Stay in our urban oasis in beautiful Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
Last activity
: 16 Jun 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 5 days
Min stay requested: at least a week
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 784664773269
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Feedback (24)
Left by Workawayer (Runa) for host
I stayed with this lovely family for 2 weeks and it was one of my best experiences! It was my first workaway experience, but since they were hosting travelers for over 10 years, they were already prepared and could explain everything to me. Also, their little "shack in the back" was the most comfortable place I stayed so far :)
Renée and Bijan are
… read more super friendly and can give you so much good advice and recommendations (especially for the prettiest beaches on the island). The kids are really fun to hang out with and it's very entertaining to listen to their creative conversations ;)Left by host for Workawayer (Runa)
Runa was an easy going and lovely energy to have in our home at a particularly hard time for our family. Before she came I chatted with her and she was independence was respectful and very flexible with our family needs at that time. In the two weeks she was with us she completed tasks well, cleaned up, put tools away after herself and managed her
… read more time well. She did more in two weeks that the previous couple that stayed a month:) She is small AND mighty. I also like how easily she connected with the family and Runa has a sparkle for life that was so nice to be around. I know Runa is off to have a magical life and you will be lucky to have her as a helper for a while if you luck out like we did!
Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)
Maria has been a wonderful guest and help around our home and property, doing all sorts of cleaning in the home and end of season garden clean up. She has spent several days going through our garden and carefully weeding and harvesting. I appreciate the beautiful pastries she's has made and they are always a surprise! Maria has a calm and
… read more agreeable nature and receives and integrates our feedback well. Maria is very independent and gives our family lots of space. She is observant, takes care and will be great in a variety of positions. We wish her all the best!
Left by Workawayer (Anthony & Sabrina ) for host
This was our very first Workaway experience and we are very happy to have come across this lovely family!
The first contact by video on Whatsapp was easy, we felt that Renée and Bijan were flexible and enthusiastic.
We were looking for long-term volunteering and are very grateful to have been able to stay with them for 4 months!
We were
… read more immediately made to feel very welcome, as if we were part of the family.
The cabin at the back of the yard was perfect, it was our little refuge for the winter, cozy and pleasant. We felt at home.
We shared good times with the whole family, as well as very good meals.
There were many quality products (tea, coffee, homemade muesli, fruit and vegetables from the garden, as well as farm eggs and farm milk, etc.)
Renée and Bijan really like to cook, we even had the chance to discover delicious meals (such as: Persian Food, Tikka Massala -British Version!-, Pea soup or even Kimchi.)
We also enjoyed playing riddles with Ezra and Arya during some meals! (In French and in English!)
In the morning, I (Sabrina) could work thanks to the very good internet connection, and in the afternoon I took care of quite varied tasks (tidying, cleaning, helping with gardening or cooking, etc.) as needed from the moment.
I also enjoyed practicing French with Arya by helping them to read their “J’aime Lire” or by playing board games. It was very fun.
Anthony has collaborated a lot with Bijan for DIY work, and with Renée for gardening.
There is a lot of equipment for gardening, DIY (etc.) which is very practical.
Bijan speaks a little French, which made it easier to understand during certain exchanges.
It was easy to communicate with them when we had questions, they are very attentive.
Renée regularly asked us how we were feeling, which was very appreciated.
It was a good timing because there were a lot of various tasks to do to help them at this period.
We also really appreciated the kindness of Renée's mother who shared her apartment so that we could cook our meals, do the dishes, and sometimes take a shower (while the renovation works of the house)
We will keep very good memories of the whole family (as well as Kali and the adorable dog Toto!)
Get to know them, they have many interests, it's easy to have interesting conversations with them.
They also have many recommendations, especially for visiting the region, which is very appreciated.
We recommend this family, 100% reliable, it will be a very enriching experience!
Thank you for everything, and we look forward to seeing you again in France or Canada! :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Anthony & Sabrina )
When Anthony and Sabrina chatted online with us to see about coming we decided that a longer stay (fall-spring) we decided that this match would be mutually beneficial. They stayed in our little shack and had privacy for work and couple life, as would we. This was a brave encounter for them as a first EVER workaway stay!
A and S made a hard
… read more winter much easier for our family with the steadiness of their support and good nature. We have been working on our kitchen renovation since fall of 2022 and due to complications with the city it has been a longer complex build. (This has been the most stressful time for us) This is significant because our home was not as cozy and comfortable as it usually is. I told them this but I was also aware of the fact that everything took much longer than we expected. Anthony and Sabrina were both very chill and flowed where needed. I appreciated above all, their helpful and good natured attitude. It was very good medicine!
Sabrina worked part-time online and so Anthony usually did his own hours, as well as part of hers. He did a massive fall yard and garden clean up, cut back brush, pulled out plants, built a new path as well as continued weeding, mulching etc. Over the coldest months he built a storage closet, did some finishing work in nearly every room, cleaned reno mess, prepped, primed and painted in our new kitchen, upstairs bedrooms, trim and the laundry room. One of the best gifts was his regular tidy of the outside reno debris and this was easily hauled away with his wonderful help.
Sabrina did a combination of regular cleaning in the house such as floors and bathrooms, as well as larger organization projects with various parts of the house, as well as often cleaning up after our contractors left dust and messes. This really helped our house stay cleaner as my oldest and I have bad allergies. Sabrina also supported my youngest with their French on a weekly basis as well as speaking with the whole family. She also must have dusted every single item in my house twice! (even the plants!) I know she also helped Anthony with tasks. Sabrina and Antony worked well on their own and as a team did many dishes and this also involved hauling them to my mother's place next door to use the sink when we were without one. They also were incredibly respectful at my mothers and made many delights for us! Anthony will always be famous as the French pasty chef who came when we didn't have a kitchen. We are forever grateful for the help that these two bright eyed, thoughtful workawayers gave us at a time that we needed it the most.
