Welcome Letter to the Au Pair
Welcome to our family! We are so excited to have you join us and we can't wait for you to be a part of our lives. We are parents of an 18-month-old son, Isano, who is full of energy, curiosity, and endless smiles. Your support will be invaluable, and I know you’ll bring so much joy to our home.
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DECEMBER 2024 UPDATE:
Due to the wonders of remote work we're able to live a digital nomad lifestyle. So while we maintain a home in San Antonio, Texas (where Dad returns to a few times a year), we are currently exploring the world one country at a time. We just completed a year in Barbados and have recently relocated to Isano and his mother's birth home in Rwanda, East Africa. We're planning to spend 2025 in Rwanda before exploring our next country and we'd love to share the beauty and culture of Rwanda with you. And if it's a good fit, we would be open to inviting you to join us in our next country.
We live in a town called Nyamata, which is a quiet and peaceful rural area about an hour outside of Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city. Life here is serene and community-oriented, offering a wonderful opportunity to experience the warmth of Rwandan culture and the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Rwanda, known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a stunning country with rolling landscapes, lush greenery, and incredible wildlife. During your time here, you’ll have the chance to explore some amazing destinations. A highlight for many is visiting the Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas, or taking a weekend trip to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, for breathtaking views and relaxation.
If you’re interested in learning Kinyarwanda (the local language), there are resources in Kigali that offer language courses tailored for foreigners, such as the Rwanda Language Center. Additionally, French is widely spoken here, as well as English, so you’ll find plenty of opportunities to practice or enhance your language skills. Kigali also has a growing expat community, and there are social groups and events where you can meet other au pairs, volunteers, or professionals living in Rwanda.
For daily life, Nyamata offers a more rural and laid-back environment, but we’re close enough to Kigali for weekend trips to enjoy museums, markets, and restaurants. The people in our community are welcoming, and you’ll get to experience authentic Rwandan hospitality firsthand.
Your primary role will be working with Mom to create and implement a play-based learning curriculum (think Montessori learning) for Isano as well as generally supporting his daily activities. At 18 months old, he’s eager to learn and explore, so your creativity and energy will be invaluable. We’ll work together to ensure you feel supported and have a good balance between your responsibilities and your personal time to explore Rwanda and pursue your interests.
We hope your experience here will be enriching, offering you a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn, and create lasting memories. If you have any questions or need help preparing for your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help in any way we can.
We can’t wait to meet you in person and welcome you to our home!
Warm regards,
Faṣeyi, Carine, and Isano
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PREVIOUS PROFILE
San Antonio is a vibrant and culturally rich city, and I’m sure you’ll love living here. There are so many things to explore! First and foremost, Spanish is spoken widely here, so if you’re interested in improving or learning the language, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice. Additionally, there are many language schools and programs in the city, such as the San Antonio Language School and The International School of San Antonio, which offer classes in both English and Spanish, as well as other languages.
Beyond language learning, San Antonio is known for its blend of history and modern attractions. You’ll love visiting the San Antonio River Walk, which is a beautiful place to stroll along the river, grab a bite to eat, or even just relax on your days off. You can also explore our city’s rich history by visiting The Alamo and other historic missions, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The local community is friendly and diverse, and you’ll have the chance to meet people from many different backgrounds. If you’re interested in meeting other au pairs or international students, there are a number of social groups and meetups in the area. You might even enjoy taking a day trip to nearby cities like Austin or spending a weekend on the Texas coast.
I want to assure you that we’ll provide all the support you need while you’re with us. Our goal is for you to feel like part of the family and to have a fulfilling experience both personally and professionally. Your primary role will be helping me to care for Isano while I am at work; engaging with him in play, helping him learn and grow, and supporting his daily routine. We’re flexible, and I want to make sure your time here is a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and personal growth as well.
Thank you so much for joining us, and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person soon. We’re ready to help you settle in and make the most of your time in San Antonio. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions before your arrival.
Warm regards,
Faṣeyi, Carine, and Isano
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