For the second year in a row, the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) has chosen a Cultural Care au pair as their "Au Pair of the Year" award winner! This March, the 2008 Au Pair of the Year, Cultural Care au pair Linda Falter from Germany, handed over her title to Ricardo Silva de Araújo, a Cultural Care au pair from Brazil. Cultural Care is proud that out of over 50,000 au pairs nationwide, IAPA has chosen Ricardo as their winner for 2009. IAPA is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, and, since 2004, their "Au Pair of the Year" award is one way this organization has been able to highlight the incredibly positive impact au pairs have on their host families.
The Boyers have been hosting male au pairs since 2004 to help care for Taylor who has had brain damage and a seizure disorder since infancy. Taylor speaks but a few words and he is small for his age - he's just five feet tall and 80 pounds - but, like other boys, he goes to school, walks, loves to play ball and visit the local hangouts. Host mom Kim says, "Every child is a privilege and a child with special needs is just a more challenging privilege."
Although most of his childcare hours came from working in a Primary School and babysitting, Ricardo had some experience caring for special needs children back in Brazil. Upon meeting the Boyers, he immediately acquainted himself with Taylor's needs and jumped right into the family's hectic schedule. The first year went so well, Ricardo decided to extend his year in the U.S. and stay another 12 months.
Host mom Kim Boyer couldn't be more thrilled - and the letter she wrote to nominate Ricardo for "Au Pair of the Year" explains why.
"It became apparent that Ricardo was an exceptional young man, full of compassion, patience, gentleness, and a desire to see the disabled enjoy a life like yours and mine as much as possible. He never tires of encouraging Taylor to meet his challenges and reach beyond them whenever possible. The friendship that has developed between the two of them is loyal and enduring.
He has truly enhanced Taylor's life in a way I never thought possible; and in a way I will forever be grateful. Ricardo is an excellent example of all that one would hope for in a childcare provider but also all that one would enjoy as a precious 'son' and dear friend. He is truly the spirit of Cultural Care and the best in mankind."
Ricardo is just as grateful for the experience he's had at the Boyer household. "We [Taylor and I] are good friends, best buddies. I want to make him as happy as I am, and give to Taylor good moments by my side.
To Taylor I give my best, this is the way to thank him for all that he taught me. Our friendship will be forever. His disability it is not an obstacle for his happiness, this makes me feel good. I came to America as an au pair, I will leave like a better human. Special needs are not an excuse to not to find the happiness and the real meaning of life."
Ricardo was honored at IAPA’s Annual Conference and Work Experience Travel Market in the Vienna, Austria on March 25th. He will also attend Cultural Care Au Pair's National Meeting in Los Angeles, CA at the end of April. Cultural Care Au Pair would like to thank Ricardo - and all of our au pairs across the country - for their commitment and dedication to their Cultural Care host families.
On July 14, 2006, German au pair Linda Falter, arrived to Hayward, CA to join the Sato family. Host parents Grace and Genro, and children Milagro (then 4 years) and Kotomi (then 2 years) were excited and nervous to welcome their new au pair. Those initial feelings, however, quickly turned to appreciation for all that Linda did for her host family. Aside from being a wonderful, patient caregiver, Linda helped Milagro, who is visually impaired, learn to read and write Braille (after first teaching herself) and to challenge herself physically at the local rock-climbing gym. Linda shared her native language with Kotomi through Biene Maja books, a German childrens' story series. She helped the Satos adjust to life with three children instead of two when their son was born. Linda's other contributions to the Sato family are too numerous to count.
Au Pair of the Year 2009
On November 16, 2007, Brazilian au pair Ricardo Silva de Araújo, traveled to the U.S. to live with the Boyer Family in Richmond, VA. Host parents Kim and John have three older children who no longer live at home, but their youngest, Taylor was 16 years old when Ricardo arrived.The Boyers have been hosting male au pairs since 2004 to help care for Taylor who has had brain damage and a seizure disorder since infancy. Taylor speaks but a few words and he is small for his age - he's just five feet tall and 80 pounds - but, like other boys, he goes to school, walks, loves to play ball and visit the local hangouts. Host mom Kim says, "Every child is a privilege and a child with special needs is just a more challenging privilege."
Although most of his childcare hours came from working in a Primary School and babysitting, Ricardo had some experience caring for special needs children back in Brazil. Upon meeting the Boyers, he immediately acquainted himself with Taylor's needs and jumped right into the family's hectic schedule. The first year went so well, Ricardo decided to extend his year in the U.S. and stay another 12 months.
Host mom Kim Boyer couldn't be more thrilled - and the letter she wrote to nominate Ricardo for "Au Pair of the Year" explains why.
"It became apparent that Ricardo was an exceptional young man, full of compassion, patience, gentleness, and a desire to see the disabled enjoy a life like yours and mine as much as possible. He never tires of encouraging Taylor to meet his challenges and reach beyond them whenever possible. The friendship that has developed between the two of them is loyal and enduring.
He has truly enhanced Taylor's life in a way I never thought possible; and in a way I will forever be grateful. Ricardo is an excellent example of all that one would hope for in a childcare provider but also all that one would enjoy as a precious 'son' and dear friend. He is truly the spirit of Cultural Care and the best in mankind."
Ricardo is just as grateful for the experience he's had at the Boyer household. "We [Taylor and I] are good friends, best buddies. I want to make him as happy as I am, and give to Taylor good moments by my side.
To Taylor I give my best, this is the way to thank him for all that he taught me. Our friendship will be forever. His disability it is not an obstacle for his happiness, this makes me feel good. I came to America as an au pair, I will leave like a better human. Special needs are not an excuse to not to find the happiness and the real meaning of life."
Ricardo was honored at IAPA’s Annual Conference and Work Experience Travel Market in the Vienna, Austria on March 25th. He will also attend Cultural Care Au Pair's National Meeting in Los Angeles, CA at the end of April. Cultural Care Au Pair would like to thank Ricardo - and all of our au pairs across the country - for their commitment and dedication to their Cultural Care host families.
Au Pair of the Year 2008
On July 14, 2006, German au pair Linda Falter, arrived to Hayward, CA to join the Sato family. Host parents Grace and Genro, and children Milagro (then 4 years) and Kotomi (then 2 years) were excited and nervous to welcome their new au pair. Those initial feelings, however, quickly turned to appreciation for all that Linda did for her host family. Aside from being a wonderful, patient caregiver, Linda helped Milagro, who is visually impaired, learn to read and write Braille (after first teaching herself) and to challenge herself physically at the local rock-climbing gym. Linda shared her native language with Kotomi through Biene Maja books, a German childrens' story series. She helped the Satos adjust to life with three children instead of two when their son was born. Linda's other contributions to the Sato family are too numerous to count.