When Burnaby South student Catherina Pan started volunteering at a local nursing home years ago, she probably didn't expect to get dirt under her nails.
While helping at the Burnaby home, run by Fair Haven United Church Homes, the 17-year-old noticed that many of the seniors had agricultural backgrounds and gardened as a hobby, later in life.
That's why Pan decided to gather a group of fellow students to plant flowers in a row of planters boxes on the grounds of the nursing home last year, hoping the seniors will help tend the garden.
"I want to help the residents reconnect with their agricultural background by providing them with a garden where they can, hands on, be physically engaged in gardening," Pan told the NOW. "I thought by creating such an outreach program with a garden it sort of helps them with therapeutic effects, both mentally and physically for the residents."
While volunteering at the home, Pan also grew an appreciation for the experiences and wisdom of elders. That's why she wanted to include her peers, to bridge what she sees as a generational gap between high school students and seniors.
"I think this is a really good way to bring in intergenerational bonding," Pan said. "There's not very much interaction between the two generations, and throughout my time at the nursing home. I felt like I learned so much from the residents."
Doris Jones, a recreation programmer at Fair Haven, thinks the program is great. She involves the residents whenever possible in tending the garden. Their families often help, as well.
"They really enjoy it, they like getting our in the air, they like feeling the dirt and seeing the colours, it's very therapeutic," she said. "It gives them a sense of belonging and accomplishment."
While tulips and narcissists are now starting to emerge from the soil, Pan hopes her gardening idea will blossom into a more established project. She would like to plant vegetables and herbs in the future, with the help of both students and seniors, and grow enough food to help supply the home.
"I really hope that it generates a community interest in sustainability as well as reconnecting to the past lifestyle and living green in a city setting," she said. "Gardening is a really great way to maintain as sustainable lifestyle in an urban setting."
Gardeners, students (from any school) or community members interested in helping out, whether its donating seeds, soil or volunteer labour, can contact Pan by emailing [email protected].
