Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Falltime Sunplay
A wonderful sunny day today. I went out with my camera during the coffee break and got some pictures for you to enjoy.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Flowers And ... Poverty
They have flowers and flowers all around the house.A mother of five boys lives in this house. On Mondays, she gets up early and leaves the home. Luckily there is also her mother to watch the boys during the week. She doesn't come back home before late Friday evening.
We visited this family last Saturday together with their friends from Sweden Britt-Marie Nyberg and her daughter Anette. The miserable house was warm and clean, and the children were playful and friendly. Only the adults there were all too uncertain about the future that awaits them.
Britt-Marie and Anette have been supporting this family with some monthly amount of money, quarterly shipments of food and clothes. They are really grateful for this support. Yet it does not solve all of their problems.
Working in a Maxima shop in Riga, the Mother earns $ 500 a month. In August, she spent more than $ 600 to equip the children for the school.
Her friends are long since gone to Ireland. They write letters and tell about the life there. The right balance between work and leisure, social security and predictable governance are the main benefits they always mention.
I believe it's just a matter of time that the Mother will be away from her flowers, house and the country that does not give her any space for breathing. I believe that she will have those flower-beds also there in that foreign land. But there, they will certainly be in front of a much nicer house.
Will she come back? Will her children ever come back? Will they still have then a country to come back?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Surprise! Are We To Pay Taxes?
I heard something incredible in the news - the tax supported medical care will be available only to those paying the Income Tax! More to that - soon may all the tax supported services be available only to those paying the Tax!
Is this the first, however feeble, attempt of the government to convince the people that they really want those taxes? Up to this point, we have seen only the opposite actions - the government has actually done everything possible to make people wonder why on earth are they paying anything at all to a government whose apparent concern is to missuse the taxpayers' money.
Raising tax rates during the times when the economical burden is too high even so conveys the clear message to the nation that the government wants the gray economy to spread. Buying the useless minesweepers - spending millions on them, building concrete bridges for the price of golden ones and many other top stupidity projects - communicate to me and many other compatriots the message that the government already has too much money at their disposal.
Borrowing huge amounts internationally instead of stimulating the domestic economy means in fact selling the country and putting the burden of debt to the generations to come. They make the situation even worse reneging from the promises given to the lenders after having taken the money.
Seeing all this - are you running with your hard earned cash to the officials to give away what your children may need for the school or medicine? Are you demanding the recipes for every product or service? Are you denouncing on your neighbor selling a handful of hand-picked berries or mushrooms without authorities knowing that?
For those who might not know, it is the "official" standard for Latvia - to have two different prices for everything - the much higher one is if you need the "papers" i.e. the invoices and receits as a proof of a transaction. The other is much lower, without the "papers", and you don't expect any tax paid for that.
But that's just the one side of the problem. There is a deeper one: whom to vote for in the next election? Is it at all possible to find enough wise people able to lead the country? Or are we all really just the scum that the earlier occupations left behind having eradicated the living power of the Latvian nation? Are we just waiting to give up our independence to a new occupation, which would last this time forever?
Is this the first, however feeble, attempt of the government to convince the people that they really want those taxes? Up to this point, we have seen only the opposite actions - the government has actually done everything possible to make people wonder why on earth are they paying anything at all to a government whose apparent concern is to missuse the taxpayers' money.
Raising tax rates during the times when the economical burden is too high even so conveys the clear message to the nation that the government wants the gray economy to spread. Buying the useless minesweepers - spending millions on them, building concrete bridges for the price of golden ones and many other top stupidity projects - communicate to me and many other compatriots the message that the government already has too much money at their disposal.
Borrowing huge amounts internationally instead of stimulating the domestic economy means in fact selling the country and putting the burden of debt to the generations to come. They make the situation even worse reneging from the promises given to the lenders after having taken the money.
Seeing all this - are you running with your hard earned cash to the officials to give away what your children may need for the school or medicine? Are you demanding the recipes for every product or service? Are you denouncing on your neighbor selling a handful of hand-picked berries or mushrooms without authorities knowing that?
For those who might not know, it is the "official" standard for Latvia - to have two different prices for everything - the much higher one is if you need the "papers" i.e. the invoices and receits as a proof of a transaction. The other is much lower, without the "papers", and you don't expect any tax paid for that.
