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.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Day to day life
It's been a while since I last wrote an entry and that's not because I've forgotten but because there hasn't been anything 'big' to write about so I thought I'd just tell you about some of our day to day things!
Each month we like to take the under 14 children on a trip whether it's swimming, to a museum, bowling etc. This month we went to the cinema to watch 'Ice Age 2'. 9 children came with us and we had a really good afternoon. In the last year or so the cinema companies have started dubbing children's films into Latvian and Russian which is great as it means they can go, understand and enjoy the film. The +14 group this month also went to the cinema but not surprisingly they didn't choose to see 'Ice Age 2', it was some romantic comedy!
+14 is going well. On Tuesday they met together and made a 2 course meal for themselves! They really enjoy cooking and of course eating the fruits of their labour! Today they are planning to visit a museum.
Last week Dace lead our monthly parents group. We only had 2 mums attend unfortunately but on a positive side one of them was a new parent to the group, so that was good. On Monday's we are still holding our prayer time and again we had a number of mum's turn up - it's great to see them taking this opportunity for prayer!
We're now busy planning our summer activities. Instead of a 5 day camp this year we are organising something new! We are joining together with Riga 1 corps to run a 5 day playscheme open to Patverums children, children from the corps and hopefully new children from the local area. We're aiming for 40 and I think it's possible.
After the playscheme we are having a 'boy's week' this is going to run alongside normal Patverms and is going to be led by 2 guys from The Salvation Army in the US who are coming here this summer. We're really looking forward to this week especially as we hope and pray that these guys can make a impact in their lives.
As well as these 2 weeks we are planning 2 overnight trips out of Riga. One to the seaside and the other to the countryside! We hope that the days will be full of fun and new experiences!
So as you can see we're keeping ourselves busy even through the day to day things! :-)
It's been a week since I last wrote so I wanted to write and let you know what's been happening.
We didn't get through to social services until Monday afternoon but we explained the situation and our concerns to them. They knew of the family but didn't have up to date information on them so they thanked us for that and said they would look into it.
Then all went quiet! The daughter has been to Patverums all week so we knew from that that the children hadn't been removed from their home.
Today Dace (my social worker who's dealing mostly with this family) got a phone call from the mum saying that social services had been in touch with her. As we understand at the moment nothing has been done. We just have to wait and see what happens. She told us that again her husband has been drinking and abusing her. But on a positive note we do know though that she has been to the doctors this week, which is great as their are a number of health issues she needs help with so a step in the right direction!
This afternoon both children attended the centre. It's the first time this month that the son has been so it was lovely to see him.
Thanks for the comments regarding this - we really appreicate your prayers. All of us have struggled with reporting this family but as the week's gone on I know I've felt God's peace about it all and I know that they are 'in his hands'!
Today we are having to make a phone call to social services concerning one of our families. It's something that we do only when we feel we have exhausted all other options as it is likely that as a result of our phone call the children (brother & sister aged 8 and 7 years) will temporarily be taken into care.
We have written about this family before, they are one of 2 families that suffer from domestic violence as well as other problems. We have known them for just over 6 months and in that time we have spent many hours listening to the mum, counseling her, praying with her and doing home visits. The family has also made contact with Riga 1 church and become involved with various activities and has been receiving help and support there too.
Without going into all the situation basically it's got to the stage when Mum is no longer coping and we are worried for her well being and for the children's. She has become very depressed and is unable to take any action herself. The children are of course suffering too. The boy has missed a lot of school this year and we are concerned that the girl might be being physically abused. It's a complex situation which we now feel we need to involve social services in.
In some ways I feel we have failed them as we have not been able to help them change and improve their situation but then in although way I know that the staff at Patverums have tried their hardest to help and support this family.
As I type Dace is trying to get through to social services but as it's a Friday afternoon we are not sure if we will be able to get through to anyone so it might have to wait until Monday. We would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers for us as a staff that we will know what is the best thing to do and feel at peace with our decision and for the family that with whatever happens they will know that they are in God's hands.
