CHI Au Pair USA is proud to announce au pair Maria Belen Acuna as the winner of our 3rd annual Au Pair of the Year contest.
Host families were asked to nominate an au pair by explaining how their au pair goes above and beyond. CHI Au Pair USA was thrilled to receive some wonderful nominations. All Au Pair of the Year nominees have made an exceptional difference in their host families’ lives on a daily basis, and serve as terrific examples of what being an au pair is all about.
First Place: Maria Belen Acuna
Belen was enthusiastically nominated by her host family for this award with many superlatives including “warm, loving, gentle, affectionate, inquisitive, responsible, mature and open-minded”. Belen has easily adjusted to life in America as she has joined a soccer team, made many friends and was often present at orientation lunches to meet new au pairs. She enthusiastically joins the parents in teaching their kids good values and morals and she can also be very playful and fun. Her host family feels like the “Luckiest family on earth to have found Belen!”
Second Place: Yanhua Yu
The Bender family has nominated Yanhua for Au Pair of the Year because of her hard work and the care she has shown during her time with them. The host children love Yanhua. They each took the time to write a hand-written letter indicating why Yanhua should be chosen as Au Pair of the Year. Their reasons included, “she gives us ginger tea when we are sick, picnics in the park, Chinese lessons on Friday and her amazing cooking skills!” Yanhua has truly become a part of the family and we know the feeling is mutual as Yanhua has really enjoyed her time with them as well.
Third Place: Maryke Nel
Maryke’s host family has nominated her because they feel that she embodies what it means to be an au pair. From the very first interviews with Maryke, the family knew she was “the one”. She has assimilated well into not only the family but also in the community, especially the church. Her patience in working with the children is exemplary, and she has an amazing way of demonstrating her wonderful sense of humor. She shows every day a loving, sincere and energetic personality – a must for a high-energy family and she also makes a delicious malva pudding, a South African dessert!
