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.
On Friday we celebrated Patverums 5th birthday. Inese, Vineta, Natalija, Irena and I spent a lot of the week planning, shopping and preparing for the big day.
So Friday came...
Unfortunately it was the Friday that Natalija had to go to university so we were short staffed, although she was able to come in for a couple of hours before her afternoon lectures started. This meant that the 4 of us were a little stretched but we were finished just in time. I was putting cucumber sticks onto the plates as our guests were walking up the stairs!!
The afternoon and evening went really well. We had 69 people attend. This was made up by most of our regular children and teenagers that attend the centre, some of their families, some 'past' children, current staff and some 'past' staff and volunteers. Also Sarah from Riga 1 came, Evie from the Training centre and a number of people from Headquarters and PABA joined us. We were also privileged to have Commissioner Ros Poke (Sweden and Latvia Territory) with us while she visited the Region.
We started with the 'official' bit! Chris (our assistant Regional Commander) spoke, saying thanks and goodbye to Graeme and I. It was one of the parts of the day I was least looking forward to but it went well. Then she welcomed Inese as the new leader which was great to witness. Ilga (director of social work and one of our first members of staff) said a few words and then it was left to me to finish up! As always there were lots of flowers and a few presents too :-)
With that done it was time for food!!
As part of our celebrations we invited a guy called Stuart from Riga 1 corps to 'entertain' the children. He is involved in evangelistic programs and is especially good at entertaining and presenting the Gospel to families and young people. He did a great job and as you will see from future pictures everyone really enjoyed the 'show'!
After this we moved from the cafe area into Riga 1's main hall where we had a bouncy castle for the rest of the day. It was a hit!! This isn't the first time we've hired one but as it's been a while for most of our children it was a first at Patverums. Alongside this we had various games and quizzes such as 'count the number of sweets in the jar', 'apple bobbing', & 'the '5' quiz'.
Of course we had birthday cake, in fact we had 2, and we all spent the rest of the evening playing and talking together. By 7.15pm everyone was gone, leaving Inese, Vineta, Inga (former member of staff) and myself to clean up. By 8pm we were done and ready to go home!
It was a really special day and one I wont ever forget! God blessed us once again with a wonderful day and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did!!
posted by Patverums Childrens Day Centre @ 5:54 pm
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
It's been a while...
Sorry for the lack of entries recently life has been pretty hectic to say the least!
A lot has been going on so I'll just take a few moment to tell you all about them.
The last time I wrote we were ready to interview one lady for a empty social worker position. Well, I'm really pleased to say it went well and we hired her. Her name is Natalija. She is 20 and she is in her first year at Latvia University training to be a social pedegogue. This is her first job in this field so we are pleased to be able to give her the opportunity to start working in social work. She started 1st March and seems to be settling in well.
Of course there is the ongoing process of applying for the official status. We have thought we were finished a few times over the past few weeks but unfortunately not yet!! I was really hoping to have it all done and handed in by now but there you go! We are only waiting for 2 things, one of which should arrive today so I pray it wont be long now!!
On Friday we celebrate Patverums 5th birthday. As you can imagine this week is full of organising. I really hope it will go well and that all that come will enjoy it. We have invited all our current children and families as well as past children, staff and volunteers. As well as a few extras, you know who you are!! We could have a house full on Friday afternoon.
Yesterday I sat with 2 of our older girls and worked out how many children, staff and volunteers we have had come through our doors. I was stocked to discover that when you add it all together it came to 90!! If you add on the parents we have worked with then we would be well over 100! It still amazes me that this came from a simple idea that God gave to Graeme and I and that He has blessed by allowing us to touch and be part of this many peoples lives! It also made me realise why I feel like I've aged so much over the past 5 years having worked with over 60 children, in one way not a huge number but our children are...'special'!
Friday is also my last day :-( It doesn't feel real but I know it's right and that God's timing is clear. We will have a small 'official' bit on Friday where we plan for Graeme and I to say our goodbyes and Inese will be welcomed as the new leader. Other people might have things planned too we'll have to wait and see. Should be interesting!!
Vineta is currently off work ill, there has been a lot of sickness around recently and we have been amazed that none of us have gone down with it earlier. We would ask for your prayers for her as she really wants to be better for Friday and honestly we need her to be!
Well, I think that's it for now. I will post some pictures from the party next week, when I am a lady of leisure!!
