Representatives of the Rēzekne and Rēzekne municipality of Oplandes (Norway) red cross committee
From 15 to 20 September, representatives of the Norwegian Red Cross Oplanet (Oppland) Committee were present in Rēzekne and Rēzekne. During the visit, the co-operation partners from Norway met with the management of the Rēzekne municipality and the Rēzekne Committee of Latvia, visited social institutions in Rēzekne Municipality Feimaņu and Silmalas parish, visiting the families who participated in the Norwegian consultation project “work therapy” that year. During the visit, THE LSK Rēzekne Committee was given a beautiful gift -- a cheque of EUR 2 000 from the Oplanet Committee's Nordre Land division, Rēzekne, for the needs of the poor families.
One of the activities of the Latvian Red Cross (LSK) Rēzekne Committee and the Norwegian Red Cross Cooperation Programme in this year is an exchange of experience. Therefore, the training of social workers, organised by the Rēzekne and Oplanet Committee, took place between 19 and 20 September. Among the topics of training were the introduction to the history of red cross, which is a voluntary, “voluntary circle” - motivation - awareness and preparedness, psychological first aid, dialogue and conflict resolution, visits centres and care and, of course, work in groups.
24 social workers from Rezekne City and Rezekne's social service took part in the training conducted by Marte Eika and Oplandes, Vice-President of the Oplandes SEE Chair.
As the head of the Rēzekne Department of Social Service Silvia Strankale acknowledged, cooperation with the Norwegian partners has been lasting for several years and has been successful. “We say thank you very much to Oplandes, SEE the Committee on financial and moral support and would like to take over from them experience with young people and children, particularly those who are socially excluded from society, as well as experience with refugees with whom we have not yet encountered.”
In Norway, the red cross movement was established in 1865, currently there are more than 135 400 members and 350 000 volunteers in 402 departments. SEE also young people and children. Special attention is paid to youth activities to promote healthy lifestyles, sexual health, learn how to survive in extreme conditions. It should be noted that Oplande in Norway is high in mountains where there is often a need for rescue teams to help skipers, tourists, local people in extreme weather conditions. The organization is kept from donations, members' money, revenue from lotteries and humanitarian shops, and the country of Norway is also providing their arteries.
Anna Rancāne
A. Rananes and Gunta Krukovsk photo
