Ingar’s story

The dignity of the people we work with is one of highest priorities at all times. We tell the following story as Ingar asked us to, she wants the world to realise the conditions families in Latvia are living in.

Ingar and her three young children occupy two small rooms on the third floor of a block of social housing. These blocks are warren for alcoholics and drug users; there are no lights and no way of regulating who enters the block. The corridors are covered in graffiti, damp and are freezing cold in winter.  There is a stench from the single loo used by the 6 families on the floor. But to the boys there is their play ground, their place of adventure, not because they enjoy playing here but simply because there is no where else for them to go.

Their baby sister, a product of their alcoholic father returning and forcing his way into the flat for one night, grows up crawling around in these conditions.  The boys are fantastic at looking after her and involving her in their crazy games. The whole family is a lot of fun to spend time with, and are a testament to Ingar.

Being able to raise these great children is very challenging for her She receives £110 a month in benefits from the government; £90 of which goes back to the Government for the rent of her flat, leaving her £20 a month to feed, clothe and care for her 3 children.  Food and clothing prices in Latvia are very similar to those in the UK

 Hope for Latvia first met Ingar 3 years ago through another family  we support. Each month we are able to give her £50, which enables her to simply survive. As this still means that Ingar is trying to care for herself and children on 50p each per day. We are committed to working alongside Ingar and her young family to lift them out poverty. Our staff are working with Ingar on a strategy to help her children through school and for them all to eventually become self sufficient. 

If you want to become part of the solution for families like Ingar’s please visit our partnership page.