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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
8 Apr 2025
Feedback
11
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Details
Description
*️️️️️️️️️️️️**Female applicants only please***
I'm a single mother living with my two teenagers in a rural suburban neighborhood on southern Vancouver Island in an area called the Cowichan Valley, home of the Cowichan Tribes and Malahat Nation. This, is NOT the city of Vancouver. A ferry from the mainland or a direct flight into Victoria is the best way to get here. It takes about half a day to get from Vancouver city to us in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. We live in a suburban development in a rural setting. Shawnigan Lake is 45 minutes north from Victoria. It is somewhat isolated with limited transportation to the nearest cities of Duncan and Victoria. Local and Greyhound buses are accessible.
House- and yard-work would be expected, as well as assistance with meal preparation. Various projects depending on Gaileens ability to set up and support like interior painting, gardening and landscaping, maybe webwork.
We eat well and enjoy our downtime. Breakfast and lunch consists of cereal, yogurt, eggs, bread, peanut butter, jams, butter, fresh fruit, canned tuna, fresh lunch meats and cheese. Dinner is casual, some meats, lots of salads and veg, and often serve yourself. We can accommodate allergies and special diets.
You have a lovely room, wireless capacity, your own TV with Netflix and bathroom. You are welcome to use our house phone for local calls and to receive calls and use the instruments like guitar, drums, keyboard and uke. Bring earplugs and a sleep mask! It can feel somewhat isolated where we are so you might want to have a project like learning something online, practicing handicrafts or instruments, or binge-ing on a Netflix series.
We have a local bus that goes into the closest city, Duncan, and have bikes as well to get around to the local store and small village with coffeeshop, restaurant, museum and drugstore.
Plan a weekend in Victoria
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I was a volunteer in the mid-90's and it was a beautiful reciprocal situation with local families needing help, and me, a traveler getting to experience the local way of life. You would receive a similar benefit.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Yardwork (watering, mowing, composting, deconstruction, building, painting, weeding, firewood, gardening) and housework (dusting, vacuuming, cleaning, meal preparation). Animal care, fruit picking, preserving. Painting, sanding, decking repair.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
The kids were in french immersion until grade 7. The oldest is an intermediate speaker and would like to go to France one day. The youngest is curious about Spanish and Gaileen would like to learn Spanish.
Accommodation
You have your own room with a semi-private outdoor patio. Lots of natural light. Private bathroom with toilet and sink. Access to bath and shower in the main bathroom. Queen-sized, super-comfy bed. Electric fireplace. TV with Netflix. Chest of drawers and bookshelf. Table and chair.
What else ...
During your time off, there are trails in our greenspace in the neighbourhood to explore, or a 30 minute walk to the village with shops and small museum. You can use our bikes to ride to the Kinsol trestle, an amazing historical bridge spanning part of the Cowichan River. You can walk to the lake for a swim or see the view. Another nearby hike is Mt Baldy with a spectacular view of the lake. You can explore the many wineries and cideries in the vicinity. Local bus to the nearest city, Duncan, known for First Nations history or to Victoria, capital of British Columbia and very touristy. Or hang out in the hot tub, have a campfire in the back yard, jump on the trampoline or relax on your own patio. Weekends can be spent exploring the larger island, heading north to Naniamo, Port Alberni or Tofino with beautiful Canadian scenery and wildlife.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
12 x 10 space with single trundle bed that sleeps 2 on different levels. Would suit a single adult and smaller child. Seating area, private bathroom, TV, night table, outdoor patio. No cooking facilities.
Space for parking camper vans
Space for a vehicle and camper. Can live in or out.
Can possibly accept pets
We have an indoor/ outdoor cat. An indoor/outdoor pet would be welcome in your space.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (4)
My work was to do some housework as well as to look after the kids after school and sometimes also in the evening.
I was highly impressed… read more
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Feedback
My work was to do some housework as well as to look after the kids after school and sometimes also in the evening.
I was highly impressed… read more
I would recommend this host family in an instant.
They're very used to having volunteers around and that was really nice for my first workaway experience. The two girls are very confident and lots of fun!
They were also great with helping me see… read more
