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History
Hope for Children's first days were not grand in scale. In the winter of 1993, we would simply befriend children found begging on the streets and give them food or take them to cafes for a meal. In subsequent encounters we would bring them clothing.
We tried to meet the needs of children as best we could, while dreaming of having a place where we could invite them. In March 1994, Hope for Children was officially registered by two British school teachers and two local church ministers and an apartment was given us to rent. We began receiving our first children in April 1994.
Vision
We aim to restore and bring hope to children and families in Latvia which have fallen into crisis because of poverty, homelessness, sickness and addiction.
Hope for Children seeks to follow Christ's example of unconditional love and compassion in working with those most vulnerable to the effects of change and poverty.
In pursuit of helping children reach their full potential we work towards giving them the best chance of a good education and healthy lifestyle providing them with the nurturing and safe environment they need.
Values
Hope for Children is a charity founded and operated by practicing Christians from various church denominations. Our motivation and inspiration comes from the the pure, unconditional, sacrificial and all-embracing love of God.
We are committed to opening the door to any child or family in need.
“I am so grateful for Hope for Children. Whenever someone asks about
my childhood, I have very wonderful memories to share because of them”
Situated in Eastern Europe on the Baltic Sea, Latvia borders on Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarussia.
First proclaimed independence in 1918, was forced into the Soviet Union in 1940, reclaimed independence 4th May 1990.
May 2004 Latvia joined the European Union.
Population of approximately 1.9 million is decreasing; deaths outnumber live births. Approximately 72% of the population is actually Latvian, approximately 28% is made up mostly of Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians.
Language - Latvian is the main and official language. Russian is the second most used.
Riga, founded in 1201 A.D., is the capital with a population of approximately 614,600 inhabitants
“They gave us a second chance and showed us that we could be better and that not all the world is so bad as what we saw”
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“Everyone knows of the 7 Wonders of the World, but in fact there should be eight because Hope for Children should be one of them”