Humanitarian--Riga, Latvia---Freezer, Refrigerator, and Shelves

Samaritan Food Distribution collects food from local grocery stores, such as Rimi and Maxima. 

During the holiday season there are boxes in which people may donate non-perishable food items. The Latvian people have been very generous this year.

There is also another collection during Easter time. 

These items then are taken to a warehouse and sorted by volunteers. 

The food is distributed all over the country to those in need. They also distribute to Elderly Homes, Disabled Homes, and Children's Homes.

Samaritan has 2 vans that go out 3 times a week to various locations.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 2 large shelving units, 1 Freezer, and 1 Refrigerator. 

Samaritan hopes to use the Refrigerator and Freezer for milk and meat products. 

The warehouse is already using the shelves for purchased food from donors. 

 Riga at Christmas

Humanitarian--Liepaja Children's Social Care Center- Pillows for Handicap

A Handicap Home in Liepaja, Latvia will receive 40 pillows made by the Latvia District Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

  

About 20 sisters in Riga, Latvia started sewing the pillows on November 12, 2022. In Liepaja, Latvia, a 3-hour drive west of Riga, the sisters will meet for the sewing project on November 26, 2022. 

The pillows will be distributed to the Children's Social Care Center in December. 

Even the Sister Missionaries in Latvia were involved. 

Donated funds from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped the sisters with the humanitarian project. 

Liepaja

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Liepaja, Latvia is home to the largest mechanical pipe organ in the world. 

World's Largest Mechanical Pipe Organ

Humanitarian--- Riga, Latvia Children's University Hospital

The Children's University Hospital is the only children's hospital in Latvia. The hospital is 123 years old this year and plans are to change 122 to 123. 

James Armitstead, a wealthy industrialist and trader, willed 200.000 gold rubles to benefit Riga City's society. Riga City decided to establish a children's hospital. In October of 1899 the hospital was open to the general public.
 

In 2021 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 5 baby mattresses. 

These mattresses help to hold an infant comfortably while receiving an ultrasound. 

The church also donated some breast pumps and humidifiers. 

In 2022, the church donated a fetal monitor. 

Other clinics for women in Riga have monitors, but this one is the first one for the hospital.

The hospital has around 286 beds for children. 

They have outpatient, surgeries, emergency rooms, clinics for psychology. The have special facilities for families.
Just recently they decided to turn one of their buildings on the complex into a kitchen. 

With industrial cooking and washing facilities the hospital is able to provide healthy meals to the children during their stay. 

The Children's University Hospital is also a teaching hospital.

They have over 1,000 professional staff members.

The hospital is in a state of growth with new wings and updated facilities being built. 

They hope to have a complete renovation of the complex by 2024. 

Humanitarian in Riga, Latvia-- Motis Vita, and Children's Hospital

 MOTUS VITA is a nonprofit voluntary organization for people with limited abilities founded in 2009 in Riga, Latvia, to support persons with limited abilities affected by neuromuscular diseases (NMD) and their families.

LDS Charities provided mattresses, a medical bed, wheelchairs and parts, therapy equipment and other medical equipment to this organization.

We have not been able to get into the country because of COVID restrictions, but we hope to soon. 

"The main goal of our association is to prolong life of persons with limited abilities and to improve their quality of life."

Children's University Hospital in Riga, Latvia

LDS Charities is providing a Cardiotocography machine for the continuous recording of a fetal heart rate via an ultrasound transducer placed on the woman's abdomen especially for high-risk pregnancy.

"Specialists of Children’s Hospital provide a wide range of treatment and health care in the treatment of complicated and complex illness cases. All the processes in our hospital are organized so that the patient receives the most effective, safe and the best  quality treatment and care. It is realized through following the international experience and achievements in medical science and research, and by implementing these principles in the practice."