Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Apr 2026
Reply rate
78.1 %
Usually responds within 16 days
Feedback
5
ID verified
Email verified
Country info
Badges (4)
Details
Description
We are a creative Dutch–South African family living on a former farm in the countryside of the Netherlands.
Our home is a place where nature, creativity, and community come together. Over the years we have planted fruit trees, created a wildflower garden, built a ceramics studio, and are currently developing a large natural wildlife pond and sculpture garden.
What we enjoy most about hosting is meeting people from different cultures and walks of life. Some of our former Workawayers have become lifelong friends, and many stay in touch long after leaving. We love hearing different perspectives, sharing meals and stories, and introducing visitors to daily life in rural Holland.
Life here is very different from the big cities. We enjoy spending time outdoors, working on creative projects, visiting local villages and markets, and sharing the slower rhythm of life in this part of the country.
As a ceramic artist and teacher, I also enjoy sharing my knowledge of pottery. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time in the studio, learn new techniques, and experience a working ceramics environment.
In return, visitors help us with practical projects around the property. Tasks vary depending on the season and may include gardening, planting, spreading wood chips, helping around the pond project, light maintenance help, and keeping shared spaces tidy.
The exchange is about more than work. It is about sharing knowledge, experiences, skills, cultures, meals, and everyday life.
What we offer:
• Private accommodation in our guest cottage
• Meals and shared dinners
• Pottery and ceramics opportunities
• A chance to experience Dutch countryside life
• Nature, creativity, and a peaceful environment
• Opportunities to meet local people and take part in community activities
We welcome people who are reliable, curious, respectful, and interested in genuine cultural exchange. We value open communication and mutual respect and enjoy hosting people who want to contribute while also becoming part of daily life here.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
Carpentry
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Farming
Charity work
Culture
Music
Performing arts
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Water sports
Sailing / Boating
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Dancing
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We believe that cultural exchange happens through everyday life rather than organised activities.
By staying with us, you will experience life in the Dutch countryside and become part of a Dutch–South African family. We share meals, stories, traditions, and conversations, and many of our visitors tell us that these informal moments become some of their favourite memories.
You will have the opportunity to learn about:
• Pottery and ceramics, including wheel throwing, handbuilding, decorating, glazing, and kiln firing
• Creating and maintaining wildlife-friendly gardens and natural spaces
• Sustainable living and small-scale food growing
• Dutch culture, traditions, and daily life in a rural community
• Life as a working artist and running a creative business
• Practical DIY and outdoor project skills
We also enjoy learning from our visitors. Every person brings their own experiences, culture, skills, ideas, and perspective, and that exchange is one of the main reasons we host.
Over the years, we have hosted people from many different countries, and many have stayed in touch long after their visit. We hope that visitors leave not only with new skills, but also with friendships, confidence, and a deeper understanding of a different way of life.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The projects here change throughout the year, depending on the season and what we are working on at the time.
At the moment we are creating a large natural wildlife pond, expanding our sculpture garden, planting for biodiversity, and continuing to develop the land around our home and ceramics studio.
Visitors who stay with us become part of these ongoing projects. The work is varied and practical and can include:
• Gardening, planting and weeding
• Spreading wood chips and maintaining pathways
• Helping with pond and landscape projects
• Moving materials such as stones, soil or wood
• Painting sheds, fences, and other outdoor structures
• General outdoor maintenance and small building projects
• Helping to keep shared spaces tidy
No special experience is needed. A willingness to learn, contribute and help outdoors is far more important.
We particularly enjoy hosting people who are comfortable working independently once they understand a task. We are happy to explain and demonstrate what needs to be done, but our home and projects are best suited to people who can take initiative, think for themselves, and enjoy seeing a project through to completion.
As part of the exchange, visitors are welcome to spend time in the ceramics studio. Depending on the workshop schedule, there are opportunities to learn pottery techniques, create your own pieces, and experience life inside a working ceramics studio. We are always happy to share our knowledge, and we often learn new things from our visitors too.
We usually help around 25 hours per week, leaving plenty of time to explore the area, relax, work on your own creative projects, or simply enjoy the countryside.
What matters most to us is not how much experience you have, but that you are reliable, respectful, and interested in being part of daily life here. We value cultural exchange, shared meals, good conversations, and learning from people with different backgrounds and perspectives.
This is not a hotel or retreat. When you stay with us, you become part of our home, our projects, and our daily rhythm. The best exchanges happen when both host and visitor contribute with openness, curiosity, initiative, and mutual respect.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Afrikaans: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We offer a private cottage with a private room, your own toilet & shower & private living room & kitchen. You can join the family meals. Help prep meals or cook for yourself in your own kitchen. We will provide all food that is needed for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: We expect you to keep it clean and neat. Leave the cottage as you received it.
What else ...
We can provide a bicycle for transport. Closest train station is Ruurlo. Closest Bus station is in Borculo. You can visit various estates, farms, artists, wine farms, canoeing, swimming and many other activities here in the Achterhoek.
No smoking in the house. (Outside only).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fast internet. Cell phone reception is not that good.
Space for parking camper vans
More then enough space
Can possibly accept pets
We have a dog.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chickens
Minja
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
We helped out with many tasks, including clay studio cleaning and preparation, gardening, planting and leaf clearing, and helped Fulco insulate and plasterboard a new office space.
The clay cottage is exactly as described. We enjoyed the separate space with… read more
The living spaces were incredibly clean, cozy, and warm. Both the… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We helped out with many tasks, including clay studio cleaning and preparation, gardening, planting and leaf clearing, and helped Fulco insulate and plasterboard a new office space.
The clay cottage is exactly as described. We enjoyed the separate space with… read more
The living spaces were incredibly clean, cozy, and warm. Both the… read more
She completely task quickly and efficiently. She had her own… read more
