Human stays Human

Ukrainian women continue to meet in support groups in Liepaja and Riga. The participants like the times when they all go somewhere together - to a concert, an exhibition or to get to know an organization. On February 21, the lesson in Liepaja was very special!

Līga Krēsliņa, Kurzeme coordinator of the project "A person remains a person":

"The members of the support group went to Tibetan bowl and gong therapy. After the lesson, on the way home, they did not stop talking about the feelings and emotions they got during the therapy. It allowed them to switch off for a moment and be somewhere else in my thoughts, and to shout out, to laugh out loud, to cry out emotions, which was very important, especially at this moment, when everyone looks back on what happened in the last two years.

It is very important to improve not only the emotional state of women, but also to notice the emotions of children. Therefore, I took the children to the "CANIS GROUP Liepaja" canistherapy class, where the children laughed, overcame their inner fears, and cooperated with the dogs. When returning to their mothers, the children excitedly told that they were with "popiki" (dogs).

One of the participants had a birthday. She admitted that she couldn`t ask for a better birthday present!
The women were grateful for the lesson itself, as well as for showing them such an opportunity, which they will definitely use in the future."

Ukrainian women`s support groups are one of the measures in the project "Human stays Human", which is implemented by the "Shelter "Safe House"" with the financial support of the US State Department.

Oksana has come to Daugavpils from Vinnytsia. At times, the homeland and the relatives left behind are so compelling that Oksana decided to return to Ukraine. However, news of particularly intense air strikes came on the morning of her departure. The bus left without Oksana and Anna.

Thus, Daugavpils is becoming more and more like home for Oksana. She works in her profession as a pharmaceutical consultant, mastering the Latvian language. Anna is in the school, the first grade.

Ieva and her family have been living in Daugavpils for a few years and say they feel comfortable here. Ieva is involved in the activities of the "Other Daugavpils" association and has been organizing gatherings for immigrants from Ukraine for some time. Welcoming guests into their home is a logical continuation of the openness and friendliness with which Ieva and her family view the world.

The evening was cozy, calming, and inspiring. Delicious pancakes and interesting activities were provided by Ieva. She prepared materials and tools, showing the guests how to create figurines. Anna particularly enjoyed it! She created a bird, which might be a sparrow or perhaps a magical bird.

As the visit neared its end, Ieva`s son Jēkabs returned home. He practices hockey, so he could only be at home after practice. However, he managed to meet Oksana and Anna and take a photo together.

Thanks to Ieva and her entire family, including those family members who weren`t home this time. Together, they created the atmosphere of the home  that allows warmth and friendliness to be shared with others.

Thanks to Oksana and Anna for their courage to participate in the event and for being part of Latvia now.

Thanks to Ilze Čāmane, the coordinator of "Safe House" Daugavpils, for organizing the dinner.

"Dinner in a Latvian Family" is one of the events in the project "Man Stays Human," which the association "Safe House" implements with financial support from the US State Department.

As part of the “Cilvēks paliek cilvēks” ("Human Stays Human") project, several dinners have already taken place in Latvian families, where Ukrainians are welcomed guests. This time, Vineta in Skrunda hosted Hanna and her son Lev. The meeting was warm and marked by a joyful reunion – the women had become friends earlier this summer at a Ukrainian-Latvian camp in Southern Kurzeme.

This time, more than just a shared meal took place – Vineta, Hanna, and Lev worked together on fermenting cabbage! It`s hard to express what such simple visits can mean to Ukrainian families. A sense of home, a moment of relaxation, hope for a home and peaceful life in Ukraine...

Thanks to Vineta for her hospitality! Thanks to Hanna and Lev – for being friends of both Vineta and the society "Shelter "Safe House""! Together with you, we believe in Ukraine`s victory.

"Dinners in Latvian families" is one of the events in the “Cilvēks paliek cilvēks” ("Human Stays Human") project, implemented with the financial support of the U.S. Department of State by the society "Shelter "Safe House"".