I am trying to make contact with Biruta Flood who taught my children at Latvian school in Melbourne, Australia. I am Barbara Ozolins.

Never sure if we’re talking about the same person...but the Biruta I know from Latvia was definitely Australian.  She was in fact my first Latvian teacher in Riga, then associated with LATE (the Latvian Association of Teachers of English), until we mutually decided that we spent more time talking than working and thus would better continue our relationship as friends, not professionally.:-)

You may be able to reach her through LATE (which was then run by another Australian/Latvian), or through the International Women’s Club of Riga (Biruta was at that time a member, and they may have some record of her address, etc.).

She was, at last sighting, not living in Riga any longer, but in Smiltene where she had managed to claim her grandparent’s home, which was located just below the ruins of a muiza, overlooking a lake.  The home was in pretty dreadful (really not liveable) condition, but Biruta was convinced that she could make a go of it.  Several of us ventured out to Smiltene on a number of occasions to help her clear out the yard and the very overgrown house.  We had also been assisting Biruta in several fundraising efforts in Riga, in order to rehab this home and convert it into a home for needy elderly and single or unwed mothers.  I was very concerned for her, as she’s getting on in years and there have been some dreadful winters in the last few years.  The home was basically uninsulated, with many doors and windows missing or badly fitted and heated only by the original wood stove.  But she was pretty assertive about “making it” there, and was I know quite concerned that if she vacated the house the local municipality would try to take it back from her.

She did/does occasionally return to Riga (approx. once a month) and when she does attends the English language church services which are held in old town at the Mary Magdalene Church on Klostera Iela every Sunday afternoon.

As Biruta did not seem to have a mobile phone any longer, and was not checking her email with any regularity at the point I last heard from her (about 3 years ago), our only chance of reaching her easily was trying to run into her at the church service...but a very hit or miss thing.

I have a friend who is very active in that congregation and can certainly ask him to keep an eye out for her...but as I’ve noted, she has been difficult to communicate with and I certainly couldn’t guarantee she’d return the contact.  Perhaps you could write to her through the Smiltene municipality or c/o the Smiltene post office as well, if you’d like to try more direct contact.  The Sisters who manage the english language catholic service in Riga may also be able to help direct you to her, as she seemed quite involved with them.

Good luck.  If you need help, please let me know.  And if you get in touch with her, please pass on my and my family’s greetings and our continued offers of assistance.
Susanna McFarland

McTalzeme - you’re amazing in your knowledge of Latvia. In an Irish accent - ‘may the good lord take a likin to you and pur his arms around you’

Just serendipity...and the latvian trimda community sometimes feels incredibly small to me.:-) I just hope that the seeker is able to contact Biruta, that she finds her in good health, and that I will hear again sometime from my old friend.
Susanna

Hello Susanna. Thank you so much for the detailed reply. From what you have said it sounds like the same Biruta I knew. I am trying some of your suggestions to find her. My son has been living in Riga for 6 years and has bought a house in Rauna not all that far from Smiltene. We are visiting Latvia for 4 months later this year so hope we make contact with her by then. Thanks again.

Hello Susanna.
I have had some luck! I found Biruta and she is actually in Australia at the moment so will visit us at Easter time. She has been living in Smiltene where she has established a Christian Centre at her grandfather’s house. She sounds great. She will be back in Latvia later in the year.
Thank you so much for the leads you gave me. I got an email from someone at the Latvian English teacher’s centre. Amazing really.
I am looking forward to being in Latvia and I will join the International Women’s Club.
Regards, Barbara

Barbara…
Please give Biruta our love and let her know we would love to hear from her.  I’m glad to hear she’s back in Australia...hopefully that means she will get her retirement situation straightened out and see her family as well.
Thank you for letting me know she’s well.
Susanna