But that's just the one side of the problem. There is a deeper one: whom to vote for in the next election? Is it at all possible to find enough wise people able to lead the country? Or are we all really just the scum that the earlier occupations left behind having eradicated the living power of the Latvian nation? Are we just waiting to give up our independence to a new occupation, which would last this time forever?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Latvian Health Care - Jewel in Ashes
Professionalism and warm attitude are the main traits we experienced with the health care staff as we sought help for our foster son Charles (6) who had a bad nasal cavity inflammation.
Picture: Playground in the Children's Hospital in Riga
When Charles kept complaining about the bad headache for the third day, we went to see the Ear-Nose-Throat expert in Bauska Health-Care center. I must admit that on our way there, I had some doubt what the attitude will be when the times are so harsh - the hospitals are being closed one by one, the medical staff fired, the salaries reduced by more than a half compared with the previous year.
Nevertheless, the attitude we met there was fantastic. The doctors and nurses were as kind as can be giving the child the proper time and attention.
When it was established that the child needs hospitalization, Dr. Zilite, the ENT - took an immediate decision to send the boy to the Children's Hospital in Riga. She was really unsure as to how we might be received there knowing the shortness of the resources allocated for the hospitals and healthcare at large. "May God be with you, and with me too," said she taking the farewell and instructing us to go to Riga directly so to catch a doctor there before the end of the working day.
The attitude in the Riga Hospital was surprisingly warm and caring. We did not meet a single person of the staff there who would hesitate to walk an extra corridor length to show us the right direction or help some other way when we asked for.
Seeing in action those Professionals with the big capital P, I understood why foreign countries go for the tough competition to hire the Latvian doctors and nurses. Britain, for example, offers them to earn their monthly Latvia salary in just 1.5 days!!! A big poster inviting the healthcare professionals to sign up for even as short a term as only 1 day is there on the message board of the Bauska Healthcare Center.
Our most heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses who are still here in Latvia working for the miserable salaries, struggling to get the ends meet while saving the lives of our children.
Picture: The face building of the Children's Hospital in Riga
By coincidence, the next day after we had placed Charles in the hospital, we were invited to hear a concert of the choir of that hospital where the doctors, nurses and the administartive staff members sing. The concert took place in Vecumnieki Culture House. The conductor of the choir is the well-known Vecumnieki Music School teacher Cheslav Batnya. The accompanist is the managing director, a well-known children surgeon Doc. Dr.med. Dzintars Mozgis. He is also the soloist and even the composer of a few songs sung by the choir.
While listening the concert, I marveled at the strength of those people. No one of them can be sure how long their jobs will exist, and whether the next month they will have any food for their own families. Yet no one of them looked depressed. They sang cheerfully radiating their faith and joy of singing towards the audience.
After the concert, the head teacher of Vecumnieki Music and Art School Mrs. Iveta Lavrinovica thanked the choir and said that a hospital, where the hearts of the top leadership are filled with music, cannot go wrong. I agree with her completely.
Our nation is not great in numbers, its values are not always the ones you want to follow. But when you hear people singing like this, you feel pretty assured that this country will live on.
Picture: Playground in the Children's Hospital in Riga
When Charles kept complaining about the bad headache for the third day, we went to see the Ear-Nose-Throat expert in Bauska Health-Care center. I must admit that on our way there, I had some doubt what the attitude will be when the times are so harsh - the hospitals are being closed one by one, the medical staff fired, the salaries reduced by more than a half compared with the previous year.Nevertheless, the attitude we met there was fantastic. The doctors and nurses were as kind as can be giving the child the proper time and attention.
When it was established that the child needs hospitalization, Dr. Zilite, the ENT - took an immediate decision to send the boy to the Children's Hospital in Riga. She was really unsure as to how we might be received there knowing the shortness of the resources allocated for the hospitals and healthcare at large. "May God be with you, and with me too," said she taking the farewell and instructing us to go to Riga directly so to catch a doctor there before the end of the working day.
The attitude in the Riga Hospital was surprisingly warm and caring. We did not meet a single person of the staff there who would hesitate to walk an extra corridor length to show us the right direction or help some other way when we asked for.
