than 80 local youth, according to a recent news release.

“With 60 percent of the population in Paraguay comprised of youth born into Paraguay’s new democracy, the priority is to ensure that they are prepared to take on the leadership roles that will ultimately strengthen and move the democracy into the future,” said Whitehead, a graduate of the University of Miami.

“Currently, very few opportunities exist for youth to participate in civic leadership activities and our goal is to better prepare these future leaders from various communities around Paraguay – both urban and rural, so that they will ultimately have the skills to help their communities at the grassroots level.”

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Whitehead has been working as a community economic development volunteer in Paraguay since 2011. A portion of the funds for the project will be raised through the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP), a program that helps support Peace Corps volunteer community projects worldwide.

More than 80 active youth leaders between the ages of 15 and 25 from communities across Paraguay will participate in the fourth annual leadership camp. Activities will focus on multiple topics, including civic engagement, self-esteem, values, community service projects and team building. Following camp, participants are expected to start a personal community service project to demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge.

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“Through the various activities, youth will acquire practical skills and resources to enhance their leadership abilities, while focusing on character development, self-esteem, and civic responsibility," Whitehead said. "They will also be exposed to the importance of political participation and the need for positive change in democracy, and be provided with a forum where creative ideas and solutions can be exchanged among youth from diverse backgrounds."

Whitehead said the main goal for the camp is to motivate the youth and expand the scope of possibilities of civic-engagement opportunities in the community.

You can learn more about being a volunteer for the Peace Corps here.

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