We are a crazy family and in four months we came with some family drama and they gave us space as a family which was really lovely. We wish them the absolute best and you will wish that they were staying longer and that the tarts would never end. All the best to you and Toto and Kali miss you too! We are happy to recommend Sabrina and Anthony for house-sitting as they are 100% trustworthy in every way. I would be cozy leaving them alone with my kids and pets for any amount of time. They will roll up in Elvis and your life will never be the same!Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by Workawayer (Runa) for host
I stayed with this lovely family for 2 weeks and it was one of my best experiences! It was my first workaway experience, but since they were hosting travelers for over 10 years, they were already prepared and could explain everything to me. Also, their little "shack in the back" was the most comfortable place I stayed so far :)
Renée and Bijan are
… read more super friendly and can give you so much good advice and recommendations (especially for the prettiest beaches on the island). The kids are really fun to hang out with and it's very entertaining to listen to their creative conversations ;)Left by host for Workawayer (Runa)
Runa was an easy going and lovely energy to have in our home at a particularly hard time for our family. Before she came I chatted with her and she was independence was respectful and very flexible with our family needs at that time. In the two weeks she was with us she completed tasks well, cleaned up, put tools away after herself and managed her
… read more time well. She did more in two weeks that the previous couple that stayed a month:) She is small AND mighty. I also like how easily she connected with the family and Runa has a sparkle for life that was so nice to be around. I know Runa is off to have a magical life and you will be lucky to have her as a helper for a while if you luck out like we did!
Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)
Maria has been a wonderful guest and help around our home and property, doing all sorts of cleaning in the home and end of season garden clean up. She has spent several days going through our garden and carefully weeding and harvesting. I appreciate the beautiful pastries she's has made and they are always a surprise! Maria has a calm and
… read more agreeable nature and receives and integrates our feedback well. Maria is very independent and gives our family lots of space. She is observant, takes care and will be great in a variety of positions. We wish her all the best!
Left by Workawayer (Anthony & Sabrina ) for host
This was our very first Workaway experience and we are very happy to have come across this lovely family!
The first contact by video on Whatsapp was easy, we felt that Renée and Bijan were flexible and enthusiastic.
We were looking for long-term volunteering and are very grateful to have been able to stay with them for 4 months!
We were
… read more immediately made to feel very welcome, as if we were part of the family.
The cabin at the back of the yard was perfect, it was our little refuge for the winter, cozy and pleasant. We felt at home.
We shared good times with the whole family, as well as very good meals.
There were many quality products (tea, coffee, homemade muesli, fruit and vegetables from the garden, as well as farm eggs and farm milk, etc.)
Renée and Bijan really like to cook, we even had the chance to discover delicious meals (such as: Persian Food, Tikka Massala -British Version!-, Pea soup or even Kimchi.)
We also enjoyed playing riddles with Ezra and Arya during some meals! (In French and in English!)
In the morning, I (Sabrina) could work thanks to the very good internet connection, and in the afternoon I took care of quite varied tasks (tidying, cleaning, helping with gardening or cooking, etc.) as needed from the moment.
I also enjoyed practicing French with Arya by helping them to read their “J’aime Lire” or by playing board games. It was very fun.
Anthony has collaborated a lot with Bijan for DIY work, and with Renée for gardening.
There is a lot of equipment for gardening, DIY (etc.) which is very practical.
Bijan speaks a little French, which made it easier to understand during certain exchanges.
It was easy to communicate with them when we had questions, they are very attentive.
Renée regularly asked us how we were feeling, which was very appreciated.
It was a good timing because there were a lot of various tasks to do to help them at this period.
We also really appreciated the kindness of Renée's mother who shared her apartment so that we could cook our meals, do the dishes, and sometimes take a shower (while the renovation works of the house)
We will keep very good memories of the whole family (as well as Kali and the adorable dog Toto!)
Get to know them, they have many interests, it's easy to have interesting conversations with them.
They also have many recommendations, especially for visiting the region, which is very appreciated.
We recommend this family, 100% reliable, it will be a very enriching experience!
Thank you for everything, and we look forward to seeing you again in France or Canada! :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Anthony & Sabrina )
When Anthony and Sabrina chatted online with us to see about coming we decided that a longer stay (fall-spring) we decided that this match would be mutually beneficial. They stayed in our little shack and had privacy for work and couple life, as would we. This was a brave encounter for them as a first EVER workaway stay!
A and S made a hard
… read more winter much easier for our family with the steadiness of their support and good nature. We have been working on our kitchen renovation since fall of 2022 and due to complications with the city it has been a longer complex build. (This has been the most stressful time for us) This is significant because our home was not as cozy and comfortable as it usually is. I told them this but I was also aware of the fact that everything took much longer than we expected. Anthony and Sabrina were both very chill and flowed where needed. I appreciated above all, their helpful and good natured attitude. It was very good medicine!
Sabrina worked part-time online and so Anthony usually did his own hours, as well as part of hers. He did a massive fall yard and garden clean up, cut back brush, pulled out plants, built a new path as well as continued weeding, mulching etc. Over the coldest months he built a storage closet, did some finishing work in nearly every room, cleaned reno mess, prepped, primed and painted in our new kitchen, upstairs bedrooms, trim and the laundry room. One of the best gifts was his regular tidy of the outside reno debris and this was easily hauled away with his wonderful help.
Sabrina did a combination of regular cleaning in the house such as floors and bathrooms, as well as larger organization projects with various parts of the house, as well as often cleaning up after our contractors left dust and messes. This really helped our house stay cleaner as my oldest and I have bad allergies. Sabrina also supported my youngest with their French on a weekly basis as well as speaking with the whole family. She also must have dusted every single item in my house twice! (even the plants!) I know she also helped Anthony with tasks. Sabrina and Antony worked well on their own and as a team did many dishes and this also involved hauling them to my mother's place next door to use the sink when we were without one. They also were incredibly respectful at my mothers and made many delights for us! Anthony will always be famous as the French pasty chef who came when we didn't have a kitchen. We are forever grateful for the help that these two bright eyed, thoughtful workawayers gave us at a time that we needed it the most.
