Come and help us in our villa in Essaouira countryside of Morroco

Morocco

Favourited 469 times

Host rating
Feedback
24
Last activity
30/04/2020
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 5 days
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2020

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Description
We are Belgian and have been expatriates for 40 years, now living in Morocco, Essaouira countryside, in a Berber village.
We have a villa in a large garden with swimming pool.
A second small house is being rebuilt.

Nous sommes Belges et expatriés depuis 40 ans, maintenant installés au Maroc, dans la campagne d'Essaouira, dans un village Berbère.
Nous avons une villa dans un grand jardin avec une piscine
Une seconde petite maison est en cours de reconstruction.
Type of help
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Language practice
Art project
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Should you wish to learn or improve French language ... It's the right place !
Help
We are mainly looking for skilled specialists' support :
- ART PROJECT :
- trompe l’oeil on an outside wall (romanticizing rural life)
- CONSTRUCTION :
- windows and doors painting
- carpentry : wood cabinets
- a mix of plumbing, electricty, ...
- traditional flat roof, vegetalized terrace, water proofing

Nous cherchons principalement l'aide de spécialistes du bâtiment
- PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
- trompe-l’oeil sur un mur extérieur (idéalisant la vie rurale)
- CONSTRUCTION :
- peinture des portes et fenêtres extérieures
- travail du bois : fabrication d'armoires, portes,...
- un peu de plomberie, électricité,...
- toit traditionnel plat, terrasse végétalisée, étanchéité
Languages spoken
English, French
Accommodation
Accommodation in one of the villa bedroom, garden and pool
Meals at our table.

Logement dans une chambre de la villa, jardin et piscine
Repas à notre table

Due to the task, we give preference to 2 male workawayers
Vu les travaux à effectuer, nous donnons préférence à 2 workawayers masculins
What else ...
Due to the task, we give preference to 2 male workawayers.
Vu les travaux à effectuer, nous donnons préférence à 2 workawayers masculins.

Before arrival, we’ll ask you copy of your passport, a responsible contact in case of emergency, copy of a medical and hospitalisation insurance valid during your stay

Avant arrivée, nous vous demandrons une copie de votre passeport, un contact responsable à appeler en cas d’urgence, une copie d’une assurance médicale et hospitalisation valable durant votre séjour.

We prefer hosting 2 Workawayer at the same time ; when we are not available or fit, they can share activies, visits, surf or simply talks...
Nous préférons 2 Workawayers ensemble : lorsque nous ne sommes pas disponibles, ils peuvent participer ensemble aux activités telles que visites, surf ou simplement discussions, ...

!! Moroccan authorities don’t allow unmarried Muslim couple to share the same bedroom !!
!! Les autorités marocaines n’autorIsent pas les couples musulmans non mariés de partager la même chambre !!

We have worked on 4 continents, met different cultures. We'd like to share our experience and continue to improve it...
Nous avons travaillé sur 4 continents, vécu dans un environnement multiculturel. Nous aimerions partager notre expérience et continuer à l'améliorer...

Essaouira is a World Heritage but also capital of kitesurf.
Medina, beach, windsurf,...
Essaouira est inscrite sur la liste du Patrimoine mondiale de l'Unesco mais est aussi la capitale du kitesurf.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours/day or 1 day work/ 1 day free - 5 heures/jour ou 1 jour travaillé/1 jour libre

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (24)

01/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (Bram) for host

This is definitely the place you want to spend your Workaway-holiday! I've stayed with monsieur Gui and madame Jo for a week and in this week I've experienced an utterly warm ambiance. Although I didn't know them prior to the holiday, they were like family to me from the moment I step in their house. They are so kind and caring and were happy to… read more

(Excellent )

25/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Bram)

Bram is the friend you should have around. Socializing, organized, funny and taking care of the people around him.
He was "almost" our grandson and we had a good time trying to improve his French. Well ... Technically ... he is better at scrabble than in a lecture ... :-)
Always bouncy, he is ready for any task after some explanation or advice. He… read more

(Excellent )

25/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Lenclu)

You can believe Valentin when he writes that he likes cooking. Together, we have prepared several meals with success. He stayed with us for about a week.
We found him very sociable and pleasant, sharing his experiences on travels and visited countries. He is not afraid of hard work and got on well with Mehdi, our helper.
Workaway will bring him… read more

(Excellent )

