Introduction Video Link: 85wOT5g0
Dear potential Host Family.
Available to start in March 2025.
My name is Marike . I was born in South Africa. I live on a farm near Trompsburg. I am 23 years old, and I have a degree in Consumer/food science.
My happy family consists of, my mother (Marietjie), my father (Jaco) and my brother (Nico). I grew up on the farm. When I started school, I was in boarding school for 12 years. On weekends my parents would pick me up from the hostel and we would spend the weekend together on the farm, playing board games, driving around the farm, taking the dogs for a hike in the mountains. I am currently living in Richmond, Virginia, America and working as an Au Pair for a lovely host family. I am taking care of one boy Leo, (now 4 and a half years old) and one girl Vivi, (now 2 and a half years old. When I arrived in America Leo were 2 years old and Vivi only 10 months old.
Childcare experience:
I have been an Au Pair for 18 months. My day to day consists of clothing the children, packing their school bags and taking them to school. I pick them up from school, make them lunch and let them take a nap. After nap time we would play, do science experiments, or arts and crafts. Later I would make them dinner and give them a bath. When my host parents weren’t home, I would put them in bed and do the night shift as well. During the summer months they do not attend school, therefore we have the whole day to play. I taught them both how to swim and we would go swimming every day during summer. I also took them on long drive adventures to the beach, Washington or other cities. I took them to playgrounds every day. I also potty-trained Leo and I’m currently busy potty training Vivi. I have worked 1400 hours with Leo and Vivi
I have taken care of many children before becoming an Au Pair. The youngest I have cared for, was 5 months old. The baby’s name is MJ. I have worked about 200 hours with MJ
I've also cared for three children for almost 7 years once every month or when the parents needed me. At their youngest Kaylin was 8 years old Caroline was 6 and Karina was the newborn baby. I have worked more than 300 hours with these children.
I have looked after other children from ages 3-16, for short periods of time.
I would love to become a Consumer Science teacher and share my love for food science. After my Au Pair journeys, I will do my Post Gradates degree in Senior phase teaching.
My hobbies include creating new recipes baking and cooking. Other hobbies include drawing and painting. I’m a creative person and enjoy arts and crafts. I also enjoy spending time outside with my dogs, my horses and helping my father on the farm. Family time is also a hobby, we make time for each other every day. Sometimes I like to knit and sew my own clothes.
I want to see a new country and experience other people's culture and food. I love children so looking after children and living in a new country at the same time, will be a dream come true. Being an Au Pair grants me time to travel and see new places. I also think going away for another year would help me learn more about myself and help me grow even more independent.
Hope to meet you very soon.
Kindest regards
