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Connect with the Peace Corps
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The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
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Serve where you’re needed mostYouth Health Promoter
Health
Job highlights
- Develop skills in global health, youth‑development, and intercultural communications by facilitating programs alongside community members.
- Learn Spanish and Guarani (Paraguay’s two official languages) from skilled Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators.
- Gain a deeper understanding of South American culture by experiencing Paraguayan traditions in person.
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
October 15, 2026Know by
December 1, 2026Depart on
May 23, 2027Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
Are you passionate about youth health and ready to support communities in strengthening the well-being of their adolescents? Communities in Paraguay are seeking your support.
National and local institutions, like the Paraguayan Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, agree that many communities face rising challenges related to youth health, including noncommunicable diseases, substance use, emotional stress, and limited access to youth-friendly information about sexual and reproductive health. These challenges are influenced by shifting social and cultural norms, limited health promotion resources, and varying levels of community awareness. Because schools and health posts often lack training, coordination, or resources to address these topics effectively, Paraguay seeks support to develop skills among the local youth, parents, caregivers, and service providers.
As a Youth Health Promoter, you will work in collaboration with teachers, caregivers, and community health workers to promote healthy behaviors and expand the local capacity to support youth well-being. Together, you will strengthen the youths’ ability to make informed choices and manage emotional and social pressures. This collaborative approach contributes to stronger community health systems and equips the Paraguayan youth with the knowledge and skills to thrive.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Paraguay project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Paraguay
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Assess youth health needs through meetings, home visits, mapping, interviews, and surveys with community health workers.
Facilitate health education workshops in schools on healthy lifestyles, substance‑use prevention, emotional well‑being, and sexual and reproductive health.
Support the creation and facilitation of youth health clubs.
Strengthen the capacity of local educators to deliver engaging, youth‑focused health content.
Offer trainings and discussion groups for caregivers and service providers to enhance their ability to support local youth.
Promote healthy alternatives for youth through structured activities.
Participate in community events and celebrations alongside neighbors and colleagues to build relationships and foster collaboration.
You may also work on secondary projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English conversation groups or youth camps.
The Volunteer will live in a welcoming rural, semirural, or small urban Paraguayan community located 2-6 hours by bus from the capital, Asunción. The Volunteer will live at the level of the community and can expect simple but comfortable housing with electricity, running water, and cell service. The Volunteer will spend 10 weeks of training and the first two months at the assigned site living with a host family, after which they may choose to live independently while staying closely connected to the community.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Paraguay country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Paraguay
Benjamin D.
Community Economic Development Volunteer
"The highlight of my service so far hasn’t necessarily been my accomplishments or projects but rather the relationships I’ve created with my host family and youth in my community."
See full Volunteer profile
As a Youth Health Promoter, you will be trained to support youth health and well-being while strengthening community capacity to address local health challenges. Peace Corps/Paraguay will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with your community. You will also study Guarani, the other official language that is spoken throughout Paraguay, which will be important for your integration in your community. Peace Corps will provide you with resources for ongoing language learning.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural, semi-rural, or small urban community, where you will collaborate with health workers, caregivers, educators, and health service providers to assess local priorities and develop solutions based on resources.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and must qualify for a position in either the same or a different sector than their partner. Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities. Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart). Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Paraguay, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Paraguay. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