We are a crazy family and in four months we came with some family drama and they gave us space as a family which was really lovely. We wish them the absolute best and you will wish that they were staying longer and that the tarts would never end. All the best to you and Toto and Kali miss you too! We are happy to recommend Sabrina and Anthony for house-sitting as they are 100% trustworthy in every way. I would be cozy leaving them alone with my kids and pets for any amount of time. They will roll up in Elvis and your life will never be the same!
Left by Workawayer (Emma Luise) for host
Thank you, René, Bijan, Ezra and Arya for the time I was able to spend at your home. I felt welcomed from the first moment on and couldn't have wished for a better family to start my experience with workaway. Also, the shack is such a cozy place to stay. I really enjoyed hearing you guys' perspectives on all kinds of topics and sharing interests
… read more with you. It was great seeing Ezra's and Arya's passion playing instruments. It brought me back to that feeling, so I was really excited to play my flute when I came back home.
It was only three weeks, but I will cherish this time forever. Thank you so much!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)
Anna just stayed with our family for a couple of weeks and was easy to host. While we stayed with us she edged our garden beds, weeded, managed compost, walked our dog, did some house work and spent some time with our kids on occasion. Our kids are going through a very intense emotional stage and Anna was super friendly and accessible to the kids
… read more but also gave us space as a family as needed. I felt like Anna was medicine for the home with her very kind, gentle energy and great respect for all people. I think she might take after her Dad;) We also have renovations happening and Anna rolled with it. The house felt her go and we already miss her!
Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host
The sign at the front door says "small house but big welcome" and I would say that this describes this place very well!
I stayed with Renée, Bijan, the kids Arya and Ezra for 2 weeks and it was a great experience. They are an energetic and very loving family. I was welcomed from the moment I stepped in the house and they always made sure to
… read more check-in with me. My jobs were mostly in the garden like weeding and anything which needed to be done. Also doing the dishes, walking the dog Toto and spending time with the kids "needed to be done", however, I would say this was a fun part of the stay and being part of the family during dinner was very great, especially for the cultural exchange. Renée and Bijan were good in communicating what needed to be done - as well as they were open and helpful for anything I needed.
Although it was just a short stay, I had a good time, learnt a lot and enjoyed the time in Victoria!
Thank you and hopefully see you soon!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Emilie & Armand)
Emilie and Armand were easy going from the start and were easy to host. We have a house preparing for a reno (that was paused) so it is almost a work site outside, and the kitchen is being pulled out in about three weeks. They handled the crazy house (and our family drama) without complaint or judgement. Armand was great with the pets and our shy
… read more cat already misses him and his gentle soul. Emilie really took initiative and asked for things they needed, such as bikes or ways to make a job easier. Both were a great team and worked well together, noticing what needed to be done, taking the time to do it well and always checking in before they called a job done. They have a great work ethic and although volunteering, took their jobs seriously and with a good attitude. While they were with us they cleaned and assembled a green house, moved mulch, dug out and moved compost and other garden matter, pruned, weeded, yard tidy up, washed windows and did some other deep spring cleaning. I found they completed tasks well and always cleaned up after themselves, and returned the tools. They were both so patient and respectful with the children and seemed to enjoy being part of the family. They were a joy to cook for and they are self sufficient and also independent and capable of taking care of themselves in the kitchen for meals. I know anyone who hosts Emilie and Armand will not be disappointed! We are lucky to have hosted them on the start of their magical journey and can't wait to visit them in France and wash their dishes and dig out their compost. Wishing you both a fabulous adventure!
All the best from Kali, Toto, Arya, Ezra, Bijan and Renée!
Left by Workawayer (Emilie & Armand) for host
Hi everyone,
We stayed 3 weeks with Bijan and Renée and it was a great time for both of us. We mainly did maintenance in the garden and cleaning around the house, which is not hard work.
Bijan and Renée are both such interesting people, you can feel that they really enjoy sharing their knowledge with you and Bijan can tell an anecdote every time
… read more (in French and in English).
The food was always very good and we enjoyed every meal they made.
We also enjoyed spending time with Arya and Ezra, playing board games and trying to help them with their French (but we're not afraid for them because our French is already good).
Downtown Victoria is only a 15 minute bike ride away, it was really nice and easy to get there.
There are always lots of things to see and visit not far from the house, Renée and Bijan will always be happy to tell you which place you can visit depending on what you expect.
And we won't forget either Toto the nice dog and Cally the cat ;)
Thank you for everything Bijan, Renée, Arya and Ezra.
We may see each other again in France
All the best for you,
Emilie and ArmandYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Veronika) for host
This family is the family with who you want to spend some time. I have spent with them almost 4 months and I learned and experienced so much. I would recommend it every time!
Renée, Bijan, Ezra and Arya are very welcoming and helpful. I really appreciate their interest in my life and openness. They shared their lives and experiences which I
… read more enjoyed. We had dinners together and even when I had online courses, they prepared me a plate. The food was amazing. Bijan's and Renée's cooking skills are incredible. I was happy that they mostly eat local and organic. They knew that I only eat meat from a good source. They always made sure that I know the source. Very kind! I felt great in their family and I am and will be always very grateful. Ezra and Arya are full of energy, fun to talk with and spend time with. They are very kind and clever kids!
My responsibilities were outside jobs and cleaning. Renée trusted me and she gave me freedom when and what I want to do every week. I think that we communicated very well and I always was told what to do. If it was not clear to me, I could ask and Renée explained it to me again. She also respected that I studied and we always figured my schedule out. It was very relaxing because when I had a lot at university I knew that we can discuss it.
