Ivita Kļaviņa, a mother from Malupe, is an incredible person with immense wisdom and kindness in her heart. Ivita has four biological children and five foster children. Three of the foster children have serious health issues. It was a conscious decision by Ivita and her husband to adopt children from orphanages who require special care and attention.
We met this family three years ago. They live in the village of Malupe, near Alūksne. At that time, Ance was not even two years old. To save her health, she needed stem cell therapy at a clinic in Poland. Ance's story shook the entire nation of Latvia.
When Ance was taken from the orphanage, Ivita and her husband knew the child had health problems, but what they discovered later was unimaginable. The girl was hospitalized with seizures and unconscious. The cause was abuse. Examinations revealed that, during the first four months of her life, Ance had suffered broken arms, legs, several ribs, numerous brain injuries, brain hemorrhages, and even a skull fracture. The injuries were of various ages, inflicted multiple times, and left untreated. She had been dropped or thrown, with no medical help sought. Yet, she was born healthy.
At four months old, Ance could not hold her head, sit up, or eat without a feeding tube. She showed no emotions, didn't smile, and was afraid of touch. Her condition was worsened by frequent epileptic seizures that occurred several times daily for the first two years of her life. After each seizure, she cried inconsolably for long periods. The injuries also caused atrophy of the optic nerve, leading to blindness.
Ance’s tragic story resonated with so many that €36,000 was raised in just one week. Over the past three years, Ance has undergone several stem cell transplant surgeries in Poland and has completed long-term rehabilitation programs in Slovakia and Latvia. According to doctors, over the next two to three years, she will need at least €25,000 for treatments and therapy with specialists in Latvia and Slovakia.
Stem cell transplants have proven effective, and Ance's condition has improved over the past two years. She can now sit in a stroller, hold her head, and be held and hugged. Most importantly, the seizures have stopped.
Unfortunately, her vision has not returned, but there is hope for partial improvement. Following stem cell therapy, Ance has begun distinguishing between light and darkness and turns her head toward light sources.
Ance now needs to begin a new course of stem cell therapy. To date, €14,655 of the €25,000 required has been raised.
Donations can be made to:
Charity Fund BeOpen
Smilšu iela 6, Rīga, LV-1050
Reģ. Nr. 50008218201
Account No. LV74CBBR1123215500710
SWIFT: CBBRLV22 (BluOr Bank AS)
Purpose: Support for Ance
How Ance became part of the family
Deciding to adopt a seventh child from an orphanage, especially one with serious health issues, may seem incomprehensible to some. But getting to know this family inspires immense respect and admiration.
The decision to adopt Ance came after a painful and tragic experience for the family. At the time, Ivita and her husband had already told their children they would soon welcome another sibling. Everyone was thrilled and preparing for the new addition. However, Ivita suffered a miscarriage, a loss she found deeply devastating. Around the same time, she learned about a very fragile four-month-old baby girl from the organization *PLECS*, who urgently needed a foster family. The decision was made collectively during a family council, carefully weighing the pros and cons. They concluded it wasn’t a coincidence—Ance was meant to join their home.
Ivita, a trained medical assistant, believed her medical knowledge would help Ance recover. She understood it would be challenging but couldn’t have anticipated just how severe the child’s injuries and long-term consequences would be.
The family lives in Ivita's parents' spacious but old house, which frequently needs repairs. Last year, the family council decided to welcome two more sisters. Keita, now four, and Rebekka, just one year old and newly walking, have joined the family, bringing the total to nine children.
Pride of Latvia
On November 18th, Latvia’s National Day, TV3 aired the "Pride of Latvia 2024" ceremony, highlighting the contributions of various individuals to the country's values and society. Ivita Kļaviņa, foster mother to Ance, was among the ten honorees and received the “Family” award.
A friend, who is a seamstress, made new dresses for the ceremony for the girls and Ivita. Friends and family watched the broadcast, moved by their story. The audience was visibly emotional. News portal *Alūksne* published a feature, and everyone who knew Ivita celebrated with her and her family. However, Ivita remains humble, saying, "I feel like I’m just living by my conscience and doing what I can."
Although public recognition is heartwarming, the daily challenges of motherhood often go unnoticed: the immense amount of work, worries, and financial planning required to manage a modest family budget.
The Children
Ivita's eldest daughter, Ieva, 22, is studying beauty therapy in a technical school. Inese, 19, has decided to pursue medicine to help children like Ance and others with special needs.
Jānis, 17, and Niks, 16, are brothers at heart, with Niks being the first child Ivita fostered. With love, care, and rehabilitation, Niks has made significant progress and is now in 9th grade.
Ilze, 14, and foster sister Marina, also 14, have grown close. Marina has autism spectrum disorder and moderate intellectual disabilities, but her progress since joining the family has been remarkable.
The youngest members are three foster sisters: Ance, Keita, and Rebekka.
The older children are responsible and hard-working. They have excelled in music, dance, and school competitions, earning numerous awards proudly displayed on a dedicated shelf at home.