In Paraguay conditions for rural children living in poverty are often difficult. At least 14% of children age 5 years and younger show moderate to severe physical stunting (UNICEF 2009). More than half of the children in primary school have repeated at least one grade by the time they complete the sixth grade. Rural families living in poverty, who typically speak Guarani, are often excluded from the legal business of the country, which is usually conducted in Spanish.

To address these conditions, Pastoral Social, a Catholic Church relief organization, established Pastoral del Nino in Paraguay in March 1995. Largely a volunteer organization, Pastoral del Nino employs a community-building model in which parents learn about children's needs and are encouraged to work together to strengthen the community.