Seeing in action those Professionals with the big capital P, I understood why foreign countries go for the tough competition to hire the Latvian doctors and nurses. Britain, for example, offers them to earn their monthly Latvia salary in just 1.5 days!!! A big poster inviting the healthcare professionals to sign up for even as short a term as only 1 day is there on the message board of the Bauska Healthcare Center.
Our most heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses who are still here in Latvia working for the miserable salaries, struggling to get the ends meet while saving the lives of our children.
Picture: The face building of the Children's Hospital in Riga
By coincidence, the next day after we had placed Charles in the hospital, we were invited to hear a concert of the choir of that hospital where the doctors, nurses and the administartive staff members sing. The concert took place in Vecumnieki Culture House. The conductor of the choir is the well-known Vecumnieki Music School teacher Cheslav Batnya. The accompanist is the managing director, a well-known children surgeon Doc. Dr.med. Dzintars Mozgis. He is also the soloist and even the composer of a few songs sung by the choir.
While listening the concert, I marveled at the strength of those people. No one of them can be sure how long their jobs will exist, and whether the next month they will have any food for their own families. Yet no one of them looked depressed. They sang cheerfully radiating their faith and joy of singing towards the audience.After the concert, the head teacher of Vecumnieki Music and Art School Mrs. Iveta Lavrinovica thanked the choir and said that a hospital, where the hearts of the top leadership are filled with music, cannot go wrong. I agree with her completely.
Our nation is not great in numbers, its values are not always the ones you want to follow. But when you hear people singing like this, you feel pretty assured that this country will live on.
Stelpian Roger Hazelden Teaches Children the English Language
Has Roger found his real call? He teaches English to Stelpe children.
For the second year already, Roger Hazelden together with his wife Valerie teaches the beginnings of his native language to the youngest children - pre-school group of 5 and 6 year olds. His lessons are all well planned, easy to understand and entertaining.
In co-operation with the non-governmental organization Stelpite, Roger has extended the availability of his lessons to literally everyone interested. Once a week he does the teaching on Stelpite premises, always attracting a number of inquisitive children.
Roger and Valerie participate actively in the community life of Stelpe. In 2007, they organized a week-long trip of the whole class 8 of Stelpe School to England. This year, the they invited the Con-Brio choir to visit Latvia, and co-ordinated the tour. They are always open and willing to help the school and the people of the community.
For the second year already, Roger Hazelden together with his wife Valerie teaches the beginnings of his native language to the youngest children - pre-school group of 5 and 6 year olds. His lessons are all well planned, easy to understand and entertaining.
In co-operation with the non-governmental organization Stelpite, Roger has extended the availability of his lessons to literally everyone interested. Once a week he does the teaching on Stelpite premises, always attracting a number of inquisitive children.
Roger and Valerie participate actively in the community life of Stelpe. In 2007, they organized a week-long trip of the whole class 8 of Stelpe School to England. This year, the they invited the Con-Brio choir to visit Latvia, and co-ordinated the tour. They are always open and willing to help the school and the people of the community.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Schoolchildren Color Stones by the School
You don't find stones in Latvia as often as you do in many other countries. Stelpe children, however, found some rather big stones and brought them to the school to be colored and thus serve as a little change of the vicinity. They probably got their inspiration from Vecumnieki center where there are stones colored by the students of Vecumnieki Art School.
After a few hours work under the guidance of the arts teacher Aiva Linkevica, we have now a few brightly colored stones close by the school.
After a few hours work under the guidance of the arts teacher Aiva Linkevica, we have now a few brightly colored stones close by the school.
European Cultural Heritage 2009 Day in Stelpe
Great sunny day for the people to come together, remember traditional songs and dances, think of the roots both those of the families and those of the whole nation.
There is a remarkable oak in Stelpe - The Kunku (Ty-oo-n-ty-oo) Oak. Having stood there for about five centuries and reached good 23 ft girth, it is now lying on the ground. The glade around the oak has served as a place for celebrations and even as an open-air church. Now this spot has been included in the list of the European Cultural Heritage objects.
