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Host rating
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Last replied
2 Jul 2024
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Description
My wife and I are 'teachers' (and learners) at heart and also by training as well as amateur curious artists). We are ‘the’ traditional Russian/American family living in Sweden :-) Maria has a PHD in Biology, a medical degree in pediatrics and also teaches middle school science. I'm (Wally) a Special Education teacher with a dual focus on gifted and social/emotional needs. I've taught in Portland,Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona and for the past 12 years, in various regions of the world (China, Egypt, Germany).
We met in the typical way, playing Ultimate Frisbee on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. We have three children, Ezra is now 9 years old, our daughter, Yuki, is 6 years and Kano, is 4. We don't have any pets yet, but we are considering getting some friendly fish :-)
We are looking to find creative individuals that have an open, caring... and fun attitude. Workaways should be good with children. Friendly, playful and of course patient. The kids are lovely and full of energy...
We are looking for and enjoy those who can adapt and adjust to the environment. Those that can take initiative and have good judgment. Is that a lot to ask?
We need help with cleaning and cooking ;-) Preparing meals together with family, possibly ohter workawayers and of course, kids too…. that is lots of fun!
We need help with keeping the garden and yard in good shape: We have about 3000sqm, with 8 apple trees and 5 cherry trees.
We hope to build a 5 meter wide geodesic dome this summer! We built and painted the parts last summer and now we just need to put them together :-)
Wally and I like creative project and our place has much potential for creating interactive art! Installations that not only can be looked at, but used and Played with! Like building structures to climb and enjoy! Ideas for outdoor art and mosaics are welcomed.
Location: We live in central Vimmerby. This is a very famous and lovely area in the region of Småland. Many lakes, natural preserves , forests and national parks are close by. Just a 10 minute bike ride to closest lake! About 45 minute drive to the coastal town of Västervik.
Our property is central Vimmerby but we have plenty of green space. We are just 500 meters to central square, where the 'Old town' is located with cafes, shops and cobblestone streets. Our property was said to an old farming collective.
It's sits just across from the train station :-)
The author of Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren, spent much of her life in Vimmerby and there is an Amazing theater park called "Astrid Lindgren's world.
Workaways have an RV on green space next to garden.
We prefer to have a workawyer stay 3 weeks or more, but we are flexible.
Communication:
Maria speaks many languages: English, Russian, French, Swedish, Norwegian, ... and some German.... but I, sadly, Wally only speaks English, though, he can do it with various accents :-). The kids are fluent in Swedish, English and Russian.
We are open-minded, patient and genuine. We like to be social and have meals together...
Hope you have a chance to respond...and we're looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Kindest regards,
Maria and WallyTypes of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have the opportunity to experience Swedish life in a small and historic town. Natural beauty is all around, with lakes, forests and parks all very close by. It is very picturesque.
There are so many natural areas close by for hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, fishing ... Many are within walking and biking distance... We can offer bikes to use while you stay with us!
Vimmerby is centrally located, 3 hours to Stockholm, 45 minutes to the Baltic Sea, and 3 hours to Gothenburg... and also Gotland!
And our kids speak three languages: Russian, Swedish and English... Maria also knows French and German!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
Maria and I are looking for helpers that can positively contribute to our family environment. We appreciate creativity! We are quite laid back. We are flexible with the hours we work and the same would be for you.
We are looking to find an individual that is good with children.
Friendly, playful and of course, patient. We need help with cleaning and cooking ;-)
Preparing meals together with kids too…. that is lots of fun!
We look and enjoy those who can adapt and adjust to the environment.
Those that can take initiative and have good judgment.
Is that a lot to ask?Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Russian: Fluent
Swedish: FluentAccommodation
We can offer an RV in our yard... green space next to garden.
What else ...
In your free time, you can explore many beach areas, natural preserves and several national parks for outdoor activities. Fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, boating, ....
The train, bus and train station are just across from our property. So traveling anywhere in the region or into Scandinavia is simple.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a wi-fi connection...
Space for parking camper vans
We have space to park a campervan...
Can possibly accept pets
Yes, friendly pets :-)
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (18)
I was so happy to stay with this family for several weeks, they are warm people with amazing kids. It was always a pleasure to talk with everyone and help with the painting, the plays, the chores,.... In good spirit. They really stimulated my creative nature, which I appreciate, I felt very much at home and at… read more
My main tasks were take the kids to school/ activities and clean up the house. Beside that i had enough time to explore this beautiful city and do some activities… read more
That doesn’t change the fact that I still smile when I think about the funny and lovely time I got to spend with the kids. We had so much fun and they really grown on me.
I would definitely recommend this… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
I was so happy to stay with this family for several weeks, they are warm people with amazing kids. It was always a pleasure to talk with everyone and help with the painting, the plays, the chores,.... In good spirit. They really stimulated my creative nature, which I appreciate, I felt very much at home and at… read more
My main tasks were take the kids to school/ activities and clean up the house. Beside that i had enough time to explore this beautiful city and do some activities… read more
That doesn’t change the fact that I still smile when I think about the funny and lovely time I got to spend with the kids. We had so much fun and they really grown on me.
I would definitely recommend this… read more
I stayed in two places: the first one was a big… read more
I stayed at their Purple House of Stockaryd for more than a month, I also visited their property in Vimmerby for a few days - all their projects are full of creativity and pure joy.
It was a great pleasure to meet such a… read more
A very interesting personality of Martin is combined with a great working discipline and inquisitive approach to life… read more
Lucea & Mauro are so lovely! They came with such an amazing and warm attitude... They both have an excellent sense of humour! SO nice to have them be with our family. Our children adored their quirky and fun playfulness. They are super cool and responsible... So easy to work with and always willing to give any project their full… read more
On New Year’s Eve Maria, Wally, Ezra, Yuki and Kano received us with open arms in the purple house full of… read more
Not mentioning we learned all sorts of coffe making secrets from her .
Thank you Nell - wait for you to come back
I did many different tasks, sanding, painting, cleaning, playing with the kids. I lived mainly with the family in their apartment, Masha and Wally included me in all their activities, which made me feel home… read more
We stayed at Maria and Wallys place for about 3 weeks. It's an amazing family, really openminded and welcoming. They are really flexible and fair about the hours of work and even the tasks.
Vimmerby is a nice, cute city with amazing lakes right next to it. Many things (shops, train/bus station etc.) are close to their… read more
You were grate with kids and your green ķål potatoes will stay in our favorits list.
Visit came to be around X mas so we did more fun staff then work. Our set was that renovation project was in Smoland and family was in Skkne. So autonomal work was not too productive and due to winter electricity bill was… read more