25/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Andrew & Tracy) for host

We spent a lovely two weeks with Jo and Guillaume. They are experienced hosts and we recommend them highly. They have a great sense of humor, are well travelled and as others have mentioned are fantastic cooks. We were welcomed into their lovely home and they really spoiled us - Birthday raclette was fabulous.
Work here is fun , relaxed and there… read more

(Excellent )

24/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Andrew & Tracy)

To put it simply and clearly, Tracy and Andy are the best of the better volunteers we have had since 2014! We have experienced some excellent and some awful volunteers but this NZ couple has reminded us why we host and were absolutely outstanding. Not only were they interested and keen to learn and teach everything we could teach or learn and very… read more

(Excellent )

18/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Gaetan)

Nous avons apprécié le séjour de Gaëtan, malheureusement raccourci pour de sérieuses raisons familiales privées. Pendant ces 3 jours, son aide etait égale à sa gentillesse et bonne humeur.
Nous espérons que son chemin l’amènera de nouveau vers Essaouira où nous l’accueillerons avec plaisir.
We enjoyed Gaëtan's stay, unfortunately shortened for… read more

(Excellent )

10/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martin) for host

Staying with Jo and Guillaume was a wonderful experience and I'm grateful for my time with them :) I recommend you stay with them too if you have the opportunity!

Guillaume's knowledge and years of experience means whatever work you do during your stay, you'll learn something new from him everyday. His workshop is equipped with an abundance of… read more well-maintained tools, and he knows how to use each one in an expert way. So with every job to do, when there's something to make or repair, it's straightforward, particularly with Gui's hand-drawn technical diagrams!

The accommodation is superb. Depending if there are guests staying in the villa, there's a small apartment or large double room with an ensuite for volunteers. I was lucky enough to stay in both during my time there. Everything was perfect, especially the beds which were so comfortable. Jo and Gui made sure I had everything I needed, including info on Essaouira, Ounagha and local walks. They were welcoming and I was free to spend time in the main area of the villa if I wished to. They have a wood fire in their sitting room, which is lovely in the winter evenings.

Life around their beautiful villa is pleasant and you can enjoy their well cared for garden, with date palms, flowers, orange trees, and fantastic views from the roof terrace. It's a peaceful place to be. There's a swimming pool, and even a small family of tortoises who roam around freely, which are fun to find and feed. If you like wild birds, you can sit in the comfort of the kitchen and watch them come and go. Even having just arrived from the desert, I lost count of how many times I was shocked by the amount of stars you could see at night.

Jo likes to practice her English, and it was fascinating to hear about their extensive world travels, so we had many enjoyable conversations from this. It was refreshing to speak with Jo and Gui, who are thoughtful, experienced and wise, and we had fun swapping ideas about life, sharing what I could from my experiences so far about well being. They are kind and polite, and if you are a good volunteer who works well, they will provide the best experience to you.

We went to nice restaurants at the weekends and they introduced me to their friends. If you want to improve your French staying here is a fantastic opportunity. Both Jo and Gui are wonderful cooks, and I was treated to delicious local Moroccan dishes and European cuisine whilst I was there. We also went to a large local market in a nearby village, which was interesting to see.

Getting to their villa was easy from Essaouira, with a 30 minute bus ride from the city centre, which also means you can explore the city at weekends if you want to. Communications and arrangements for my stay with them were quick and efficient, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. As everything is well organised, this means you're free to focus on your work, and then enjoy your free time afterwards.

Thank you Jo and Gui!

(Excellent )

08/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin)

It was a real pleasure to host Martin who is open-minded, listening and let us discover passionately his way of life but without imposing it.
He invests himself in the work requested and does not need many explanations to understand some technical problems and to overcome them.
Martin enjoyed both the meals homemade and the discoveries at the… read more

(Excellent )

17/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Marvin & Flora)

Marvin et Marty,,les M&M's, sont tous deux aussi sympathiques qu'efficaces. Marty a, notamment, pu vaincre une fuite récalcitrante pendant que Marvin préparait les tranchées pour installer un câblage. Tôt levés et prêts à la tâche, ils sont aussi enthousiastes pour visiter la région ... malgré la pluie, déguster les mets locaux ou retrouver nos… read more

(Excellent )

18/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Tobias) for host

Jo & Guillaume,
are very friendly and open-minded people with whom I have two weeks to live and work.
With them, I and my dog Oska could spend a very good time.
Through them I have come my personal goals closer.
For this I am very grateful to them.
I recommend staying with them to anyone.
I wish you all the best,
Tobias

(Excellent )

03/06/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Tobias)

