LIVSLUST HAS AN IMPACT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS

Latvian authorities place most of the orphans and children in their care in children's homes and school institutions. Attempts are made to have the children placed in foster homes. However, there are not enough families and the system is anything but satisfying. After having finished their compulsory education, the youngsters have to leave the institutions and manage on their own - without the support of a family, without a place to live, without a job, vocational training and no money. Many provide for themselves by begging, committing crimes and by prostitution and they are often drawn into alcohol and drug addiction. More and more of them are catching HIV, which is a growing problem in Latvia. They give birth to children they cannot take care of, which are then placed in children's homes and orphanages. Thus it becomes a vicious circle.

Our aim is to break this vicious circle. This we do by offering young people vocational training and social rehabilitation. Giving these young people vocational knowledge means they can work and provide for themselves - thus improving their social status. This also enables them to take care of their own children, which will give them a better chance in life. In the long run, Livslust's efforts will improve the quality of life for many people, who would otherwise never have had this opportunity.