NEWS

It sounds like a scene from The Sound of Music…but this is not Maria presented with 7 kids and a whistle, this is Meta, our au pair from Slovenia, who was handed the responsibility of not 7, but 9 children! Even so, Meta got through every day with a smile on her face. It is easy to see why this remarkable au pair was selected by IAPA as one of the best au pairs of 2009!

The International Au Pair Association (IAPA), recently launched its sixth “IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award” contest. The event offers an opportunity to celebrate au pairs around the world and enhance awareness about the enriching cultural exchange experience the Au Pair program provides for both au pairs and their host families.

To nominate their au pair, host families are required to submit an essay describing what makes their au pair exceptional. The Perkett parents from Upstate New York described how Meta took on the challenge of their 9 children, of which the eldest son suffers from cerebral palsy, and 2 of the children have attention and learning difficulties.

Meta’s “can-do” attitude meant she surprisingly found time to commit to a variety of volunteer activities! This included regularly helping at a camp for critically ill children as an ‘adaptive ski-instructor’. She helped give these children a ski experience they would not otherwise have. Meta also volunteered for the Girl Scouts, assisting the leaders with troop activities. This meant she got the chance to go camping in Boston and enjoyed trips to New York City!

Meta made such a difference to the Perkett household, including teaching the kids how to fold and put away their own laundry and ensuring full marks on their first grader’s school spelling tests! They believe she made the most of her time as an au pair in the US by “embracing the culture, learning everything she can and participating in activities galore!”

A well deserved congratulations to Meta!