Grants for Camp Organisers in 2012

October 14, 2012

In 2012, the Foundation supported 25 camps, co-financing the participation of 505 children at 10 day camps and 15 overnight camps, where 428 children were from impoverished families and families at social risk, while 77 children had special needs or long-term illnesses.

Stories about Camp Adventures and Children’s Impressions:

Raivis’ Story

Among the participants in our camp were brothers Raivis (11) and Kristiāns (8). Raivis has impaired hearing. He has a hearing implant and every day the boy also wears a hearing aid. Kristiāns had come along to be a help to his brother and to support him in unexpected situations. On the first day of the camp, all participants met at the premises of the district social service. At the arranged meeting place, Raivis stood, hanging onto his mum’s elbow and crying. His mum also cried when she left, leaving both brothers under the supervisions of the camp teachers. In the introductory circle during the camp’s opening ceremony, the camp manager Linda told the rest of the participants about Raivis and about the fact that he wore a hearing aid. She also explained the importance of eye contact and support from all participants. More than anything else, the boy longed for a friendly and positive attitude – this was evident from his very first moments in camp. Everyone made a personal promise as well as a joint promise that there would not be a single moment in which Raivis would feel different or rejected in any way. After the introductory circle, Raivis was already smiling. There was a crowd of children throughout the duration of the camp. This made us happy, because we could see and feel the rest of children addressing him, accepting him and treating him as an equal. By his nature, Raivis is very friendly, careful and understanding. Kristiāns did not have to pay any special attention to look after his older brother. If anything, the opposite was true - Raivis took care of and looked after his little brother. Throughout, Raivis was in a positive mood. His happiness was evident as he quickly got the hang of every task and game and took part in every activity with bags of enthusiasm. Raivis proved to be indefatigable both during the hike and during the city orienteering game. A particularly emotional moment for Raivis was his encounter with horses. On one of the days of the camp, the children had the chance to enter a horse stable, clean and feed a horse, put him in a bridle and ride on horseback under a trainer’s supervision. Using the brushes he’d been given, Raivis cleaned the horse with the greatest care. It seemed that none of the other children present devoted such attention and care to the horse as Raivis. His mum was particularly surprised by Raivis’ creative works which he’d done during the camp. In them he’d drawn a horse and created paper butterflies. At the end of every day, Raivis proudly showed and told his mum what he’d made, where he’d been and what he’d experienced. In no way did Raivis feel different or alienated. On the contrary, the boy was friendly, open and eager to learn and work, which explains why the other children found themselves learning to be like Raivis. Thank you to Raivis’ mum, the camp manager and the children brought colour and joy into the boy’s life, as well as new friends, support and the belief that there are many good and bright people alongside him!