Tobias is a very nice young man always ready to help, work and make "right" decisions.
He did a good job during his stay and was very helpful working with wood and machinery.
Oska, his cute puppy who joined him during his stay, showed his happilless to run and play in the garden. It will be a good companion once its teenager spirit is over.
We… read more

(Excellent )

13/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Daria)

Daria has been staying with us for a week but it looks she is already part of the family ! During her stay, she has gotten into the hearts of everybody here and saying goodbye wasn't easy. She is a good hearted who helped complete our websites in translating French/English into Russian. She has worked really efficiently. She is very easily… read more

(Excellent )

12/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Daria) for host

My first workaway experience was wonderful as it was with Jo and Guillaume! They are very kind, intelligent, hospitable, caring, generous and respectful hosts. I helped them with translation from English into Russian and my duty was pleasant and very rewarding. We had interesting conversations and very delicious meals. I felt very welcome and… read more

(Excellent )

16/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Eduardo)

Eduardo did not choose the shortest and fastest route between Brazil and Morocco. From Korea by bus, hitch-hiking, train, Trans-Siberian, he crossed Asia to Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and down to the Western Europe before joining us in Morocco.
With good humor and good will, it was great to work with him. Cooking vegetarian has pleased us and… read more

(Excellent )

15/06/2015

Left by Workawayer (Eduardo) for host

I spent 3 very unique weeks there with Jo and Gui. My lack of knowledge about more technical activities matched the teaching aspect of Guillaume where I could learn a lot while helping them in a big variety of daily tasks. They are a very kind and polite couple, and treated me with a unexpected attention such as thinking about nutritious… read more

(Excellent )

27/12/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Joe)

Joe is a very happy person, always smiling. We enjoyed this time with him and were very pleased to extend his stay (from 7 to 15 days)! No job was too boring or too heavy for him. During his stay, the work had to be changed due to heavy rains causing floods. In the shelter, he painted a lot of garden furniture, helped with repairs caused by bad… read more

(Excellent )

13/12/2014

Left by Workawayer (Joe) for host

Jo and Guillaume were very accommodating and made my stay with them very enjoyable. The work was not difficult while I was there, mostly due to the rain (during November). They cooked amazinggg food, took me through the countryside, taught me about Moroccan culture, spoke only French to me when I was trying to learn, and made my stay with them a… read more

(Excellent )

12/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Marek) for host

My time with Jo and Gulliame was very good and fruitful. They are hard working, well organized and down to earth people. They are excellent cooks and they often tried to show me cusines from different countries they lived in. The accomodation I was offered was superior. I had occassion to practice and learn new skills from Gulliame who is very… read more

(Very good )

04/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Marek)

Marek is one of the nicest, most hardworking men you can meet. He stayed with us for a month. He fitted in with our family very easily and was a pleasure the entire length of his stay. He is very quiet, likes to laugh, is interested by the nature, the people, the country. He worked hard and he had a good work ethic. He never had to be asked to… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Gabrielle & Renato David)

Gabby and David did everything with a smile. Loved to get stuck into anything and made the work seem like play. They were very enthusiastic by the Belgian waffles, the tajines, ... From their part, they prepared some Mexican dishes we used to eat during our life in Mexico, bringing souvenirs.

(Very good )

20/03/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (georgia & Ross)

The stay of Georgia and Ross put a lot of animation in the property. While singing, Georgia who speaks very well French has taken care of doors painting. Meanwhile, Ross was responsible for metals. His help in various domains was appreciated and we thank him for it.

(Excellent )

26/02/2014

Left by Workawayer (georgia & Ross) for host

We had a great time with Jo and Gill, they had a lovely house in a beautiful part of Morocco, they showed us the rich vibrant culture and welcomed us into their home! oh and we were certainly very well fed! Thanks again Jo and Gill

(Excellent )

16/02/2014

Left by Workawayer (Sandra) for host

Your making a very good decision if your going to stay with Jo and Guillaume! They are very kind people. There place is really, really beautiful! The work isn´t hard at all and they will take care that your feeling good all the time. They love cooking and they are great in it! Jo and Guillaume are very educated and well travelled. However, they… read more

(Excellent )

02/02/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Sandra)

Sandra stayed with us for 2 weeks. She is a very friendly and pleasant person to host. We enjoyed her various talents such as yoga, photography, callisthenics exercise with ribbons, ... and philosophy ! She always shows great enthusiasm for whatever was on from wood painting to table setting or subtle fervour for the degustation of the Belgian… read more

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 925528885231

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