Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on Wednesday afternoon opened an unique and special care centre, Rumah Kita, for elderly people from the former Dutch East Indies, present day Indonesia, and the Moluccan archipel. These people emigrated to Holland after Indonesia won independence, after a fierce and bloody battle with the Dutch.
Rumah Kita, which translates as "Our Home", has room for some 160 people, who might have different needs in care. The atmosphere is Indonesian, or as the Dutch say, 'Indian' - as the Dutch colony was known here as "Nederlands-Indië". Not to be confused of course with (British) India.
Fifty years earlier Queen Juliana opened Rumah Kita's forerunner, Dennenrust, for the elderly who came to Holland in the fifties. Queen Beatrix - Juliana's daughter - took time after the opening ceremony to talk with the residents.
© RB; Sources: RVD, GPD, ANP; Photos by © Royal Press Europe, Albert van der Werf
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