The owner of the place Inta Groskaufmane has done a profound research both on the use of the spot all through the centuries and on her own family roots. She has traced her family record back to 1497 when a young man Kioonkio from Finland had settled here discontinuing his journey to Rome which he had started together with many other people from his homeland. A nice local girl has been the reason for this decision. But the very trip to Rome had begun due to the influence of Rome's messengers sent all around the Europe to tell people about the might and abundance of the then Empire. So the people were traveling there to see it by their own eyes. Also the possibility to buy the Pardon directly from the Pope was something for them to take into consideration.
People from outside Stelpe had come to the celebration on September 20. Since this year Stelpe and Vecumnieki communities have been joined into one administrative unit, a group of Vecumnieki people had come to Stelpe to meet their neighbors and see the places of interest. They joined happily the common singing and dancing on the gathering by the oak.
The flag of the European Cultural Heritage was flown over the place
Mrs. Inta Groskaufmane telling her story 
Sabine Mikalone, Samanta Struberga, Safar and Aleksandra Hadzimoratov playing and singing for the guests 
A traditional music group led the singing that many guests joined in 
A small exibition of the earlier times jewelry, set up by the members of the music group
A few commemorative moments in the cemetery where the parents of Latvian playwright and poet Rainis lies burried. Rainis, probably the most famous of the Latvian poets, has his roots in Stelpe. There is still a barn on the site where once there was his father's house. 
Finally, the owner of Piladzi motocross track Erik Piladzis (in the middle, green shirt) shows the track to the visitors and speaks about his vision of the development of the track.
There is a remarkable oak in Stelpe - The Kunku (Ty-oo-n-ty-oo) Oak. Having stood there for about five centuries and reached good 23 ft girth, it is now lying on the ground. The glade around the oak has served as a place for celebrations and even as an open-air church. Now this spot has been included in the list of the European Cultural Heritage objects.
The owner of the place Inta Groskaufmane has done a profound research both on the use of the spot all through the centuries and on her own family roots. She has traced her family record back to 1497 when a young man Kioonkio from Finland had settled here discontinuing his journey to Rome which he had started together with many other people from his homeland. A nice local girl has been the reason for this decision. But the very trip to Rome had begun due to the influence of Rome's messengers sent all around the Europe to tell people about the might and abundance of the then Empire. So the people were traveling there to see it by their own eyes. Also the possibility to buy the Pardon directly from the Pope was something for them to take into consideration.
People from outside Stelpe had come to the celebration on September 20. Since this year Stelpe and Vecumnieki communities have been joined into one administrative unit, a group of Vecumnieki people had come to Stelpe to meet their neighbors and see the places of interest. They joined happily the common singing and dancing on the gathering by the oak.
The flag of the European Cultural Heritage was flown over the place
Mrs. Inta Groskaufmane telling her story 
Sabine Mikalone, Samanta Struberga, Safar and Aleksandra Hadzimoratov playing and singing for the guests 
A traditional music group led the singing that many guests joined in 
A small exibition of the earlier times jewelry, set up by the members of the music group
A few commemorative moments in the cemetery where the parents of Latvian playwright and poet Rainis lies burried. Rainis, probably the most famous of the Latvian poets, has his roots in Stelpe. There is still a barn on the site where once there was his father's house. 
Finally, the owner of Piladzi motocross track Erik Piladzis (in the middle, green shirt) shows the track to the visitors and speaks about his vision of the development of the track.
Vecumnieki Music And Art School Doesn't Lose Optimism
There was the First School Day celebration in Vecumieki Music And Art School on September 2. The teachers do not seem to lose optimism in any aspect. The good news was also that the school has received the maximum support from the recession budget, as decided by the Vecumnieki Dome (Community Council). Yet, in compare with the previous school-year, this means nevertheless more burden on the shoulders of the parents.
Some basic program is offered for everyone having payed the participation fee which remains comparatively low - 5 lats per month. For the senior class, this means a full value course with which they can finish the school and get a certificate of the basic education in music.
Some basic program is offered for everyone having payed the participation fee which remains comparatively low - 5 lats per month. For the senior class, this means a full value course with which they can finish the school and get a certificate of the basic education in music.
Yet the younger classes will have to decide whether the child wants to be a music professional or just learn to understand music. There will be some additional costs for everyone but for those stretching themselves to be professionals, it will cost more.
