Egils Levits
Valsts prezidenta Egila Levita uzruna labdarības akcijas “Eņģeļi pār Latviju” svētku koncertā

Dear children, parents, campaign team and everyone across Latvia who decided to donate,

‘Angels above Latvia’ is a charity campaign for families with children who need special care, who have special needs. This campaign provides vital support and help to families of these children. Support and help that cannot be found elsewhere. It offers real help when it is needed. Thank you to all the campaign team and all those of you who made their donation through hotline!

When you live with special needs child, you need a special kind of energy, more love, patience and strength. Primarily I am talking about parents and grandparents. But there are aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and other relatives too.

However, parents are the ones who have the biggest responsibility. Despite facing enormous emotional pressure every day, they are the ones who need to take care of the practical and medical needs. And they also have to take care of the rest of the family.

We cannot live the lives of others for them. But, by giving support, we change the lives of those children and also their parents for the better. That is what solidarity and compassion is about. I am delighted to see that solidarity is shared by so many people in our country. People who are ready to help these children and their parents. And I would also like to point to the responsibility of the government. Our government must make significant steps in reforming health care and making it more accessible than it is now. At the same time, we must also appreciate what has already been achieved. First of all, by the government and, more importantly, by the parents, families and many others who have donated their money.

Once again, thank you to all those who donated and the whole campaign team. And a special thank you and special credit to the families and parents who are dealing with issues most of us have never dealt with on daily basis, and for having all the necessary strength, love and energy to keep going. We all wish you the same energy and spirit also next year.

Let me wish all children, parents and people of Latvia Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.