I was satisfied with the tasks and was glad that I could experience staying in a shack! I loved staying there. It gives you privacy and teaches you how to have a good time in a tiny space. I had all I needed, a large bed, a table, and a chair. Also, a yoga mat that Renée lent me. That was perfect!
A big thank you for everything that you have done for me. I am very happy that I could meet you. Thank you!
See you!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Veronika)
Veronika came to Victoria B.C. to study and stayed with us for school term from Jan-April. She was easy to be around and both interesting and engaging to chat with. She was chill and very independent and always found great places to walk to and to see in our area and was quite interested in learning about the local history and culture. Veronika
… read more stayed in our little cabin in the back yard and this seemed to suit her very well. While Veronika was not here to care for the kids they got along well, as she also enjoyed Kali and Toto our dog. Although working in the rain was not her first choice the outside jobs all got done through this wet cold season! There was lots of weeding, pulling invasive plants, cutting things back and overall yard cleanup. The house work was done well and without being asked and she received feedback well when things were needing to be done differently.
When we have students come I am always a little worried that the helping may be too much for them with the studying but it seemed that Veronkika was really good with time management and of course the jobs were pretty flexible with timing too. Overall the fit and situation really was perfect for us! I appreciate the help and it feels so great to have had so much get done!
Veronika is a wonderful guest and you won't be disappointed:)
Left by host for Workawayer (Jiří & Lenka)
Jiri and Lenka were an absolute delight to host, in every way. They both are bright and intelligent people who enjoy talking about the world, society and are traveling to learn and evolve as people. They both were kind and enjoyed playing games with the kids and were always affectionate with the animals. We found every evening was a great
… read more conversation about something different! The climate while they were here was VERY wet as in the wettest month we may have ever had, and yet the outside work was done between storms and every job on my list was completed well. The work ethic was strong and jobs were done well. Jiri and Lenka did garden clean up, yard work, cutting down plants, taking down stakes, organizing lumber, dealing with compost, some house work and lots of other organizational tasks. They are both great at offering to help and having a fantastic attitude about the work in general. They were chill and we honestly would have had them come back for longer if the season was spring and summer with more to do and better weather! We wish them all the best and you will never want these too to leave:) Oh and they made some delicious foooood! Yum.
Left by Workawayer (Jiří & Lenka) for host
We really enjoyed staying with Renée, Bijan, Arya and Ezra. We stayed here for just 10 days but we had a great time with this kind and loving family. We learned new information about Canadian traditions and indigenous people as we were seeking to get them. The stories from Renée and Bijan were always educational for us thanks to their very
… read more descriptive way of telling them and showing they really deeply understand the topic. Dinners were always a good time for the whole family to get together and have a conversation and to enjoy the most amazing meals. After dinner we would sometime play games with kids and we always had a great fun! Arya and Ezra are both very bright, creative and full of energy and you simply want to spend a time around them.
As for the chores around the house I think they gave us an ultimate freedom about when we do it and always wanted to make sure we are really feeling like doing this job at that moment. Thankfully, the weather was ok most of the time so we enjoyed working around the garden, weeding, chopping into the compost, getting rid of ivy and blackberries and racking. Also we got a free hand to reorganize tools in a tools shed and store a lumber into a new wood rack.
We stayed in a little but extremely cozy shack in the back of the garden which provided us with some private time in the evening. On our days off we borrowed the bikes and explored downtown and the whole Victoria coast which was amazing!
Thank you for having us and for such an amazing experience!
Hope to see you again someday. :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Claire & Arthur)
This is the workaway wonder team! We could only host them for about ten days due to our space being needed by a friend so we were delighted that they came to hang out and give us a hand with the fall garden clean up. In the few days we hosted Claire and Arther they cut back all of the dead plants, took down plant stakes, harvested veg, mulched and
… read more moved and spread a great deal of compost. As a host I think that this couple has that perfect balance for an introvert/extrovert family like ours! Very interesting, openminded, kind and also independent and competent to wander the town, give us space but also have great chats with us all. I really appreciated that they just did things that needed to be done and made food, baked, and cleaned up after themselves after jobs. Our kitchen is about to be renovated and is quite awful (to me!) but not only did they not complain but they just made do the best they could. We felt 100% comfortable with them and left them to house sit so we could have a mini holiday for a weekend while we had someone around to care for Kali. Excellent people who will have the world open to them with many good opportunities! We wish you could have come for longer....but know the world is waiting for you!
Left by Workawayer (Claire & Arthur) for host
We are glad we got to meet Renée, Bijan, Ezra, and Arya!
They could only host us for ten days but we are very happy we had the opportunity to get to know them and help out in their garden. We felt welcomed in their house and their family, and loved talking about many different things and sharing amazing food :)
We liked helping in the garden:
… read more getting beds ready for winter, spreading compost and getting another load ready for next year, weeding etc
The cabin accommodation at the back of their garden is lovely and private, worked well for an independent couple like us. They always encouraged us to go and explore the area and it was great to be able to borrow some bikes to discover some trails.
Thanks again for having us, we wish you all the best!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Céline & Alexander)
Alex and Céline were the angels of this last weird year in so many ways. (And not in a religious sense) They reached out at a time where things were really closed and build a strong sense of trust with us through thiervery honest and mature communication. We needed so much help and had not hosted in a while. Both of them met on zoom and chatted
… read more and we together decided that we were a good fit. The duo that is Alex and Céline were really ideal for us in many ways. They enjoyed their own space as well as socializing and chatting around the dinner table. They were kind to our animals and the wildings that are the children! I think Toto is still waiting for them to come back:) Céline and Alex are deep thinkers and both Bijan and I enjoyed talking about some of the bigger social issues both in Europe and in Canada while they were with us for six weeks.
In terms of the work done the jobs were some of the more complicated and time consuming, and everything on the list was finished: insulation, carpentry, drywalling, painting in our new bathroom, finishing a closet, building fabulous shelves, house work, designing and building shelves and a built-in bed for our guest house, repairing the cold-frame, gardening and MOVING about 15 YARDS (30 cubic meters) of wood shavings! They were organized and worked very well together as a team, managing their time and always cleaning up after themselves, putting tools away and maintaining a safe work space.
