Blog Posts tagged with "youth center"

What makes a Humanitarian Assistance (HA) project a success? There are many factors that impact the process; it is no longer just a triangular relationship between the project scope, available funding and allocated time.

You probably have heard it: “They [clients or the recipients of assistance] have to want the project more than you do!” You cannot impose your help on someone for their own good. Well, of course you can, but it will likely be a miserable experience both for you and for the one you are helping not to mention a waste of time and money.

During the past two years we have seen a positive change in the attitude in Latvia towards our Humanitarian Assistance projects. We have found that people tend to invest time, energy and resources to things they create and support; therefore we have learned to share the responsibility, as well as success of this program with our Latvian partners.

One example for this shift in the mindset is the renovation project at Liepaja Children and Youth Center. The Center was re-opened on Dec. 10, 2010 after extensive common access area renovation work.

To put it briefly – the center keeps local teenagers and children away from the dangers of the street by offering quality after-school activities, such as work in hobby groups and workshops to develop their skills and talents. Each day about 300 children (of whom 48% are ethnic Russians) participate in activities at the Center. Approximately 20% of the students come from socially disadvantaged families and 40% from poor families. The building used to be a Soviet Army barracks and is located in a region of the city traditionally called War Port.

Nominated by the local education department, this project stood out from the first day we met with the director of the Center and her staff. We saw dedication, determination and enthusiasm from the municipality education department, the center’s staff and even the children who attend the classes to make this renovation happen. What a difference this made! It resulted not only in a successful project with long-term impact, but also a pleasant experience for our office. We were delighted to work with a team that had set a goal and was determined to go beyond what is usually required.

Yes, they wanted it more than we did! As a result, we saved our time, our resources and avoided a great deal of frustration. More importantly - we partnered with the Latvian Government in its effort to provide a safe environment for children, rather than trying to tell the host nation how it should be done.

During her speech, the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Garber, said, “Renovation projects like these are yet another example of the very strong U.S.- Latvian relationship. The close friendship between our two countries extends from membership in NATO and partnership in military operations abroad, to our commitment to vital community projects. I am proud that such a robust partnership contributes to the safety, security and welfare of people here in Latvia and in the wider region.”

Gunita Migliniece
HA Program Manager
Office of Defense Cooperation - Latvia