The Sun Centre in Latvia

The Sound of Happiness Competence Centre has contributed to establishing and developing the first band and the first competence centre for mentally disabled in Latvia, at the Sun Centre (Saule Centr) in Riga. The project commenced in the summer of 1998 and was very well received among its users, the founders, the funding partners in the public sector, and the media. We have followed up this project professionally and financially by means of ear-marked support, and the third Together in Music Festival will be arranged in Latvia in 2006. Sound of Happiness has assisted the Sun Centre by educating instructors, providing musical instruments and equipment, and helped with translations of educational material and coloured music charts. There is also a focus on competence sharing and possible EU/EEA projects. The Latvia projects have been partially funded nationally by Health and Rehabilitation, who distribute the Extra funds.