Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
I am at home now, taking Spanish lessons, my next destination will be Argentina, Columbia and Costa Rica.
Description
Hello, my name is Marja and I live in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For many years I used to travel through Europe on my motorbike. In 2016 I finally sold my bike and changed my way of travelling and my destination. I felt in love with Africa. I have volunteered in a small hospital for the Masai in the Ngorongoro region in Tanzania. And went twice to Madagascar for a offroad adventure on a motorbike and a quad.
In 2018 I discovered Workaway and spent 2 months on a project named Mother’s Heart Uganda just outside Mbale. In 2019 I took a 12-months leave to discover more of Africa. I have revisited Mother's Heart Uganda for the second time in 2019 for another 2 months, then I moved on to Malawai, Zambia, and Botswana where I volunteered for local community projects. I ended my year in Namibia, spent some weeks on a farm in the middle of the desert in the south of Namibia and ended my stay in on another farm just outside Otjiwarongo. All the places I stayed were Workaway hosts.
After a year in the Netherlands I felt I need to leave my home for another experience. I spent a year in 2021 on Sint Maarten, one of the Caribbean Islands where I had a job as a rehab nurse. It was a fulltime job and I had to work hard, but the ocean was only a few minutes from my house. And I love the ocean, almost everyday you could find me there to swim, snorkel, dive or go kayaking.
I came back to Amsterdam in March 2022 and start working as a district nurse, which I really liked, but I was already making plans for another Workaway experience. I am ready to take another year of in September 2023 to discover New Zealand and Australia.
From September 2023 until February 2024 I travelled in New Zealand in my campervan. What an amazing country! I did another 3 workaways. For me this is the way to learn about local live. I moved on to Australia for another adventure in a campervan, driving around in Queensland. After another 2 months in Indonesia I enden my travelling year in the south of Spain. And now I am back home again dreaming about my next destination.Interests
LanguagesVegetarian or veganSailing / BoatingCyclingWater sportsCampingBloggingWritingBeachPhotographyCharity workSustainabilityVideographyDIY & craftsBooksVan lifeNatureFarmingCultureLanguages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerSkills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
GardeningBeing an elderly companionLife at a FarmstayEco ProjectsHelping around the houseAnimal CareHospitality/TourismCharity WorkLanguagesArt ProjectsHelping with Computers/ InternetTeachingMore details about your skills
I am a nurse, I care for people. I also have done several kind of jobs in commercial and hospitality business. I love photography and like to make short movies. I am hands on and I easily fit in. I don't mind basic circumstances. I like the rural life and the beauty of nature. I am a good organiser. I am always open to learn new skills.
Age
61
What else ...
I enjoy being with people and always interested to hear their story's. I am positive and creative and I easily fit in.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
noSpecial dietary requirements
no
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Friends
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Marja is not only a colleague nurse but also Dutch, meaning: no nonsense. Speaking the same language and getting the feedback from an experienced nurse was great. Marja became our dear friend and we miss her right hands, her insight in… read more
Thank you for the wonderful time ! You both make so many people happy, including me.
Besides helping in and around the house I had the chance, as a nurse with a background in elderly care, to be a part of the team that works a community-based day-care facility for people in their early stages of Dementia.
It was such a joy to… read more
I have seen the new moon coming up, which is breathtaking. Seen beautiful sunsets. And finally, it rained, what a joy! We made a game drive after the rain had come which was… read more
The work that Francis, Cecilia and the team is doing has made a big impression on me. How they try to improve the lives of the vulnerable youth of their community… read more
I have been so lucky, out of all the Workaway hosts in Uganda I choose this one. I had a wonderful two month with Jeremiah and his wife Kate and there 2 little boys… read more