Day 6

The group is divided into two. One group goes to Het Oranjehuis, a farming institution for the troubled youngsters. 

On the other hand, my group (Sir Karl, Sir Gil, Russel, Arge, Martin, Jedde, Faith) visit Groep Ubuntu- Het Ganzenhof, a farm that works with disabled people. I learned that Groep Ubuntu has interventions to help people with mental and physical disabilities, so that their abilities, though may be limited may be of use, too to the society and so that they are treated equal and regarded with importance.



The government subsidizes 900 euros per month for the disabled. Het Ganzenhof's clients pay 11 euros.

We are given a tour around the little farm of Het Ganzenhof. Afterwhich, we assist them in their daily chores or routines.

Sir Gil, one of the adult leaders suffered muscle spasms, primarily because of not being accustomed to the cold weather. I help him by massaging his painful back.

This is where they decompose biodegradable trashes for healthier soil.

First chore: In the kitchen, we help pack the harvested laurel leaves. Others were in other chores like feeding the animals and transferring seedlings to bigger pots which became my second task after lunch.

We're toured to the organic garden. It's already spring but not so much have grown because of the very cold temperature.

Half of the YMX delegates with the clients and workers of Het Ganzenhof

My second chore was transferring seedlings to larger pots.

Sir Gil collecting soil

Photo op with YMX delegates, clients and volunteers

At night, we go out with Justein's college friends. They study Medical Science. I've studied a year of Medical Technology before, too, so I feel I could relate to them. At first, it is quite awkward for me because I can't easily open up to strangers and they speak Dutch most of the time. But they translate for us their conversation, so J.Lo and I could join in. I deeply appreciate their effort in trying to connect with us. We discover our differences but bond over our many similarities. I find out we like the same kind of music and TV shows, too. We talk about our dreams and try to interpret them. I introduce to them the famous touch game 'Fruit Ninja' and they are hooked to the game. I have a lot of fun meeting them.

Eating Belgian Waffles while waiting for Justien's friends. Lekker! (credits to J.Lo for the picture)

Beating my high score at Fruit Ninja

J.Lo and I with Justien's friends. (credits to J.Lo for the picture)