Our story began in 2005, when the organization’s founder in Latvia, Jerry Wirth, met with the then-U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Catherine Todd Bailey, to discuss the possibility of launching a charity project for children in Latvia. This meeting became a significant starting point for an idea that later evolved into a real, sustainable initiative. It was recognized that in Latvia, especially outside the major cities, children often lack timely access to qualified medical specialists, which can significantly impact both timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Following a meeting with the management of the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS), the main problems in children’s healthcare were identified, and the need for a solution that is both practical and accessible throughout Latvia was highlighted. During discussions with medical professionals, it was emphasized that it is essential to provide not only treatment but also preventive care and timely health monitoring.
It was precisely at this stage that the idea for a mobile healthcare model emerged—one that would bring doctors to the children, rather than taking the children to the doctors. This approach offered an effective and innovative solution that would help reduce regional disparities in healthcare and ensure that children have equal access to quality medical care regardless of where they live.
As early as 2006, , with the support of Ambassador Beily, Jerry Wirth and the Ronald McDonald House Charities Global team from Chicago arrived in Latvia to conduct an in-depth assessment of the potential for such an initiative. During the visit, they toured hospitals, outpatient clinics, and child care facilities in various regions of Latvia. These meetings provided significant insight into the actual situation in the country: the availability of doctors, the state of the infrastructure, and the needs of families, with particular emphasis on the challenges faced by families outside the major cities.
In addition, meetings were organized with doctors, business leaders, and policymakers to assess the public’s willingness to support a charity program dedicated to children. Possible forms of cooperation, funding opportunities, and long-term development prospects were discussed. This phase was crucial because it helped not only to confirm the viability of the idea but also to lay the first foundations for collaboration in Latvia.
At the same time, confidence grew that a mobile healthcare solution could be an effective way to improve access to children’s healthcare in the country. This experience served as the basis for future decisions and provided a clear direction for the organization’s establishment and operational development.
As a result of these efforts, in 2007 the charity Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvia (RMHC Latvia) was established. At the same time, a licensing agreement was signed with Ronald McDonald House Charities Global, which provided access to international experience, knowledge, and support, and enabled the implementation of globally proven charitable and healthcare solutions in Latvia.
The international organization committed to providing a specially designed mobile medical vehicle equipped with the necessary technology to facilitate medical consultations. Training was also organized for the Latvian team’s staff and board to ensure the provision of high-quality, professional services based on high international standards.
This phase was also significant in that it laid the groundwork for close cooperation with an international network, which provided not only practical support but also inspiration and confidence in the project’s sustainability. The organization’s mission, values, and areas of focus were defined, and they continue to serve as the foundation for our daily work and development.
During the period from 2007 to 2010 , intensive preparatory work was carried out. This was one of the most significant stages in the organization’s development, as the foundations for long-term operations were laid. An operational model for the Mobile Health Care Center was developed, the principles for providing services were defined, and partnerships were established with medical specialists from various fields to ensure comprehensive and high-quality care for children.
Legal and administrative matters were also resolved, the organization’s structure was established, and active fundraising efforts were launched. At the same time, partnerships were established with local governments and medical institutions to ensure the effective operation of the mobile center in the future. Special attention was also paid to the principles of planning outreach visits and mechanisms for cooperation with the regions to ensure that services are available to as many children as possible.
During this period, the foundations were also laid for the organization’s values and work culture—emphasizing professionalism, care, and accessibility. A team was formed in collaboration with the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, which would not only provide high-quality medical care but also create a trusting environment for children and their families. It was precisely this preparatory phase that allowed the organization to launch its operations with confidence and ensure sustainable development in the years to come.
A significant turning point occurred in 2010. On May 10, when the specially built Ronald McDonald House Charities “Mobile Healthcare Center.” It was equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and adapted to provide consultations with various specialists, allowing for multiple examinations to be conducted in one place and high-quality medical care to be provided to children.
