Question: Anna-Maria, what drew you to Paraguay? 
Anna-Maria: During my 10-month volunteer assignment at the Transformation House run by TOS Ministries International in the capital city of Assuncion, I saw firsthand the extreme hardship faced by the children there. It became clear to me that there is a particular need for skilled professionals. One in three children lives in poverty. Families often don’t have the money for the bare necessities. The children grow up in very precarious conditions and with severely limited educational opportunities.

Question: You then specifically pursued training to become a youth and residential care worker.
Anna-Maria: Yes, that’s right. I wanted to be able to bring both my heart and my professional expertise to the work. I’m thrilled by how the work in Asuncion addresses the needs of the local community on multiple fronts: it supports children who find a home at the Transformation House; others have a place to turn to during the weekly creative programs; and there’s also community outreach. I simply wanted to be a part of that.

Question: What do you hope to achieve with your work? 
Anna-Maria: It’s not about feeling sorry for the children. Because they are true treasures, gifted with talents and so much to offer. 

They need help to truly blossom and, at the same time, to learn to take responsibility for their lives with joy. 
After losing my mother at a young age, I experienced how God gave me hope in my despair and transformed me. That’s why I know that difficult life circumstances don’t have to mean “the end of the road.” Often, it takes other people stepping in to help new hope emerge. I want to be that kind of person for the children. This means so much to me that I’m leaving my life in Germany behind to do it. 

Would you like to learn more about the work in Paraguay? 
https://tos-ministries.org/en/worldwide/paraguay