Exchanging cultures, cuisine and language in our family home in Duncan, Canada

Details

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  Description

  About the Family
  We are a warm and welcoming family of four, connected to our local community and guided by a holistic lifestyle. The children attend a Waldorf school, and creativity, nature, and mindful living are important parts of our daily life.
  Dad works full-time (widowed), so we’re looking for some extra support to help keep our home and garden running smoothly.
  
  Help Needed
  Most of the help is focused on cleaning and organizing projects inside the house, with some yard and garden work as well. If you’re handy, there are also a few small maintenance projects that would be wonderful to complete.
  
  About the Kids (childcare is not expected, though light support when Dad is home would be appreciated)
  • 12-year-old daughter – quiet, clever, and creative. She enjoys crafts, art, math, and dance.
  • 9-year-old son – gentle, funny, and easygoing. He loves bike riding, remote control cars, building projects, and Lego, and all sports (especially soccer).
  • 6-year-old daughter – full of energy and very caring. She enjoys playing with stuffed animals, beading, puzzles, painting, helping in the kitchen, and riding her bike.
  
  We live close to the Koksilah River.
  
  ⸻

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Art & design

  

  Photography

  

  Events & social

  

  Self development

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Plant care

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Animals

  

  Hiking

  

  Dancing

  

  Camping

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural Exchange
  The family has Irish, Canadian, and Japanese heritage. You will benefit from cultural exchange experiences involving these cultures, cuisine, and language. We also have lots of books on nature, gardening, permaculture, mushrooms, and cooking. There is a lot to explore. You will also learn more about permaculture gardening and can add your creative touch to the evolving landscape of the property.
  
  You will be made to feel part of the family, working together in the garden/household, playing together, and sharing meals. We look forward to spending time with you.
  
  The Area
  A beautiful rural community with lots going on, especially for nature and food lovers, Check out the Cowichan Valley Voice for event listing, or the local tourism info site. Loads of trails nearby for biking, walking, hiking, rivers to swim, lakes to kayak, mushroom hunting, disk golf, farm stands, etc.
  
  The Land
  Small (2/3 acre), quiet, rural property with views of rolling hills, forests, and beautiful sunsets every evening.
  Permaculture approach to land management, including a food forest in the 4th year of development, a flower garden, a Japanese garden, and a small forested area.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for a helper who would enjoy experiencing Canadian culture while becoming part of our family life. The support we need includes a variety of tasks such as household organization, cleaning, gardening, and occasional small DIY or maintenance projects depending on your skills and interests.
  
  Our ideal helper is independent, proactive, and comfortable stepping into the rhythm of family and community life. Good organizational habits and a tidy approach are appreciated, and any experience with gardening, carpentry, or general maintenance is a wonderful bonus.
  
  Main Focus
  • Gardening and outdoor projects
  • Household organization and cleaning
  • Small DIY or maintenance tasks (based on skill level)
  
  Time Commitment
  5 days per week, 4–5 hours per day in exchange for 3 meals a day, wifi, laundry.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Irish: Intermediate
  Amharic: Beginner
  Japanese: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We have a private bedroom in our family home for our helpers to stay in.
  We live rurally in Cowichan Station, on a small acerage, with beautiful views and lovely sunsets.
  It is a 10-15 minute drive from down town Duncan.
  
  We share family dinners all together most days of the week. We would love to share this meal with you. When sharing a meal together is not possible, food ingredients will be provided for you to make your own meal.
  For breakfast, everyone generally fends for themselves. During the summer, we all eat lunch together as a family.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  If travelling with your camper van we have a parking spot on the lower level of the property with well water and a 60 amp ( I think) hook up on a level gravel area.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Hobbs - he is a kitten (3 months)

  He is a cute tabby kitten

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