At Home with Jakob
We have only crossed the Baltic Sea, but it feels as if we have traveled back 100 years in time. In fact, the house in front of us has stood in eastern Latvia since the early 19th century. “It is 200 years old and has been passed down through six generations,” says the father of the family, Joseph.
He and his wife Eva have six children together, the youngest being seven-year-old Solveig. The family has done everything possible to prepare for winter. They have harvested pumpkins and potatoes, stored home-grown vegetables, and picked an abundance of berries. The sons have spent eight hours in the forest every free day throughout the fall. Yet, the family suffers greatly during the winter months. “The biggest challenge is affording firewood,” says Joseph. “We would need 40 cubic meters to last us the entire winter. We search for branches in the forest, but it is not enough.”
Maria’s Home
In Rudzati, located 110 kilometers from the Russian border, stands a concrete building from the Soviet era. The staircase carries a musty smell reminiscent of an old basement, and water leaks into the apartment on the top floor. There, amidst damp damage and mold, sits eight-year-old Maria. Her arm is in a cast after an unfortunate fall in the schoolyard. The apartment is so cramped that her parents sleep wedged between the wall and the sink in the narrow kitchen. Their only source of heat is a stove that is secured to both the floor and the chimney. They must gather their own firewood and carry it up the stairs. When their finances fall short, they are left to endure the cold.
At Home with Richards and Kristians
Twin brothers Richards and Kristians have not seen their father in two years. This winter, they have taken on a lot of responsibility at home. Their mother, Līga, suffers from severe back pain, and the waiting list for her surgery is five years long. While she waits, Līga is unable to work, which has made the family’s financial situation even more difficult. The boys do their best to help their mother. They live in an old cabin that is very drafty and quickly becomes cold when the fire in the wood stove goes out. Their elderly grandfather also lives with them and chops wood, even though his body protests against the physical labor.
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A Humanitarian Crisis Demands Action
Across Europe, a harsh winter has plunged countless children into a desperate fight for survival. Families already struggling with poverty are now facing impossible choices between food and heat. These are not abstract figures – these are children like your own, vulnerable and in need of urgent help.
As Americans, we have a long history of extending a hand to those in need. We believe in basic human dignity, and that no child should suffer needlessly. These children are not responsible for their circumstances, and they deserve a chance at a healthy life.
Here’s how you can help:
Let’s show the world that American compassion knows no bounds. Together, we can bring warmth and hope to children facing a brutal winter.
