As a farewell gift on the occasion of my retirement, I asked my colleagues from OU 395/Social Banking Erste Bank for a meaningful day together.  Due to the pandemic, this day only took us to the Sterntalerhof in Loipersdorf in October 2023.  

As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the manager of Sterntalerhof, Mr Jankovits. We were shown around the premises and invited to a lovingly prepared breakfast. In the meantime, the history and how the Sterntalerhof works was explained to us. Sterntalerhof is a place for children suffering from a life-limiting illness and their families. Families who do not know how long they will have a tomorrow together and who will soon have to say goodbye to a loved one. The affected children, parents and also siblings, who may have experienced a lack of attention, are given time here for three weeks to recover, to bring structure into the "other" life, to experience themselves as a family again. 

It is a place of confidence, security and relaxation for all family members. The Sterntalerhof is financed exclusively through private support and donations. Each family makes a contribution in the amount that they can afford. No family is turned away because it is not financially affordable for them. The volunteers who sign up for work at Sterntalerhof have no contact with the families concerned, which means that out of respect for the families, volunteer work is only possible on the weekends between two cycles when no families are present. 

There are currently three separate accommodation units available for 3 families. Fresh meals are cooked for the families on site with lots of love. (We were able to see this for ourselves). Meals are eaten together with the staff in the large but very cosy kitchen with the large dining table. There are also lovingly designed retreats for the children, such as cosy benches and snug corners with blankets. 

On the way to our "workplace", we walk through the garden and into the therapy animals' stables. There are mainly horses, goats, sheep and I also saw a donkey. I have never seen a stable that is so neatly organised and structured. The garden is also a perfectionist's dream. I am told that structure and order are very important for these families. 

Yes - and then we get started. Our group of 8 people is divided into 3 small groups. We take on cleaning work on the terraces of the three flats. We set to work with mops, brooms, water hoses and brushes. We are soon soaking wet ourselves, but the floor, the windows and the outside blinds are sparkling clean. The second group does woodwork. They tirelessly cut, hammer and paint the boards for a new barn. The third group assembles and screws the panels dedicated to the many private donors with great dexterity.  Our hard work is briefly interrupted by a delicious lunch. The cook has conjured up delicious home cooking for us, as well as sweets for dessert. 

Strengthened by this, we all finish our work properly and put all the equipment back in its place. On the way there, I notice the little chapel in the garden. My curiosity quickly gives way to a feeling of humility and dismay. A star has been mounted on the ceiling of this chapel for every child who was at Sterntalerhof and is unfortunately no longer with us, i.e. a star child. I also find flowers, candles and small memorial stones for star children under the trees in the garden. Despite the depressing subject matter that the Sterntalerhof faces here, we are still left with a feeling of confidence, warmth, dignity, joie de vivre, naturalness, loving care and the knowledge that great help is being provided here for affected families.

Author: Isabella Schopf