Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Dec 2024
Reply rate
81.3 %
Usually responds within 15 days
Feedback
124
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Description
Hi everyone!
I'm an animal mother from Belgium on a mission. I would like to create a 'peacefull oasis for animals and humans' with focus on nature and helping people. With that in mind I'm starting a non-profit organization in 2025
At this moment (this might change 😂) I have 5 horses, 2 donkeys, 2 sheep, 1 goat, 2 dogs and 4 stable cat. The horses are retires so that means I don't ride them anymore.
I eat plant-based diet, so I don't eat any animal products. I'm not against meat-eaters, I just won't provide any 😉
I'm busy following courses so I can offer more services when the non-profit grows( for example: relaxation/breathing techniques, hypnosis, equi coaching, herbs medicine, meditation, yoga,...).
We've been hosting since 2014, usually in smaller groups, 2/3 people at the same time.
What am I looking for:
Couples, friends or singles who want to enjoy helping and enjoy keeping the animals company when I'm working.
People over 50 also welcome.
I prefer at least for 3 weeks instead of changing a lot.
What needs to be done:
A lot 😂
- General maintenance on the property/buildings/yards
- Our vegetable garden needs a major update! We're looking into making our own herbs-infuced product, but that's still some time (years) into the future.
- We're building a Paddock Paradise for all our animals and there will always be updates possible with this.
- We're trying to plant 30-40 trees/bushes every year to create more diversity, but we have lots of old grown trees that need cutting/pruning/...
- ...
What am I offering:
I offer room and board, so beds and food 3 Times a day
I'm flexible on scedule. I ask for 25h/week, but am open to how we'd divide it in a week.
A little bit more about me
Marleen (mom) 62 y/o, looking forward to retirement, figured out life is more interesting if you relax, animals are my life , excited for the next (hopefully) 30 years.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
And if you made it this far and are still interested, feel free to post a 🍄 in your message 😉❤️Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
They could learn a lot about the Belgian culture while travelling the entire country on their free time.
Learn how to be about animals and being independent.Help
Cleaning up the property and fixing fences
Weeding
Small maintenance helpLanguages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
French: IntermediateAccommodation
We've a couple of rooms available with as much privacy as possible
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
In and around the house we have full Highspeed wifi available.
Space for parking camper vans
Yes, no problem! We've plenty of room!
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (54)
Marleen and her family made us feel so welcome, there were many conversations in the evening.
We were able to help Marleen on her little… read more
They are nice cooks and good in conversations.
Good luck in Germany and always welcome
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Marleen and her family made us feel so welcome, there were many conversations in the evening.
We were able to help Marleen on her little… read more
They are nice cooks and good in conversations.
Good luck in Germany and always welcome
It was my first time as a workawayer and I felt like I found a new home since the first day. I really enjoyed working on the farm with the animals around. The place was so beautiful and peaceful, and I really loved the animals, especially the horses and donkeys.
Anke and Marleen are amazing hosts, they always explain… read more
Girls, you're welcome back any time you're in the neighbourhood, and we wish you all the best!
I hope you found… read more
Girls, you're welcome back any time you're in the neighbourhood, and we wish you all the best!
I hope you… read more
I loved the place and the work in all aspects of it. We had the opportunity to work in different projects everyday and learned a lot. Anke and Marleen are amazing hosts, very good at explaining the tasks and making you feel like you’re at home. Their animals are beautiful and they really take care of them with love.… read more
Franzi stayed with us for almost 4 weeks and she was a great volunteer. Would always do the job as best she could and would even offer insights or different solutions if they would be better/easier.
If you are looking for a great volunteer who is an even greater compagnon, Franzi is your person! Thanks… read more
If you're looking for great company and a great volunteer, don't hesitate to contact Tatta! You won't… read more
He's also just a pleasant person to be around. We'll miss the talks with the beers, and hope to see you again someday! Goodluck with your travels and studies! You'll do… read more
in Belgium for almost 3 weeks and I felt amazing the whole time! Working in this farm, if you like physical work, is really great! You get your daily instructions and then work your hours mostly on your own, which is nice if you like to spend time with yourself (and, of course, with all the… read more
It was a pleasure to stay there for me. :)
He's very independent and is his free time was always up for discovering new places!
If you're looking for a hardworking workawayer who is always up for a chat, Adri is your guy!
You will always be… read more
He enjoys life and we had some lovely talks about what we want our lives to be like.
In the beginning we had some difficulties communicating, but his… read more
They cooked a few vegan meals and kept us busy with nice conversations .
I would definitely recommend them.
Always welcome guys and thanks
Even though she didn't have a lot of experience working on a farm, she was up for any task and did great with everything!
She cooked for us a few times and made the most amazing cakes! ( I… read more
He's always welcom here and we will miss him a lot.
