Apply: 3rd Annual Pathways to a Sustainable Future Project

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is happy to announce that the 3rd Annual Pathways to a Sustainable Future Project will take place in Paraguay from June 24 – July 11, 2017. This program offers unique opportunities to encounter life in the extraordinarily beautiful Pantanal wilderness as well as share and serve in an indigenous community. Our project includes activities in the modern urban center of Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital city, yet most of the project will take place in the expansive though sparsely settled region of the Chaco.

The Chaco region, though 60% of the entire landmass of Paraguay, is the home to only 2% of its population, many of whom live in indigenous villages.  The people in these villages, though they lack much materially, are quick to share with our participants the wealth and the warmth of their simple, Latino family culture. Part of our service project will be in service to one of these communities in need.

The Leda Settlement is a community originally pioneered in 1999 by UPF’s founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, together with a team of Japanese volunteers. The Leda Settlement will be hosting our group. This settlement, located near Puerto Leda on the Paraguay River, covers a land area larger than that of Tokyo, Japan and has made the eradication of hunger a primary goal of its work, resulting in the development of cutting-edge advances in aquaculture and agriculture at Leda. 

Leda’s natural environment presents many opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and horseback riding, as well as quiet time to watch a wide variety of birds and breathtaking sunsets over the Paraguay River. For a better understanding of the project and the breakthrough work being done at the Leda Settlement, please look at our website: ledaproject.com. 

All participants should apply online at the website ledaproject.com. Each person is responsible for his or her own international travel expenses, together with the project fee of $950. We recommend that participants work with their local church communities in soliciting monetary support to help cover some of these expenses. For additional details, contact Rev. John Gehring at johngehring2@gmail.com.

Sincerely,                 

Rev. John W. Gehring

International Project Director