What would you do if your neighbours couldn't pay for their expenses?

Would you just ignore them and pretend as if they were not there? Or would you give them enough help to keep their nose above the water? Latvia is one of Sweden's neighbouring countries and even if they are a member of EU is the situation for many poor Latvians very tough. Yet few Swedes seems to know and care for the tough living conditions for their Latvian neighbours.

In recent years Latvia has emerged as a good example of how a European country can reverse the economic crisis and get back on the feets again. Although Latvia's economy is rising again, many poor families and pensioners find it difficult to pay for their expenses and they have to struggle to survive.

Text and Photo: Mikael Good

The Face of a True Hero

This girl that I met in october 2013 in Latvia is a true hero. She decided to put her shyness aside and tell a story of poverty that most Latvians wasn't aware of. A month after my visit she decided to participate in a TV-program about how it is to grow up in a poor family. The TV-program that was shown on the National Television created a national debate about the situation for poor families in Latvia. Maany Latvians wanted to help and support the family after they had been aware of their tough situation. It's still not easy for poor families in Latvia but thanks to this heroic girl it's more common that Latvians give support to their neighbours in need than before the program.

Text and Photo: Mikael Good

A Latvian mother and her son

I have been on many assignments to Latvia and have learned to know the country and it's people quite well. I met this mother, her son and their dog in their little house on the Latvian countryside.

Text and Photo: Mikael Good

The fantastic view from Riga Hilton

This is the magnificent view from the window of the room that i rented in a hostel that I called Riga Hilton. The building was anything but a Hilton hotel since it was a old worn out Soviet style hostel. I lived there a couple of times while on assignment in Latvia. The picture was used by a Swedish magazine to illustrate the economic crisis in Latvia in 2009.

Text and Photo: Mikael Good