I could not believe how quickly the time went and truly these guys could have stayed for the summer and been busy as they are the most helpful and handy type of people to have around! I am sure they will have amazing experiences as they are both VERY employable and have a strong work ethic. We wish you ALL the best and every time we look at your work we think of you! I hope we can make it some day to explore your part of the world.
Left by Workawayer (Megan & Emma) for host
We stayed for three ish months with Renee, Bijan, Ezra and Arya, and have so many good things to say about them. The "shack in the back" was the most beautiful little sanctuary in the middle of a city that you could possibly imagine, and through the fall months it was warm and comfortable as well as being an excellent place for two students to do
… read more their schoolwork and attend classes through Zoom (when we weren't working in the garden, that is!). Because we were students as well as Workawayers, we were so grateful that the work was mostly time-flexible and we could do a few hours here and there between classes, or whenever worked best for us. We found the workload to be very reasonable, if anything we felt that we should have been working more for the incredible food, accommodations, and kindness that was given to us. Plus it hardly felt like "work" because we enjoyed it so much! Renee was exceptional at communicating what she needed from us and checking in to make sure all was going according to plan.
We loved feeling like we were a part of the family during our time here, especially when it came to sharing meals together. Renee and Bijan are both amazing cooks and were so generous in their accommodation of dietary restrictions (we are both vegetarian, and Emma has several food allergies). There was always plenty of food to go around and we were grateful that they truly appreciated a healthy appetite! There was also so much that we learned from them in terms of what it really means to make your own food - especially when it comes to food preservation and making things like gluten-free bread and ketchup from scratch!
Being able to spend time with a family was such a beautiful place to be in during this crazy pandemic time. We weren't "travellers" per say, as we both call Victoria home and attend university here, but this allowed us a glimpse of a world that was different from ours and so it felt like travelling in that sense. (We should also mention that everyone was so kind and accommodating when one of us got sick and had to isolate for some time in the shack!) We're so glad we spent time with this family as it was an unforgettable experience.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Megan & Emma)
Emma and Megan stayed with us in Victoria for three months while they studied through UVIC online. We communicated about our concerns with COVID, their school responsibilities and our needs and I found them very respectful from the beginning. All of these issues and navigating our collective evolving comfort level added a layer of complexity to
… read more settling in together to find a new routine...and yet they were super with open communication and building trust with us as a family. We had a load of jobs to do in the yard and garden, from pruning back plants, mulching, composting, moving materials, weeding and they honestly have the best attitude about working outside in all kinds of weather. Some tasks were daunting and I appreciated their ability to check in about a job if they were not sure, they worked well on their own and had a great work ethic. I also noticed that they could receive feedback (not always easy) and apply this and go with it. M and E stayed in our tiny guest shack and studied and somehow thrived living together and making the most of the wild situation we all found ourself in. We were really happy to host two students as this also gave them a focus outside of us- meaning that we had more privacy and space and they both were very responsive in this too. Emma had a few food allergies/sensitivities and we found this very easy to work with as she's a very easy person to please and gets quite excited about dinner time! They also came with bunnies and we are not sure about the bunnies and our dog but in the end everyone got along great. I hope you have the delight of hosting one or both of these fabulous helpers, you will not be disappointed. Expect some good discussion and a passion and enthusiasm for life. (and great recycling habits) The most important element for our family is that our guests are kind to us all, including our wild kids and pets. They were patient and genuinely enjoyed the conversations and connections they had with our 8 and 9 year old and this was beautiful to see. We wish them all the best. (Bijan, Ezra, Arya and Renée) and Toto, Kali and the raccoon family.
Left by host for Workawayer (Rosie & Ollie)
Rosie and Ollie were an absolute delight to host on many levels. We had had a stressful time with some flooding and house logistics prior to their arrival and not only had Rosie written back that they could handle it, but that we may need the help. I found this really revealed their characters. The jobs that were in need of doing were outdoors,
… read more and the weather was still frosty and wet most of the time. They worked well together emptying impost bins and reorganizing and moving mulch, as well as on-going deep perennial weeding in my challenging strawberry patch. The job that really blew me away was Rosie and Ollie’s ability to draft, plan and construct a very well engineered shed storage shelve system. The project was so needed and every time that i see these shelves I am grateful for thier effects and work ethic to complete it under tight time constraints at the end!
Rosie is a practical minded go-getter and seems to be able to build just about anything! Ollie is a great assistant and has the kindest nature, our kids and pets really loved them both. Bijan and I found that communication was simple and that they were one of the best couples we’ve ever hosted. You will be delighted with their reliability and social intelligence, as well as consideration as house guests. We miss you and come back to visit soon!
Left by Workawayer (Rosie & Ollie) for host
We stayed 12 days with with Renée, Bijan, Ezra and Arya, but we could have happily stayed much longer. We couldn’t have hoped for more from our first workaway and are very grateful for our time spent with this warm family. They all welcomed us into their home and we felt comfortable very quickly. Renée and Bijan are kind, funny and generous. The
… read more kids are really bright, inquisitive and fun to be around. It was also great to meet some extended family members (John, Rosemary and Di) and hear about their lives. Of course we can’t forget Toto and Kali, who we adored.
Renée and Bijan were flexible with what hours we worked and what days we could have off to best suit the weather. On one of our days off they even took us on a family outing to Mystic Beach, which was a highlight. As already written in most of the feedback, their food is excellent - we looked forward to every meal. Dinner was also great because they prioritise it as a chance for the family to get together, talk and play games. The variety of tasks we had was interesting: turning compost, weeding, building shelves, spending time with the kids etc. We found it easy to relax with our own personal space in the lovely cabin at the back of their garden. It’s a lovely part of the world and getting around Victoria was easy with a bus stop a couple of minutes walk away that takes you straight into downtown in about 15 minutes.
