Successfully completed “work therapy” project
“There are potatoes, the red beets, the dungeons and carrots — they are very large this year,” Maris Stepins from Kaunata parish shows his garden with pride. Maris with his wife and children is one of the 12 families of Rezekne, who was engaged in an unprecedented project this summer – “working therapy”. Within the framework of the project, EUR 83 MILLION was allocated to each family for the installation and maintenance of a small garden so that the food supplies can be taken up by their forces for winter.
The project is implemented by the Rēzekne Committee of Latvia, along with the municipality of Rezekne, while the funding of EUR 1000 WAS provided by the red cross committee from the Oplandes region in Norway. On September 6, 16 volunteers from Oplanet's red cross went to see the project participants.
Dainis Gumelich, with his wife, Christine, had not only bought the seeds and bought the garden, but also bought a small greenhouse that would serve for several years. In particular, the children of Gumeliči, the six-year-old Tom and the three-year-old Editte, have been involved in the care of the nursery. As Momma Christine says, the little gardeners or every day run to watch the cucumbers take effect as tomatoes are pink and like the flowers are singing.
Svetlana Vilhova raised three children from Makhkalna. The family lived in the Trinidian apartment in Makoņkalns, while the garden was about two kilometres away from home. Neither the far path to the garden nor the work in Svetlanu frightens: “I get the horse from my father and bring the grown vegetables to my home.” It was only sad to see the local men sitting there and not even offering to come to help when i carried one potato sack to the cellar. 'However, Svetlana is a great optimist, so he is not afraid: “everyone has difficulties, but there are no difficulties that can't be dealt with!”
All the families took care to keep the garden in the garden. For example, Svetlana Vilhova has produced more than 50 litres of different berry jams, as well as tomatoes and cucumbers.
The garden of the garden is expensive, especially for low-income families, so the participants in the project are grateful for the material support provided. As Mr Silvija Strankale, head of the municipality of Rēzekne, emphasizes, the financial return is far from the only benefit of the project: “working therapy” is one way of working with social risk families to stand on their feet. This project was a kick-off board for many families to learn to take responsibility and manage their responsibilities in time. '“It is also positive that we do not provide donations or packages of aid, but we give the opportunity for the person himself to earn this gift by investing in work,” says Gunta Krukovsky, Executive Director of the Rēzekne Committee of the Rēzekne Committee.
After getting acquainted with the project participants, the volunteers from Oplandes red cross are also welcomed. “I'm glad that all the members of the family were involved in the work.” In addition, with the introduction of the garden, almost all the families had left the place for flowers, so that the joy was not only for the belly but also for the soul, ”says Viano, the volunteer of the red cross.
The family from four parishes – Kaunatas, Makoņkalns, Dricans and Berzgales – took part in “work therapy” this year. Since the project has been successful, the red cross and the municipality of Rezekne are planning to continue this next year, involving other parish.
It should be noted that the cooperation of the Rēzekne and Oplanet Committees will last for approximately a year. This was the first joint project, but both sides have already marked joint future plans – from 9 to 11 October, representatives of the Rēzekne Committee will participate in training in Norway, a joint camp in Norway will be held in Norway in March of the following year, while in April Opland will be a red cross conference called for participation of the Latvian Red Cross.
Madara Laksa
Public relations specialist of the municipality of Rezekne