Join our family in beautiful Greater Victoria, BC, Canada

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Our next hosting availability is on October 17. Please note that we will not be hosting again until mid-to-late April 2026.
  We do receive a high volume of volunteer inquiries, so we encourage you to reach out early if you're interested.
  
  Hello! We’re a busy homeschooling family of five — myself, my husband, and our three children (ages 12, 10, and 4) — living in the picturesque Westshore area of Greater Victoria.
  
  We love to travel and have enjoyed connecting with people from around the world, both through our adventures and by hosting volunteers. One of our favorite activities is exploring the natural beauty around us — we're lucky to be surrounded by beaches, parks, forests, and trails. We hope you'll enjoy everything this beautiful part of Canada has to offer!
  
  Over the past six years, through various platforms, we've hosted around 40 volunteers, aged 18 to 70, and learned what makes for a great match — both for our family and for our guests. We've thoughtfully created this profile to provide clear, detailed information and help avoid any misunderstandings, so we can continue welcoming kind, curious travelers who value cultural and language exchanges.
  
  Please take time to read each section carefully, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
  
  If our dates align, we’d be happy to set up a WhatsApp call — it’s a great way to connect and give you a better sense of our home and family life.
  
  We do our best to respond to interested volunteers promptly. If we don’t receive a follow-up message within 2 days, we will move on to other inquiries. Due to the high volume of messages we receive, we’re unable to hold dates for individuals who stop communicating. While we understand this can be disappointing, timely communication is essential to secure your stay with us.
  
  Please only apply if you are serious about volunteering. We ask that applicants are fully prepared—this includes having the necessary funds and any required permission to travel. Unfortunately, we’ve had a small number of experiences with individuals who cancel travels due to avoidable issues. To respect everyone’s time, unreliable applicants may be reported to the platform.
  
  Finally, to confirm your stay, we require proof of travel to Canada and/or Victoria.
  
  Thank you, and happy travels!

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Jardinería

  Cuidado de niños y juegos creativos

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica
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  Intereses

  

  Cultura

  

  Libros

  

  Playa

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Autodesarrollo

  

  Política / justicia social

  

  Sostenibilidad

  

  Historia

  

  Música

  

  Actividades al aire libre

  

  Naturaleza

  

  Yoga / bienestar
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Our household blends Canadian and South Asian culture, offering a unique opportunity for a cultural exchange. Both my husband and I are bilingual—we speak English and Urdu.
  
  Victoria is a vibrant city with something for everyone. Whether you're interested in cultural celebrations, nature outings, seasonal festivals, historic sites, farmers' markets, libraries, or recreation centers, there’s always something to explore. The local bus and ferry networks make it easy to get around the city and discover more of the beautiful West Coast. If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll find plenty to do—hiking, kayaking, berry picking, and cycling are just a few of the options. For those who prefer a livelier urban atmosphere, downtown Victoria is just 30 minutes away.
  
  If you're looking to improve your English, I have several years of teaching experience and can help with language lessons or exam preparation (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT).
  
  We also love learning from our guests! If you’d like to share your language, recipes, art, crafts, or sports skills, we’d be thrilled to learn from you.

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  Proyectos con niños

  En este proyecto podría haber niños. Para obtener más información, consulta nuestras directrices y consejos aquí.

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  Ayuda

  We’re looking for volunteers who genuinely enjoy being part of a family environment. For us, participating in family life is a key part of the exchange. We love getting to know our guests! Sorry, but at this time we can not host solo/single male travelers and/or travelers whom require an invitation letter for Visa purposes.
  
  As busy parents, we truly rely on the help of another adult who can seamlessly integrate into our daily home life, take initiative, and provide support where needed. We're looking for responsible, mature, and tidy individuals. We've had many wonderful volunteers over the past six years who brought great energy and enthusiasm to our household — and those memories stay with us.
  
  That said, we’ve also had a few experiences where volunteers were not a good match, which made the exchange uncomfortable for everyone involved. To help avoid this, please carefully read the following list before reaching out. These issues arose with only a small number of past guests, but they are important to mention.
  
  Volunteers who are NOT a good fit for our family:
  Prefers to stay in their room most of the time (we are social and enjoy connection)
  Sleeps late or is tired throughout the day (we need energy — no night owls 😴)
  Doesn't complete the agreed-upon 5 hours due to lack of initiative or procrastination
  Unnecessary usage of phones during helping hours 📵
  Rushes through tasks, requires frequent reminders, or completes jobs carelessly
  Prioritizes constant social plans outside the home, frequently asks for time off to see friends
  Treats our home like a hotel or sits idle during volunteering time
  Expects drop-offs/pickups (we may help occasionally, but not every time)
  Asks to borrow our electronics (we don’t lend out laptops, tablets, AirPods, etc.)
  Uncomfortable, inexperienced, or argumentative around children (emotional intelligence needed)
  Expects to be “looked after” like a fourth child — we already have three 😊
  
  If issues arise, we’ll have a conversation to address them. If there's no improvement, we will politely ask the volunteer to leave.
  
  Help We Need
  Below are the four main areas where help is needed. We especially appreciate volunteers who are comfortable in the kitchen. While we’re not picky eaters, meal prep is a key part of the support we require.
  
  1. General Household
  Cleaning, organizing, basic maintenance, and small repairs
  
  2. Kitchen
  Preparing snacks, cooking simple meals (more than just pasta or sandwiches), keeping the kitchen tidy and organized
  
  3. Children
  We don't need babysitters; we need mature and engaging adults who can have fun with the kids and be like an older sibling or mentor. Patience with the children is essential. We will not tolerate any form of manipulative behavior, including encouraging dishonesty, asking children to keep secrets, using inappropriate language, or placing blame on children for mistakes made by volunteers.
  
