Karen

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I love to travel and be outdoors, especially helping animals & the environment or in a garden. As a traveler, I definitely prefer "off the beaten path" and like to get to know a place by living & volunteering/working there (rather than just sightseeing). I've volunteered at children's charities, animal sanctuaries, and on research projects (most not workaways). Some of my favorite experiences have been in Turkey, Sumatra, Belize, France & Cameroon

In the past I directed nonprofit charities helping children & families (am retired), though my interests have shifted over the past 14 years. From 2001-2015 (while continuing with my career), I lived in a bush camp in Africa for 3-5 months almost every year helping to manage a chimpanzee sanctuary. Most recently I've fallen in love with kangaroos and flying foxes while volunteering in Australia. When I'm not traveling, I enjoy living in Seattle and the beautiful Pacific Northwest (own a home there).

Particular interests: hiking & kayaking, environmental activism, my dog & fostering kittens, a good cup of coffee, gardening, contemporary poetry & novels. OMG, did I forget chocolate?!

Interests

Sustainability

Politics / Social justice

Pets

Charity work

Animals

Hiking

Outdoor activities

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
French: Intermediate

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

Babysitting and creative play

General Maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Languages

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Able to teach about:  

Animal Care

Charity Work

More details about your skills

Animal care/feeding: dogs, cats & kittens, baby birds, flying foxes, kangaroos, possums & wild chimpanzees! Garden care & weeding; tree planting; retail & waitress experience; housekeeping; good people skills (i.e. dealing with the public, managing staff & volunteers); conversational French; average computer skills (Excel, Word, social media).

Administrative skills: planning, staffing, budgeting, organizing systems, volunteer recruitment/selection, marketing (all related to nonprofit/charity organizations or wildlife sanctuaries).

Age

70

What else ...

While I may be older than the typical workaway volunteer (am retired), I bring maturity, a strong work ethic and lots of energy, enthusiasm & initiative. I'm willing to tackle most any task, tho appreciate directions! Friends describe me as reliable, organized yet flexible & a hard worker. I'm fine working on my own and also quite enjoy working alongside others. Am sometimes quiet/sometimes outgoing, considerate of others, and love family meals & game nights. If you're interested, I'm happy to share chimp, kangaroo or bat stories. In short, I'm keen to help out with whatever is needed & to learn about your corner of the world. Thanks!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  No