When Fair dropped out of university in 2020 due to low funds, she didn’t imagine her life would lead her to travel across all of Europe as an au pair.
Fair Mungendje, a Namibian-born multifaceted woman, has now added agency owner under her belt of achievements. She has launched Refined Cultural Care, a one-stop agency whose sole purpose is to connect you, a prospective au pair, to amazing host families ready to make your experience one of a kind!
I caught up with this stunning business coordinator to get to know more about her, what people can expect from the agency, and much, much more!
BEGINNINGS
Fair, who is now based in France, first au paired in 2020 in the Netherlands after facing some academic hardships.
“I came to a point where I could no longer afford my studies. So, I stopped school and decided to become an au pair during my gap year and figure out my life,” Fair said.
Au pairing was the perfect opportunity to combine travelling and working with children.
When she was in Namibia seeking au pair opportunities, she had to go through a South African-owned agency, and even that route had its setbacks.
“I noticed some bias in these agencies. They often gave their citizens the upper hand in terms of applications and placements, and unfortunately, that’s what Namibians get when applying through agencies that aren’t home-based.
“I had signed up with agencies that didn’t carry me through,” Fair said. “But now I am at a place where I want to do better for others who want to au pair.”
That is what motivated Fair to build Refined Cultural Care, a Namibian-owned and registered agency, to be able to help Namibian girls who are struggling with the lack of information at hand because there is little to no information with regards to how to become an au pair as a Namibian.
“I want to be at the forefront of helping my Namibian sisters access the same opportunities as everybody else and give them the kind of help I didn’t have.”
Fair Mungendje
FINDING ONESELF
She explained that by going to Europe, she got to know another side of herself that was different from the social standards back home.
“To a certain extent, we are shaped by the communities and social standards we come from. We adopt our family’s morals and values, so when you leave home, you find out who you really are.”
Being in a foreign place, living with strangers, taking care of households and children, and managing her own finances changed the way she thinks, behaves, views herself, and life.
“Being an African child and a Herero woman, I have come to realise that our parents did a great job raising us,” Fair said confidently. “The au pair programme is a cultural exchange, and families look for a refined person.”
Fair alluded to the fact that there are challenges that come with this, such as people having grand expectations.
“At its core, au pairing is just a job. Yet most people romanticise it and end up being severely disappointed because the life they created in their heads is not what they come to,” Fair said.
“You have a room, but it feels like you’re living out of your suitcase because in 12 months you are going to leave and start all over again.”
Fair Mungendje
Homesickness and the fast-paced life also get the better of people, Fair said, admitting that no one is ever fully prepared.
But there are some reallllly good perks!
The greatest joy about her experience as an au pair for four years now is the relationships she has formed with the families.
“The bond I have with the children, seeing them grow, and watching them execute what I have taught them gives me so much joy,” she exclaimed.
Secondly, one can travel between the European countries quite easily since there are no border controls.
“Having lived in so many countries and learning foreign languages like Dutch, Danish, and now French has been blissful,” she beamed.
AFRICENTRIC
Fair said that they will be collaborating with Namibians, South Africans, and Botswanan citizens before they can eventually include other nationalities.
“We have decided to begin working with these nationalities because we are well aware of the visa application processes in these countries,” she said.
Of course, they have plans to help girls from all over Africa.
As for countries that women can au pair in, these are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States of America, because those are the countries with au pair visas and programmes.
“As an agency from Namibia into Europe, we are starting with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Then, when the candidates are already in Europe, it’ll be easier to reallocate them to other countries once their term is over,” Fair explained.
CONDITIONS
Because an au pair is a childcare provider, most families feel more comfortable with women. Consequently, the chances of male applicants matching with host families are quite low, which in turn has reduced the overall number of male applications, Fair said.
“There are some single dads, single moms, or full households with only sons, and such families opt for male au pairs,” Fair explained.
Fair listed a few basic requirements for au pairs, which are that you ought to be between the ages of 18 and 29, have no children of your own, and have at least a grade 12 matriculation. Still, there are some conditions that vary from country to country.
“The Netherlands, for example, requires a tuberculosis test upon arrival. For Germany, you need to attach an A1 language certificate, and for the United States, you need to attach your driver’s licence,” Fair said.
HOST FAMILIES
Fair said that host families look for people who can take initiative and run a household by themselves without waiting to be told what to do or when. Open-minded people who can speak up for themselves will thrive, as will friendly, down-to-earth people who can easily make and keep a conversation.
“They also need to be comfortable being alone because when you are not working, you need to have your own social life outside of the family,” Fair said. “Introverts may struggle because the experience is about exchanging with other people and cultures.”
In the unfortunate instance that the au pair doesn’t get along with the host family, Fair confirmed that they may rematch and get another one.
“There are various reasons for rematching, such as if the family feels that you are not a good fit for them, if either party isn’t respecting the contract, or if the applicant isn’t happy with the family or experience they got,” she said.
However, Fair said rematching is the last possibility, and there are other conflict resolution steps that need to be taken prior.
CONTACT
If you are of age and wish to go on this experience of a lifetime, then don’t hesitate to reach out to Refined Cultural Care! Fair and her team would be honoured to respond to any questions you may have and carry you through this entire experience. Follow them on Instagram, engage with them on Facebook, and begin your first step towards the rest of your life!
