Lesson 3 Let’s Live in Harmony
Humanitas is a ____ brick house located in the city of Deventer, the Netherlands.
It is ____ care center that houses more than 160 elderly residents who require assistance.
Along with its supportive environment, Humanitas offers something unusual: ____ neighbors.
At Humanitas, elderly residents share their living space with ____ students.
This unique “intergenerational living” project began ____ 2012, after budget cuts reduced the amount of money care homes in the Netherlands received.
This funding reduction ____ to the loss of many essential elderly care programs, including social, educational, and counseling services.
Humanitas needed to seek an affordable ____ to fill the gap left by the removal of these services.
Since the building had numerous empty rooms available, the director decided to offer local university students free ____ in return for spending time with the elderly residents.
Many students were struggling to ____ the area’s high rents, so the proposal was a true win-win situation.
Now, let’s hear more ____ this intriguing place from two of the residents.
More Than a Free Place to Stay
Hi! My name is Jacob Jansen, and I’ve been living at Humanitas ____ over two years.
____ really enjoyed my time here.
As a live-in student, I’m required to spend at least 30 hours per month with my elderly ____ in exchange for free accommodations.
In reality, however, we spend a lot more time together ____ that.
Sometimes I teach them things, such as how to use social media, and other times I just hang out ____ them.
____ have meals together, play games, and go shopping.
Humanitas doesn’t feel like a care home ____ me.
Instead, I consider it a community that I am a part ____
Every time I come home, I tell my neighbors ____ my day.
When I ____ a problem, they always have useful advice to share.
____ so much experience gathered over a lifetime, they possess knowledge that I have yet to acquire.
They also teach me lots ____ little but important things, often without realizing it.
For example, I’ve learned the value of having ____ casual chat over a cup of coffee from them.
It’s a really great way to take a break from rushing ____ all the time.
I used to ____ sorry for the elderly because I focused only on the things they can’t do.
When I look at them now, however, I see ____ the things they can do.
Obviously, Humanitas ____ me with much more than a free place to stay.
I’ve made ____ meaningful friendships that I’ll never forget here.
I intend to stay at Humanitas for at least one ____ year.
Living here has changed my life ____ ways I never thought possible, and I’m really grateful for this transformative experience.
I have learned so much from my neighbors already, but I’m sure there is ____ a lot more that they can teach me.
A Breath of Fresh Air
My name is Helena Smit, and I am 93 ____ old.
I have been living at Humanitas for the ____ 15 years, so I remember when we were first informed that we would have young people as neighbors.
Believe me, ____ everyone was happy about it!
But ____ quickly changed once they moved in.
The students here are energetic, friendly, ____ caring.
They make us laugh and create a ____ mood.
Humanitas was already a decent place to live before the students arrived, but it has become a lot more fun ____ they moved in.
Recently, the ____ held a pajama party and invited us to join them.
They taught us how to play some new games, and we all had ____ great time.
It was like we ____ in our 20s again.
I sometimes hear loud music from my young next-door neighbor’s apartment, but that ____ okay.
It’s a ____ matter compared to what they’ve brought to our lives.
I’m grateful ____ day that they have become part of our community.
Speaking of my young neighbor, she has been here for more than two ____ now.
Last year, she went through a difficult time of grief ____ she lost her father, so I did what came naturally.
I stayed with her, held her hands when ____ cried, and listened to what she said.
She later told me that ____ was a great comfort during that difficult time, which made me feel very good.
It always feels nice to be reminded that I’m still ____ of doing things for others.
I am ____ 100 years old, and I have bad knees.
I understand that my knees ____ going to get any better.
There is nothing ____ the doctors can do about the pain.
But having young, vibrant people ____ helps me forget about the pain and enjoy my life!
There are currently six students living at Humanitas, with ____ long waiting list of others hoping to be offered a spot.
Humanitas is a ____ example of how people of different ages can help each other and share their lives with one another.
The older ____ gain a more youthful perspective on life, while the younger residents receive valuable life lessons.
More and more care homes around Europe are now trying intergenerational ____ bringing the young and old together in harmony.