Some information in English  

Sabile is a small village in Latvia. It has about 3.000 inhabitants and is surrounded by a large rural area. Sabile is situated on the banks of the river Abava. This is one of the most beautiful areas and is on the world heritage list of UNESCO. Amongst other things Sabile is known for its most northerly situated vineyard. This is mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records.  

Heino /Sabile Foundation  

Since about 1991,there have been contacts between people from Heino and the communities Sabile and Abavas Pagasts in Latvia (Later on merged into Sabiles Novads).

It started with writing each other, then a delegation of three from Sabile, amongst whom the mayor came for an orientation visit to Heino.

The province of Overijssel had contacts all over Latvia . They turned our attention to Sabile.

Some businessmen who also brought some computers made the first visit from Heino.

Since 1994 mutual visits were paid to each other. The committee was transformed into a foundation.

In Sabile a foundation with the beautiful name Vinoga (= bunch of grapes) was founded. We have already made a lot of friends in Sabiles Novads and we get to know more and more about the rich Latvian culture and they about ours. Fifty years of Russian occupation has destroyed a lot, but not the will of the people to build up their country into a place where life is good and where there is a reasonable standard of living.

Though Latvia has joined the EC, a lot remains to be done, especially in the countryside. There is a lot of unemployment and many old age people with a very small income. We try to help as much as we can with our small organization.

Our income is from donations. For our supporters we organise Latvia gatherings to inform them of our proceedings. We also send annuals to all people that support us. Furthermore we get financial support from some organizations (Vereniging van Nederlandse gemeenten, NCDO, Wilde Ganzen, Oranjefonds)    and from the Province of Overijssel . Also from the churches and the district of Raalte to which Heino belongs after a merger.

Our first important project was to help by the foundation of an old people’s home. We have been working on this since 1995. The campaign was called “Steuntje in de rug”. In 1997 with our advice and aid the foundation “Kalme” was established in Sabile. They are the keepers of a small home for people without the support of a family. Another big project was for the children’s home “Vegi” in which 150 physically and mentally disabled children live between the age of 4 and 18 years old. For them we started a bed campaign because their beds were old and in a bad state. After the money was raised their beds were ordered and fabricated in Latvia . Thanks to the cooperation of “Zorgspectrum ‘ t Zand” in Zwolle and “Ouderencentrum het Wooldhuis” in Heino we had the disposition over a good kitchen for the children’s home. Specialist travelled with us with the transport. Together with Latvian specialists the kitchen was installed. All kitchen utensils went with it. A lot of the materials, e.g. floor and tiles were contributed for free by companies.

The transport of goods is being decreased, but together with our friends in Sabile we offer help when necessary and we keep friendship ties by exchange programmes for the youth and by cultural contacts. Through the past years a lot of Latvian came for short term or long-term work experience to Heino. In Sabile English language courses were organised and a project for inhabitants of Sabile to get to know the basics of internet (still going). In Vegi with our help and money the water purification was improved. Large washing machines and dryers and a dishwasher were obtained. After that the heating system was installed.

Because of the “Letter of Intent”, between the districts Raalte and Sabiles Novads door are opened which would otherwise stay closed.

But most important of all: Our friendship is forever.