LUCKY CHILDHOOD - IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL ?

The problem with children and youth is not unknown in every city, specially about children who do not get enough attention, love and understanding from family or people around them - children from social risk families.

One of the most important question and priority in Cesis is work with children from social risk families and with under-age lawbreakers. Changes in law of children right protection define municipality's responsibility in work with under-age lawbreakers. Cesis City council tackled this problem together with financial support of Canadian government and support from Soros Foundation Latvia – Infant Supervisory Service (ISS). The main aim of this Service is to supervise and control children who are followed up by inspection of police.

Social workers help children and their families to solve different matters, to integrate in society and to reintegrate after returning from prison. Today there is 50 children in Cesis under control of the police. They have participated in bees in Cesis City, in several excursions, as well as summer camp. Right now with financial help from local enterprises children are repairing space for bodybuilding hall.

Another well-done project is Centre for street children and for children from social risk families opened in June 2001 with help of Latvian State. Here children can spend their free time – play different table games, listen to music and watch TV or video. The Rotary Club has provided the Centre with three computers. Of course children have possibility to talk to social workers about their problems and possible solutions. Meetings with parents, different seminars and lectures about children upbringing, education, psychology, and health are organised, too. The Centre is opened just some months now, but it has already showed its necessity – children are coming, taking their friends with them and that gives us fulfilment and delight. With small aid, but all together we have done good job and that is our aim.