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Friend in trouble - need some ideas and support

438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 08:53

Hi, a friend of mine is in trouble and needs to cut back on some finances. She is great with kids, pets, even snakes (can't believe that someone can actually like them as a pet). She is looking for temp accommodation and as payment for that she can help with all sorts of things around your house. We live in apartment and just don't have the space, so I was wondering if any of you have some ideas :)

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438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 28 August 2011 - 09:16

There are a few websites in housesitting. Perhaps they could tide over their difficult times sitting different houses / apartments? Can you please give me some of these websites? Thanks :)

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 26 August 2011 - 03:20

Sorry, but I wouldn't have a strange family move into my home (especially one with their own routine which might or might not clash with mine at the least - having no idea of their character or habits at worst - I don't know them) even for the short term UNLESS they were close family (and I liked them well enough to put up with them). I don't care if she would help or not. Harsh? Yes. Realistic? Also, yes. Your friend and DH have to sit down and think long and hard about what they can and are willing to do for themselves (legally). From previous posts I got the impression they have financial obligations they are unable to meet (besides rent). Time for a reality check bigtime on their ability to stay (or perhaps even leave) UAE. <em>edited by marycatherine on 26/08/2011</em>

crystalsindubai

713

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 26 August 2011 - 00:56

There are a few websites in housesitting. Perhaps they could tide over their difficult times sitting different houses / apartments?

438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 14:06

Yes, the splitting of villas for differen families is illegal, it's for safety reasons. If the authorities do chose to bust them, as they did several years ago, it results in mass evictions and fines - not fun. As they are a young family they may very well weigh this option to be the lessor of two issues compared to breaking employment contracts and absconding, with now attracts an irreversible lifetime ban, and I know which I'd rather live with. The person with whom they stay also runs a risk -'technically' at law there is no such thing as free work, legally she would be working illegally by offering this free service, and the tenant would be hiring someone working illegally. I don't wish to be the gremlin, but it's best they weigh their options with all possibilities in mind - eyes wide open. What language does she speak? If she is willing to work under the table she may make a few hundred dirhams a week teaching a language to people as a tutor at their home - particularly if she speaks French. That's very good idea. I'll talk to her, she speaks French :D thanks

438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 13:16

My first thoughts when I saw the OP, was of course, young girl, bit of a struggle...what harm in putting her up for a bit temporarily while she got back on her feet. Sort of thing wouldnt hesitate doing for a friend in an instant. But, she is not my friend, nor anyone known to me (and hubby would have kittens) and how temporary is temporary? Then I started to think, well shouldnt her friends help out? Been times in our lives as youngsters we've had someone living in our lounge while they sort themselves, you just muck in and get on with it. It is after all temporary. Now theres a kid and a hubby in the mix, child in daycare, hubby working full time. Does your friend work too? Is she planning on doing the childminding/housework around her work hours? If she is fully employed and yet they find themselves in what is obviously a dire financial situation where they cannot even afford to pay for a room for the 3 of them, then the kindest thing I suggest, is that they get themselves out and back to their home country where they will have the family support and possible financial assistance from the govt. I would hate to see a young family get ground down by debt here, or find themselves futher in a mire they can't get themselves out of. Do they have an exit strategy? Is there perhaps a way some of us could help them with tickets out of here? Obviously, not knowing their full circumstances, all of this could be way off. Yes, you are right and I understand the point made very well. They are a yang family and both working full time, the child is on daycare full time too. Their finances are not that bad, just lots of bad things came at the same time and they need just some break to coop with this. The temporary is 2 – max 3 months, so it is temporary. I can say that she is a person of her word and this was proven to be over the years, so if someone is able to help, there will be no extensions, etc. As for the leaving the country, I subjected that too, but they are very honest people and running away is out of the question, plus as I mentioned it’s not that bad. Unfortunately most of our friends are gone home due to similar reasons as most people that left last and this year, me and my hubby live in apartment so no space, she has no other family here and on top of that her family back home is not so good too….. You get the picture. As for the legal part – I did not know that it’s illegal to stay in someone’s home if you are on residence visa. To be honest it’s not making much sense to me. How about all these people renting together villas? They have different residence visas and live under the same roof. Most of them are families. Yes, most are not Europeans, but it is the same thing. This is common practice in Rashidia. The house is even sub-sub-leased. Is this also illegal? And if yes, then maybe I should be asking if someone is ready to rent her a space for reasonable price plus help? Would that be ok? I am sure she would not like to create a problem of any kind to anyone.

