“It is great that we were able to make something beautiful together with people from the area.” Tarek looks around satisfied. He and a group of roommates worked on the garden for more than two months. What used to be a number of parking spaces is now full of flowers and plants. “I am very proud that we all have such a place now.”
The soil and plants were supplied by the garden center of Jordi van Maasdam from Zwaanshoek. “We only supplied the things, the rest have done the residents themselves.”
Residents want to stay busy
For Van Maasdam it is important that the asylum seekers have a way to stay at work. “It is not possible for many of them to work, while they would love to integrate. By constructing such a garden you stay busy, and you can be of added value. That is so important.”
Tarek and William, also one of the men behind the garden, are already looking forward to spring. “Then the garden is really in bloom!”