Caroline

New Zealand
Login to see last activity

Badges (2)

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
Using my accounting skills to help small businesses. Staying in new places and learning new cultures.
Description
I am a dual NZ/UK citizen currently based in New Zealand. I am a chartered accountant by profession. I tried to travel in 2020 but got caught out by Covid19. Now I have the time again so off I go.

I also love being an accountant and always happy to share my skills which is why I end up as treasurer for different groups.

I enjoy being with animals and eventually hope to get to Africa to both do volunteer accounting and, hopefully, do some conservation volunteering.
Interests
Charity work
History
Books
Animals
Fitness
Adventure sports
Sustainability
Technology
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Teaching
Some knowledge of:
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Able to teach about:
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
Horses - generally now do what is known as 'happy hacker'. That includes riding in places like the Namib Desert. Have owned horses most of my life and competed regularly. Also hunted, ridden racehorses (including as an amateur on the flat many years ago), like schooling on horses. Most of my riding has been in New Zealand which has allowed me to do lots of different types of riding.

Business skills - as an accountant I can provide some assistance with helping businesses particularly budgeting and forecasting. I don't do tax advise etc. In my work in the corporate world I have been involved with some marketing, HR, process writing etc.

I have my own garden at home and I am happy to do some gardening, especially growing veges. Also a moderate cook.

Have been known to pick up a hammer, drill, sander or paint brush. My skills on those are basic tho.
Age
66
What else ...
I like to read and watch tv (youtube etc on my computer works for me).
Want to have internet access.
Am living in UK but will not be available until lockdown is lifted.
Would prefer a small wage especially if you wish to use my professional skills.
Don't mind getting my hands dirty.
Love the hills.
Photo is a bit old (couple of years) and taken in South Africa.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Have hayfever allergy - not a problem
- Special dietary requirements
  Try to keep low salt and fat diet.

Website Safety

Friends

Feedback

24 Oct 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Take part in our organisation ...)

Had seven unforgettable weeks with Frank, his family and friends and the team in Lilongwe. The NGO is locally based in Lilongwe but the projects range all over the country. I was able to join the team on three on site visits in the northern part of Malawi, including the stunningly beautiful Livingstonia. The team help local communities develop… read more their skills in area such as governance, marketing, finance and other business skills. These skills are then passed on through the community which helps grow knowledge. The other part of the NGO is helping communities with funding for assets like school buildings, medical clinics, housing for teachers as well as other projects such as sourcing mattresses so girls can have something to sleep on at secondary school. In the office I helped develop their financial systems (I am an accountant). The team was great to work with and willingly shared their knowledge both of the NGO and their country.

I lived with Frank and Susan in a lovely large house in Area 38 which is on the outskirts of Lilongwe on the road to Blantyre. They had one daughter at home along with two nieces. Their other two children were at high school (college) and University and I met them too. I had an ensuite bedroom which was comfortable and airy. I was treated as a valued and loved member of the wider family from day one. Food was different to what I would eat in New Zealand but nevertheless both tasty and nutritious. I also learnt some useful recipes that I am using now I am home. I met many other family members from all over Malawi as well as local friends of the family. They all made me so welcome. At weekends we went traveling to see more of the region, the highlight was going to the Chongoni Rock Art area south of Lilongwe.

Malawi is a great place to visit but be prepared to accept that it is much poorer than many other tourist spots in Africa. The roads in general are pretty bad and I decided I wasn't up to driving here which limited some of my opportunities to get around. But there are buses that travel between the main areas and taxis. I would recommend Nkhata Bay in the north on the lake shore (I stayed at Butterfly Space - great food and coffee). There I went kayaking and swimming as well as just relaxing by the lake.

I can truly recommend this project. I will forever remember my time in Malawi. Thank you Frank, Susan and all the other people who made my time so special.

(Excellent)

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online