Accommodation for many families in Latvia is atrocious. Many currently live 5 or 6 to a room, parents sharing with children. Some have another room for a kitchen but many do not. Often families to have to share a single toilet and wash basin with a number of other families. In the heat of the summer many houses are a severe fire threat and illness and ill health are prevelant. And in the extreme cold of winter, with little heat, frozen and broken pipes are common. 

On land purchased that our supporters recently funded, it is envisaged that Isaiah House (as above) will accommodate up to 30 families in individual apartments. Each apartment will have its own toilet and shower. They will also have separate rooms for the parents and children and children will not have to share a bedroom with siblings of the opposite sex. Each apartment will also have an open plan kitchen and living area. All apartments will be heated. Although the facilities will be simple in design they will be of a far higher standard and ambience than the accommodation that families currently have to live in.

Each family will be responsible for their own apartment but help will be given where it is required to maintain the apartment to a good standard. Procedures will be in place to manage this.

There will be communal areas for recreation, pastoral and social activities.

There will be up to six retail or commercial units for use by some of the families once they are trained and equipped. These could be used for a cafe, hairdressers, newsagents, shoe repairers or a general store. Nearer completion we will look at the local situation and assess what would be best . One unit could be used as Nursery Centre to allow some of the mothers to go out to work.

It is anticipated that staff, including a full-time on-site manager, will be available 24 hours a day to ensure the smooth running of the Centre and to bring care and help wherever it is needed. The paid staff will be supported by volunteers.

The capital expenditure for this project needs to be raised. The ongoing costs will be met by rents therefore making the project selfsustaining. These people need a 'hand-up' to get them going. Once in place they will become an integral part of their community, paying their taxes, serving and giving back to the community.