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Help our family with DIY projects at our lakeside eco house near Lohja, Finland

Finland
Last activity : 10 Apr 2025

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Apr 2025
Reply rate
81.3 %
Usually responds within 15 days
Feedback
2
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Email verified
Host offers payment

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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

Description
Welcome to our home!

{{Edit: please be in touch again when the spring starts.}}

We are Riina, Ethan, and our two little ones—an energetic 4-year-old and a sweet toddler—making up a Finnish-American family living our dream next to the beautiful Lohja Lake. Our unique eco-house is nestled by our private lakeshore, complete with a sauna, dock, boats, a greenhouse, and a garden. A trail from our yard goes to a beautiful forest penninusla, and on the other side are rolling fields of wildlife and sunsets. The local grocery store is only a 15 minute walk away.

As a family, we’re passionate about sustainable living and work for an environmental NGO. We love this village and its community and we’re excited to share it with like-minded individuals. We speak fluent English, and we love creating a warm, welcoming space filled with good food and laughter.

If you’re someone who enjoys being part of a close-knit community, loves the outdoors, likes kids, is interested in work and problem solving, we’d love to welcome you into our home. You’ll stay in your own large studio room with a postcard view to the lake. The room is large enough to accommodate single, a couple or a small family.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
LGBTQ
Farming
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Gardening
Yoga / Wellness
Beach
Team sports
Nature
Fitness
Camping
Winter sports
Sailing / Boating
Dancing
Outdoor activities
Water sports
Hiking
Cycling
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
At our place, you can get familiar with the local nature by exploring the area by foot, canoe or sailing boat. We have a vivid country side community around us with plenty of opportunities of gatherings and small cultural events.
Au Pair Help
Further details can be found here
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We’re looking for volunteers to help us build small structures, work on our garden and yard, and take on various house tasks.

Once in a while, we could also use an extra hand in the kitchen or with our kids.

When you write to us, please share what kind of tasks you enjoy (of gardening, small building and house chores). Please also let us know how do you like to be with kids.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Finnish: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
We are native in English and Finnish
Accommodation
You’ll stay in your own large studio room with a postcard view to the lake. The room comes with it's own entrance, double bed and mini kitchen. It is large enough to accommodate one person, a couple or even small family.
What else ...
Our place is located half way between Helsinki and Turku. There are several direct busses to the village from Helsinki every day. We live 1km away from the closest bus stop.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
It's possible to work from your own studio apartment.
Space for parking camper vans
There is electricity and water house in the yard.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two

Host ref number: 264611381957

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Feedback (2)

12 Jan 2025

Left by Workawayer (Vera) for host

Wow Thank you so much for having me.
I had an amazing time with Riina, Ethan and the two Kids. Thank you so much for an amazing and warm welcome.

I came into their home and it was just fully filled with love and gratitude.
I spent two Wonderfull weeks with them during November. There were some small outdoor projects I helped with and I also… read more

(Excellent )

26 Sep 2024

Left by Workawayer (Veronika) for host

This Workaway experience was my first, and it turned out to be the best anyone could wish for! :)
I stayed for three weeks and it became the highlight of my entire year.

The family made me feel safe even before my trip to Finland, and once I arrived, I instantly became part of the family. I had the chance to meet the grandparents and other… read more friends from the village, and everyone welcomed me with open arms.
I truly enjoyed spending time with the kids, and I miss them very much. Babysitting was a wonderful experience, and since everyone spoke English, communication was easy and effortless. The daily routine is very much centered around the children, so it's important to love being around people, especially kids.
The work around the house wasn't too hard, and I loved that each morning we made a plan of what needed to be done. I could then arrange my own work schedule and take breaks in between, which was great.
The food was amazing, and I even learned quite a few useful recipes. I also loved getting to know Finnish culture, traditions, and their language.

Riina, you are such a creative and warm person. You were always so kind to me, and I truly cherished our conversations about life. I adored our walk in the national park, the fun we had during the party, trying my first sushi, cooking and baking with you and making a treasure hunt for the kids. I learned so much from you, and I will forever be thankful that I had the chance to meet you.

Ethan, I loved your technical explanations of how things work and our discussions about Finnish culture. The memories of listening to Finnish and Slovenian music on your speakers will stay with me for a long time. You taught me so many new things, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

You both have two wonderful children, and I was often amazed by how you managed to make everything work so well, even with the challenges of raising little ones. Despite it all, you were always kind, patient, and full of warmth.

Saila is such a bright child with endless energy and an incredible talent for music. I absolutely loved spending time with her, especially when we would decide each morning what kind of princesses we would be for the day. I was also delighted to learn new Finnish words from her, she really is the best teacher.

Elias is such a cute and interactive baby! Watching him discover the world around him was a joy, and his giggles always made me laugh.

I appreciated everything I got to experience – from a birthday party and a movie festival to long walks in the forest, relaxing saunas, canoeing, and even a few days in Helsinki!
During my stay, I wasn’t feeling well for a couple of days, and the family was so kind, allowing me to rest and showing genuine concern for my recovery, which I deeply appreciated.
The only thing I was initially worried about was the composting toilet, but it turned out to be much like a regular one, so my concerns were completely unnecessary.
I was also thankful for having my own room with a kitchen and my own shower. I could also always grab something to eat whenever I felt hungry, which was very convenient.

To my dear Finnish family – I will cherish the time we spent together forever. Thank you so much for everything. I miss you more and more each day and can’t wait to see you again – whether you visit my country or I return to see you. :)

(Excellent )

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