NGO Status:
Children and Family Support Association Buckner founded in 2003
Primary Office:
Riga, Latvia
In 2003, Buckner received an invitation from Chuck Kelly Bridge Builders and the Latvian Parliament to visit several of the orphanages in the country. The teams also distributed humanitarian aid, including shoes, to the children living in these orphanages.
Our work in Latvia centers on four distinct areas:
• Orphanage improvement – repairs and renovations to orphanages whether by contractors in-country or construction mission teams
• Humanitarian aid – medicine, shoes, school supplies, computers, urgent medical needs, beds, clothes, etc. on an ongoing basis
• Program development – foster care and orphan graduate programs will be emphasized, as well as training and seminars in the area of childcare issues, English language and computer programs
• Evangelistic – Vacation Bible School teams, evangelistic camps, partnerships with other ministries and churches to work in the orphanages and distribute humanitarian aid
Buckner initiated foster care beginning in 2006 for approximately 45 children and now serves 130 children in 110 families through out Latvia. Buckner has provided child care seminars through out their history in Latvia. We provide a follow-up program to orphanages where Buckner staff visit children on a monthly basis, mentoring them in the gospel. Buckner has provided orphanage renovations throughout their history in Latvia and hosts ongoing mission trips, ministering to orphanages where Buckner works. Beginning in 2007, Buckner helped develop a Child Development Center at the Naval Port of Leapija in conjunction with a local Baptist church.
Other Buckner services and country support include:
• Foster family care centered in Jelgava.
• Funding for Liepaja foster care, kinship and adoptive parent support group.
• Follow-up programs in Lode, Jelgava City orphanages, “Piladzitis” and Liepaja Naval Port.
• Orphanage improvements with “Teika” baby home in Riga, the Tervete orphanage and Salvation Army’s orphanage in Riga.
• Humanitarian aid for children in orphanages and families that reside in old barracks and dilapidated housing on the Naval Port military base.
• Summer programs and Vacation Bible School for children living on the Naval Port military base.
Financial support for the only evangelical church on the Naval Port military base.
You can provide change in Russia in 2008 by helping to:
• Increase awareness of needs of Latvian children and families by going on a mission trip with Buckner
• Conducting sports camps.
• Develop local Latvian support through donor support and volunteerism.
• Develop possibility of a Latvian semi-professional basketball team to play a U.S. university basketball team.
• Provide interns and finances to assist Pastor Sergey at the Naval Port Day Center.
Country Facts
• The total population is approximately 2.3 million with a declining growth rate.
• Latvia has very diverse landscapes of flora and fauna with 44% of territory being covered in forests.
• Latvia is slightly larger than West Virginia.
• 12% of the population is Lutheran, 20% Roman Catholic, and 4% Russian Orthodox; over half of the country’s population does not identify itself with any religion at all.
• 58.2% of Latvia speaks Latvian, 37.5% speak Russian and 4.3% speak Lithuanian and other languages.
Orphans and At-Risk Children
• The number of orphans is not reported by Latvian officials to agencies such as the United Nations or UNICEF.
• Violence, corruption, abuse, malnutrition and poverty are leading problems that affect children.
• Many of the government orphanages are in critical need of repair and improvements.
Buckner In Latvia
Buckner began its Latvia program in 2003. Today, our ministries and programs include:
Residential Ministries - Buckner has provided orphanage support in multifaceted ways such as new
construction, remodeling of existing buildings and providing humanitarian aid. In addition, Buckner has
an evangelism follow-up program which provides two staff members to visit orphanages on a weekly
basis, building relationships and mentoring children in the gospel. Buckner also utilizes individuals from local Latvian churches to assist our efforts to offer the hope and love of Christ to the children in the
orphanages.
Christian Foster Care – More than 130 children have found love and hope with families in Jelgava.
Buckner has two case workers and provides financial support to the 110 families providing care to these children. This support is for food, clothing, schooling, transportation and medical needs.
Child Development Center – The center is located in the Light of Gospel
Church and provides care for 25 Latvian and Russian children living in
Liepaja. The Center is open during the week from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and
provides the children with a warm place, a nurturing environment, good
food and a loving staff who provides activities and helps with homework.
Buckner in Latvia
