Club Escuela Solidaria (Club Solidarity School) is an organisation that focuses on transforming children and communities through education. Its name is inspired by the way Paraguayans feel captivated by football teams or clubs. The activities – held on Sundays at the organisation’s building at Dr. Manuel Domínguez street in Asunción’s downtown – aim to provide children with the tools they need. Tools to build a better future for themselves, going beyond temporary relief efforts. The Asunción Times went to have a look.
A gap in volunteering
Club Escuela Solidaria’s founder Sebastián Da Ponte had participated in various volunteer activities, such as cleaning streams and building houses, but never did he see lasting change. Instead, he watched poverty worsen around him. The streams he had cleaned were just as dirty the following day, and the hot chocolate and sweets he gave to children offered only a fleeting joy, without any real long-term benefit.
“In Paraguay, people often engage in volunteer work and feel satisfied simply because they have done something, believing that good intentions are enough,” Da Ponte states. “However, this approach is not sufficient.”
At this point, he noticed a gap in volunteering: the need for work that is both useful, and sustainable. He credits his early education with enabling him to recognise the huge economic, social, and cultural disparities around him.
From personal loss to collective action
Da Ponte’s first attempt of creating a sustainable project was a small community garden and a fish farm, which he funded with his own savings. A flood destroyed everything, and this devastating double blow became a crucial turning point. It solidified his belief that a new approach was needed, one that went beyond temporary fixes.
“That is when I realised that everything ends up being about education.” This became the very foundation of Club Escuela Solidaria.
During this work, two young lives deeply marked the organisation. Da Ponte tells the tragic stories of Andrea and Fernandito, reminders of the fragility of childhood in vulnerable communities. Both children passed away prematurely, and in their honour, each of today’s learning rounds at Club Escuela Solidaria is named after them. Their memory serves as a powerful reminder of why the work is so vital, giving volunteers a deeply personal reason to continue.
A new philosophy of giving
What truly distinguishes Club Escuela Solidaria from traditional volunteer work is its focus on genuine, long-term impact. Its philosophy centres on education that ignites a passion for learning. The organisation’s approach is not a “circus or a magic show,” but a method where children learn through play and creative activities, rather than rote memorisation.
The space is filled with innovative educational tools; a creative energy hums all around. There are more than thirty areas, all organised by colours so that children can associate them easily. The yellow corner, for example, is the scientific department, where they explore topics such as finance and entrepreneurship.
In the applied information area, children learn about technology, robotics, and even artificial intelligence. Sports are also taught in innovative ways: through chess, which they call “Chaco Drez,” children learn about the history of the Chaco War.
A purpose in every corner
Sebastián explains that in the painting workshop, instead of simply drawing, the children create a self-portrait on a giant ID card, enabling educators to assess their self-esteem.
Every corner of the space has a purpose, a carefully planned educational strategy. All areas also incorporate English as a transversal subject and are designed for children aged 0 to 14 years.
In addition to these activities, Club Escuela Solidaria creates other spaces for children to enjoy themselves, such as the Children’s Day celebration held on 10 August at Loma San Jerónimo. It became a genuine festivity where children enjoyed sports, games, and opportunities to learn in a playful and engaging way.
Expansion and enduring impact
Today, Da Ponte’s motivation is sustained not only by the tangible results he sees, but also by his ambitious vision for the future. He envisions collaborating with Paraguay’s Ministry of Education to implement educational reform in Paraguay. Likewise, he believes in a collaborative approach, working hand in hand with both the private and public sectors to truly address the country’s educational needs.
His vision is to grow slowly but surely, expanding in an ordered and disciplined manner. The organisation has already opened branches in Encarnación and Ciudad del Este, the two largest departmental capitals after Asunción, and it plans to continue this expansion throughout the country.
With between 1,000 and 1,200 children currently in its system, Da Ponte’s goal is to reach thousands more, making a lasting impact on a generation.
This vision aligns with Paraguay’s broader innovations in childhood development, such as the Paraguay’s first BabyLab, which studies how play and parent-infant interaction shape early learning. Both initiatives highlight how education from the earliest years can create lasting change.
An invitation to a new kind of volunteerism
For eight years, dedicated volunteers have continued this work without receiving a cent, motivated by their belief in the mission and their sense of purpose. Da Ponte firmly believes that anyone with the privilege of volunteering will find more than just a hobby at Club Escuela Solidaria. “You will find something much deeper in life; you will find your calling.”
He also appeals for donations, whether food, educational toys, or even second-hand items such as foldable tables and old mobile phones. He concludes with confidence that this unique approach to volunteering will continue to inspire and change lives, one child at a time.
If you wish to participate or donate, you can contact the organisation through Club Escuela Solidaria’s WhatsApp or check Club Escuela Solidaria on Instagram.
