Civil society protests “charity” bazaars

SECTORS of organized civil groups are protesting the welfare bazaars that  President  Juan Carlos Varela, has been organizing in different communities since the beginning of his presidency.

Civil society leaders claim that the government should invest more in sustainable public policies, which allow the vulnerable sectors to become self-sufficient and help them integrate into the economy of the country.

When a bazaar is announced long lines of people including the poor,  the elderly, pregnant women and children stand in line to register for handouts of clothing and footwear.

Varela says that the money to pay for the bazaars comes from a social assistance fund and the lottery.