After the vehicle was registered and all necessary formalities were completed, the final preparations were made, including the development of travel schedules, coordinating visits with local governments, and recruiting the first medical specialists. By the end of 2010, the “Mobile Health Care Center” set out on its first trip, beginning regular operations in Latvia’s regions.
This marked the practical start of the organization’s activities—it moved from the idea and preparation phase to providing actual assistance to children. The first visits confirmed the importance of such an initiative, as families greatly appreciated the opportunity to receive consultations from specialists closer to home, without having to travel long distances to larger cities. This moment laid the foundation for further development and the consolidation of mobile healthcare in Latvia.
During the period from 2011 to 2015 , the “Mobile Health Care Center” gradually expanded its operations. Regular visits were organized to various regions of Latvia, providing children with access to specialists who would otherwise often be available only in large cities. This period marked the transition from the initial launch of operations to the stable and systematic provision of services throughout Latvia.
During this time, the number of participating physicians also increased, representing various medical specialties, which made it possible to provide a more comprehensive approach to children’s healthcare. Cooperation with specialists from BKUS played a key role; through their professionalism and experience, they helped ensure high-quality consultations and strengthened the reliability of the services provided.
Cooperation with local governments and communities was strengthened, which helped ensure the effective organization of services and the dissemination of information to families. An increasing number of families learned about the opportunity to receive consultations from specialists closer to home, which significantly improved access to timely health care and promoted child health monitoring in the regions.
During the period from 2016 to 2020 , the organization continued to grow, becoming a key pillar of support for children’s healthcare in Latvia. Operational processes were refined, service accessibility was improved, and cooperation with partners and supporters was strengthened. Both the geographic scope of outreach visits and the frequency of consultations expanded, enabling the organization to reach an increasing number of families in various regions of Latvia.
Increasing attention was also paid to informing the public about the importance of preventive health care, promoting awareness of the role of early diagnosis and timely screenings in maintaining children’s health. Outreach activities were carried out and communication with local communities was strengthened to ensure that families learn in a timely manner about the opportunity to receive consultations.
The “Mobile Healthcare Center” became a trusted and welcome guest in many parts of Latvia, where families appreciated the opportunity to receive high-quality consultations closer to home, reducing the need to travel to larger cities and making healthcare more accessible to every child.
From 2021 to 2025, the organization continued to grow, expanding both its team of doctors and the range of services it offers. New solutions were introduced to improve the accessibility and quality of services, including improved scheduling of house calls, strengthened cooperation with the regions, and developed more effective ways to reach families throughout Latvia. Communication with the public and supporters was also significantly strengthened, promoting greater awareness of the importance of children’s health.
During this time, assistance has already been provided to thousands of children throughout Latvia, ensuring timely consultations, diagnostics, and recommendations for further treatment. An increasing number of families have come to appreciate the opportunity to receive high-quality medical care closer to home, which is especially important in more remote regions.
The organization’s work became increasingly visible and significant, confirming that the “Mobile Health Care Center” is an effective and sustainable solution for reducing inequalities in access to health care and ensuring that children in Latvia have better opportunities to grow up healthy.
A significant turning point in the organization’s development occurred on May 15, 2026, when the organization underwent a rebranding and is now known as “Ronald McDonald House in Latvia”, which provides the healthcare program “Children’s Health Bus.” The new name more clearly reflects the essence of the organization—to be a place of support, care, and safety for children and their families, while strengthening our emotional connection with the community and making our mission even more understandable.
This change marks not only the evolution of our visual identity, but also the organization’s maturity and long-term vision. It symbolizes the experience we have gained, our growth, and our desire to continue developing by expanding the support we provide to children and their families throughout Latvia.
While staying true to our values and mission, we continue our work to ensure high-quality healthcare for children throughout Latvia, strengthen cooperation with our partners, and create an environment where every child can receive the necessary care in a timely manner and closer to home.
