For the fifth year, AKROPOLE and Ziedot.lv are organising the charity campaign “Let’s help prepare for school together!”

In the presence of the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Education and Science, the charity organisation Ziedot.lv, cooperation partners and the media, the donation campaign “Let’s help prepare for school together!”, which is taking place for the fifth time, was launched in the shopping and entertainment centre AKROPOLE Alfa. During the campaign, people are invited to donate new school supplies and financial means to help pupils from poor and low-income families in Latvia, as well as Ukrainian refugee families, to start school. The campaign will run until 30 August.

According to a survey conducted by AKROPOLE shopping and entertainment centres^[1], more than half (55%) of the surveyed parents of Latvian pupils are looking ahead to the start of the school year with concern, 37% are worried, and only 28% – excited. Therefore, to support pupils and their families facing financial difficulties, AKROPOLE shopping centres, in cooperation with the charity organisation Ziedot.lv, the parents’ organisation Mammamuntetiem.lv and the research agency Norstat, invite people to donate new stationery, school bags, sportswear and other school-related items in special donation boxes located in AKROPOLE Alfa and AKROPOLE Rīga shopping centres until 30 August. You can also support families by making a non-cash donation at the virtual donation booths that will be located in both AKROPOLE shopping centres, or by making a money transfer on the Ziedot.lv website.

Uldis Augulis, Minister of Welfare, emphasises: “September brings huge changes in many families. While parents of older pupils have a clear rhythm and routine, the little first-grader along with their parents are in a situation where joyous excitement mixes with worry and concern about both the mental readiness of the first-grader and the resources for the learning process. The traditional “Let’s help prepare for school together!” campaign is a good example of how we can all do better and help our fellow families prepare financially and mentally, without forgetting to encourage and sometimes reassure both the first-grader and their parents.”

Inita Juhņēviča, Acting State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Science, says: “Thanks to the organisers of the “Let’s help prepare for school together!” campaign, who have been providing vital support to families in need in Latvia for several years. Teachers, learning materials and the family environment are essential for children’s education. The Ministry of Education and Science thanks everyone who helps because your support is invaluable and gives children hope and the opportunity to learn to their full potential. The Education Law states that everyone has the right to acquire education regardless of the social or material status, nationality or other factors. Only through the cooperation of all stakeholders – the Ministry, local authorities, schools and families – will it be possible to ensure inclusive and quality education for every child in Latvia.”

Rūta Dimanta, Head of Ziedot.lv, says: “For poor large families and Ukrainian refugee families, autumn comes with a challenge and a difficult question – how to provide everything necessary for school. It is most difficult to prepare first-graders for school as they need everything, and the most expensive items are school bags, sports shoes and sportswear. In addition, rising prices often result in families buying lower-quality items that break during the season and then they have to buy new ones. Therefore, I encourage everyone who has the means to participate in the charity campaign, as donations will be turned into practical help to support these families in preparing their children for school.”

Ella Karele, Deputy Head of the parents’ organisation Mammamuntetiem.lv, emphasises the importance of welcoming the start of the new school year with positive emotions in the family: “For children, school is about meeting their basic needs, so I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to help by donating school supplies or financial means to buy them. I would also like to encourage parents and society as a whole to be optimistic about school, learning and teachers in the presence of children, and to see it as a new and beautiful beginning. Hearing parents or other adults in the family talk negatively about school, including with regard to high costs, can not only make children feel anxious and even angry, but also guilty about the whole family suffering because of their needs. So let’s welcome the new school year with excitement because it’s about new adventures, opportunities, knowledge and friendships!”

Sanita Krīgere, Manager of the shopping and entertainment centre AKROPOLE Alfa, says: “We stand up for families, their joy and well-being, so we work every day to continuously develop a pleasant, friendly and convenient shopping environment for families with children. This charity campaign is a way to turn our concern for families into practical help. This is why I am very grateful that, with the support of our trusted partners, we are able to support families facing financial difficulties in preparing their children for school for the fifth consecutive year. I encourage everyone to contribute to the charity campaign within their means and donate, because even a small donation can make a child very happy.”

People are invited to donate school bags, stationery, pencil cases, notebooks, exercise books, art supplies, water bottles, lunch boxes, sportswear and shoes, as well as formal clothes and shoes, in special donation boxes marked “Let’s help prepare for school together!”. You can also support financially by donating via bank transfer on the Ziedot.lv website, at virtual donation booths or in cash donation boxes located in both shopping centres. The amount of the donation is voluntary.

All donated school items and funds will be donated to low-income Latvian and Ukrainian refugee families who have applied for help.