Drop Inn began working in Latvia in 2010. Formerly part of the old Soviet Union, Latvia gained independence in 1991 but wasn’t fully ratified until 1994.
Latvia
A relatively new EU country, Latvia was hit hard during the global financial crisis of 2008, and is now considered one of the poorest nations in the European Community. Our first connection to the country was through Igor Oginsky, who worked with Drop Inn in Northern Ireland for several years. He eventually returned to Latvia and began a number of projects Drop Inn still supports.
These include feeding programmes and a rehabilitation centre for men and women recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction.
Each month we help 30 families from different villages with food, clothes and other material assistance. There is a home for elderly people that is visited once a month. 45 people always expect our team with joy and are grateful for the support that is given.
Twice a month, we visit a Rehab centre for drug addicts and alcoholics. Doors are also opening to develop relationships with other rehab centres.
Work with the elderly in Latvia
Youth campsLink to this section
Igor moved on and we now partner with Genā Čepuļi. Genā heads up our projects in Latvia. He runs a number of programmes for young people in the country, including a summer youth camp. We love to bless our partners, who do incredible work. Genā drives a minibus which we bought and maintain.
Drop Inn Latvia Director, Gena
ShoeboxesLink to this section
Since we started work in Latvia we were excited to expand our Shoebox Appeal to the country, and each December we deliver shoeboxes full of gifts to the children there. If you want to be part of one of these teams, or if you would like to help our projects in Latvia, we would love to hear from you.
