The end of the summer has also brought along the completion of one of the long-term programmes of the Baltikums Foundation - one that the foundation launched September 2014 in partnership with the Rīga local government's "Imanta" centre for children and adolescents.

"In cooperation with head of the centre Ausma Barkāne a special programme was made to offer assistance in three directions over the course of twelve months - helping young people to prepare for the new school year, allowing them to attend sports and cultural events, as well as organising extracurricular activities for them," says Baltikums Foundation board member Ingrīda Šmite.

"We provided high-quality school supplies and bags, special sports apparel and footwear, and a new novus table for free time activities," continues Šmite. "We also increased the number of books at the centre's library, with colouring books and picture books for the youngest children, as well as literature about personal development for older students. During the last school year, the kids attended a number of theatrical performances: Peter Pan at the Daile Theatre, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf at the National Theatre, the Funny Alphabet at the Puppet Theatre, and the opera Karlsons Flies Again. They also attended an exciting hockey game at Arena Rīga, but we are most satisfied about the added value that we could provide in terms of additional arts activities."

For three months the young people were able to take art classes regularly, with students of all ages learning how to produce wall decorations from wool. Toward the end of the school year, a professional photographer helped the youngsters to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of photography. A camera was purchased for the "Imanta" centre to continue the classes and eventually put together a photo exhibition.

"We believe that a thoughtful and targeted support programme of this type will always be most effective, also providing the donor with the greatest satisfaction, because the desires and needs of the students were analysed in advance," says Ingrīda Šmite.