Page last modified on Monday, 19 May 2003 11:59:46
Activities carried out by the auxiliary service of The Order of Malta in Latvia 1994-1999
The Latvian Auxiliary Service of the Order of Malta, Maltas palīdzības dienests (MPD), has been established in Riga in January 1994 by the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta and its German Auxiliary Service, Malteser Hilfsdienst (MHD), following the Order’s 900 years old motto
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
1. MPD is distributing meals to about 500 person daily. Half of them are spending their time lonely at home. The project “Meals on Wheels” was started on August 19, 1996 in Riga. It provides 200 old and lonely persons with warm food every day.
The Riga Council supports this project - it provides lunch for the poor inhabitants of Kurzeme, Latgale and Zemgale suburbs, taking also individual orders. Up to this moment about 95 000 portions of warm lunch (soup, second course with meat, bread) have been delivered. With the start of new century at least 3 cars will be working in this area that will allow to deliver 350 – 400 portions a day.
· Starting with July 1998 breakfasts and dinners have been delivered every day to the Riga Night Asylum. Altogether about 56 220 portions have been distributed in the mornings and evenings;
· Several actions of Riga City Council to collect homeless people in the street have been supported by MPD preparing lunches for them.
2. The project of 24-hour transportation of the handicapped is carried out in cooperation with Social Aid Services of Riga City Council. Handicapped people are transported to different regions of Latvia and to other countries. Starting with the new year 5 cars will be available for the disabled with movement problems:
· handicapped persons in wheel chairs escorted by volunteers from the MPD are taken to the religious services in Aglona on August 15 every year;
· in cooperation with the Latvian National Opera disabled in wheel chairs and their escorts had a possibility to attend regularly opera performances free of charge;
· altogether till 01.12.99 MPD has served about 500 handicapped persons by providing them with transportation 3500 times.
MAIN UNDERTAKINGS CONNECTED WITH THE 24-hour DISABLED TRANSPORT PROJECT IN 1999
· On January 22, 1999 the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta in Latvia organized a reception where a passenger type van VW Caddy Combi was presented. This van the first of this type in Latvia is equipped for transporting of people in wheel chairs and meets all the requirements of EU. That made it possible to expand and improve the services provided by MPD.
· Thanks to the support of “BT1” International Exhibition organizers and “Motors Latvia Ltd. Volkswagen Center Riga” the MPD had a possibility to offer the disabled in wheel chairs and their escorts to attend the exhibition “Auto 99” free of charge at the Kipsala International Exhibitions Center from 14 – 18 April, 1999.
· International wheel chair marathon called “ Wheel Chairs on the Roads of Latvia and Lithuania” organized by Tukums Invalid Sports Club took place on June 5 – 12. The means of transports provided by MPD were used there. The Baltic States as well as foreign guests were involved in the marathon.
· An expedition “Monte Blanca `99” was organized in cooperation with the Latvian Invalid Club, Riga City Council and mass media. Twelve persons took part in it. Two of them were disabled and the symbol of people in wheel chairs was carried to the highest peek of Europe.
· MPD organized and supported the charity undertakings in the concert hall ” AVE SOL” where blind and partly blind children took part as artists.
· MPD is acting in close cooperation with “Radisson SAS” hotel. One of the main tasks in the hotel’s mission is to promote and to support integration of the disabled into the society in Latvia. Therefore about 100 disabled in wheelchairs and their escorts were invited to a dinner at “Radisson SAS Daugava” hotel banquet hall “Daugava” on July 19, 1999.
3. Considering the experience of Auxiliary Services of the Order of Malta (in 31 countries) in the field of catastrophe medicine, especially in the countries of EU, a First Aid training program is being developed for different groups of society: children, pupils, teachers, certain groups of population and people with risk professions, future drivers.
The only First Aid Course book accepted in Latvia by the Ministry of Welfare Latvian Catastrophe Medical Center called “What to do?” was published by MPD in 1996. 23 000 Latvian and Russian copies have been already distributed. As a basis the First Aid Manual meeting European standards published by MHD Germany was used.
· MPD is a certified first aid training organization in Latvia. Certified personnel for this training is available in the organization
· Training for a special European standard program called “How to help children?” was carried out in April 1998 in cooperation with Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare, Association of Pediatrists and with financial help of Commission of European Union in Latvia. Kindergarten and schoolteachers as well as other interested people from different schools and kindergartens in Latvia were trained in rendering first aid to children. At present first aid teachers are being trained and certified according to this Euro Standard program.
