Maranatha

Nigeria
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Architecture, the arts and music; horticulture, agriculture and animal husbandry; horse grooming and riding, being outdoors, learning, creating and sharing wonderful experiences with those around me.
Description
I am a graduate of architecture school who is very much in love with travelling, discovering and growing. I cherish nature and volunteering. I value being immersed in culture, interacting with different people, discovering the history of places, developing language skills, and sharing my skills with others through collaborations and/or learning workshops. Moreover, I enjoy teaching non-native English speakers my native English (I am a certified TEFL instructor) using a variety of creative means. I am also numerically gifted which makes me a pretty good mathematics tutor as well. I love children and have several years worth of experience as a childminder. My caring, compassionate, and patient dispositions makes me a great choice as an au-pair, as well as a companion to elderly people.

Additionally, I am artistically inclined, thus, I willingly undertaking creative endeavours (drawing, painting, sculpting, carpentry, etc.). As such, I am very eager to be involved in building and renovation projects. I am also a lover of gardening, farming, permaculture, animal husbandry and care, and anything that involves dogs and horses! I would happily get involved in the above and in an opening to house sit, and maintain an accommodation when the hosts are away.

In summary, I am fit and active, diligent and responsible, social yet very independent. I thrive in challenging situations and love cleanliness. I am a hard worker, working well by myself and in company, putting my best into whatever I do. All in all, I desire to leave a positive mark every where I go.
Interests
Pets
Writing
Technology
Plant care
Videography
Hiking
Gardening
Performing arts
Camping
DIY & crafts
Cycling
Outdoor activities
Blogging
Sustainability
Cooking & food
Charity work
Drawing & painting
Photography
Languages
Self development
Nature
History
Music
Carpentry
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Books
Culture
Farming
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Arabic: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Igbo: Intermediate
Dutch: Intermediate
Portuguese: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I am a certified TEFL instructor, so am glad to dispense my skills in teaching English to non-native speakers. I do this in exchange for learning other languages.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Eco Projects
Being an elderly companion
Animal Care
Life at a Farmstay
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping around the house
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Art Projects
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
Drawing, making things, building, organizational and communication skills
Age
27
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  I try not to eat too much meat

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25 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our family and learn ...)

I spent two weeks with Leen, Ben, Axelle and Luis on their lovely property in rural Flanders. This was my first Workaway experience. Leen and Ben are a very hardworking, helpful and kind couple who unreservedly welcomed me into their home, their world, and treated me like family. Whilst with them I was allowed so much freedom and given my own… read more

(Excellent )

11 Jun 2024

Left by host (Experience sustainable living ...) for Workawayer ()

Maranatha is a remarkable young woman who knows what she wants and who has seen quite a bit of the world. She seems a bit shy at first but really appeared to like her stay with us. She did several jobs we had, mainly work in the garden and most of her time was spent in the front yard where tons of white rocks had to be cleaned and put back. She… read more

(Excellent )

11 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience sustainable living ...)

I spent eight amazing days with Paul and Monique. I had been contacted by Paul through Workaway, himself seeing that I was in the area. Paul offered to host me and to engage in a cultural exchange among which helping me improve my Dutch was key. I met the couple for the first time virtually via WhatsApp. They were very warm and convivial leading… read more me to agree to be hosted by them. When the day came to begin my time with them Paul drove all the way to another part of Groningen to pick me up from my previous host's place.

Paul is a very relatable and open person. He is passionate about several interesting topics of which sustainability, volunteering, amateur radio, scouting, and music are just a few interests of his. He has lived a very adventurous life and is therefore able to respect others and adapt himself to varied circumstances so that he gets along very well with people of different backgrounds and nationalities. He has a 'can-do attitude' and actively seeks to improve himself, both of which I admire; ‘I've never done it so i think i can!'--was a quote he used regularly. Additionally, Paul is the kind of person that loves to share what he knows with others. Goodness did I learn a LOT from Paul. He showed me videos and picture presentations of his home project over the years, talking me through the stages and being patient enough to answer my questions. It was very lovely to see the different installations and the progress of his and Monique’s hard work. I was also given a tour of his radio (hobby) studio, after which I was shown images of his intentions to install his radio antenna, and the journey and many lives that it has lived prior to ending up in his driveway. What’s more, Paul showed me example DIY models he has taught the youths that he coaches at a school in the area to build. It was after he gave me a presentation of scouting that I took action and signed up to be a scout leader and volunteer when I return home--‘I've never done it so i think i can!'. Thank you so much Paul for sharing ideas, knowledge, and your many projects with me. I enjoyed the stories of your life and travels. Thanks also for the Dutch newspapers and magazines you gave me to read in order to improve my Dutch language skills.

