Nearly 1,000 children in Latvia await a family

Nearly 1,000 children in Latvia are currently living in crisis centres and care institutions while waiting for the chance to live with a family, LSM reported, citing Zemgale Regional Television. The Latvian SOS Children’s Villages Association has unveiled a symbolic public installation in Bauska called “Waiting in line for a family” to highlight the shortage of foster families and encourage people to become foster parents, guardians or adoptive parents.

The installation features chairs representing the stories of children waiting for a family. Anna, 11, has been waiting for eight years, almost her entire life. Three-year-old Sintija has been waiting for three years, while 13-year-old Kārlis has spent 11 years waiting.

“There are children waiting for a family. In fact, it should be the other way around. There should be families wanting to take in children, but unfortunately we have so many children waiting in line,” said Ilze Paleja, chairwoman of the association’s board.

The association launched a campaign lasting several months with the installation’s unveiling in Bauska.

Iveta Voselāne decided to become a foster mother nine years ago. She has three adult sons, and four foster children are currently growing up in her family. The family also receives daily support from an SOS centre.

“The biggest problem at the moment is the huge queues for doctors. But thanks to the SOS centre, the children receive rehabilitation and speech therapy, for example. That is enormous support, because finding a place in a kindergarten for a child who has joined your family is also unrealistic,” Voselāne said.

There are currently 226 children in out-of-family care in Bauska Municipality. The municipality has 14 foster families, while 43 children from Bauska Municipality have been placed with foster families elsewhere in Latvia.

The municipality also provides financial support. Almost half a million euros has been allocated in this year’s budget for maintenance allowances, monthly payments for each child and one-off benefits, said Linda Abu Meri, deputy chairwoman of the Bauska Municipality Council.

Latvia currently has two SOS children’s villages, in Valmiera and Īslīce in Bauska Municipality. Families outside the villages’ territories are also being sought apartments.

The campaign installation will be on display in Bauska for one week. It will then be moved to Iecava.