Thanks again for everything Renée and Bijan. Hopefully we can pay you a visit when we are back in the Victoria area.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Dina) for host
I am very grateful for this wonderful experience with Renée, Bijan, Ezra and Arya, thank you so much guys for opening the doors of your home to me and trusting me to be a part of your family for the last 2 weeks. This has been one of my best WA experiences!
Renée and Bijan are very thoughtful, welcoming, warm people who are interested in those
… read more who come to stay with them and there is a reciprocity in life- and cultural experience, which make the whole thing great. I felt appreciated and Renée had to stress she was thankful for my help :) I was happy to help when I could and with what I could. I previously had some experience with the kids but not that much, so this definitely was a positive experience to learn about it. Plus, Arya and Ezra are cute, smart kids who are full of life.
I highly recommend this family to future WA´ers.
Thank you for your kindness, for being fair and open to accept me in all the ways, for helping me see the beauty of your city, for your healthy lifestyle I could enjoy and for simply being you, the genuine, intelligent and funny, curious, open-minded and warm people you are. Thanks for doing WA because with this you do some valuable act of kindness in the world from which all parties benefit.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Clara) for host
I stayed three weeks with Renée, Bijan, Ezra, Arya, and of course Toto and Kali for my first Workaway experience, and I had such I great time I didn’t see the time fly !
Renée and Bijan are incredible people ; they have always wise advices about everything (Renée help me planned the rest of my trip) and good tips about what to do in Victoria.
… read more They are both amazing cook, and I never ate that well in my whole life ! I was so happy to go with them on their family’s expeditions or go with Renée at some of the many activities she go to. I learned so much about the city, the country and about myself by staying with them and working for them.
I had so much fun spending time with Ezra and Arya, who are amazing children. They have a huge sense of humour, tones of energy and creativity, it was really a pleasure to take care of them and playing lots of games with them.
Thank you for everything !You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Clara)
Clara was a very easy going guest and we found her relaxed and very low maintenance! She was great with the kids and spoke with them in French whenever possible, played games, picked them up from school and when we were out, put them to bed etc. Clara was always happy to pitch in whenever possible and was not watching the clock, but rather often
… read more asking how she could help out. She is a kind, gentle and considerate house guest! Most of the tasks we had her help with were inside due to the rainy season: dusting, washing floors/bathrooms, dog walking, child care and dishes, a lot of dishes. Clara was receptive to feedback and this is a fabulous trait, making her easy to teach. We wish you all best and come on back to visit!
Left by host for Workawayer (Léa)
Léa was a very pleasant and calm presence to have in our home. She was always kind and patient with the kids and despite some cool and wet weather she was happy to dress for the weather and get her hands dirty, learning some new garden skills. We found Léa was easy to give feedback to and she helped with a variety of cleaning tasks, yard and
… read more garden work, as well as baby-sitting and dog walking. I loved to hear her laugh with the kids! It was a highlight. We wish her all the best on her adventures! Come back and visit us sometime! Xoxo
Left by Workawayer (Léa) for host
I stayed with Renée, Bijan, Arya, Ezra, Toto and Kali for a month and I absolutely loved it. From the first day they made me feel at home and welcomed me as a part of the family. Arya and Ezra are very smart, funny and loving kids, and I loved playing with them and speaking french together! I loved the conversations I had with Renée and Bijan,
… read more they are very mindful, generous and warm and they always tried to accomodate me for anything I needed. If you love children, animals and yummy food, come with your open heart and you'll be happy in this family.
Thank you again family for sharing a month of your life with me. Love to you all, Lea.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Melina)
Melina is truly one of kind! She is the kind of helper that comes around once in a while and brings the world with her. She is an adventurous, independent thinker who is both open to learning new things and will challenge you in an interesting way in intelligent conversation about improving our collective world. I felt intellectually stimulated
… read more and this means it was a true exchange. Melina does Melina, meaning that she is really herself and is both a fun loving and hard working human. Our whole family (even my Mama and Auntie) really enjoyed what she brought to the family, especially the yummy cheese! We will see you again when we visit France:) We highly recommend Melina as a addition to your home.
Left by Workawayer (Melina) for host
I stayed 4 weeks in May with the family and came back a few times after that. It was too hard to leave this crazy lovely place! Each of them has a very strong and interesting personality, I learnt a lot with them, but also had SUCH a lot of fun.
There is always work to do but it is never too much and it is very often a new occasion to learn
… read more something new, to spend time with a member of the family, or to learn about yourself while you dig a hole or move the compost around (personal experience).
The garden is as full of colours and love as the family.
Last but not least, food is A+++++
I cant wait to see you again guys!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Maria Chiara) for host
Solo una parola: GRAZIE!
This was my first experience with Workaway and it has been GREAT! Renée, Bijan, Ezra, Arya, Toto and Callie are a beautiful family. They are very nice people, down to earth and funny! You can feel the love is in the air in this house.
During my stay I couldn't work in the garden because the weather was too cold but I
… read more enjoyed helping them with housework and also spending some time with the kids. I loved spending time with the family, talking in italian with Renee, the coffee in the morning, and I loved their meals, too! Renee and Bijan are great at cooking!
If you want to feel like home you should definitely stay with this family in Victoria!
I really hope to see you again, maybe in Italy!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Maria Chiara)
Maria Chiara was a fabulous personality for our family. We try to get people that are a good fit for the children and overall vibe in the house matters a lot to us, it’s our home after all! We wished she could stay longer. I personally found MC a easy person to give feedback to, she had some boring inside jobs due to the cold and long spring this
… read more year, so lots of spring cleaning and house work. She always did a great and efficient job, and with a smile on her face. Also great with organization. My kids really liked her and although they tested her, she passed the test! I will be sure to call in on my next adventure to Italia. All the best you have a great head on your shoulders, we all wish you the very best!