Monique is a lovely person with an interesting sense of humour. I learned several new Dutch words thanks to Monique. She even joined me in reminding Paul to 'spreek Nederlands en langzaam' to me. Moreover, I also discovered an artist and designer in her, the person responsible for the fine details and aesthetics in and around the property. I got first-hand experience in landscaping through the task I did and because of Monique. Thanks Monique for providing feedback, correction, and advice.

One thing I am very grateful about when it came to staying with Paul and Monique was their principle and dedication to their own side of the bargain. In other words, they spoke Dutch to me consistently and did not become wearied when I did not understand certain words, phrases or sentences used. On the contrary they would readily repeat themselves, translate what they said, slow down for me, and continue speaking in Dutch at my request. And that’s not forgetting creating a homely environment for me. They also encouraged me and praised me for my efforts. Moreover, from Paul and Monique I learned several aspects of the Dutch culture that coincide with my own upbringing, i.e. hard work, diligence and consistency, as well as conservation of resources.

As for the work, it is varied and interesting, and one is able to pick from a list of tasks based on your strengths and preferences. In that sense the couple are quite flexible. I worked mainly on the landscaping aspect of the tasks and had a lot of fun doing it.

Besides work I went on several interesting weekend outings, including:
(1)A visit to the Agricultural museum/ Museum Collectie ter Borg in Ommelanderwijk with Paul. I really enjoyed the exhibition, got the chance to engage with the friendly locals, several of whom spoke to me about the changes and development that have taken place in this part of the Netherlands. I even participated in a lovely music session over coffee with a group of senior citizens after the exhibition. A very memorable experience indeed.
(2) A guided tour of Veendam with Paul.
(3)A tour of Appingedam with Paul and Monique on the last day of my stay. I was treated to a nice dinner, thanks to Monique.

Besides these tours with Paul and Monique I also cycled to Oude Pekela as well as Veendam. In the process I enjoyed beautiful scenery which added to the joys of my stay with the couple.

Bedankt, Paul en Monique voor alles. I learned so much from you both and had fun volunteering at you place. I wish you both success in your many projects and endeavours.

All the best,

Maranatha

(Excellent )

9 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Volunteer on an organic farm ...)

I spent about two weeks with Arthur on his farm. i can only speak positively about my experience there, the cultural exchange and time spent with Arthur, his delightful daughter, Sveva, their dogs, Anas and Sultan, as well as the cats, Jarno and Robbie. I learned a great many priceless lessons about farming, life and society, the organic… read more lifestyle, sustainability, history, and culture in the days spent there.

Arthur is wholeheartedly invested in his farm as well as in several creditable causes all of which feed into his way of doing things. Arthur is very open-minded, articulate and accommodating. I like the fact that although Arthur has been hosting people for a very long time he is still careful to accommodate the different needs of the new people and cultures that come his way, willing to learn new things, respectful and in a way
unbiased. On our first meeting Arthur picked me up from the train station in Assen and gave me a tour of the city. He also dropped me off and picked me up from the train station in Winschoten when I had to travel to another city for an important event.

