1. Who are the young people that come to Livslust-Dzivesprieks?
2. Does it cost anything for the students to live and study at the Livslust-Dzivesprieks school?
3. For how long do the students stay at the school?
4. What happens when the students have finished their education?
5. Do you of follow up on former students?
6. Is it possible to visit the school?
7. How can I be of help?
8. What does it mean to be a Livslust sponsor? Do I get a child of my own to sponsor?
9. What does it mean to be a summer host?
10. How do you use the collected funds?
11. Since you are a humanitarian foundation, how come you run your own business?
12. Is there more than one Livslust-Dzivesprieks school?

Who are the young people that come to Livslust-Dzivesprieks?
They are orphans or teenagers in an exposed situation. After having spent their childhood in institutions they are at a great risk of ending up in the streets as a result of this, and turning to drug abuse, crime and prostitution and victims of trafficking. With no family, no place to live, no education and no money, their chances of being able to provide for themselves by working are small. Livslust-Dzivesprieks admits boys and girls from the age of 15. They come from all over Latvia and have different ethnic backgrounds. Livslust-Dzivesprieks also accepts day-time students from socially deprived, underprivileged families.

Does it cost anything for the students to live and study at the Livslust-Dzivesprieks school?
No, the stay at Livslust-Dzivesprieks as well as the education is free of charge for all students.

For how long do the students stay at the school?
The study period is 2-3 years. The students' individual situation and needs vary depending on their childhood, background schooling and level of maturity. This means that some stay for a longer period, while the majority is prepared to leave school as soon as they have finished their training. Nobody leaves without having somewhere to go to. Everybody gets the necessary help to find a job and a place to live.

What happens when the students have finished their education?
Everyone gets help to find a job and a place to live. Nobody needs to leave without having a place to go to, and a decent chance of supporting themselves. Students aiming for further studies have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship. 85% of the former students live normal lives.

Do you of follow up on former students?
We check up on the students for a couple of years after they have left, to see how they are getting on and to give support if needed. The majority of them are doing well (85%); this means that they work, have started their own family or continue their studies. Some of them come to visit Livslust-Dzivesprieks during the weekends. Regrettably we do not succeed with everyone. A few have had to leave the school because of drinking problems or traumatic psychological problems. We offer a home and training, but unfortunately, we lack the resources to take care of those who are in need of more professional treatment.

Is it possible to visit the school?
Yes, you are welcome. Please contact us for practical information.

How can I be of help?
Companies can contribute through cash funding, by becoming collaboration partners, by donating materials and products, or by acting as consultants. Private persons can give cash contributions either by becoming a Livslust sponsor, or simply by donating an occasional amount, e.g. when there is a commemorative day. You can also volunteer by becoming a summer host family. Please contact us for more information. Read more

What does it mean to be a Livslust sponsor? Do I get a child of my own to sponsor?
Being a Livslust sponsor means giving monthly cash contributions. You decide the amount, but the minimum is 10 EURO. The sponsorship contribution goes to the work of Livslust - and it is not attached to any specific individual. We do not have the resources to manage personal sponsorship relations during the relatively short period of time that the students are at our school. You can form a direct contact with some of the youngsters by becoming a summer host family. Please contact us for more information.

What does it mean to be a summer host?
Being a summer host means you take on two boys or girls for two weeks (or more) during the summer. The idea is that the students should be able to experience normal family life. After having been raised in institutions, they need role models to be able to take care of families of their own. Livslust pays for the trip from Latvia to Sweden, and the host families cover all the expenses in Sweden. Read more

How do you use the collected funds?
All funds go directly into the foundation to cover expenses such as food, health care, electricity, heating, costs for staff, teachers' salaries, school materials, extra curricular activities, maintenance and construction of new buildings.

Since you are a humanitarian foundation, how come you run your own business?
The connection between the workshops and the vocational training is what makes Livslust-Dzivesprieks so special. It gives our students a chance to receive realistic, practical training within their professions. The profits from the sales go directly to cover the running costs of the school.

Is there more than one Livslust-Dzivesprieks school?
No, the Livslust Foundation only runs one vocational school - in Latvia, in Aizupe, 120 kilometres to the west of Riga. Livslust is, however, a pilot project and we would gladly see that our experience could be of use to others when planning similar work where ever needed. We often receive study visits from institutions dealing with the same target group, humanitarian organisations, departments of social affairs and others that consider Livslust a role model.