4. Humanitarian Aid Program has been very actively carried out from the very beginning of MPD in Latvia up to the present moment. A great deal of humanitarian aid with the total value of about 3 –5 million LVL a year is being received and distributed among hospitals, children’s homes, old people’s homes, parishes, the handicapped, and other people in need.
· About fifty tons of medicaments, medical equipment has been distributed among more than 100 medical and institutions of social assistance in Latvia, hospitals, old people’s homes, orphanage homes churches and needy inhabitants;
· hundreds of tons of clothes have been sent to the poor regions of Latvia;
· several tons of second hand furniture and different equipment have been sent to churches and social organizations;
· establishments like orphanage homes, invalid children, old and helpless people and families with more than three children have been supported with specific food.
5. A team of MPD is working in training courses for natural family planning in Latvia.
· An International seminar on Natural Family Planning took place in the conference hall on March 21, 1998. The chairman of the conference was Prof. Dr. S. Baur, head physician of gynecological and midwifery clinics in Munich University, member of the board of German Scientific gynecology and midwifery and Dr. U. Sottong, chairperson of the natural family planning group in Germany;
· Prof. J.C. Willke MD, Knight of the Order of Malta, from USA visited Latvia in February 1999 and organized a conference on the theories of euthanasia, anti abortion and natural family planning.
6. MPD has several times supported the patients of Leprosy station of Talsi with medicaments and has trained two Latvian leprosy specialists.
7. A chapel at the children’s hospital (at present University Clinical Hospital for children) has been renovated and equipped by MPD and opened in October 1997. Leading religious denominations of Latvia – catholics, protestants, orthodox and baptists are having weekly services there.
8. A most valuable present received lately by AML Children’s hospital contained anesthesia, infusion, perfusion and X-ray equipment that helps a great deal in the work of oncology, neonathology (infant) and reanimation departments as well as operating premises. The present was bought using money collected in a special campaign of the German MHD.
9. MPD is a founding member of an umbrella organization for Social and Health Care organizations in Latvia (SVASA) established with the assistance of the European Union and support of the Ministry of Welfare.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 1999
1. As a first member of the Order of Malta in the Baltics – the Dean of Viduskurzeme, priest Gatis Bezdelīga has been accepted as Magistral Chaplain.
2. MPD accepted the offer of “Prima Skonto” exhibition organizers to be a member of honor at the international exhibition “Health `99” and to use the central and biggest of their exhibition stands. The exhibition was taking place on May 26th – 29th, 1999, and gave MPD a good possibility to present its main activities. Visitors had a possibility to see and to try out the new specially equipped VW Caddy Combi that had had its presentation in January 1999 and was transporting disabled.
3. “Radisson SAS Daugava” hotel organized an official reception and an exhibition of textiles on January 2nd, 1999 the aim of which was to support MPD financially. Money received by selling the textiles as well as all the profit from the most outstanding work of the artist will be donated to MPD.
4. The conference hall at 11.Novembra krastmala 29 that had been established with the assistance of the Order of Malta has been used for organizing different events: undertakings of the disabled people in wheel chairs, a conference of the Deaf Sport Federation, meetings of the disabled children organizations (the hall is suitable for wheel chairs), conference of nurses called “Home care of immobile patients”, charity concerts and undertakings organized by “Aspazija”- organization of invalid women, meetings organized by the movement “For Life”. Children from orphanages have tea and spend some time in this hall when waiting for the firework. With no compensation, in the name of charity the hall is being used for special events (sometimes even distributing meals to poor people) of the Missionaries of Charity – Sisters of Mother Theresa.
5. MPD has started a program where Latvian and German municipalities exchange experience in the field of social assistance. This program is supported by the City Councils of Riga and Soest. At least five employees of Riga City Council Social Assistance department will have a possibility to get some new experience by visiting Germany in the nearest future.
6. Members of the MPD are participating regularly in international camps organized annually in several European countries. Some of our young members have just returned from:
· a youth camp in Goldenstedt, Germany where six of them were taking part;
· the International Summer Camp of the Order of Malta in Italy accepted five persons from Latvia. They could not only get acquainted with members from this and other 18 countries but also get valuable information about the development of social care and other activities of the Order. They could also learn about the possibilities offered to handicapped members of our society.
7. The MPD together with the Center of Non - Governmental organizations has supported undertakings in Old Riga that helped children from orphanages to get to know this city.
8. MPD cooperating with the German embassy organized and supported an excursion to German warships and submarines for 100 children from orphanages of Latvia where they got also presents.
9. The Secretary General of the MPD participated at the International Government level seminar in Oslo, Norway, as a member of a governmental delegation invited by the Latvian Ministry of Welfare and the Kingdom of Norway. The seminar took place on June 4-5 and was connected with the fact that the year 1999 was proclaimed “The Year of Old People” by The United Nations. The seminar had 60 representatives from 22 countries of the world.
