Getting to School in Latvia
(click the question boxes for more information)

Mareks
As baby Mareks slept peacefully, the doctor said that he would never wake up and that he would never walk. He said it would be best to put Mareks in an institution — a place where he would be cared for, but shut out of a real life.

But his parents didn’t give up on Mareks. They worked hard with him and he became a bright boy.

When it came time for Mareks to go to school, there was no place for him to go. In Latvia, children with disabilities were not included in any activities. They didn’t play with other children and they didn’t even go to school. They were shut out of society and most lived in institutions.

Kristians
Kristians was born with many health problems. Even with several operations, it was difficult for his parents and doctors to know if he would ever be physically or mentally healthy. His parents occasionally sent him to an orphanage, and over time, his stays became longer and longer. His parents had more babies and it became easier for them to forget about little Kristians.

Teachers at the orphanage recognized that Kristians was a very bright boy. They wanted to find a school where he could learn with other children his own age.

The Liepaja Christian school
After the fall of Communism in Latvia, some courageous Latvians wanted to make life better for children with disabilities. One of these leaders is the principal of Liepaja Christian School. They began a partnership with Bethphage, a Lutheran organization that specializes in helping people with disabilities. Bethphage helped the teachers at Liepaja Christian School learn how children with disabilities can go to school side-by-side with other children.

Today, 25 children with disabilities attend Liepaja Christian School, including Mareks and Kristians.