A New Zealand Volunteer in France

This week we said goodbye and thank you to Carolyn Nimmo, a volunteer from New Zealand who came to the south west of France to improve her French skills and to experience the French culture.

Carolyn quickly immersed herself in the French culture by participating in regular games of Pétanque, speaking French with locals and other volunteers.

Carolyn gardening at La Giraudiere

In New Zealand Carolyn works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to arrange and support people who are coming from developing countries to New Zealand to study. A dream of hers is to live in France for about 6 months and she is definitely well on her way to being able to speak the language fluently.

At La Giraudiere she took on many housekeeping and gardening duties.She regularly planted new flowers around La Giraudiere and taught new volunteers a little bit about gardening.

Thank you Carolyn for your help at La Giraudiere. It was a pleasure to have you on our team and to work with you!

Thank you Shavanna Woon, a volunteer from the United Kingdom who left La Giraudiere this week. Shavanna recently graduated from college with a diploma in Uniformed Public Service and came to the south west of France to learn French, meet new people and to learn valuable skills.

Shavanna and Sidney in Brossac

During her time at La Giraudiere Shavanna learned to put up dry wall, plaster boards, garden and much more. She also got to experience the French culture and gain an understanding of the French language.

Now that Shavanna has returned to England she will be working at a night club, while pursuing a career with the police.

Thank you Shavanna for all your hardwork and generosity while at La Giraudiere. It was a pleasure to have you be a part of our team of volunteers for the spring!

An American Volunteer in France

This weekend we said goodbye to Betsy Shoup a volunteer from the United States. Betsy joined La Giraudiere to learn French and to experience the French culture in a village in the Charante region of France.

Betsy with Sidney in Brossac

With her extensive experience in the hospitality industry Betsy was well-equipped to take on housekeeping duties at La Giraudiere. She was responsible for preparing morning tea, preparing rooms for new volunteers and other housekeeping duties.

In addition to her housekeeping duties, Betsy spent much of her time gardening, cleaning the Old House and other duties that needed to be completed at La Giraudiere.

Thank you Betsy for everything you have done at La Giraudiere. You were a great addition to our team here and it was a pleasure working with you!

A French Volunteer Learns English

This weekend we said goodbye to Idriss Lansac a French volunteer who came to La Giraudiere for 4 weeks to learn English.

Idriss came to gain an understanding of the English language, but he also gained practical skills. While at La Giraudiere Idriss did a variety of jobs. He learned to garden, including the use of a strimmer, and how to put up drywall.

Now that he has finished his time at La Giraudiere he is going to  school to become a firefighter.

Thank you Idriss for your help around La Giraudiere. You provided some great laughs and played some excellent card games while you were here. Good luck in the future, it was a pleasure to have you on our team!