UNICEF, the British Embassy and the O’Hara School of Gastronomy are working where the most vulnerable children struggle to survive. Kevin’s story is that of a boy who, despite adversity, held on to hope and pursued his dream even as the floods in Paraguay threatened to take his future away.
At 11 years old, Kevin Benítez knew exactly what it meant to have “water up to his neck.” His home, located in the peri-urban outskirts of Asunción, was swallowed by the overflow of the Paraguay River. Kevin and his family managed to escape and shelter with relatives in higher ground, but in the process, each of their dreams was put on hold.
In 2016, Kevin woke up literally waist-deep in water and watched, stunned, as kitchen utensils floated around him in the river that had formed inside their home. “The pots were spinning in one direction, the strainers and pans in another. Everything my mother used for cooking—my favorite things in the whole house, my everyday world of fun—disappeared in a moment,” recalled Kevin. He was one more Paraguayan child affected by the flooding, yet he already dreamed big: he wanted to become a chef.
Kevin’s story traveled around the world. His freckled face, bright eyes and steady smile as he described those days captivated viewers. Then something remarkable happened: people stopped and decided to help. Kevin’s testimony—marked by perseverance in the midst of chaos—moved many. Despite the devastation, he continued attending school, which was still functioning. Reaching Caacupemí School, located in Bañado Norte, became a daily urban odyssey that took him nearly two hours. He crossed mud lagoons and, when necessary, rode a small boat—just to make it to class.
Moved by his determination, the International School of Gastronomy, UNICEF and the British Embassy joined efforts and made a significant contribution to support Kevin’s dream of becoming a chef.
A full scholarship to pursue the dream of becoming a professional chef
O’Hara International School of Gastronomy awarded Kevin a 100% scholarship to begin his studies once he turned 15. And to encourage him even further, there was an additional surprise: as part of the alliance between O’Hara, the British Embassy and UNICEF, renowned three-Michelin-star British chef Tom Phillips met with Kevin Benítez in person.
Upon learning about his story and his unbroken passion for studying and becoming a chef, Phillips immediately decided to meet him, offer support and become a guide as he walked toward his professional goals. Phillips visited O’Hara in Paraguay, where he shared cooking techniques with Kevin and other students and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations.
“To become a good chef—one of the really good ones—is not easy. It takes dedication, study and effort,” Phillips told the students. “What moved me most about Kevin’s story was his character and determination. His drive to learn everything about gastronomy and his maturity in not letting adversity defeat him will be essential as he works toward his dream. And the truth is, being a chef requires great effort. But as I told the students, this is the best job in the world. Chefs work to nourish both the body and the soul of others—we make people happy with our dishes and creations.”
A school that stayed afloat
The project known as Vy’ara: Safe Spaces, which included Kevin’s school, Caacupemí, was led by a team of UNICEF experts who provided technical assistance amid the chaotic conditions triggered by the 2016 flood. Thanks to this program, students across the district received support through psychosocial care initiatives and activities combining sports, community reflection, values and critical thinking.
These approaches helped thousands of children overcome a traumatic moment—one that unfortunately recurs with increasing frequency along the most vulnerable stretch of Asunción, near the Paraguay River, where rising waters can take everything except the dreams of those who live there.
