Charity Club at Work

Posted on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 15:37 | by The Insider

Many students aren’t even aware that there is a tradition at SSE Riga that has taken place at Christmas time for almost 10 years in a row. It was started by some of the first Charity Club members and continued through the time. Each year we have a new board selected from year 1 students; thus, every time there is something entirely new waiting for 10-20 children, aged between nine and eighteen, from the “Zīļuks” orphanage (located in the district of Madona, Latvia).

This year our Charity Club members wanted not only to entertain teenagers and children, but to give them something more, still doing it with fun and a cheerful touch. Something that they could take home with them and use it to make their everyday life better and more fulfilled.

The first bustle started early in the morning at 6 o’clock when Mārtiņš, together with a photographer, packed everything that you had given in this year’s donating auction for children in Latvia’s orphanages and raced through the early winter morning to Sausnējas parish. There they just switched Santa Claus’s green bags for 12 happy expectant young people and two of their teachers. Then children met other Charity Club board members who were already waiting for them at SSE Riga with hot tea, cakes, and introductory games which entertained children until their next excursion to the War museum at Pulvertornis (the Powder Tower). There they could get a glance at everyday life of Latvian soldiers in different periods of time. After returning to our reality children had a chance to make funny, serious, interesting or even truly fascinating pictures at the Freedom Monument, thanks to two skillful photographers who both donated one of their free Saturdays to meet the children.

After such a serious start the residents of “Zīļuks” discovered the basics of bowling in “Fantasy parks”. Of course, this was one of the features which imprinted most in teenagers’ and children’ memory as it was the funniest event, and some of them even managed to become really good players, getting one strike after another. The game was followed by an “after-party” in the “Lettgalia” corporation, which proved to be as exciting as bowling - a beautiful and skilled cook Liene made an unforgettable supper, with all the plates cleaned completely.

When the need for food and warmth was satisfied, everyone hurried back to the SSE Riga premises, where the most serious and important part begin. Children had an additional activity that included discussions about their intentions and expectations for the nearest future. Among these were intentions to get better marks, do more sports, and also to change their personality traits - to be more courageous, friendly, and polite. The Charity Club board promised to follow their successes through this year and to remind children about their promises to themselves. Aside from this, in the end there will be an awarding ceremony for the most determined ones.

This time Charity Club says thanks to SSE Riga community, International Women Club, Fantasy Park, Kiwiprint, Fotokolors and also corporation “Lettonie”. Without them this event would not be such colourful and memorable.