Left by Workawayer (Marcel) for host
It was a good experience with B.E.A.R. family, a good cooking from different countries prepared by Bijan and Rene, good conversations (often in French with Bijan) and interesting but no difficult work. They stay in a nice place close to downtown, public transportation, parks, malls and library. Renee`s garden is very nice and full of many
… read more veggies.
Thank a lot to Renee and Bijan
Left by Workawayer (Huei mei) for host
It was my first time workaway experience.Renee and Bijan are very loving parents.
Renee grow many vegetables in garden and eat very nourishing food.Bijan enjoys cooking food from many counties YUMMY!!
I enjoyed playing with Ezva and Arya.Toto is a cute and obedient little dog.
Thanks Bijan for understanding my English for helping me a lot.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Martin & Michelle)
This couple is amazing! Really peaceful and comparable and a real pleasure to host. We throughly enjoyed the two weeks they worked and supported our projects and family home. They worked on building, staining a shed, weeding, yard clean up, among many other jobs. Martin and Michelle worked well indepedently and were efficient and always completed
… read more their tasks and put tools away. We enjoyed some good discussions and cultural exchange. We are a lively family in a very small home and it was also awesome that this couple went out and about and enjoyed seeing the sights in the area. We highly recommend Martin and Michelle, they are wonderful and respectful house guests. We wish them all the best.
Left by Workawayer (Martin & Michelle) for host
Thank you, B.E.A.R ( Bijan, Ezra, and Arya, Renee) and Toto for everything.
We stayed two weeks at your Family. We felt very welcome and were directly integrated into the family right from the start. It was our first workaway experience and it was perfect. We got exciting jobs (gardening, working on the shed, walking with the dog...). They also
… read more always gave us tips on what could be discovered in the surrounding area. They took us to friends/Family BBQ. The food was always super delicious and there was nothing we missed.
Thanks you again for this 2 weeks, it was amazing. All the best for you five.
Meet us in Switzerland :)!
Best wishes
Michelle & MartinYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Mathilde) for host
So sorry for sending this review so late! My stay at this family was very unique. I directly felt home from the first step i walked into the house. Always making sure I was having a good time, Renée and Bijan made my experience very special. I loved hanging out with the kids Ezra and Arya who were friendly, creative and super smart! It wasn't
… read more really work to spend time with them, just lots of fun ;) Work was not too hard, mostly housekeeping and gardening when the kids are at school but also lots of freedom to explore the lovely area. Thanks again for giving me such a great opportunity, you're very welcome in Belgium anytime!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathilde)
Mathilde was a wonderful guest and temporary member of our family. She is a sensible and responsible young woman who is off to a great start in life. We could not believe she was as young as she was, as she carried herself in a very mature way. While she stayed with us for ten days she quickly bonded with the kids, our dog and fit right into the
… read more family. We had not hosted a French speaking guest for a while so the kids were very eager to practice their French! It was very cool to hear the conversation. The combination of the lively and energetic vibe in Mathilde worked very well with the kids, she was playful and imaginative, enjoying drawing, playing with them at the park...and very adaptable with the family. I wish Mathilde the very best and we look forward to looking her up when we do a tour through Europe! She is welcome back any time.
Left by Workawayer (Florian) for host
Incroyable expérience dans une famille très ouverte d'esprit. Renée est une excellente cuisinière et se fera un plaisir de vous faire découvrir une cuisine riche, équilibrée et "homemade". Bijan cuisine les meilleurs pancakes au monde :) Renée et Bijan ont la main sur le coeur puisqu'ils nous même donné une voiture et cette dernière nous a servi
… read more durant tout notre PVT. Je recommande fortement cette famille hyper sympa. Au plaisir de revenir vous voir.
Thanks for everythinks. It was an incredible experience et your famille is very friendly. We stay 2 weeks in Renee's family. The food was so amazing and healthy. Renee is a fabulous cook and Bijan cook the best Pancakes of the world. I recommende this family :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Florian)
Florian and Melissa stayed with us for two weeks and we could not say enough about how much they helped us out. In the fall and spring we have lots to do around the house, but unfortunately this is also the busiest time for our family. We had been away most of the summer so Flo utilized his landscaping skills and worked independently to edge,
… read more prune and clean up the front, side and back yard. This was a big job as we have a large city yard. Flo was also extremely instrumental in doing some finishing on our "shack in the back" or tiny guest cottage. He worked both well with my husband (who is new to all things building) but could also be left to work on his own. Melissa was a joy to have doing many organizational and cleaning jobs around the house, she worked very efficiently, had a great attitude and best of all both of these great helpers just saw what needed to be done and did it. They have a wonderful work ethic and are the type of people you want to hire and pay for a job because you can trust that they will work hard and do the job right. We hosted a single mother and child while Flo and Melissa stayed and this was a very memorable and crazy house full of people, we shared big meals, had a Thanksgiving dinner together and they adapted well. They helped with the kids, and Melissa walked our dog Toto a few times. Our kids enjoyed their energy and the French immersion in the home. They were also happy staying out in the "Shack" (without wifi) and this also gave my husband and I privacy and a little space, which can be lacking with a house full. Overall they were respectful house guests who knew exactly what needed to be done and never hesitated to ask if we needed help! I hope they have a wonderful white winter and come back to see Victoria's early, green spring and abundant flowers! I know these two will do well in life!
