The picture shows our water supply early 2005. Clean water on the table, dirty water under the table. One of our youth did the hauling of the clean water from the lake and later from the well, as well as carrying the dirty water out. Bath days were a challenge!
The house itself was built in the 1920’s. Lack of care for the house during the Soviet years of occupation left its mark. The roof leaked, walls were caving in, there was no indoor plumbing – not even water. Water was carried from the lake that froze over during the winter. Imagine life like that with small children… It was like turning back the clock 100 years, but that is still not uncommon in the rural areas of Latvia! Reconstruction began. The house received a new roof; windows and doors were installed. A new staircase was needed; rooms needed repartitioning. Plans made for toilets and a shower. An unexpected surprise was that the beams of the house had rotted – they too needed to be replaced.
Who paid for this? Since Zvannieki is an NGO, there are no governmental funds for the support of this work. Initially- the first couple of years - most expenses: reconstruction and food for the children was paid by Juris Calitis. His pension fund and all savings have found their home in the house itself. Later congregations and organizations, both in Latvia and outside of Latvia, began sending donations – donations for plumbing, boiler, washing machine, beds etc. Many thanks to them!
The kitchen initially was a nightmare. Cooking was done on a hotplate that was not adequate for the number of persons living at the shelter. Through another NGO’s help, a shell for the kitchen was completed, including and saving the old wood stove. The kitchen was furnished with used odds and ends from various individuals. Since our family has grown to over 20 children and youth, the kitchen fittings no longer can serve our needs. We are thankful that various businessmen in Riga have undertaken to refit the kitchen with industrial fittings. (See blogspot “ScotinRiga”)
Heating of the two-storied house was and still is done by one wood fireplace. A blower system has been added to help distribute the heat throughout the house.
Laundry was initially washed in Riga by members in their homes. Then we were gifted with a washing machine – but had no water… A well was drilled. That is a story in itself 170 meters deep! What an expense, money ran out, but the diggers continued to drill. We then had water in the house – one tap. Water for the washing machine – but where to expel the used water? A huge pot was set up beside the washing machine… Our teen boys got tired of having to empty this pot – we do a lot of laundry in one day – and they rigged a hose out through the window. This worked fine and well in the summer, but in the winter, the house lost too much heat! Anyway, we now have a laundry room with an industrial sized washer and dryer – thanks to our German friends – and we can do laundry normally.
