Meeting up with "my" two girls

   It was mid March and I was fortunate enough to meet two Zvannieki girls - "my" girls as I think of them. I met them when they were under a year old and lived with them while they grew from two to five and are now approaching their 10th birthday! What joy!
  The girl on the left enjoys sports and loves animals. There is not an animal she will not pick up to cuddle. She has a generous spirit and enjoys making and giving gifts to others.
   The girl on the right sings like an angel - she recently was invited to participate in a singing competition for children of Vidzeme, Latvia. She said she was not sure she would enjoy singing for that many people. Not only did she overcome her fear, but she sang beautifully and placed third in the competition!
  That is why I support the Zvannieki family - an attempt is made to discern each child's gift and help them to develop that gift. Look upon this as an invitation to help discern and develop children's gifts,  perhaps especially so if they are not the best or even close to the best in their field. A sense of competency in a field - even if it is as simple as loving animals - helps a child develop their sense of self and more importantly raises their self-esteem.
  I say to these girls - you go girls! You're awesome! I love you!
  What child will you say that to today?

Advent celebration at Zvannieki

We gather yearly - the children, the volunteers and members of the congregation - to celebrate the season of Advent, preparing for Christ's birth. Excitement is in the air. Everyone is dressed up. There is good food to be had and much singing. The evening is a memorable one for all. Sometimes the weather 'cooperates' and the drive from Riga, while beautiful, can be treacherous- especially the final 5 kilometers on unpaved and unplowed roads.

Some of the youngest make their attempts at piano playing - trying to make sense of the foreign language of musical notation. Edvins loves music and loves to sing. Omīte (the Zvannieki grandmother) took Edvins to children's opera productions. His favorite was the "Bird's Opera" (Putnu opera). He knew all of the songs and sang along. Since Edvins is visually impaired, he was assigned a seat front and center - directly behind the conductor. At the conclusion of the opera, the conductor was asked about the performance, since it was the final showing. He mopped his brow and said that this was the hardest performance ever. Why? - because a little boy sitting directly behind me sang along - well, almost along - he was ahead of the other singers and pit orchestra by almost a beat. That was our Edvins. Here he is singing at the Advent celebration.

And more...

A few of the "family" members...

The home has become a homestead; a horse, some sheep, a number of goats, chickens, dogs and cats also have become members of this family. In the summer months the children tend a garden where they grow potatoes, strawberries, lettuce, onions, various herbs, beets, carrots and in greenhouses that the older boys construct each spring - tomatoes and cucumbers. The garden ensures that during the summer and early fall the children have fresh vegetables.

For insight into what this family of 20 (persons "at home" during the week) and at least 25 on weekends eat in one week:

Dave has climbed to the top!

• 70 kg potatoes
• 6 kg carrots
• 2 kg onions
• 5 litres cooking oil

• 6 l sour cream
• 2 kg farmers' cheese (like cottage cheese)
• 2 kg cheese
• 70 eggs
• 7 kg sugar
• 1 kg salt
• 35 loaves of rye bread (less expensive than white bread and more filling)
• 10 kg meat (mostly ground meat and soup bones)
• 25 l milk (purchasing some from a local farmer, because the goats do not produce enough)
• 6 kg pasta
• 6 kg oatmeal porridge
• 3 kg rice
• 2 kg flour
• 4 kg cabbage

While the meals are quite frugal - seldom is there dessert, no cold cuts for the sandwiches, no pot roasts - no one goes to bed hungry. A true treat is fruit in the winter or strawberries with ice cream in the summer.  Though I must say I remember times when money was scarce and we made sorrel soup or a mushroom sauce to pour over potatoes - the children gathering sorrel and mushrooms that grow wild in the area... We send them peanut butter, so that they always have protein in the house - hold the jam - a luxury... Another treat we send regularly is powdered hot chocolate - add water and presto! - for times when milk is scarce.

We have it so good! Consider buying that jar of peanut butter for your local food pantry, even though it has gone up in price - it is a great source of protein!

Zvannieki at the close of 2011

A Princess and a Chick

It is hard to believe that yet another year has passed... I have been remiss about keeping up my blog - but not about my support and connection with the children of Zvannieki!

