Sristi Foundation, India – 10 Jan 2024 – 17 Feb 2024
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Jeff and Ms. Sylvie from UK for their incredible contributions during their one-month tenure with us. Throughout their time here, they brought immense value and dedication to our mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Jeff’s meticulous research and outreach efforts resulted in the identification of 200 charitable organizations with 82 aligning perfectly with our vision. His strategic support extended to designing our brochure, assisting in fundraising efforts and spearheading the proposal for the Fellowship Programme.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sylvie’s volunteering expertise in kitchen operations and also a professional retired teacher led to significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness. Her suggestions and detailed manual have streamlined our processes, making cooking, cleaning and training easier for our community members in cooking skills. Beyond their professional contributions, Mr. Jeff and Ms. Sylvie created a warm and joyful atmosphere within our community, treating our members with genuine care and affection. Their productivity and dedication throughout their time with us exemplify that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference. As they move forward, our blessings and support go with them. We are immensely grateful for their commitment and look forward to continued collaboration as we strive to spread smiles and create positive change.
Project Somos, Guatemala – 29 Jan 2023 – 10 Mar 2023
It was a joy and privilege to have Sylvie and Jeff helping on our farm, we were so lucky to have them here, such a friendly, wonderful, caring, hardworking, enthusiastic , responsible, punctual and willing to work couple you wont find…they took on every task we asked of them with a smile, even though a lot of the work was new to them, and at the end of the work day it was difficult to stop Sylvie from working! They were great with the goats, although I think the goats drove them “up the walls” at times (goats can be cheeky like teenagers!!) but they managed just fine. Other work like tidying up and moving cut branches or painting cupboards , cleaning and varnishing chairs, and keeping the “caravan” immaculate!… so many odd jobs about the farm they did, how can we ever thank them enough. We miss them and hope they will come back sometime.
Im Hateva, Gan Yavne – 4-8 Dec 2022
Jeff and Sylvie arrived in our home at a peak of a challenging week for us and immediately made themselves useful in everything they could. besides working here with so much love and good will (we gave them a task and left them alone- after a few hours all was finished nicely and accurately) they also helped us in the house by cooking, organizing and even giving Orly a daily massage treatment on her back pain. We had the most interesting conversations and loved spending nice quiet hours together at the end of the day. Unfortunately because of health challenges we couldn’t do more but we hope they will come again and we’ll continue doing good together. Thanks so much Sylvie and Jeff and see you soon!
Goat Herding, Ezuz – 18 Oct 2022 – 19 Nov 2022
It was a joy and privilege to have Sylvie and Jeff helping on our farm, we were so lucky to have them here, such a friendly, wonderful, caring, hardworking, enthusiastic , responsible, punctual and willing to work couple you wont find..they took on every task we asked of them with a smile, even though a lot of the work was new to them, and at the end of the work day it was difficult to stop Sylvie from working! They were great with the goats, although I think the goats drove them “up the walls” at times, – (goats can be cheeky like teenagers!!) but they managed just fine. Other work like tidying up and moving cut branches or painting cupboards , cleaning and varnishing chairs, and keeping the “caravan” immaculate!… so many odd jobs about the farm they did, how can we ever thank them enough. We miss them and hope they will come back sometime .
Galapagos Horse Friends, Galapagos Islands – 9 Jan – 19 Feb 2022
Sylvie and Jeff had stayed with us for 6 weeks and have left a milestone of good work at my project.
They shared their professional skills and where extremely helpful in all the different aspects we needed to progress. Sylvie even joined us in an important meeting with local authorities and helped with many translation work as much as helping to write letters in English . Jeff gave us a huge help with his knowledge about project management for charities. I am very thankful that I did get the opportunity to meet this wonderful and open minded couple , who really came to help and worked many hours every day to make a real difference. With the horses Jeff and Sylvie helped grooming, giving water, cleaning hoofs as much as connecting with our herd in the most respectful and gentle way. Now, Jeff and Sylvie became part of us with all their work and experience and I already miss them. With warm regards, Claudia
Coffee Plantation, Costa Rica 5 – 25 Mar 2021
Amazing. The best Workaway experience as a host yet. Diligent. Caring. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. To sum it up, you are lucky to have them. I’d give Jeff and Sylvie 10 stars if I could.
Fundacion Saimiri, Costa Rica 29 Jan – 4 Mar 2021
Jeff and Sylvie are really missed on our house. We were really delighted to have hosted them! Jeff supported my organization in the search for funds, identifying every possible donor. Sylvie has a lot of experience teaching and cooking. So she take over my son education on his free time so I could work more on my organization. She also helped make delicious meals. They helped us for 5 weeks and worked more than 5 hours a day, they were constantly helping us and asking how they can help. The mostly went on excursions the weekends but if they didn’t they were also helping. I am really glad I met them and that they were part of my family for more than a month. And to finish, the last week they were here I had a sudden trip and they had no problem to watch our house and dogs. There are no words to describe how incredible this couple is. Thank you so much for choosing our family and my organization.
Il Faro, Brindisi, Italy 9 Nov 2020 – 22 Jan 2021
We are really delighted to have hosted Jeff and Sylvie!
Jeff supported us in the search for funds for our social innovation project, identifying every possible opportunity for sustaining the project (private funds, forms of self-financing, participation in tenders).
Sylvie has been of huge help to us for the daily activities, for the restoration of some of the donated furniture and for her special attention to the issues of plastic recycling and compost production.
A great couple! Two very special people! In these two months they have been an active part in our work group, integrating peacefully with the other volunteers and with all the staff.
We are genuinely sorry about their early departure due to Brexit, we consider them part of our community… they will be missed by all! We wish them all the best and sincerely hope they will be back in this part of the world and we will see them again soon!
Blacks Ranch Farm, Belgium 10 Aug – 2 Oct 2020
I can say nothing but positive things about Jeff and Sylvie. They have done a lot of work here. And always as cheerful and friendly. It was really nice to have them at our farm. They helped us in the garden, they completely reorganized a whole piece of the garden, and also with (a lot of) weeding, according to Jeff it was addictive hahaha they helped us with the horses (mucking out, brushing horses and putting them in and out the pasture etc).
They took great care of our chickens, geese and guinea fowl. Furthermore, Jeff painted all the window frames, really very neat, we are so happy with it. Also all the woodwork at the stables got a new makeover. Looking back you have done soooo much work for us, and you have helped us A LOT in this strange corona time. We highly recommend Jeff and Sylvie to other hosts and you are always very welcome back with us.
Orchardton Castle, Scotland 10 Apr – 13 June 2020
Jeff and Sylvie are absolutely fantastic. Sylvie cant stop working, you could tie her to a chair and she would drag it over to the kitchen or out into the garden. Cleaning, cooking sorting, innovative ideas for the home. Sylvie is a real treasure. I hope she felt as appreciated as she was and that she will come back with Jeff one day SOON. The chickens miss them both though they particularly miss Jeff. Jeff is a rare individual who is totally organised and easily completes any task set. He helped me with accounts, the lawn, the chickens, future idea uses for the castle. To top it all, Sylvie and Jeff were a very humorous and entertaining couple. Despite arriving at a terrible time of loss, it was a pleasure to have them here.
