On Sunday, June 12th, ten Au Pairs from Go Au Pair agency and two host families volunteered at the PSBI picnic, in Bucks County, PA . We were there because we are passionate about cultural exchange, meeting new friends and helping others, especially families with adopted children. Our efforts to help Pearl S. Buck International in making the picnic very special for many adopted families were very successful.
There were a lot of families with children adopted from many countries, mostly from Korea, China and Russia. Many Au Pairs had a chance to meet a kid adopted from their native countries.
“Where are you from, Who are you?” were the common questions there. “We came from Argentine, Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and France, but we are Au Pairs from Go Au Pair now”.
Many families knew nothing about an Au Pair program and it was their first chance to meet Au Pairs. During the picnic the families could observe these enthusiastic friendly nannies at work with children. Parents were surprised to see how these international nannies are caring and experienced.
One mom said “I wish I could afford these nannies, and I definitely will consider this program in the future for my adopted son. I have never realized how skillful and competent these young women with kids on one hand, and playful and cheerful from another.” I proudly said that Go Au Pair has the best pool of Au Pairs, and they have been internationally recognized through IAPA award in 2009, 2005 and 2004.
Go Au Pair helped make this picnic very special. The agency sent Au Pairs very pretty T-shirts with the logo. All the Au Pairs were thrilled to wear this fancy T-shirt and they looked so amazing. The Agency also gave a huge $1000 discount off the program fees for any family who had attended this picnic.
We entertained the children, played games, taught them words from their birth country, made crafts and had fun together.
Time flies so fast. It was an amazing day and we accomplished a lot.
Kids ADORE Au Pairs, and parents like them too.
We had a lot of fun! Volunteering with friends, doing something you like, it is always amazing! And we made someone else’s day!
Giving back to the community made us all feel good. Everyone had a great time, made new friends, and than we had dinner together. Everyone brought a dish from their country. The best dish had a special prize, but all dishes were delicious.
We had a real problem to find the best dish. Each dish was very tasty and we voted by candy. Francieli’s dish had 5 candies. WOW!
Congratulations to Francieli, (in the middle) you are a winner! 🙂
Good event, we made many children very happy. We will volunteer again, next month for FRUA.
Aug 13, 2011 @ 13:30:49
I really liked this idea you did for a gathering and benefit.
How did it come about etc.?
I live outside NYC as an LAR in NJ and would love more information on what you did or who you contacted to make it happen etc.
Thanks
Patti McHugh
LAR Northern, NJ
Go Au Pair
phmchugh@verizon.net
201 670 9599
Aug 14, 2011 @ 11:41:20
Thank you for your comment, Patti. I worked and volunteered for PSBI. I am sure that there are many adoption facilities near you who would love to meet Au Pairs. They may recruit children from the same countries that Au Pairs from your cluster came from. It is really great experience for everyone. Just call the agency near you and say that you want to volunteer for them. Good Luck!
Nov 11, 2011 @ 06:26:14
Yes, you have said it quite right that making someone Else’s day is really a special feeling and gives you satisfaction from inside and its quite tough to express that feeling. Nannies were looking quite caring in the pics that you have posted here and kids were really looking to enjoy the time they had got with all them. I also liked this Idea as through this Go Au pair had delivered something more valuable to the adopted kids. Good luck for Next time.
Feb 14, 2012 @ 11:14:27
Thank you for your kind words.