Once agian, we thoroughly enjoyed the Plantage Parel Walk! We were given a behind-the-scenes look at places you normally wouldn’t get to see and got to know the organisations – and the people behind them – a little better.
We started at the Mozes en Aäronkerk on Waterlooplein. A place many people have walked past for years without ever stepping inside. Liene gave us a tour and told us about the history of this Catholic church. In the 17th century, when Catholics were not allowed to practise their faith openly, it began as a hidden church in two houses on Jodenbreestraat. Over time, it developed into the impressive and richly decorated church we see today.
Today, the church is home to the Community of Sant’Egidio, which supports, among others, people experiencing homelessness. Several times a week, volunteers prepare a hot meal here for no fewer than 120 people. We were invited behind the scenes to see how this is done.
We also discovered that neither this remarkable place nor the important work carried out here can be taken for granted. Sant’Egidio relies largely on donations and volunteers for its social activities. A separate foundation has been established to maintain the monumental Mozes en Aäronkerk. The church receives no structural funding for its upkeep and therefore depends on financial support.
You can volunteer with Sant’Egidio, or become a Friend of the Mozes en Aäronkerk. In this way, you can help preserve this special church and support the important work being done here.
Next, we visited the nursery garden of the Hortus Amsterdam, which is normally closed to the public. This is where plants are propagated and seeds are stored and exchanged with botanical gardens around the world. Iris, who specialises in the Cape collection, explained the different conditions that plants from various parts of the world need in order to thrive.
We ended our walk at Huis van de Tijd, where we enjoyed drinks and heard an inspiring story from Xandra about everything they organise for people with a ‘faltering brain’. The focus is not on limitations, but on what people can still do. From tai chi, painting and a Dutch sing-along choir to taking public transport together to a museum or going to the pub. It is all about taking part, quality of life, few rules and plenty of fun.
We were all impressed. Everyone is welcome to join the courses and activities, or simply drop by for a cup of coffee or lunch. Visit the website and learn more about the social approach to dementia.
A big thank you to all the locations for their warm welcome and to everyone who joined us. We are already looking forward to the next Plantage Parel Walk!