Philosophy behind the campaign ‘Butterfly Effect’

Edward Lawrence, an American meteorologist and mathematician, created the Chaos Theory, which includes the concept of 'Butterfly Effect' – even the smallest changes in the system may cause tremendous changes elsewhere. This idea inspired us to implement a project, which shows that every inhabitant of Latvia can participate in children's homes' activities. Even the smallest investment can bring us closer to fulfilling ambitious aims therefore we are convinced that big things start small. According to the philosophy of this project, everyone can join anytime!

The objective of the project

With this project, we intend to raise awareness of social integration challenges faced by children, who leave their children’s home. We would like to contribute to solving this problem and at least to some extent satisfy the most burning material needs at Latvia’s children’s homes.

Project components

Charity tour by the magicians Jelena and Genadijs Palcevski to 59 children’s homes all over Latvia. During the concert, the photographer Maris Kiselevs will take pictures of children. The pictures will be published in a photo album, which will be sold in exchange for a donation. The proceeds of sale will contribute to implementation of the campaign objectives.

Donations to the bank account or donations by telephone in partnership with Charity Foundation ‘Spārni’ (‘Wings’). All proceeds will be used to involve specialists, who will facilitate children’s social integration.

You can help children’s homes directly by visiting the Internet blog efekts.blogspot.com, where you will find updated information concerning needs of children’s care institutions.

Children’s homes need

According to the results of the survey conducted in 59 children’s homes by SIA A.W.Olsen & Partners in March 2009. Children’s homes need:

in 63% of cases – electronic equipment,

in 55% of cases – sports equipment,

in 43% of cases – stationary,

in 39% of cases – clothes and footwear,

in 35% of cases – hygienic goods,

in 33% of cases – furniture,

in 27% of cases – intellectually stimulating games and toys,

in 14% of cases – repair works and equipment,

in 10% of cases – books and CDs,

in 25% of cases – other needs.

63% of the surveyed children's homes admitted that the main non-material need for children was participation in various culture events: theatre, circus, sports events.

In 100% of cases representatives of children’s homes believe that the key problem is children’s social integration. Children do not know how to live adult life because they lack knowledge, which is usually taught by parents.

Our principles

We believe that a major challenge, which has to be addressed, is social integration and further independent life of children from children’s care institutions.

To enable children’s homes to involve professional specialists, we have opened a bank account and hotline for donations.

We believe that children in out-of-family care institutions can be optimistic and happy! All they need is the right approach!

This is why we are organising a several months long charity tour to 59 Latvia’s children’s homes and working on a charity photo album.

Everybody can help children’s homes, and even the smallest contribution counts: somebody will donate sports equipment, somebody will spend holidays with children, but somebody else will donate money...

This is why we surveyed all children’s homes and published the most acute needs of all children’s homes in the Internet blog efekts.blogspot.com.