Olega's Story

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

Social Housing is often insecure, the authorities pay little attention to what happens in the corridors of these concrete jungles. One night a group of drunken men broke down the door and forced their way into her house. They beat Olega and sexually abused her oldest daughter in front of the family. Her son has never fully recovered from witnessing this experience. The government has done nothing to bring justice for the family or provided any way of stopping it happening again.

"Olega has worked tirelessly to provide for her family,
often holding down 2-3 jobs whilst caring for her children."

The merge benefits she receives from the government had not been enough to feed, clothe and keep the children healthy. This situation forced her into borrowing money simply to buy food and fuel. The extortionate interest rates charged by the only people willing to lend to her, mean that her total debt is increasing every month.

When the communal bathroom above her flat flooded due to insufficient maintenance, it resulted in one of the rooms becoming uninhabitable. The government who run the housing block have denied all responsibility for the flooding and refuse any claim for compensation.

Project manager John Lee first met Olega and her family in August 2009, he was taken aback by the courage and tenacity of Olega to keep fighting for her family. Whilst viewing the living conditions he couldn’t believe that any one could survive in these circumstances.

We have committed to fighting for justice for Olega, we are documenting the situation and will advocate on her be-half to the government.  Through the family support fund we are helping her to meet the basic needs of the family. We have also agreed to help her pay off her debt through matching whatever money she is able to pay off each month. This will be monitored to ensure that we are helping to bring down the overall sum and not simply paying off the interest.

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