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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Oct 2024
Reply rate
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Description
We are Jan and Marian. Dutch from origine, both over 60 years old, living in New Zealand since 2007. We are living in a traditional New Zealand homestead in the middle of our community, of nearly 2600m2. The property has a flower garden and vegetable patch, a large workshop and animals to take care for. Our dream came through, to prepare this place for visitors with mild Dementia, based on Dutch models of care.
This is a community-based day-care facility aiming to bring pride, joy and respect to people in their early stages of Dementia by inspiring and supporting them to use their skills in a homely, social environment.
We need your help maintaining the garden around the house and preparing arty - stuff in the workshop. We try to use recycled materials when possible. Also, if you have great experience in making promotional videos, you could help us out?
We have a lovely Huntaway dog, Bella and a great bunch of chooks , some rabbits and are looking into adopting other animals.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are Dutch:) in New Zealand. The ‘model of care’ is based on the Dutch model of social approach for people with Dementia. The day visitors coming here, all have some sort of memory loss, are mobil. love to work in the kitchen, garden, workshop etc using their long learned skills, doing ordinary things and enjoy company. "You do not see the difference between the visitors and workers" and we hope to guide you along the way of 'de-stigmatising dementia', if you not already are aware of this. We are fully imbedded in the New Zealand culture / community. You might meet interesting people of all kinds. We are nurses as well as artists in: Pallet/ wood art, painting, funky ideas. You can upgrade your garden and DIY skills, or show us yours.
You might be able to help us with PR material. Or making good pictures/ video's.
We are also grandparents of 6 ‘far away’. You might be open to see how we handle this to have good contact with our family oversees.
The base of all we are and do is our christian faith.
As you can read; certainly no dull moment here.
Help
Knowledge of gardening, or willing to learn, help with caring for the animals and DIY . We are open for ideas but we also need listeners. We are looking for experienced people in making promotional videos, who have skills to understand our passion behind our project. We work with people with memory loss, they will not be your responsibility, however you might learn a lot of people skills/ gain insight in watching us and our volunteers.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Open to learn more about the guest’s language / Culture
Accommodation
We have one small bedroom in the house and a concrete slab where a camper/ van can be parked. We do share the bathroom
We will supply your meals and you can use our washing machine. Wifi available, beach nearby and nice walking tracks as well
We are pretty regular with meal times and coffee / tea breaks and we enjoy them together. On the days we are having day-visitors we are all having cooked lunches together. This might be a cultural experience for you:)
We are open to have you around, yet by living in with us, we also need time on our own in the evenings. That's also why we prefer you to stay for two weeks , so we can have a break of a week in-between for ourselves.
You'll find out , it is a very busy life style here and we need that to breath, to stay mentally healthy.
What else ...
Good public transport to Wellington or upper North Island, the station is nearby. Good bicycle paths, great hiking tracks, 2 km from lovely beach, good for surfing nearby and Kapiti Island view. Lots of artists around. Bike available.
Shopping mall at walking distance.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wifi is available
Space for parking camper vans
We have a concrete slab near the house where a van can be parked
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (18)
The couple has thought of everything, which might be a bit overwhelming at first :). However, I felt part of the family in no time, thanks to the heartwarming learning… read more
They have accepted me as a member of the family and interact with me with lots of smiles:))
My English is not good, but Jan, Marian, the volunteers and the visitors were all really kind and talked to me and taught me a lot.
I have so many wonderful memories of taking care of the chickens and rabbits with… read more
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.8)
The couple has thought of everything, which might be a bit overwhelming at first :). However, I felt part of the family in no time, thanks to the heartwarming learning… read more
They have accepted me as a member of the family and interact with me with lots of smiles:))
My English is not good, but Jan, Marian, the volunteers and the visitors were all really kind and talked to me and taught me a lot.
I have so many wonderful memories of taking care of the chickens and rabbits with… read more
NB: Agnese is a jewel among the… read more
My tasks were mostly in the garden, which was a pleasure for me and I had a lot of fun, I… read more
Marja is not only a colleague nurse but also Dutch, meaning: no nonsense. Speaking the same language and getting the feedback from an experienced nurse was great. Marja became our dear friend and we miss her right hands, her insight in… read more
Thank you for the wonderful time ! You both make so many people happy, including me.
Besides helping in and around the house I had the chance, as a nurse with a background in elderly care, to be a part of the team that works a community-based day-care facility for people in their early stages of Dementia.
It was such a joy to… read more
but I think what I enjoy the most was to built some cage rat or house for bird !
I hope the place is a success and give Bella lots of pats for me.😊
Thanks for the nice two weeks. I felt at home. You are very dear people. I enjoyed working with you for two weeks. great project Opening Home 4 All with the lovely people who come to you is a great wonderful project. I thank you for the nice time.
I learnt a lot about Kiwi culture and met a lot of interesting people through the both. On my bike rides and hikes, with good advice from the locals, I discovered the Kapiti Coast and its sights.
At the place I had different tasks according to… read more