I was fortunate in that I was able to visit the children this past summer as well as at the end of November in 2010. The children are growing! I can no longer speak only of children, for one of the "children" has graduated from University and two others are currently enrolled in the "Latvia University of Agriculture."  Another of the "children" is now an accredited Auto Mechanic and working in his field, and another has studied to be a hairdresser and is a sought after stylist working in Riga. This is thanks to those who make monetary donations to the Zvannieki account at the  Latvian Cleveland Credit Union. Money from that fund also pays for school lunches for the 13 children attending the local elementary school in Ramuli.

I am indeed happy that my congregation, The United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland has been supportive of my work with these children. They have been generous with monetary donations as well as donations of clothing, footwear and school supplies. We send parcels to the children 2-3 times a year and a number of our members have visited these children in Latvia.

It is indeed a joy and privilege to help these children!

Summer is here!

School has let out for the summer – yippee! Shout the children! But the adults have something to shout about as well – 4 graduations! Two will receive their diplomas for primary education (Grade 9 is the magical grade. With it you can enter High school or a trade school. Without it, all avenues for education are blocked.)
We are very proud of the two teen boys who will receive their primary diplomas, for even a couple of years ago, it seemed like an unattainable dream. Also two of our young men will receive their high school diplomas. Both hope to continue their studies in the fall. These young men showed maturity in their persistence and effort. Our hats off to them!
The economy in Latvia is in dire straits. Many lay-offs and astronomical rates of inflation for everything, including the staples like milk and bread, have resulted in skimpier meals. Luckily the children like sorrel soup and sorrel grows in abundance all throughout the countryside. In the beginning of May the older boys erected a greenhouse so that there would be tomatoes and various homegrown vegetables to enrich the nutritional value of the children’s meals. (The growing season in Latvia is short, so that some sort of a greenhouse is necessary to grow tomatoes.)
Anyway, summer is here and all are ecstatic!

More Children!

Like many parts of the world, the economy is more than a mess in Latvia! Banks are repossessing farm machinery and even cattle! More than one farmer has decided to end his life. For many there is no hope. In the past couple of weeks, the Zvannieku family has grown by two teens. Both mother and grandmother disowned one and another was also left with no place to live. All hope was lost. Local officials asked that the girls be allowed to stay at Zvannieki. Even though all rooms were full and money to feed the existing family was at an all time low, these girls were welcomed into the family.

Zvannieki is indeed a special place! There seems to always be room for one more. The children and youth already part of the family understand and are prepared to make adjustments and even give up their own bed for a newcomer. God's grace in action! More water is added to the soup and all are fed.

Thanks be to God for supporters of Zvannieki. With the last donation food was purchased - nutritional value of meals improved by being able to afford to add protein to the children's diet. It maddens me that children in my daughter's school throw away part of their lunches, because they don't like it! And we don't like leftovers... I would like every fussy eater to spend a week at Zvannieki as a wake-up call to how fortunate we are!

Please don't forget to help those suffering in these economic times - and if you are suffering, do not give up hope! There are many good and caring people in the world!

Hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, vests and mittens... The children and youth are surprised by love – the love of those who live a continent away, or next door – love that arrives in parcels. Parcels that include cocoa, peanut butter, underwear, socks and HATS and scarves and vests and sweaters – knitted just for them! A labor of love.
A special gift of time and love that enfolds and warms the children and youth. You are special if someone takes the time to do something for you. You must be special if a gift is sent for you. Wrapped in a shawl who’s every stitch contains good thoughts and wishes. Warmed by a hat full of blessings. Adorned in a top that makes you feel special. Feet warmed by love. Love, care and concern for youth who are used to being ignored, or even worse, abused.
Thanks to all supporters and well wishers! Keep those needles clicking and the wishes rolling!

Spring?

While the temperature in Cleveland is gradually rising and signs of spring are sprouting - that is not yet the case in Latvia. The children at Zvannieki are still enjoying winter. An important aspect of life at Zvannieki is fresh air and exercise. At every opportunity children are outdoors – simply to play or have extended walks. The pictures show the woods around Zvannieki. One trail is 4km long – even the smaller children walk that.
The children’s imagination is also engaged – while walking they look for the nymphs and gnomes of the woods. Sometimes a glimpse is caught of them as they go about their work. Other times a house is built for them. The walks and fresh air improve the children’s appetite and aids them in getting a good nights sleep, not to forget the benefit of working off energy that otherwise would make for a very loud house…
Fresh air and exercise – sounds like a good idea. Maybe I’ll get some.
P.S. Thank you Linda for your pictures!