Overview
Volunteer at an Orphanage in Latvia

This Volunteer program in Latvia, Eastern Europe is a forward-thinking orphanage that not only takes care of children when they are young but also prepares them for adulthood. The Children’s Village was founded in 1993 and, if you decide to do your voluntary work here, you will help to maintain the personal, family-orientated atmosphere which thrives in the orphanage.

At weekends the children are taken on outings and weekend trips, and in the winter there are exciting opportunities to take them ice-skating and cross-country skiing. During the summer you can hike and canoe, in autumn you can go berry and mushroom picking and explore the Latvian countryside. There is a donation to the project included in the volunteer fee, as well as Latvian lessons and excursions to the historic capital, Riga.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, stories from the field, video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Volunteers are made to feel very welcome, by the children and community alike

Christophe Alexandre

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Your support, attention and leadership can help the children to realize a better life for themselves and for their communities. The younger ones need love and care to replace the nurturing environment of a proper family. And the older ones benefit from English lessons, which will help them excel in the world of hospitality, while they develop their abilities and learn valuable skills apprenticing at the Village Hotel. Your efforts will go a long way to helping build an infrastructure to both house and teach more children in the future.

Highlights

Gaining practical experience working with children, from the very young to adults, some who have disabilities; learning how to run an orphanage in a sustainable manner alongside a working farm and hotel, using local produce and staff; taking advantage of the local countryside; enjoying weekend trips to the beautiful city of Riga, other picturesque towns or into the local parks; going on trips with the kids to explore this beautiful European country; having the opportunity to experience the Latvian culture first hand and learn basic Latvian.

Location

The village and Manor House are set in beautiful, peaceful countryside about 3 km from Cesvaine, which is about 14 km from Madona, in the hilly northern Latvian region of Vidzeme. Madona is about a 3½ hours bus ride from Riga. Volunteers live in an apartment in Cesvaine. The area is surrounded by nature reserves (Krustkalni and Teièi), and the famous Gauja National Park is nearby as well.

Field Conditions

Accommodation is in a comfortable apartment in Cesvaine, shared with Jean, the farm manager (for male volunteers), or with Sandra, director of the Children’s Village (for female volunteers). Meals, apart from breakfast, will be provided at the village. All mod cons are provided, including laundry facilities and internet access.