SOS Children's Villages started working in Latvia after the country became independent from the former USSR. We first started working in Islice by providing both family-based care and a kindergarten. At present, SOS Children's Villages is also working in Olaine and Riga where it provides support to local children who are at risk of losing parental care. There are two SOS Children's Villages in Latvia, one SOS Youth Facility and five SOS Social Centres (family strengthening programmes).
For just $36/month you can sponsor a child and help provide an orphaned or abandoned child with:
- A safe and nurturing home
- A loving SOS mother
- Quality education
- Healthcare
- Nutritious food
- Clothing and toys
- All the things necessary for a bright future
SOS Children's Villages in Latvia
The Republic of Latvia is a Baltic country which borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, Russia in the east and Belarus in the south-east. The Baltic Sea forms the western border. The population is 2.2 million, Latvians account for 57 per cent of the population and about a third of the population is Russian. The capital city, Riga, has one third of all of Latvia's inhabitants.
In early 1991, a referendum resulted in a large majority favouring secession from the former USSR, and on 21 August, Latvia declared full independence. In June 1993, Latvia held the first parliamentary elections. On 31 August 1994, the remaining Soviet troops left the country. The country has been a member of the European Union and NATO since 2004.
Latvia remains one of the poorest countries within the European Union
Latvia is one of the poorest countries within the European Union. The transition to a market economy was not easy for Latvia, and just as it was beginning to make progress, the global financial crisis of 2008-2010 set back the progress. Some reports suggest that the gross domestic product fell by more than a quarter in 2009. During the crisis the unemployment rate rose sharply to over 20 per cent, it has since decreased and currently stands at around 14 per cent. The service industry accounts for nearly two thirds of employment, industry for approximately a quarter and agriculture plays a significant role. The number of people living in poverty is rising.
Latvia faces important health challenges. The health care system remains one of the worst in Europe. Latvia has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in Europe, and there has been an increase in child mortality in recent years. The suicide rate is one of the worlds highest. HIV/AIDS is also a problem - there are approximately 10,000 cases of the disease in Latvia.
There are some serious human rights concerns in Latvia. The Russian minority faces discrimination especially in employment. Other human rights problems include endemic corruption and organised crime, poor conditions in prisons and in police detention facilities, high levels of violence, child abuse and trafficking in persons.
Our Impact
Image
The SOS Children's Village in Latvia provides loving homes to orphaned and abandoned children |
2 VILLAGES | 133 Orphaned and Abandoned Children |
Image
The SOS Youth Facilities in Latvia provides youth with a loving environment where they learn to transition into independent living and to expand their education |
1 YOUTH FACILITIES | 24 Youths in our Care |
Image
SOS Social Centres in Latvia aim is to help families, in particular women and children, living in communities neighbouring the SOS Children's Villages to gradually escape from poverty, and to help young people become self-reliant. |
3 SOCIAL CENTRES | 519 Beneficiaries |
Our Impact