Trip to Latvia with Life’s Cards Program
Our recent trip to Latvia was an unforgettable experience, which would not have been possible without Women Do Business and Life’s Cards. As part of our volunteering with the organization, we visited Latvia, specifically the capital Riga and the small town of Livani. The main objective of the trip was our participation in the youth conference held in the framework of the closing of the Life’s Cards project.
A few words about the Life's Cards program
Life’s Cards is a personal development game that aims to encourage young people from remote and/or rural areas to believe in themselves. It also highlights the power of self-confidence and determination in achieving life’s goals.It also highlights the power of self-confidence and determination in achieving life’s goals.
Women Do Business, in cooperation with the non-profit organizations SAVA KABATA from Livani, Latvia and the Association of Educational Games and Methods from Riga, Latvia, made the creation of this game a reality, encouraging young people to discover the power of their own willpower and to succeed even in adverse circumstances.
Journey to Livani
After arriving in Riga, the capital of Latvia, we travelled to Livani for the youth conference. The journey was 2.5 hours by train from Riga. Livani is a picturesque town in southeastern Latvia full of greenery, perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Situated on the banks of the
Daugava River, it is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. In addition, it is known for its long tradition of handicrafts, especially glass and ceramics.
Accommodation and reception
Our host, Marika, who was our partner for the Life’s Cards program, welcomed us warmly to our accommodation. We stayed in a beautiful traditional house, Handmade Latgola, surrounded by nature and located near the river. The house is decorated with traditional handicrafts made by local young artists that you can buy.
The youth conference
After dropping off our stuff, we headed to the youth conference. The conference focused on the importance of educational games for youth development and included interesting presentations and activities. We started with a presentation on the Life’s Cards project and discussed the importance of games as methods for youth development. Then educational games created in Latvia were presented.
Presentation of Women Do Business
The girls who represented our organization, (Sospra Silia, Togelidou Despina, Faili Katerina), during the conference had the opportunity to present Women Do Business and the Life’s Cards program and its impact. The conference concluded with discussions and networking, giving us the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other participants. The experience was valuable as it allowed us to develop new partnerships and inspire future projects.
Discovering new experiences
After the end of the conference, our day ended in the most beautiful way. Our partner from Sava Kabata, Marika, gave us a special gift by taking us for a two-hour canoe ride on the river.
A unique experience that anyone visiting the area should try. Despite the wind that made it difficult, and a little fear, the experience was exciting and gave us the opportunity to bond as a group and enjoy the natural beauty of Latvia
Gastronomic experiences in Latvia
The trip to Latvia also offered culinary experiences. During the trip, we tasted traditional Latvian cuisine. We visited local shops where we tasted traditional Latvian karbonade and drank local beer. Still, our hosts prepared a traditional Latvian breakfast for us. The homemade dishes were delicious and gave us a taste of authentic Latvian hospitality. Before we left, we bought some handmade souvenirs, ceramics and wooden items made with care by local young craftsmen and took the morning train to Riga.
Exploring Riga
In Riga we had the opportunity to explore its center. We toured the Art Museum area and Albert street, known for its art nouveau architecture. Along the way we discovered unique little shops with an art nouveau theme. We walked through the park, bought souvenirs and enjoyed traditional ice cream with a fresh cone.
Tip: Take your ice cream and sit in the park next to the Statue of Liberty near the river to enjoy it better.
Later, we dined at a traditional restaurant in Riga, Ala Pagrabs, which is located at the bottom of a basement. There was live music and traditional Latvian dancing. The experience was unique, we danced with the locals, tasted traditional chicken, had a beer tasting and of course finished with a pavlova.
This restaurant is a must-visit in Riga and was the perfect end to our trip as we caught the morning flight to Greece the next morning.
Some facts about Latvia
- Latvia is worth visiting in summer for its cool climate and natural beauty.
- The smaller towns, such as Livonia, are more authentic and offer excellent outdoor activities.
- The locals are very friendly and eager to help and serve.
- In Latvia young people play lots of board games and do activities in nature.
Conclusions from the trip to Latvia
We are very happy about this experience that crowned the closing of the Life’s Cards project in the best way. We hope that in the future we will again have the opportunity to work with youth and contribute in our own way to their development. Because we may not always be able to build the future for our young people, but we can build our young people for the future.
Instructions for the Life's Cards Game
LIFE’s CARDS project is funded by the European Union. This publication reflects only the views and opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the European Union, the European Commission or the National Agency (Agency for International Youth Programmes), which cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Article Writers Sylia Dospra, Katerina Faili
Article Editor: Sofia Dialiatsi
Translated By: Nektaria Lambropoulou
