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The Christmas charity initiative “Gifts for Children Seeking Asylum” has successfully concluded

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has concluded its annual Christmas charity campaign “Gifts for Children Seeking Asylum,” which brought joy to many children. The Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to all the kind donors whose carefully prepared gifts brightened the holidays for children spending Christmas far from home. The campaign demonstrated that shared support and unity can truly create miracles.
Approximately 80 children of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection currently reside in Latvia, most of them of primary or lower secondary school age. This year, the charity campaign – now held for the ninth time – aimed to provide at least 100 gifts for children from countries such as Afghanistan, Belarus, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Nigeria, and Congo. The goal was not only to provide practical items but also to bring joy and hope to children, helping them cope with hardship and feelings of displacement. The campaign ran until December 13 and invited participation from residents of Latvia, businesses, NGOs, as well as state and municipal institutions.
In cooperation with the event’s partner organization, “I Want to Help Refugees” (Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem), special care was taken to make the gift-giving process a meaningful experience for each child. On December 18, a festive event took place at the “Viskaļi” venue managed by the organization FREE RIGA. Children received lovingly wrapped gifts, took part in games and activities, decorated gingerbread cookies, and watched the internationally acclaimed film “Straume / Flow.” These special moments also brought joy to parents, who were touched to see their children experience the magic of the season. Together, everyone helped create beautiful, emotionally rich memories that will remain with the children and their families.
“The joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they received their gifts brought a true sense of celebration that touched everyone around them. This joy gives us hope that together, we can create a world where kindness inspires more kindness,” said Kristiāna Blūma, Assistant to the Border Monitoring Expert at the organization “I Want to Help Refugees.”
As part of the campaign, SIF staff ensured that each child received a gift appropriate for their age and interests, carefully wrapped and delivered to the event venue. They also actively participated in the gift-giving process.
The Foundation expresses special thanks to the campaign’s key supporters: the Ombudsman of Latvia, the Student Council of Riga State Gymnasium No. 2, PricewaterhouseCoopers SIA, Liepāja Preschool “Pasaciņa,” SIF staff members, and all individual donors.
The campaign “Gifts for Children Seeking Asylum” is an annual initiative aimed at supporting children who have been forced to leave their homes and find themselves in a foreign place, often struggling with sadness and longing. This and similar charity campaigns serve as a reminder that Latvian society is open-hearted, compassionate, and ready to support those in need — proving that even a small, sincere gesture can bring light and comfort to someone when they need it most.
Services of the Integration and Inclusion Agency are provided by the Society Integration Foundation within the framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund’s project (Agreement No. PMIF/13.1./2022/1/01). The funding has been allocated by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (75%) and Latvian State budget (25%).