Jackie & Michael John

Travel information

We are currently

Description

We believe life is an adventure. We love travelling together, experiencing new environments, cultures and people.
We're farmers at heart, happy when working with animals or growing food. We're equally at home sitting on a tractor or working with people.

We have been been blessed to have lived and worked in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. We find the different farming systems and working with people from different cultures interesting. There is still so much for us to see and so many great people for us to meet. That is why we are on this journey.

I (Jackie) am the extrovert a bit of a livewire. I am a drummer and an avid birdwatcher. I have an insatiable appetite for learning new things. Michael is a bit quieter, a very easy going one on one person who enjoys chess. He has trained dogs and horses.

In 2020 we gave up our jobs to volunteer as a Business Advisor couple, for Volunteer Services Abroad of NZ in Samoa. Not long into the assignment COVID happened. We went back to NZ and worked in the kiwifruit industry, vineyards and dairy. In 2021 we decided to take the step to another goal -working on outback cattle stations in Australia. After two years we had saved enough to embark on our wider travel plans.

Since March 2023 we've travelled from Cape Town to Cairo overland, the middle east and we are currently in the Balkans. We felt Workaways is the perfect way to get to really understand local life and culture. It will also give us a bit of a travel break and give us the opportunity to get stuck into jobs (which we do miss).

We'd like to spend time with you in your environment. You'll find our life experience has given us a wide variety of skills particularly related to farm life, like fencing, water reticulation and anything related to livestock. This includes light general maintenance skills. We are also willing to give nearly anything a go.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
Zulu: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
Communicating with people in their language is a big part of really understanding the culture. I am happy to share my knowledge and learn the basics of new languages

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Babysitting and creative play

General Maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Teaching

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Able to teach about:  

Gardening

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Languages

More details about your skills

Hi, I am Jackie. I have worked in Agriculture most of my life at a corporate and at grass roots levels. I have worked with most types of animals, crops and machinery. I have led projects, project teams and innovated new products. This means I can adapt to most environments and get stuck into to whatever is required.

Hi, I am Michael my life experience includes farming in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland. I have trained dogs and horses and done some general maintenance. I am easy to get along with and enjoy physical work.

Age

57 & 57

What else ...

We love hiking, exploring nature and historical sites.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Jackie -Eating Shellfish

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  Special dietary requirements
  No