1/4 Anneke Burgers walks her daily walk through the renovated garden. (photo: Raoul Cartens)
The backyard of the Roosdonck hospice in Roosendaal looked like a sad wilderness of weeds for a long time. And precisely in a place where dying people spend their last phase of life. Carnival association De Corketrekkers from Roosendaal took this seriously and, together with nurses, turned the garden into a real park. “I don’t know how long I have been given life, but this makes me very happy,” says 92-year-old Anneke Burgers.
The story about the garden actually has a sad origin, says Carlo Hermans of the Corkscrews: “The wife of one of our members was admitted to the hospice here. He immediately noticed the neglected garden. Out of frustration he started picking some weeds. After her death, we came back here together with other members to turn this ‘weed patch’ into a beautiful garden again.”
“They can walk around here again, or we can put them on the terrace with their beds.”
And that was quite a job that would take months. “After we used the brush cutter, 25 tons of new garden soil and 1,300 new plants were added. We also made a gazebo and installed a gargoyle that sprays into a rowing boat.” The association was helped by nurses from the hospice, who were also very annoyed by the arid wilderness.
“The lives of the residents in a hospice become very simple, where you can only enjoy the little things. The food, the visits from family. And recently also this renovated garden. The residents can live here again. walk around or we put them on the terrace with their beds. The residents also found the commotion in the garden where people were working pleasant,” says nurse Jeanette Koeman.
“That charity is also in our association.”
The hospice is located in Roosendaal next to the former Charitas hospital, where sisters of charity cared for patients until 1965. “That charity comes naturally to our association. Offering some help where you can. And especially the retirees in the club had the time to do this. But it is also good for solidarity within the carnival association. And It’s nice to hear and see that it is very much appreciated by the residents of this hospice,” says Hermans.
Some things still need to be finished here and there, such as installing a piece of sidewalk, some statues and electricity. But that doesn’t spoil the fun for Anneke Burgers. “The garden reminds me of Fijnaart, where I used to live. The plants, the trees. I am an outdoor person and enjoy this. When I open the curtains in the morning, I look straight into this garden. It gives me cheerfulness and courage, especially when the sun is shining. Every day I enjoy it and walk with my walker through the garden to the gate and back. And again.”
The garden will be festively opened on Thursday. “I hope I’ll still be alive to grab a drink,” laughs Anneke.
