Join an Italo-Brazilian family living in a farm in Puglia, Italy

Details

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  Description

  We are an Italo-Brazilian couple (Ana and Pantaleo) with two small boys (Luca and Matteo, turning 12 and 10 in May) and a cat (Noah) living in a farm in sunny Southern Italy. Pantaleo is an international consultant working mostly with UN agencies. He spends a lot of his time abroad and tries to conciliate that with the farm work, which is not easy! Ana is a yoga teacher, and also the family cook and driver :-)
  
  We are looking for someone who loves kids and countryside life, to give us a hand and be a temporary member of our family. We particularly need help with the housechores (cleaning and cookiing) and the kids, which means playing with them (and helping us keep them far from screens, which feels like mission impossible!) and if possible driving them to their different activities.
  
  Note: Unfortunately we are not in the position of helping applicants to Italian citizenship.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The area where we live is known as Salento, located in the heel of the Italian boot. Here you will find the sun shining all year round, the the uniquely turquoise Mediterranean sea, astonishing sea cliffs, magical pinewoods, the constant wind, either the warm humid Scirocco blowing from Africa, or the cold dry Tramontana blowing from the North. In our home, you will get used to people switching from Portuguese to Italian to English, while listening to jazz and Brazilian music (lately also lots of San Remo thanks to the kids!) :-) You'll also have access to some musical instruments, as Pantaleo is a late trumpet player and is trying to instil his passion into Luca (who's actually more of a rapper). We are adept of family meals and used to cooking and eating together. You will be most welcome to join us and share your recipes and food stories, as we believe this is part of a rich cultural exchange. After dinner, especially in wintertime, we like to do some family activity, like card games, story telling, watching something on Netflix. We are early birds and sports lovers. There are bikes, all sorts of balls and even an amateur soccer/football pitch in the farm.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  - Creative play and driving
  - Language practice (English, French, Spanish)
  - Support on housechores such as cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, gardening;
  
  The person we are looking for has the following qualities/skills:
  
  - Love for countryside lifestyle and children
  - Positivity
  - Good work ethics
  - Drivers’ licence and experience driving (we don't have automatic cars)
  - Independence, organisation and tidiness are also important
  
  Preferred languages spoken: Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish or French (in this order of preference). Our children understand Italian and Portuguese, and we would like them to be exposed to and trained in other languages, particularly English, French and Spanish.
  
  We are looking for someone who wants to commit for at least 2 weeks.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  You will have your own private room with shared bathroom (the house has three bathrooms so this should not be a problem). You'll be asked to keep your room clean, do your own laundry and help in household chores. The house has decent heating (not obvious in Southern Italy) and wi-fi.
  
  We offer full board, not exclusively but mainly vegetarian, with many fresh organic vegetables.
  
  You can use our bikes and our second family car (not automatic), if available, in your free time.

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  What else ...

  You can enjoy the surrounding countryside and seaside (google Torre Sant’Andrea and Torre Dell'Orso to see what the nearest seaside looks like!). Running and cycling are good options, and you can borrow one of our bikes anytime during your stay. You can also visit beautiful historical cities such as Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto (between 30 and 60 minutes by train - the train station is 15 minutes far by bike and we can also drop/pick you up if we're free). From Lecce, you can reach other interesting destinations, including natural parks, the city of Matera, etc. in short weekend trips.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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