Livslust, a private Swedish initiative, has established a miniature community in Aizupe, 110 kilometres west of Riga. On the Livslust property at Aizupe needy youngsters can develop into independent individuals with the chance to build a more meaningful life. It is hoped that this project will be a role model and inspiration for similar efforts in the future, not only in Latvia but in other countries as well. Livslust offers a special educational program divided into two areas: instruction in theoretical and general studies and vocational training. General studies include Latvian, Mathematics, English, Social studies, Bookkeeping, Computer sciences, Business administration, Ethics and Environmental protection. Vocational training activities are linked to Livslust's own small enterprises, where theory and work are combined. The youngsters can choose between building construction, textiles, agriculture, cooking, shop keeping, information technology and a cafe, all under the watchful supervision of skilled instructors. Livslust has a special adviser working/partnerships with the Snickers garment factory, the Skanska building and construction company and the Swedish telecom company Telia. Snickers trains the seamstresses and is helping to start Livslust's own small garment factory, Skanska contributes towards construction training and later will allow the boys to train on their building sites and Telia is the partner for IT-training. The agricultural project was initiated in 1996 producing potatoes, vegetables and grain as well as hiring out agricultural machinery. The goals are partly to be self-sufficient and partly to provide education to those youngsters who choose to study agriculture. In 1998, the farming area was increased to 100 hectares. If everything works according to plan, agriculture will become a valuable source of income in the future. Livslust takes both Latvian and Russian youngsters from the age of 15. The length of time they remain in the project depends on each individual's needs, but the norm is typically two years. Livslust hopes that some will stay on as adults to help guide coming groups of youngsters. In 1994, the Latvian Government donated the property to Livslust. Last used as a tuberculosis sanatorium, the building was in decay. Now it has been totally renovated by unemployed Swedish and Latvian builders. Livslust youngsters have also contributed to the renovations as part of the training they received from the builders. The youngsters come from different areas of Latvia and most have been raised in orphanages and boarding schools. Some come from families with alcohol-related problems with parents unable to care for their children. They often arrive at Aizupe alone and insecure, with all their worldly possessions in a small parcel or bag. After some time at Livslust they begin to feel secure and self-confident, which results in a happy and positive atmosphere in the house. Everyone helps with the general tasks of cooking, cleaning and washing and each resident has his or her own area of responsibility. During working hours they continue with their education in both practical and theoretical subjects. The local Livslust staff has a keen interest in working with young people and are open to new ideas and methods. The staff receives further training in psychology, pedagogy, bookkeeping, computers and English language skills. A major part of their daily work involves dealing with human interaction problems. Teenagers suffer from their difficult formative years and express this in various ways. Psychotherapists regularly offer the staff professional help and advice. They also meet the youngsters in groups and for individual talks. The number of staff will be kept to a minimum to increase possibilities for youngsters to exercise initiative and accept greater responsibility. Alcoholism is a widespread problem in Latvia and nowadays there is also an increasing use of other drugs among young people. Livslust has employed one person to work especially with drug prevention among its youngsters and later expand activities to include other youngsters at risk outside the project. In a country that has long been autocratically governed it is especially important to address the issues of democracy and individual responsibility and how these factors can combine to increase personal initiative. The staff and the youngsters work together, each with his or her individual area of responsibility. Two of their peers represent them on the management committee and take part in weekly meetings on current activities.

Livslust/Asociacija Dzivespriek, Sweden Phone: +46 8 767 19 48, fax +46 8 767 19 81, E-mail: livslust@telia.com Latvia phone: +371 3 146197