Residents of Latvia are invited to weave camouflage nets for the Ukrainian army
The charity organization “Tavi draugi” (Your Friends) together with like-minded people invites Latvian residents to participate in camouflage net weaving workshops to support the Ukrainian army. Camouflage nets are made based on the requests of Ukrainian military units to hide equipment, ammunition, vehicles, and humanitarian goods from the aggressor.
Camouflage net weaving at “Tavi draugi” started in the spring of this year, after the active candle-making season had ended. Thanks to the enthusiasm of like-minded people and volunteers, by the end of September, 48 camouflage nets covering 1,400 square meters had been made, and most of them were already delivered to soldiers on the front lines.
Renāte Grundštoka, project manager of the “Tavi draugi” camouflage net workshops: “Thanks to the activity of the residents, net weaving has expanded – the nets are made three times a week in the “Tavi draugi” hangar in Riga at Ventspils iela 50, as well as on certain days at Ūnijas iela in Riga and in other locations across Latvia – in Ikšķile, Suntaži, Sigulda, Rēzekne, and from October also in Cēsis. All the workshops are united under the name “Net Alliance,” symbolizing a common goal and approach to achieving it.”
Aldis Silovs, a volunteer of “Tavi draugi” and technical director of the “Net Alliance,” calls on everyone who wants to help Ukraine win to join the net weaving. “Our main goal is to give every resident of Latvia the opportunity to do a good deed – to weave high-quality nets with their own hands that will serve the defenders of Ukraine and contribute to the fight against the aggressor. We can teach anyone who wants to participate the correct net weaving technique, and we are ready to provide materials and net frames. Financial donations are also very useful, as they will allow us to purchase the necessary materials for net weaving,” says A. Silovs.
To make the camouflage nets, strips of flannel fabric in various shades are used, making the nets lightweight, and the net structure visually resembles a fishing net but is less heavy. The weaving is done in a specially adapted technique, taking into account the location of the requested net and the natural color palette of the area, avoiding precise geometric shapes. Proper technique and color combinations are crucial, as a poorly made camouflage net serves the opposite function – it reveals the soldiers’ position to the enemy and can even be a death sentence.
The finished camouflage nets are delivered directly to Ukrainian defenders with the help of “Tavi draugi” volunteers and partners. Each net sent to Ukraine is given a name, and together with the nets, the soldiers receive other useful items for the battlefield, delicious surprises, and children’s drawings as heartfelt greetings from Latvia.
Camouflage net workshops can also be supported financially by donating for the purchase of the necessary materials. More information about donation options is available here. There is also an application form for participating in the workshops and contact information for starting collaborations in the regions. A larger gallery of net photos and workshop images is available here.