On the one hand, we are among those lucky ones since our daughter Tereze is in her last year. On the other hand, our foster son Karlis Elmer is on his way to begin learning accordion, and this is not the cheap end any more. Having him once a week in the pre-school class will cost us 2o lats per month, the instrument rent not included.
The Music School comes up also with some quite fresh offers. One of them is a musical "roundabout" for 5 and 6 year olds, which means for them a day every week when they can come, touch and try several musical instruments in order to discover their likes, talents, abilities - in order to facilitate the decision as to which direction should be taken in the future.
This might be something for our son Dag who is now 5. But it is not clear yet what it may cost. That's why we hesitate with the final decision even though we have registered the boy among those willing to take that course.
Everyone in our family believes that music is an important aspect of life. So do many families. Being able to understand music, helps a person to better understand also the sciences and humanities. Yet now the music seems to be turning into an elitist education, unaffordable for families with lower income.
So, dear Latvian parents, tighten your belts even more, if only you are able to, and invest into your children. It can be too late if you don't do that now.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
First School Day in Stelpe
Nobody knew until the very last moment whether this school would ever open its door again. Yet it happened. There was the First School Day in Stelpe School.
Teachers go with less than 30% of the last year salary, the schools are being closed all over Latvia and the teachers made redundant. Some schools will work till October, ours will till the New Year Day. Nobody can tell what to expect later on.
The day before, the government sent troops against doctors, nurses and elderly people who protested in Bauska against closing the hospital. Heroes against grandmothers. Read more about the "Bauska Battle" and see video here.
The government relations with Russia are improving with tremendous speed. Does anyone feel encouraged? Have you packed the suitcase yet - ready to run west?
The teachers clenched the teeth not to show the children how miserable they felt. "You may not spoil the celebration for the children" was the order from the Ministry of Education.
So there was a celebration.
Words of gratitude were said in the address of the people who have through years supported the school and its children. Thank you to Con Brio Choir, Roger and Valerie Hazelden, Jean and Ian Sykes, Joyce and Mick Mumford, Hanne and Kåre Ruud, Ruth Karlsson, Marianne and Gunnar Vesterberg, and many others.
The teachers got lots of fall-time flowers as a proof that the children and their families love them and need them. It is the government alone who does not.
Teachers go with less than 30% of the last year salary, the schools are being closed all over Latvia and the teachers made redundant. Some schools will work till October, ours will till the New Year Day. Nobody can tell what to expect later on.
The day before, the government sent troops against doctors, nurses and elderly people who protested in Bauska against closing the hospital. Heroes against grandmothers. Read more about the "Bauska Battle" and see video here.
The government relations with Russia are improving with tremendous speed. Does anyone feel encouraged? Have you packed the suitcase yet - ready to run west?
The teachers clenched the teeth not to show the children how miserable they felt. "You may not spoil the celebration for the children" was the order from the Ministry of Education.
So there was a celebration.
Words of gratitude were said in the address of the people who have through years supported the school and its children. Thank you to Con Brio Choir, Roger and Valerie Hazelden, Jean and Ian Sykes, Joyce and Mick Mumford, Hanne and Kåre Ruud, Ruth Karlsson, Marianne and Gunnar Vesterberg, and many others.
The teachers got lots of fall-time flowers as a proof that the children and their families love them and need them. It is the government alone who does not.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sports Festival in Stelpe
Today Stelpe celebrates the 13th Annual Sports Festival.The main point with this event that may by all means be considered a tradition of Stelpe community is bringing people together. They meet each other, talk and have some fun. The former students of Stelpe School, who are now scattered to different parts of Latvia, keep this day to come and visit Stelpe, and meet their classmates.
There are both individual and team competitions: Volleyball, darts, pneumatic shooting, lifting and carrying of kettle-bells, throwing of a sponge. Even though the competition runs high at times, socializing and fun remain the core values of the day.
Aiga Saldabola is the co-ordinator of the Festival. She is determined to keep this tradition for the years to come because she sees real value in this day, mainly because it is a good reason for people to meet each other. For the present, the Sports Festival is the largest activity taking place in Stelpe.On behalf of all the participants, Aiga wants to say many heartfelt thanks to Vecumnieki Community Board and Aldis Dzirkalis, CEO of Stelpe Mineral Water Factory, for the support given to the organizers of the Festival.
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