  4. Gardening
  Weeding, watering, raking leaves, mowing, planting
  
  Schedule & Expectations
  We aim for 5 hours of help per day, 25 hours per week. Volunteers are expected to help 5 days per week with 2 days off. To take a day off, a minimum of 3 consecutive days of volunteering must be completed beforehand.
  
  What a typical day MAY look like, but this changes from month to month:
  1-2hrs household help
  1-2hrs with the children
  1-2hrs kitchen help
  
  You're welcome to adjust and manage your daily schedule, as long as the agreed-upon hours are completed. We allow for flexibility based on everyone’s needs.
  
  We’ve had so many meaningful and enriching experiences with volunteers and look forward to welcoming more wonderful guests into our home. We’re honest, considerate, and supportive — and we expect the same in return. If a volunteer seems uninterested in the Workaway experience or is taking advantage of our hospitality, we’ll give fair warning and, if necessary, ask them to leave.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Urdu: Fluido

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  I have extensive experience teaching English, including exam preparation courses for TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, and SAT. Teaching is my passion, and if you're looking to improve your English skills, I'm confident we can make great progress together! My children and I are also eager to learn new languages — especially Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Dari — and would appreciate the opportunity to exchange language skills.
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  Alojamiento

  You’ll have both a private bedroom and a private detached full bathroom downstairs. All clean linens, towels, and basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap) are provided. If you require other personal items, please bring them or plan to purchase them locally.
  
  Our family bedrooms are upstairs, so while you’ll have a reasonable amount of privacy, please note that we’re a household with children — some noise and activity during the day is to be expected.
  
  There’s also a shared office on the ground floor, you're welcome to use it as a quiet workspace when not in use.
  
  Food & Kitchen
  The kitchen (located on the upper floor) is a shared space, and you’re welcome to prepare meals and snacks during daytime hours. Please be mindful that groceries in Canada are expensive — we ask volunteers to eat in healthy moderation and avoid overconsumption. Unfortunately, food addiction is something we are seeing more and more with volunteers.
  
  If you're taking a day off, you're welcome to pack a FEW light snacks. However, if you're planning a longer outing or road trip, please do your grocery shopping. You're welcome to use the kitchen to prepare, but we do not provide meals or ingredients for full-day trips or extended time away.
  
  Even on your days off, please continue to clean up after yourself, especially if you're eating meals at home.
  
  Dietary Notes:
  If you have dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten-free) or specific preferences, please note that we only purchase items that the whole family can consume, as part of our effort to reduce food waste. You are free to purchase any specific foods and consume them as you wish.
  
  Important Guidelines
  Phone Use: Please limit phone and screen time during volunteer hours. We try to model healthy screen habits for our children and ask that volunteers avoid using phones for social media or non-urgent messaging in shared spaces while completing their hours.
  
  Substances: We are a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and pork-free household. We kindly ask volunteers to respect this and not consume these items in our home.
  
  Guests & Vehicle Use:
  We do not allow friends of volunteers to stay overnight, and unfortunately, we cannot lend our car due to BC’s strict insurance regulations.
  
  Accidents & Accountability:
  If you break, damage, or lose anything during your stay, you will be responsible for covering the cost. Failure to do so may result in being asked to leave.
  
  Appropriate Attire:
  Please wear clothing suitable for a family setting. While you’re welcome to enjoy the yard or nearby beach for sunbathing, we ask that minimal or beach-style clothing (bikini, tube top/bra top, micro shorts/micro skirts) not be worn inside the house during meals or volunteering hours, as these are shared spaces. Also, please be sure to bring weather-appropriate clothing, especially for spring and fall. The weather can change quickly, and some days can become unexpectedly chilly or cold. We do not supply jackets or rain gear.
  
  Cleanliness:
  Please help us maintain a clean and organized home by keeping your room, bathroom, and common areas neat.
  
  Getting Here:
  Most volunteers arrive in Victoria by ferry from Vancouver. There are also ferry options from Seattle and Port Angeles. If your flight arrives or departs from Victoria, we are unable to provide transportation. Please arrange your travel via Uber or taxi.
  
  Getting Around
  We live in a quiet, uphill residential area. The nearest bus stop is a 7-minute walk from our home. Buses run every 30 minutes during the day.
  Note: Buses do not accept credit cards. You'll need exact change, or you can use the UMO app to load credit and pay directly from your phone. Uber is also available in Victoria now.
  
  Final Note
  We provide a well-stocked kitchen, a private bedroom, and a detached bathroom in one of Canada’s most beautiful and most expensive cities. We ask that volunteers respect the exchange by being present, proactive, and helpful during volunteer hours.

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  Algo más...

  Volunteers can explore nearby destinations like Tofino, Nanaimo, Parksville, Gulf Islands, Port Angeles, and Seattle. With the mildest climate in Canada, Greater Victoria enjoys year-round blooms and abundant natural beauty. Surrounded by ocean and forest, the region offers outdoor adventures in every season.
  
  Victoria is easy to explore on foot and offers a mix of relaxation, culture, and history. As the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest, it reflects a rich blend of First Nations, British colonial, and Asian influences — visible in its architecture, landmarks, cuisine, and festivals.
  
  You may also wish to take a weekend trip to Vancouver or connect with other travelers visiting this beautiful and diverse part of Canada.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  We have a quiet, comfortable office next to your room, or you’re welcome to work in the bright, open living and dining area. The internet is strong and reliable throughout the house.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Dos

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  Mis animales / mascotas

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