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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 Jan 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
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Description
We are a large family with lots of adult children living nearby as well as 37 young grandchildren. The head of the household is handicapped. We love people. We are protestant (Reformed Presbyterian) and have a people friendly dog,. We are located half way between Montreal and Ottawa. We travel to the two cities regularly. English is spoken in the house with French and Dutch also understood. My children like to sing, play soccer, hike, swim, Canoeing, dance, brush horses and play board games and snow board. We also enjoy various kinds of music and have a piano and organ. Our house is located in the country side but within 10 minutes drive of the town of Lancaster. There are walking and bike trails close by our house.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Welcome to Canada, where we are all made up from immigrants that have settled here. Our family background is Canadian-born but with Dutch heritage. We have 9 adult children each one married to a different ethnic group like: Bolivian/Irish, British/Dutch , Native Indian/French-Canadian, American, Scots and German .We enjoy discussions around the table about philosophy and theology and enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting new people. We have been told that we have excellent spoken English and have been very helpful in teaching new skills and in explaining the English language. We like showing our local heritage sites and love going to museums, nature walks and adventure activities like: hiking up mountains, soccer, visiting water parks, paintball, snow boarding/ skiing, brushing horses, canoeing...When people come, we ask what kinds of activities and sites they would like to see and do, and then we plan our week accordingly.
So when you come you must try local specialties like: beaver tail pastries, smoke meat on rye bread, bagels with cream cheese, our local Lancaster perch ( fish) and poutine, as well as some different meals from all over the world. A true Canadian experience.Help
We have many projects for our large, spacious home, so there are lots of jobs to do like: finishing our basement, painting jobs, stone/mason projects on the go, trim and molding to put up, building and repairs... Robert was a aircraft mechanic so, if you are mechanically inclined, you will really enjoy the lessons he can teach you in mechanics and material science, as well as the hands on experience in machine repairs and maintenance ( tractor, back hoe, riding lawn mowers, whipper snipper, wood splitter, chain saws ...) . Lia is a gardener, who used to have her own business and has lots of knowledge and tips to share about gardening and cooking. She is the knowledgeable president of the local horticultural society. The large garden always needs weeding, hauling wheel barrels of wood chips, help with harvesting, processing the vegetables and fruits, by freezing, dehydrating and canning , for our large family. Learn to drive a tractor. There is always house work to do as well like: vacuuming , dusting, washing floors, painting....In the winter there is always some snow to shovel, fire wood to stack and haul... We have lots of grandchildren coming to visit who love to have people read them stories, play games and help bake cookies. Come join the gang.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Intermediate
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
We have both individual and shared room accommodations. We all share 2 bathrooms. The bedrooms are large and we have a spacious kitchen. We provide towels, face cloths, soap, bed and mattress and linen, pillows, blankets.... you bring your own personal hygiene items and toiletries. Our house is air conditioned in summer. We heat mostly by solar and fire wood during the winter. Our family enjoys movies, music and like lounging around or reading in the large, bright, open living room upstairs or hanging out to watch the sunset on the porch and patio. We have an organ and piano. Our extensive home library is open to all who want to read.
What else ...
Be prepared to get dirty working and also there is some construction so bring good closed shoes/boots and bring clothes that can get paint on them. Bring slippers for wearing inside. Most people prefer working in jeans and t-shirts and sun hat/cap for the summer and lots of layers like sweaters and thermal underwear for the winter. If you need to purchase any these items... we love going shopping! Let us introduce you to thrifting.
We take amateurs and will train you.
We love people and are open to different points of view and cultural differences but we won't tolerate rudeness or disrespect towards anyone and would have to ask people to leave if they are disrespectful/rude .
A few rules: clean up after yourself, please don't leave toiletries and clothing items lying around. Help with the clean up of dishes please, and no girls in boys rooms and no boys in girls rooms, (unless married couples get their own room). Let us be considerate of each other and call/share if there are changes of plans or going to be late. On Sundays we go to church and hope you'd like to come with us or if you would like we can drop you off at a train station and you can visit Montreal for the day. It costs about $15 for the train and metro/bus pass for the day. When someone goes to Ottawa, we could drop you off at a bus for the day.
We have a large extended family. There is always something going on, join in the fun and commotion and be prepared to be flexible.
Welcome to our home we're honored to have you visit us.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have unlimited fast internet.
Space for parking camper vans
Lots of parking space.