Thanks and have a great life
I loved our talks and was happy to know you.
Hope we see you again.
They love their animals and they transmit it to you. Regards to all of them.
I would definitely go back.
Thank you for everything
Always welcome at our home.
She's a very nice girl and loved our doggies (especially DOC) and our Belgian beer. thank you chica for your help and good luck with your studies.
thank you and good luck with your travels
The dogs give you a cuddle
Marleen, Anke, Ben, the doggies, the cat, and the horses are awesome! Really friendly and welcoming, always helping in whatever we needed and with a smile on the face.
Also if you want feel love when you eat something, this is your place, Marleen is a wonderfull… read more
Vendy and Rob stayed with us for a few weeks and they are a very nice couple who work together very well. They helped us with cleaning the stables, walking our very enthousiastic dogs and clearing lots of weed and branches. they are always in for a good conversation . Although they are still youn they are very… read more
Thank you for being you.
This was the best start I could ever ask for on my first work away experience. A most wonderful home with loving people and animals. I don't think I will never forget Nina the goat, or the very very fluffy cat (sorry cat, didn't know your name!) or Doc and Lucy. Marleen is a lady who has a genuine love for meeting new people and… read more
Still miss you.
Thank you for helping us and good luck with the travelling
always welcome
Work wasn't very heavy, and changed throughout the days.
About Marleen we can only say good things,… read more
Thank you very much and hopefully we'll meet again one day. Enjoy your trip to Canada.
We enjoyed having them around and the dogs were crazy about them.
Thank you guys and always welcome.
They felt like a part of the family and will be missed.
Always… read more
Thank you for your help and good luck with your travelling.
Good luck
Raquel good luck with your jumping competition and to both of you good luck with your studying and boyfriends.
Also Anke and Ben were so kind to us, recommending places to go and also visiting the Paalse Plas, where we had… read more
Good… read more
Liz and Chloe stayed with us for 2 weeks and they are very nice girls. They helped us with cleaning the stables and weeding. Although they are sisters they make a good team.
Thanks and good luck with your life.
Good luck with you travels and thank you.
it is first experience in workaway and we feel great.
She is great hostess, friendly and she done everything possible for we feel well.
We worked in the stables and differents jobs to repair fence and help in the garden.
Thanks so much.
Best wishes to the family :wink:
They work good and quickly and loved our animals… read more
She is a really nice person, kind and happy!
We stayed in a little house with our on bathroom and everything, which gave us privacy. Her house is nice and in a quiet and beautifull neighbourhood. Also, is easy to go to other cities and Marleen dropped us off in Diest Station when we… read more
Thank you for your help and good luck with your travelling.
Beautiful place and cute animals -very sweet the goodnight everyday to the horses-.
Thank you for the rides anytime I needed, the food and your kindness.
And to say… read more
He's very social and always in a good mood. Thanks for your help and good luck with the rest of your trip and life.
This was my first workaway experience and I would like to thank Marleen and her family for making at a very enjoyable one!
Thank you Keely and if you're ever in the neighbourhood you know how to find us.
Thanks for your help and you're always welcome.
Thank you for your help and good luck with your travels.
Not to forget what a great cook both Marleen and Laura is! *lekker~~!*The… read more
She did a good job in painting and was very interested to know more about life in Belgium and the way people think.
Thank you girl and we wish you the best.
Thanks and enjoy your travelling.
Our work consisted of cleaning out the stables in the mornings then helping out with other jobs around the property, such as weeding, repairing the… read more
Thanks for everything and you will be missed.
The work was quite physical but very rewarding, I loved working with the horses and painting the little outbuilding. The work exchange was fair and we had quite a bit of time off to do our own thing. We went swimming in the lake not far from… read more
In the free days they are availability to take you to the station and you can make interesting tours in Belgium (the big cities are not so far away) and you can make small… read more
His work was ok but because of the language ( his english is not so good) it was difficult to explain the things he had to do. Thank you for trying and we wish you all the best.
Thank you very much Sara and see you soon.
I have a really goog time with the family and Alexandre (another helper), thanks for everything :)
Pets it's verry Nice and it was a pleasure to help them. The work is nice and varied.
I would recommend for everybody.
And thank you very much for everything.
Marleen is very nice. Duty is flexible in that there are always different kinds of job so that you can choose something suitable for you. During my stay, there are other workawayers as well. The atmosphere is good here.
Hope we'll meet again one day.
The entire family is incredibly welcoming, and are excited to put you on a horse.
10/10 ;)
Thanks again for these two weeks!
Defintely 10/10 I would recommend this experience for… read more
Thanks for everything and good luck with all your plans.
He returned to Canada earlier then we agreed.
Too bad.