Join our French-Filipino family in Camiguin, Philippines

Details

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  Description

  We are a French–Filipino family with three young children. Dad is French and works online, while Mum is Filipino (from Camiguin!) and stays at home with the children. Our two older children, aged 3 and 4, already speak French and English fluently. They are very communicative, curious and affectionate, and love books, imaginative play, animals, building things and being outdoors. Our youngest is still very small.
  
  We also have two lovely local nannies who are part of our everyday family life. They help with cooking, light household tasks and looking after our youngest child, which means our older children's mornings can be focused on books, play, activities, conversation and exploring.
  
  We are a close, calm family and are very present with our children. We enjoy sharing meals, spending time outdoors, discovering things together and simply enjoying family life. We are Christians, although we are not particularly religious, and our faith is simply part of our family and the values we try to live by.
  
  We'd love someone staying with us to feel comfortable becoming part of this environment while also having plenty of independence and their own private space.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Teaching

  Babysitting and creative play
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural Exchange
  
  Our home life is a mix of French, Filipino and island life. We mostly speak English and French at home, with some Bisaya, but Mum's Filipino family and local connections offer plenty of opportunities to experience everyday life on Camiguin.
  
  If you're interested, we'd be happy to introduce you to family, friends and people from the local community, including farmers, fishermen and boat captains. You might visit the market, see farming in the hills, visit family, buy fresh fish directly from fishermen, or explore local villages and the less-touristy parts of the island.
  
  Food is an important part of the exchange too. We can show you local ingredients and Filipino cooking, and we'd love you to share food from your own country with us.
  
  Bisaya is spoken around you every day, and we can provide learning materials if you'd like to study it more formally. We can also share our knowledge of local diving, freediving, marine life and the best ways to explore the island safely.
  
  We're a French-Filipino family raising three multilingual children, so we're happy to share our experiences of life between France and the Philippines, raising children across cultures, language and education. At the same time, we're genuinely interested in your language, culture, food, books, music, work, hobbies and experiences.

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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'd love to welcome someone who enjoys spending time with young children and would be happy to share their language, interests and ideas with our two older children (3 and 4 years old).
  
  Our mornings have a relaxed rhythm and might include reading books and storytelling, outdoor play in the garden, football, volleyball, boules, swings, exploring with the animals, or quieter activities such as magnatiles, puzzles, puppet shows, drawing, origami, building and board games.
  
  We'd especially love someone who can bring their own ideas and interests to these activities. If you enjoy music, art, crafts, science, cooking, sports, nature, storytelling or simply discovering things with children, we'd be very happy for you to share that with them.
  
  Language is an important part of our family life. Our children already speak French and English fluently, and we'd love them to have plenty of natural conversation and interaction with another fluent English or French speaker.
  
  We are very present parents and already have local help at home, so the role is mainly about spending meaningful, engaging time with the two older children rather than household chores. Our youngest child is cared for separately.
  
  A typical morning would be around 4–5 hours, with breakfast, reading, outdoor activities and a creative or hands-on activity. Afternoons and evenings are generally free for you to explore Camiguin, relax or do your own thing.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Cebuano: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Bisaya (Cebuano) is one of the Philippines' major languages and the everyday language on Camiguin. If you'd like to learn it, you'll have plenty of opportunities to practise naturally with Mum, our staff and people around the island. Mum is a native speaker, while Dad learned Bisaya as an adult after moving to the Philippines, so he can also share what helped him learn. We can provide printed exercises and other materials for more structured learning, recommend Bisaya films, music and other resources, and help arrange formal lessons locally if you'd like. You can also practise everyday Bisaya through shopping, eating, meeting people and simply listening to conversations around you. There are also plenty of opportunities to practise English and French with our family. Dad is French, Mum is Filipino, and our children speak both languages fluently. We'd also enjoy learning from you and discovering your own language and culture.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation
  
  You will have your own private, air-conditioned studio underneath our home, with ocean views and Starlink Wi-Fi. It has a coffee machine, fridge, cooker and microwave, as well as your own private space to relax.
  
  We provide clean bedding, towels and everything you need for your stay. The studio is separate from our main living area, giving you privacy and independence while still being close to the family.
  
  We are in a quiet part of Naasag, about a 2-minute walk from a small sari-sari store, 10 minutes walk from Balihao restaurant and resort, 5 minutes by motorbike from Yumbing and the beach, and 15 minutes motorbike from Mambajao. An e-bike is available for you to use and explore the island.
  
  We eat at home most days and you're welcome to join us for meals. Food is included as part of the exchange, but there is no obligation to eat with us every time. If you'd rather eat out, cook something yourself or spend the evening independently, that's completely fine.

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  What else ...

  There is plenty to do around Camiguin in your free time. Most visitors rent a scooter and explore the island at their own pace, visiting waterfalls, natural springs, beaches and viewpoints. White Island and Mantigue Island are popular for swimming and snorkelling, while the island's reefs offer good diving and freediving. You can also hike around the volcanic mountains, visit the Sunken Cemetery and Old Church Ruins, explore local markets and villages, or try the restaurants and cafés around the island. Camiguin is small enough to explore easily, while still having plenty of quieter places away from the main tourist areas.
  
  You'll have plenty of independence. Mornings are generally spent with the children, while afternoons and evenings are your own, unless you'd like to join an occasional family outing.
  
  A few simple things are important to us:
  
  Please keep your studio clean and tidy.
  
  Friends are welcome to visit during the day, but we don't allow overnight guests.
  
  Alcohol is fine in moderation, but not around the children.
  
  No smoking on the property; vaping is fine.
  
  Recreational drugs are not permitted.
  
  We have a screen-free approach with our children, and ask that this is respected when you're with them.
  
  You're welcome to use the e-bike around the island; helmets are provided.
  
  You're welcome to enjoy fruit from our garden.
  
  Camiguin is a naturally quiet island and most places wind down early, but you are free to enjoy your evenings as you wish.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  20 to 100 mbps (down) on Starlink . Studio is generally quiet and an excellent space for working online, but expect to hear occasional toys being dropped & furniture moved with the kids / livingroom area being upstairs .

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  2 Goats (milk goat and a buck)

  Layers & meat birds (in a chicken pen)

  Four cats

  Itoy & Marie

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