Mayor Stemerdink Presents a Royal Honor to Volunteer Ineke Nijhuis

On Tuesday, March 1, Mayor Stemerdink presented a Royal Honor to Ineke Nijhuis. Ms. Nijhuis has been volunteering at Huize Bijdorp for over 25 years. Throughout all those years, she has tended the garden there two to three days a week. In the garden, she grows vegetables, fruit, and flowers for the residents of the convent—the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Catherine of Siena.

Volunteer Work

In addition to tending the garden, Nijhuis also mentors other volunteers and interns who need extra attention. Many of her students feel that she has put the vast amount of knowledge and experience she has gained in the field of gardening over the years to good use in a pleasant way when mentoring them. 

Royal Honor

Nijhuis is, in principle, a resident of Leiden but, because her work took place exclusively in Voorschoten, Voorschoten Mayor Stemerdink presented her with this award. The award ceremony took place on familiar ground for Nijhuis, namely in the auditorium of Huize Bijdorp.