The Salvation Army opened the Patvērums Childrens Day Centre in March 2002 to provide a safe environment for underprivileged children from the local community in Riga.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Latvian Independence Day
Friday 18th November is Independence Day in Latvia and so a very important time and a national holiday. This being so on the Thursday before we had an Independence Day party!
The children helped decorate and prepare the room with Latvian flags, balloons and candles as well as dressing the tables in the Latvian colours. The room looked wonderful! We started the party with games where the children's knowledge of Latvia was put to the test (this would not be the only time in the day!). Next we shared in a traditional Latvian meal and spent time talking and enjoying each others company.
Then it was quiz time! In 3 teams the children had to answer questions about Latvia, they worked well together and scored high mark, even if they did get a little help from the staff! The children then had to put on their creative 'hats' and turn 2 of our older girls into the female figure that is at the top of the Freedom Monument only using a toilet roll, 2 bin liners, a sheet of A4 card and some string! They did a great job and the models were very brave! We finished with some 'normal' party games!
It was a lovely day, full of fun and laughter and we all went home ready to continue the celebrations.
There have been celebrations amongst the staff as we have had news of 3 parents improving their working situations!! Last week we found a job advert for one mum which we thought she might be interested in, passed the information onto her, she contacted them and now she has a work!! At the same time we heard that one of our mum's, who has not worked for a long time, also has the opportunity of some work but as yet has not finalised things and thirdly a mum has found 'official' work where she is receiving a salary and paying taxes after working unofficially for some time in various jobs.
It can be very difficult for many of our parents to find and keep work. There are many obstacles in their way such as lack of education, lack of childcare - especially as children do not start school until 7 years. Other parents are unable to find regular work and so do not know whether they will have employment from month to month.
We are really pleased that out of our current 14 families 10 of them have work of some description. We continue to hope and pray that our work with the parents encourages and supports them as they try to raise and provide for their children.