As far as tasks are concerned, the work done on the farm was enjoyable, varied and in keeping with the goal of teaching one what it takes to successfully run such an operation and look after animals. In addition to explaining the work to the volunteer, Arthur is also helpful in providing advice and feedback, as well as being flexible and tolerant. Besides working in the vegetable garden or doing other chores around the farm, I enjoyed the aspect of caring for the animals, namely the many dog walk trips around the beautiful countryside which were never without fun and excitement. I also enjoyed going shopping with Arthur and discovering interesting things about products and the food industry. Furthermore, Arthur introduced us to many wonderful local and foreign dishes (the vegetarian/vegan alternatives). The meals were very delicious indeed, with the preparation and dining process being filled with good conversations, knowledge exchanges and humour. I was also able to improve my Dutch whilst with Arthur and Sveva. Thanks to father and daughter for continuing to speak Dutch to and with me, patiently heeding my reminder, when you reverted back to speaking English. I learned many new Dutch words through our conversations. I appreciate being loaned the bike which I used often to cycle to and from interesting places. I also cherish the books I read whilst at Arthur's, as well as exposure to other sources of information.

In all, it was a privilege to be welcomed into your world and to be given trust around your possessions. I really enjoyed my time there and can only recommend Arthur as a host. I wish Arthur and Sveva good fortune and success in their endeavours now and in the future.

Take care,
Maranatha

(Excellent )

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25 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our family and learn ...)

(Excellent)

11 Jun 2024

Left by host (Experience sustainable living ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

11 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience sustainable living ...)

(Excellent)

9 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Volunteer on an organic farm ...)

(Excellent)

19 May 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help an architect to renovate ...)

I spent approximately eight remarkable days at Elza's. From the moment we met we clicked, and it was as if I had known Elza for a long while. Elza is by nature a very caring, open and open-minded, amicable, articulate, and energetic person. Despite arriving to her place late at night Elza still made time to come and collect me from the train stop.… read more As a consequence of her easy-going nature she initiated our first conversation--beside the ones conducted remotely, where even then she was extremely warm and helpful. During the journey to her place we began getting better acquainted with ourselves, naturally, with her performing a balancing act stabilising one of my luggage whilst pushing her bike along, a memory that will always bring a smile to my face. She was my first Workaway host in the Netherlands and from her I gained better and first-hand insights into the Dutch culture and history. Elza was very conversational and involved from the start, she spoke from experience and shared a great deal of wisdom and knowledge with me.

Within one day we had already explored the neighbouring towns and Arnhem via bicycle, during which she was very engaging sharing travel tips, historical stories and timelines of the area and buildings with me. We visited many a wonderful streets, several shops and natural/ecological sites en-route to various destinations. I enjoyed cycling through the natural park or area dominated by the IJssel river, and also along the road that borders the Veluwe national park as one heads into the town of Velp. Honestly, with the amount of things done I felt as though I had achieved so much in the days spent with Elza.

As a budding architect it was a dream-come-true to hear back from Elza when I first contacted her, and believe me she responded in record time. Indeed, she went over and beyond what I expected for in addition to further enlightening me on the culture of our trade, she introduced me to her architect friends, amongst other friends and family members. Moreover, I relished being informed of the history of her new house and its former occupants besides being shown her new architectural plan drawings for her dwelling, informed of the reasoning behind these ambitions as well as involved in the planning process where my thoughts and suggestions were appreciated. Work was flexible and immensely enjoyable. Elza tailored her approach to my strengths and desires and made things really fun for me. Further, she answered my questions, explained things to me well, and encouraged me to think out of the box, step beyond the unknown, take agency and dare myself--in a sensible way of course. I appreciate the experiences one gained whilst with her, from removing tiles in the kitchen, to gaining knowledge of how electricity works to building een kippenhok (a chicken stall), fixing a toilet, or at least trying, amongst other things. There were many interesting concepts related to our field and to life that we discussed whilst at her home or on the move, as well as several valuable personal projects and interesting books that she brought to my attention. She was also humble to remark that she learned so much from me when in fact I feel that I learned more from her than the other way around. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect for me was the level of trust she had in that she would allow me to stay home alone, doing work or not, and thus giving me responsibility for her house, thus proving the extent of hospitality I experienced whilst with her. Elza was very encouraging and more like a big sister who is responsible and spontaneous at the same time.

In all, this write-up does not do enough justice to nor does it fully summarise the wonderful moments shared with Elza whilst staying with her. I do hope that my account serves enough to encourage many travellers to give Elza a go, you won't be disappointed. The saying 'where does time go' is very apt in this case for how it flew so fast. One advice for Elza when we hopefully meet again: Spreek Nederlands alleen met mij!

(Excellent)

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