Can possibly accept pets
We have a dog that is allowed inside, but not allowed on the furniture. She is people friendly but very territorial against other dogs. My daughter has a horse near by, that she can arrange that you can brush her.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (48)
Both Lia and Rob are lovely and honest people with lots of knowledge to share. During my stay, we had some really interesting and insightful conversations, fun game nights ( which resulted in one or the other running gag) and lovely meals. My tasks were easy and tailored to my abilities, so there was never… read more
Rob is very talented at playing the organ, passionate about sharing his knowledge of theology, life experiences, and about his beautiful… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Both Lia and Rob are lovely and honest people with lots of knowledge to share. During my stay, we had some really interesting and insightful conversations, fun game nights ( which resulted in one or the other running gag) and lovely meals. My tasks were easy and tailored to my abilities, so there was never… read more
Rob is very talented at playing the organ, passionate about sharing his knowledge of theology, life experiences, and about his beautiful… read more
He is… read more
- Work in their orchard and garden
- Learn about plants, flowers, trees, fruits and berries
- Help service and operate a chainsaw
- Do wood sanding and learn more about different aspects of wood work
- Take care of chickens
- Cook
- Do work inside the… read more
My son had a construction site and he worked like a a trojan to help clear and clean it up.
He is such a kind person. He helped a lady from our… read more
He had a rough patch with an infected tooth followed by a terrible rash. Throughout it all he tried to keep up good humor, and even when in pain, would jump up to help.
He joined the young men of the family playing soccer once a… read more
My heart was always warm and comfortable while I was at your house and I thought I really wanted to help you guys!
And I felt you guys treat me with all your heart, too
I was able to learn a lot and think a lot… read more
Theirs children and grand-children are very used to see workawayers so it's easy to break the ice and get to know each other.
Overall very good host, I… read more
Along four months in Ontario I was questing for my real canadian experience. Been in Toronto, Niagara and Ottawa. But when I got to Lancaster to Lia and Robert’s house I started to live what I was loonking for. They made me feel in home. My convivence was also with their sons and their… read more
She was really helpful in the garden, cooking and cleaning. Willing to try new adventures and tastes she ate everything we put in front of her with the words, "Now this is interesting." And she meant it. Most things intersted her and she willingly… read more
The work was mostly gardening in the huge garden or working in the kitchen. I really enjoyed that because Lia explained every step so I could learn a lot.
I am also really thankful for the… read more
The work is mostly gardening and housework. You have to work 25 hours… read more
He is very polite. Wishing him happy travels and adventures.
It was wonderful experience. The work was not difficult. I cleaned the room, prepared dinner and made muffins. Lia is super friendly person. Rob always consulted my future.
Thank you so much!
I want to thank you for this great experience, I learnt a lot and I really enjoyed my time with you guys! Thank you for all the good conversations, the good food and for giving me the opportunity to see a lot about the place where you live. You are a beautiful family and I'm glad I could meet most of it. I miss… read more
They fit right in with our family and didn't complain of the stinky mess from the convalescent chicken, who they… read more
He worked on many projects including stone work, mowing, house work,… read more
We highly… read more
My time there was great. Every day was different and exciting. It… read more
Theese 7 Months I spend with this family were really enjoable and I was able to calm down after really though times in the last couple of years.
Before I came to Canada I was working in an Office for 11 Years and had no experience with Craftsmanship or Gardening. But in… read more
Really enjoyed my stay and my job.
Lia and Robs were so kind with me. I was like a part of their family.
They teached me a lot of things. They were available, flexible, lovely.
The job was very interisting (planted vegetables, cooking, plants trees, and the best was built a way in stones. It was a pleasure to help… read more
He is a fantastic guy, very conscientious and hard working. Not only does he do everything with a happy and positive attitude but he also adds humour and intelligence to his conversations. He has chosen his future profession well as he loves Mathematics and figuring things out. We wish him all God's blessings and… read more
I have so much love and appreciation for all members of this family. The helpers who were there with me also were a joy to have around. An unusually great amount of positivity in the air during my stay.
I would very much love to come back.
i will try to see it fit into my plans :)
Highly recommended to responsible… read more
I've been staying at their house from March '17, I became part of the family and I still didn't leave yet. Even though it's a family with 9 children and 13 grandchildren (two on the way) it never gets boring. But it never gets awfully stressful either. After two weeks of my stay, a… read more
I enjoyed every moment during my three-week stay and I was involved in all the family activities as a member of it!
All the family is really kind and available and I'm very glad to have worked in their garden, helping with plants and having fun with the other volunteers.
I also had the… read more
Definitely I recomend this family. You have your own room and a confortable bed.
I hope to see you again :)
Everyone is so friendly, respectful and knowledgeable and there were many interesting discussions. I am glad for… read more
We liked to spent time with the children, they are well-behaved and very open to… read more
I stayed at their place for two weeks during Christmas Holidays. Lia and Rob are very welcoming, and all their children (who are actually almost all adults) are very nice and funny, and want you to feel home. When I was there, 3 of them were still living there. I helped them for diverse things inside or outside… read more
We enjoyed many great philosophical discussions with her.
We highly recommend her and wish her God's blessings.
It isn't just hard, it is impossible and I have to narrow down to the important things for you to read.
First of all, don't hesitate to stay with that family. Their way of living astounded me at first but I'm glad that I was allowed to be part of it during the last couple of months… read more