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:59

My first thoughts when I saw the OP, was of course, young girl, bit of a struggle...what harm in putting her up for a bit temporarily while she got back on her feet. Sort of thing wouldnt hesitate doing for a friend in an instant. But, she is not my friend, nor anyone known to me (and hubby would have kittens) and how temporary is temporary? Then I started to think, well shouldnt her friends help out? Been times in our lives as youngsters we've had someone living in our lounge while they sort themselves, you just muck in and get on with it. It is after all temporary. Now theres a kid and a hubby in the mix, child in daycare, hubby working full time. Does your friend work too? Is she planning on doing the childminding/housework around her work hours? If she is fully employed and yet they find themselves in what is obviously a dire financial situation where they cannot even afford to pay for a room for the 3 of them, then the kindest thing I suggest, is that they get themselves out and back to their home country where they will have the family support and possible financial assistance from the govt. I would hate to see a young family get ground down by debt here, or find themselves futher in a mire they can't get themselves out of. Do they have an exit strategy? Is there perhaps a way some of us could help them with tickets out of here? Obviously, not knowing their full circumstances, all of this could be way off.

1238

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:50

If it is illegal for a couple and their kid to stay with another family for a while to get back on their feet, everyone who has friends and family come to stay from out of town are also breaking the law. People, how about providing those ideas and support that the OP originally asked for? During Ramadan, we are supposed to be helping the poor, no?

438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:44

Does she need accommodation for just herself? Or child too.and DH? Yes, sorry, I was not very clear on that :) She needs for DH and child too, but as I mentioned they all are now in one room so if it is another room it will be fine for them. Her husband is Master of Operations and works all day, very nice guy. Her child is 3 now and goes to daycare, so again - not home all day.

Princess_I45169

1953

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:25

so this is for your friends, her husband and a baby?

ChilliPepper46884

136

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:18

Does she need accommodation for just herself? Or child too.and DH?

619

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:17

I'm in almost the same situation as your friend. I'm looking for work that is both temporary and part time. It's really difficult. You said she's European. She could offer to babysit, or, if as you said, she would like to stay in a room in someone's house and work there, then she could be clear and let them know that she's only looking for a temporary situation. There's another new thread asking about finding a reliable maid. Most of the posters on here are western and they would be understaning to her situation. She could probably strike up a deal if she tells them that she's only able to work until, say December, then she would have to leave. If she's staying in someone's house, then she could do babysitting, tutoring, office work at other people's homes. It's not legal to do this, so I would be careful on this forum, but she could try something like that. <em>edited by natalie8 on 25/08/2011</em>

438

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 11:00

Thanks Natalie :) She is looking for temp only and most people are looking for nanny to keep. That's why I decided to post it here. She is European Bachelor graduate with 13+ years of business and corporate experience and if it is on part-time maybe she can do this for longer, but otherwise I don't think she would like to be a maid. When my son was born she was helping me and I don't know how I would survived without her, but this was just 2-3h per day as she is working and has her own child :) I was thinking that someone needs really professional help and don't mind getting it for free in exchange of one room. My friend and her family now are in a studio that is the size of a small room, so it will not make much of a difference for them on the leaving space, but it will be very big help on their finances as they will not pay rent. I don't know, maybe I am just dreaming, but it's worth a try.. :D

619

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 09:16

Hi mpp. There are many posts from people who are looking for maids, nannies or babysitters. Have a look through these and see what looks good. Good luck to your friend.

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