Tobatí, Paraguay
Our Community
Get to know the community that Team Tobatí and the Colegio Macchi call home — one rich with its own history, craft, and identity.
A Town in the Cordillera
Where it is
Tobatí sits in the Cordillera Department of Paraguay, about 72 km from the capital, Asunción, and 17 km from the departmental capital, Caacupé. The district is home to roughly 27,000 people, with around 9,700 living in the town itself — many of whom are young people. Tobatí embodies the beauty and challenges faced by many rural areas in Paraguay.
In Tobatí, many families still lack consistent access to running water, electricity, nutritious food, and modern healthcare. Public schools often run in short shifts due to overcrowding, and opportunities for higher education remain limited. These problems are not limited to Tobatí. Across Paraguay, issues such as unequal land distribution, limited access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunity affect many families, especially the youth.
In Tobatí, many families still lack consistent access to running water, electricity, nutritious food, and modern healthcare. Public schools often run in short shifts due to overcrowding, and opportunities for higher education remain limited. These problems are not limited to Tobatí. Across Paraguay, issues such as unequal land distribution, limited access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunity affect many families, especially the youth.
Paraguay at a Glance
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, bordered by Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. Roughly the size of California, it is home to about 7.1 million people. While rich in culture, natural beauty, and bilingual heritage (Spanish and Guaraní), Paraguay faces significant economic challenges. Roughly 20-25% of the population lives in poverty, with higher rates in rural areas like Tobatí.
Why Our Work Matters
Through our partnership with the Macchi School and hands-on service projects, Team Tobati works directly with the community to create meaningful change, building better schools, gardens, medical infrastructure, and parks while forming lifelong friendships. Every visit reminds us that when we show up with open hearts and willing hands, real transformation happens. The warmth of host families, the laughter of children at the Macchi School, and the pride of local artisans prove that hope and opportunity can flourish even in the face of hardship.
¡Todo es posible en Tobatí! Together, we are not just visiting. We are building brighter futures, one relationship and one project at a time.
Craft & Culture
A Town Known Across Paraguay for its Clay
Officially designated as the “Capital de la Artesanía y de la Cerámica” (Capital of Crafts and Ceramics), Tobatí is known for producing the majority of the bricks and roofing tiles used across Paraguay, its unique pre-Columbian and indigenous Ñai’ũpo pottery techniques, and its incredible woodcarvings.
Daily Life and Traditions
Ritual
Folklore
Traditions
Everyday Life
Tereré represents a rich cultural tradition. It is a ritual shared between friends, neighbors, and community.
Tobatí has traditional roots. Much of cultural and social life centers on religious traditions, holidays, and patron saints.
Paraguayan polca is a nationally celebrated dance and musical style practiced by many youth in Tobatí!