10. MPD in cooperation with MHD in Germany helped Natālija Bergmane who has a gigantic brain malformation by covering her expenses for numerous trips to Bremen in Germany and back. Girl’s parents involved mass media to collect the money necessary for their daughter’s operation. These activities helped us to find ways of cooperation in the international patient transportation from Latvia to any country in the world and back by using the network of MHD Rückholdienst.
1. Educating material on Natural family planning has been worked out and printed in Latvian language. The manual “Natural and safe” has become popular in Latvia. This material has been worked out at the Scientific Center of Düsseldorf University in Germany.
2. We have published some explanatory material about development of a child until its birth called “Human Life – the First Wonder”.
3. Six booklets (190 pages) called “Rehabilitation” explaining in detail how to assist disabled members of our society in daily life have been published in cooperation with World Health Organization.
4. Another manual published by MPD within the program “How to help children?” is explaining how to render first aid and how to prevent different accidents listing up the most frequent causes of them. There is also some methodological material including pictures meant to help the lecturers and to be distributed to the participants in the course.
The Ministry of Education and Science has considered these materials very useful for all schools in Latvia. They could be used at the Health lessons and would improve the knowledge of the new generation about healthy and safe life.
5. A book “The Saints and Blessed of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta” will be published and presented in Latvian at the beginning of the year 2000.
MPD did assist several Catholic churches and monasteries in Latvia – St. Jacob’s cathedral, including the modernization of the electrical installation by MHD, Riga Theological Seminary, St. Joseph’s parish, Dominican monastery, Catholic Grammar School, Bethany Sisters, Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus, “Peace House” in Subate and others. MPD is also cooperating with a Greek – Catholic father Valery.
Cooperating with local authorities and social organizations MPD has supported townships like Saldus, Auce, Gulbene, Brunava, Jekabpils, Jurmala, Varaklani, Dobele and others. During the annual pilgrimage to Aglona MPD is providing to groups of pilgrims first – aid kits.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1. The first regional group of MPD started its work in Saldus in 1997. The premises are used as a kitchen and about 150 portions of food are distributed daily (up to this moment 110 000 portions have been distributed altogether). There is also distribution of medicaments; the poor inhabitants can receive clothes, food for babies, eyeglasses as well as services of ophthalmologist and masseur. There is also a telephone line for psychological assistance used by those in need. The old people’s home “Abeles” has received aid at a value of several thousand lats.
The St. Gerard chapel was opened at Saldus hospital on February 21, 1998.
The cornerstone of Saldus St. Peter and Paul Church was laid on October 30, 1999. It will be the first Church in Latvia based on the Order’s intentions.
2. The municipalities of Auce, Gulbene and Varaklani have provided MPD with premises. The MPD local group of Gulbene has 5 doctors to attend the poor population. Auce has started work with young people. MPD opened a St. John chapel at the Tervete sanatorium. The regional development of MPD groups was started just some months ago therefore it is concentrating mainly on medical services and distribution of food and clothes.
Since its establishment MPD is cooperating closely with the Christian Medical and Family Center housed in the same building. Based on Christian principles leading medical specialists of Latvia are involved in the work of this center. Apart from their daily routine they work as consulting physicians. The idea is to provide high, scientifically based quality of service.
The center is offering the following services at socially acceptable rates:
· highly qualified dentists, working also on Saturdays. The unit has good foreign medical equipment. It is possible to make an X-ray or prosthesis of teeth on the spot;
· a masseur offers general massage;
· a therapist making visits at home, too;
· highly qualified ophthalmologist, working also in other regions of Latvia;
· gynecologists, competent to give advice in the Natural family planing, who are also taking care of pregnant women;
· manufacture of eyeglasses;
· psychotherapists giving consultations free of charge for special groups;
· medical examination of future drivers;
· pharmacy “Krastmalas aptieka” open daily from 8am to 10pm.
The premises at the disposal of the Order of Malta are used for the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta and the General secretariat of the Auxiliary Service of the Order of Malta (MPD). Other organizations using the same building in Riga are: Christian Medical and Family center, Catastrophe Center of the Welfare Ministry, the main office of Customer Rights Protection Center in Latvia supported by the European Union, Association of English language teachers, Voluntary Workers Unit supported by NGO Center.
Rooms are offered free of charge to the following organizations: office of the newspaper “Perle” and the office of Catholic movement “Pro Life”, the Nunnery of Mother Theresa (4 sisters) who are also using the kitchen and garage of the building free. Moreover, MPD is covering all their other expenses (except electricity).
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