Lithuania Link

Lithuania Link is a small registered charity working to promote non-governmental activity in the small town of Zagare, northern Lithuania

History:- History of Lithuania Link | Newsletters |

2005

Lithuania Link gathers strength with several volunteers spending prolonged periods of time developing relationships and projects in Zagare and around Lithuania under the SEWS programme. Notably, Lithuania Link volunteer Sarah Rabagliati furthers close relations with Zagare. Living there and jointly implementing and facilitating projects such as the Cherry Festival and the Joniškis Synagogues, Sarah also secures funding for the Zagare children’s home through the IWAV organisation.

2004

The SEWS programme continues with Lithuania Link project coordinators implementing their projects and developing relations. The Zagare Youth Club gains strength and finishes decorating and renovating its base, initiating several projects in conjunction with Lithuania Link Project Coordinators. Spring, Diana Martin: a skilled trainer of English teachers visits Lithuania for one month to develop English language teachers' delivery skills. In May a delegation from Lithuania Link visits Zagare and Lithuania to celebrate the country’s accession to the EU. Autumn: Cliff Marks returns to Zagare for 3 weeks, to assist with the Zagare Youth Hostel Project.

2003

At Easter, two members of the Zagare Youth Club, (ZYC), President Simona Stasytyte and future club President Tomas Daskus visit Cumbria for 10 days, enjoying experiences in journalism, young enterprise and youth activity. Education Link Project is thus launched. The Youth Club is offered three rooms, rent free for ten years, in the municipal buildings in Zagare and the members are supported by a grant from the Tartan Army to restore and redecorate the rooms. The rooms are prepared by Youth Club members to become a base for work in the community and a centre for information for young people in the region.

Lithuania Link receives funds from the EU's Leonardo da Vinci Programme, placing 4 individuals in Lithuania on the Social and Environmental work start programme. Retired town planner Cliff Marks undertakes a 6 week stint in Joniskis, assisting the municipality in strategic project planning and research.

2002

On the 1st May 2002, Lithuania Link becomes a registered charity, number 1091831. In conjunction with Lithuania Link, the Zagare Youth Club is awarded a £500 grant from the Baltic American Partnership Programme. Lithuania Link assists foreign direct investment (FDI) in Lithuania, promoting co-operation between businesses to secure nearly Euros 1 million for the creation of Golden Grass Farms (GGF) Ltd.

2001

Lithuania Link receives $8,000 funding from the Leonardo da Vinci Programme to implement a four-week environmental project for a group of 10 British people over the Easter period. Sally Chambers is awarded a grant to undertake a project in the Zagare region to promote environmental awareness within the local comunity. She is joined by Elle Woodcock and Grace Walker to assist with the project.

2000

The committee collects and packs several thousand books, which are sent to Lithuania through Scottish charity Books Abroad. Alex Gibb lives and works in Lithuania for five months undertaking a variety of small projects with various NGOs. Alex receives a grant from the EU's Leonardo da Vinci programme for this work in addition to another scholarship from the AMMF. Joy Hall visits Lithuania also on a Leonardo da Vinci grant to act as a "trainer" to various NGOs.

1999

Zivile Leveikiene and Valdas Balciunas are awarded scholarships to visit Britain on an educational insight, totalling 8 weeks. Carlisle Overseas Aid Trust funds this. Alex Gibb, Michelle Armstrong and David George visit Lithuania to promote voluntary activity in Zagare. Links are established with the Youth and Sports Clubs. Michelle Armstrong is awarded a grant by LL, while Alex receives a scholarship from Heriot-Watt University's Allen McTernan Memorial Fund (AMMF).

1998

Lithuania Link collects aid once again, over 30cubic metres is donated and sent out to Zagare. LL is invited to Zagare for the town's 800th Anniversary. Joy and Alex address President Adamkus and an audience of 4000. The twelve members of the LL team undertake research and fact finding activities. Alex Gibb and Michelle Armstrong visit Lithuania for one month during the Christmas period on a research visit. Alex is awarded a grant from LL towards costs.

1997

The committee begins fundraising, the first of many significant events, and publicising its activities, collecting goods to be sent as aid to Lithuania through FL. Over four tonnes of books, tools and clothes are collected. Contact is broken with FL due to unsatisfactory support and Lithuania Link is founded in Cumbria. A barbeque is held to raise funds; present includes members of the Lithuanian Embassy, London. Alex Gibb lives in Rokiskis, Lithuania for three months, teaching English.

1996

Joy's slide show, the first of many illustrated talks by committee members, is watched by individuals who express interest; research on existing charities begins with a view to determining the best method of providing assistance to Zagare. Friendship Link (FL), a Cambridge based charity offers help. A committee is formed in Cumbria acting as a branch of FL.

1995

Sisters Joy Hall and Suki Pay visit Lithuania in search of family roots. They meet Zivile Leveikiene, Zagare's English teacher, Mayor Petras Velykis and Isaacas Mendelsonas, the only surviving Jew in the area. Joy vows to contribute in some way to the once thriving community.