Left by host for Workawayer (Federica)
Hosting Federica was a true pleasure! Our kids seriously fell in love with her fun loving and direct style of play and communication. Our kids are ACTIVE, wild children who thrive with clear set boundaries (especially with new people caring for them all the time!) but many people struggle to have to skill and confidence to set limits in a way that
… read more is respectful and still leaves room for rapport building. Federica did this well. She really became a friend and one of the family, and though first only planning on a shorter stay we invited her from Christmas. She was an ideal house guest and she was a quick study. While we often found ourselves chatting in Italian over a cup of coffee, Federica also was very independent and enjoyed her own company and went off on many adventures with other people which also gave us some family time. She was a great cook, she did some regular house cleaning, dishes, gardening and became very popular with our new little dog Toto! I highly recommend Federica, she is very down to Earth, has great values, and best of all she loves Canada! I know I will see her again and she is always welcome in our home. xo
Left by Workawayer (Federica) for host
Being with this gorgeous family for 2 and half month was an amazing experience. Was also my first time as a Guest with workaway.I couldn't have been more lucky.
Beyond helping with the cleaning, and gardening, was the time spent with the family that I've appreciate the most, I've learned so much from all of them.
The idea to bring the world at
… read more home to help the children to get used to the different culture is amazing, the way how Ezra and Arya are raising up it's inspirational.
And as I always said, the kids are the mirror of the parents. The values, like sharing, kindness, patience and love, in this family are very important.
Everybody helped me to open again my heart. You are not just lucky if you are going to be with them, you've won the lottery.
Doesn't work with everybody of course because everybody is different, but if you can really open your heart and mind, you will find your place in this family, like I did.
I'll see you soon guys! I promise.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Karine) for host
My experience with this famely was memorable. I was moving from Quebec to BC and thanks to them I felt I was part of a famely I was traveling alone with my 3 years old and then greeted him with open arms. It was very comferting. The entire time I was there we had amazing and healthy meals. Also every diner was a occasion of great conversations ans
… read more sharing. The room was very confortable and the house well located.
Thank you Renee, Bijan, Ezra and Arya! I will never forget.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Karine)
Karine and Billi came to stay with our family for ten days and it was a joy having them! Karine is a very open minded and energetic helper who stayed with us right after moving across Canada from Quebec. While they were here we were also hosting another couple, so we needed a lot of help with cooking as it was a very hectic and busy time. Karine
… read more harvested vegetables and made several batches of amazing pasta sauce with the tomato and herb harvest, also making lasagna, Shepard's pie, a couple of other fresh Italian dishes and helped with some general house work on a day to day basis. Karine took my two children, and her son out to the park and was great at really encouraging the children's French to come out. Karine is very sociable and adapted to our crazy house gracefully. Billi is a little darling and we treasured our time here with him. He is a funny quirky little character who honestly began learning English in a week! I hope Karine and Billi settle in Victoria as this is a magical place to be, and we look forward to spending time together in the future. If I had a bigger house or a private suite I would want to rent it to this sweet family! We wish you all the best!
Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host
Being a part of Renée, Bijan, Ezra, Arya and Toto's family for three weeks was an enriching, heart-warming experience. Contributing to the daily routine gave me both a sense of purpose and belonging. Beyond gardening, cleaning, dog-walking and spending time with the kids, a deeper learning was happening. Living with a loving family, one cannot
… read more help but feel immense gratitude for shared meals, stories and knowledge. Renée and Bijan communicate with ease , are flexible, and generous. Thank you for having me. See you in 2018.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)
Rachel was a delight to host while she was in Victoria studying yoga for three weeks. She was very independent, biking around on her own and very social and easy going. I really enjoyed our conversations and the wisdom with fun energetic Grandma brought into the home. Rachel did some gardening, cleaning and spent time reading and doing some art
… read more projects with the kids in both English and French. Best of all was her ease and the fluency between English and French...the kids loved her and she was very easy to have in our home. Rachel has a lot of wisdom to share. We look forward to her visit in the spring! All the best to you Rachel!
Left by host for Workawayer (Kris & Steve)
Kris, Steve and Chaco were delights to have house sitting for us for the five weeks that we were away. Prior to our leaving they came a few days earlier so that we had an opportunity to get to know each other, establish some rapport and to also learn the ropes. Initial contact was very direct, via phone and it seemed we would be an excellent fit.
… read more As new home owners Bijan and I had never left our home with anyone that we did not know prior, and this was a huge deal for us! We have a very large and abundant garden for a city lot, and while a joy, also a big commitment. We wanted to be able to go away and come back to food, not a sparse and bolted overgrown garden. We could not be happier with the quality of care that Kris and Steve had for the property and our home. The house was clean, and the garden weeded beautifully, with other jobs such as replanting, transplanting, culling and harvesting done as needed. In addition to taking care of the basic responsibilities, Kris got into making yogurt and Kifir and they both ensured that extra produce was harvested and distributed, not wasted. We also loved that they took everyone opportunity to see the city, surrounding area and many local events. These two are very reliable and respectful people to host and have the sweetest and most mello dog Chaco. Our kids loved him so much that we realized the time had come to get our own dog! We wish them all the best on their adventures.
Left by Workawayer (Kris & Steve) for host
Thank you, Renee, Bijan, Ezra, and Arya, for an amazing experience in your home! You are all such welcoming people, and we appreciate the trust you put in us to care for your home and garden while you were away. As you said, we fell in love with your garden, and can't wait to expand ours when we settle back down after our travels. (I already told
… read more a lady at the Olympia farmers market about your salmon squash, and she's going to try to find some seeds ;) It was so relaxing house-sitting: spending our mornings working in the garden and then wandering around Victoria in the afternoons exploring the sights. The "shack" was really comfortable for us, and thank you for being so welcoming to Chaco. I can't wait to hear how Toto likes being in charge of his new home now - I'm so glad having Chaco led you to finalize the decision to add a dog to your family!
Your cooking is amazing; it was inspiring to see the creative ways you used all the bounty from your garden. We loved making yogurt and jam and kefir, in addition to all the new recipes we have for squash! Ezra and Arya are such creative and happy children. It's wonderful to see all the things they are learning and how you are teaching them, from what is in your backyard to what is in the world. You have created a wonderful quality of life that was a joy to see.
Thank you again for a fantastic summer. Keep in touch! You're always welcome at our house whenever we settle down again!
Best,
Kris & SteveYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
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