Sparrows Nest Inc

CARE FOR ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN IN FORMER USSR. OUR MAIN ORPHANAGE IS LOCATED IN LATVIA AND WE PROVIDE SUPPORT AND TRAINING TO ORPHANAGES AND CRISIS CENTERS IN SURROUNDING COUNTRIES.

DURING 2021, SPARROW'S NEST PROVIDED CARE FOR 87 CHILDREN IN OUR MAIN ORPHANAGE IN JELGAVA, LATVIA. WE ALSO HELPED UKRAINIAN REFUGEES AND ARE CURRENTLY HOUSING 10 UKRAINIAN ORPHANS AND THEIR FOSTER FAMILY. WE CONTINUE TO OPERATE THREE HOMES FOR CHILDREN. EACH HOME IS STAFFED BY A CARE TEAM OF FIVE MEMBERS. FROM SIX TO EIGHT CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR IN EACH HOME. DURING 2021, - 39 CHILDREN WERE TAKEN IN FOR SHORT TERM CRISIS CARE AND AFTER 2-3 MONTHS WERE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR BIRTH PARENTS. - 31 CHILDREN WERE UNABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR BIRTH FAMILY BUT WERE ABLE TO BE PLACED IN WITH A GUARDIAN OR LONG-TERM FOSTER FAMILY. - 2 CHILDREN WERE PLACED IN ANOTHER CARE FACILITY WHERE THEIR UNIQUE SPECIAL NEEDS COULD BE MORE SPECIFICALLY MANAGED AND TREATED. - 15 CHILDREN WERE PLACED FOR ADOPTION IN LATVIA AND THE UNITED STATES. - 10 CHILDREN ARE UKRAINIAN ORPHANS WHO ARE PLACED WITH US AS REFUGEES. DURING 2021, WE ALSO RECEIVED DESIGNATED FUNDS TO HELP WITH THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE AND WAR SITUATION. THESE FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO PROVIDE HOUSING, TRANSPORT, AND FOOD BOTH IN LATVIA AND IN THE UKRAINE. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF OUR WORK INCLUDES MEETING THE BASIC PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD. WE ALSO WORK TO ENSURE THE CHILD OR CHILDREN ARE IN GOOD HEALTH WITH ALL VACCINATIONS. WITH THE HELP OF A MONTESSORI SPECIALIST, CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED IN THEIR SCHOOLWORK. GAPS IN LEARNING ARE ADDRESSED AND FILLED. CHILDREN MEET REGULARLY WITH A PSYCHOLOGIST AND HAVE INDIVIDUAL TIME WITH A SOCIAL WORKER. CHILDREN ATTEND CHURCH EACH WEEK AND ARE FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL ISSUES AND TO ATTEND A CHURCH OF THEIR CHOOSING. THERE ARE 24 FULLTIME AND 3 FULLTIME STAFF MEMBERS AT THE ORPHANAGE. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF INCLUDES A DIRECTOR, SOCIAL WORKER, BUILDING MANAGER/DRIVER, AND BOOKKEEPER. STAFF MEMBERS ATTEND DAILY, WEEKLY, AND MONTHLY MEETINGS IN ORDER TO FULLY INFORM THE TEAM OF THE INDIVIDUAL CARE PLANS FOR EACH CHILD. THE PROGRESSION OF WORK WITH EACH CHILD FOLLOWS A CYCLE WHICH INCLUDES 1.) RESCUE AND RECEIVING THE CHILD; 2.) RELIEF OF IMMEDIATE SUFFERING; 3.) RESTORATION; 4.) REPLACEMENT IN A FAMILY. NO MATTER HOW WELL DESIGNED THE ORPHANAGE, IT IS NOT A FAMILY. EVERY CHILD NEEDS A FAMILY. DURING 2021, THE FARM PROPERTY WAS USED FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND SUMMER HOLIDAY. GROUPS OF 6-8 CHILDREN SPENT A WEEK AT A TIME AT THE FARM WHICH IS QUITE CLOSE TO THE SEA. THE OUTDOORS AND NATURAL SAND AND WATER THERAPY AVAILABLE TO THE CHILDREN GOES A LONG WAY IN BRINGING HEALTH AND STRENGTH TO THE CHILDREN. OUR FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE BUILDING A CHILDREN'S HOME AT THE FARM PROPERTY WHERE CHILDREN COULD LIVE FULL TIME.