Louise

Canada
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
I have always loved the experience of living and working in other countries, ever since I participated in a program in which volunteers worked alongside villagers in the Dominican Republic to build an aqueduct. That was many years ago ( I was 18, and I'm now in my 50s). I have subsequently lived and worked in Haiti (one year) and South Africa (6 years), and am convinced that nothing beats the satisfaction of forging relationships while engaged in impactful work. Although I love to travel in general, "being a tourist" is just not as satisfying, as I feel like I'm just skimming on the surface of the locale, rather than truly learning about it through getting to know the locals. I am a nurse, so helping people is a motivating factor. I also know that being outside, in nature or just green spaces (I am an avid hiker) brings me happiness.
Interests
Sustainability
Movies & TV
Events & social
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Books
Drawing & painting
Architecture
Art & design
Music
History
Nature
Water sports
Hiking
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Light gardening
Hospitality/Tourism
Light maintenance
Some knowledge of:
Languages
Art Projects
Babysitting and creative play
Animal Care
House & pet sitting
Helping around the house
More details about your skills
I'm an RN (was a cardiac nurse for 8 years, and for the past 12, I've been a RN Case Manager on an ICU, in which capacity I do Care Coordination (e.g. discharge planning, finding resources for uninsured patients, placing patients in the next level of care). Prior to becoming an RN, I worked in South Africa for 6 years with an NGO that provided bereavement counseling for families affected by HIV/AIDS. In my late twenties, my life and outlook was completely changed by my experience of working in Haiti, where I helped to manage an orphanage and taught in a school (English and French).
I love music, reading (my first career was librarian, and I've never stopped giving book recommendations), painting and hiking (I also belong to a group called DC City Explorers, which does urban hikes). I am the mother to two young men (now in their early twenties), who I'm trying to recruit to Workaway as well!
Age
58
What else ...
Love board games such as Balderdash, Bananagrams (oddly not a huge Scrabble fan), Snake Oil, Trivial Pursuit (but not the pop culture one). I'm an avid reader (read about a book a week, often more), including non-fiction: history, literary criticism (I'm a huge Shakespeare fan), art history.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  seasonal allergies, not terrible
- Special dietary requirements
  prefer vegetarian, but I'm fairly flexible.

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4 Jun 2026

Left by host (Join us in the foothills of ...) for Workawayer ()

Louise was here for nearly two weeks and was nothing less than an eager and willing participant in all there is to do in our area. At home, she never stopped just because her volunteer time was “over”—she was available to help, popped in the kitchen or outside in the garden to ask if there was anything else she could help with, and she took our… read more pup Elsie for many extra walks (Elsie LOVED all the time she spent with Louise!). The timing of Louise’s arrival couldn’t have been better for us, as Steve was just leaving for a raft trip for six days and with the end of the school year I had work meetings and events right and left. Louise made it possible for me to go do those things and leave the dog all day long; I knew our pup would have the most love and many long walks with Louise. I can’t thank Louise enough for that!

The timing was pretty ideal for Louise, too: The weather was gorgeous and everything was green and lovely. Louise spent Mother’s Day planting 39 tomato plants with me, and over her two weeks with us she also helped me plant basil starts, and hundreds of carrot, beet, and bean seeds (which are growing well). She also did some housework and always took pride in her work. She helped with baking (rhubarb cake) and made a delicious peanut stew for dinner (ask her to make that for you!). Each day after school I came home to a cheerful, energetic smiling face, even after she’d weeded under the jungle gym or gone on a strenuous hike that day. Louise shared her nursing expertise in several situations (MUCH appreciated) and was quick to make connections between people, circumstances, and stories, so one conversation seamlessly gave way to another. For example, she fit right into our "girls night Buddha bowl potluck dinner" as if she'd known us for ages. When Louise and my daughter had an entire conversation in French during dinner one night, I was in mama heaven, enjoying their beautiful accents and hearing my daughter use her college degree (a minor in French).

Outside of the house, Louise was an A+ adventurer. Having researched the area and come prepared with ideas and some plans, Louise walked, bussed, and biked for miles, took hikes, and explored local towns and museums. Each evening she came home with tales of people she’d met (and one tale of a bear she luckily didn’t meet but apparently it was close!). Louise can talk to anyone, and has many stories from her world travels and interesting people she knows.

Louise is honest. When she accidentally lost Steve’s favorite water bottle, she told him about it and bought him a new one just like it (he appreciated that!). On Louise’s last night here, we invited a friend over to join us for dinner and game night. Our friend later described Louise, saying, “She is one classy and intelligent lady.” I agree, and I’d add “fashionable,” for no matter her activity, Louise looked put together and had great outfits (she loves vintage clothing, too). Just as I was getting to know Louise better, our time together came to an end at the train station. However, it is clear we have much in common and I look forward to picking up where we left off one of these days! If you get the chance to host Louise, do it, and plan to welcome an enthusiastic helper who is curious, giving, and open to learning and sharing. Louise, thanks for all your help!!

(Excellent )

29 May 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us in the foothills of ...)

I had such a great experience at Kristin and Steve's place! It turns out that I was the 109th Workawayer that they have hosted. They are pros at this! In everything from the communication before my trip, to a "household handbook", to the daily print-outs of that day's tasks: everything was so clearly laid out. Kristin and Steve are equally clear… read more

(Excellent )