Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
6 Mar 2025
Reply rate
80.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
15
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are an active, multicultural (Australian-German) family of five with three spirited boys between 7 and 12 years of age. Together we live in a former bar and guest house with lots of atmosphere and space for family and friends. The former dancehall, when not a giant play space for kids, is used for cultural events, bringing some diversity and culture to the old east German countryside. The fireplace and sauna help to survive the grey and cold winter days.
We have chickens, herb and vegetable gardens, a bonfire circle, a greenhouse, and a small natural pond which invites a refreshing splash or wake-up dip on the sunny days.
We try to live as organically as possible, sustainability deep in our hearts. The house and garden transform throughout the year with the seasons, as does the experience of them.
Any creative minds interested in doing a small art project or installation (maybe involving the kids) are very welcome. We would LOVE that!
On some days the work involves helping to keep the household going (cooking and cleaning!). Also, we are looking at new ways to help around supporting our kids as Kate returns to practising as a psychologist - maybe you are interested in aupairing or nannying with us?
The kids enjoy learning trying to learn languages, currently trending are french, italian and spanish. Leo would love to learn Mandarin.
Of course, we are always happy to help you with your german language learning, if you would like that.
We have an old grand piano, a drum kit, electric and acoustic guitar, some ukuleles and love to hear music and singing in the house.
We have gradually become seasoned Workaway hosts with many wonderful experiences through the platform and are looking forward to many more :).
We especially welcome couples!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in the old east German countryside provides a unique perspective of Germany. In our household we have Australian and Italian roots and we love the ongoing multicultural exchange our Workaway guests bring.
We regularly, especially over the summer, have visitors from around the globe, who bring colour to the dinner table.
You will be welcomed in a social circle which is very open and interested.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Its a big old house with an even bigger garden, so a pair of extra hands is very welcome to plant, harvest, cut, clean, repair, tidy, build, paint, cook, play, dig, and design. There is always lots to be done!
The three kids are very sociable and happy about an extra portion of attention: kicking the ball through the garden, baking cakes, reading books, etc. Playing music and learning languages! We are open to someone who would like to do more kid-caring, but this is not necessary.
Projects in the pipeline:
- art installation on house walls and in garden
- finishing the little wagon for summer guest accommodation
- converting a Trabant (old east german car) from petrol to electric drive
- building a fully self sufficient straw bale house, which turns with the sun
- organising community film nights
- reviving the dance hall for concerts and events
- leaving consumerism behind us
- reducing our waste and consumerism
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
The kids enjoy learning trying to learn languages, currently trending are french, italian, and spanish. Julien recently said he would love to learn Ukrainian. Leo would love to learn Mandarin. Of course, we are always happy to help you with your german language learning, if you would like that.
Accommodation
There are four guest rooms with shared and separate bathrooms. The kitchen and loungeroom are common spaces. We are also in the process (help welcome!) of converting a former bee wagon into a quiet space at the end of the garden, which provides a separate and children-free zone in the warmer months.
What else ...
We live in the lovely Brandenburg countryside - a good place to enjoy open spaces and fresh air.
Our tiny village is peaceful and friendly, surrounded by fields and forests (deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, moles, hawks, cranes, wild geese, maybe even a wolf!) with a sweet swimming lake nearby. No shops. We offer guest bikes.
The magnificent Berlin is easily accessible by train (1 hour from the Berlin Main Station) and we can offer people a lift to and from the local train station (Briesen Mark, 15 minutes away). There is a local bus, though not so frequent.
We have an addition to our family, a little poodle called Honey.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have very good internet!
Space for parking camper vans
Also possible!
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (10)
They're such a wonderful and welcoming family, I immediately felt at home once I got there. During November the tasks were mainly indoors: cleaning, cooking, setting the table and spending time with the kids, in addition to some gardening and construction… read more
Photos
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)
They're such a wonderful and welcoming family, I immediately felt at home once I got there. During November the tasks were mainly indoors: cleaning, cooking, setting the table and spending time with the kids, in addition to some gardening and construction… read more
Everything worked super well, the communication… read more
Their house is huge, and the room given to workawayers is really comfortable and spacious. Kate/Thomas are good at handing out tasks, while always respecting the hours.
As we were there in winter, and there was a lot of snow, most of the work was inside and/or with… read more
I stayed a little bit over than a month. The village Döberin, Zechsdorf is really a nice place. If you are looking for nature and a calm place, this is one of them, in summer you can enjoy swimming in the lakes activity we did with the family very often. You also have many woods nearby if you like trekking… read more
Thx Chris!!!
