Area au pairs unite to celebrate cultures

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY- Cultural Care au pairs from around the world gather at their recent International Music Festival. The event was held by the au pairs for their hosts and other local families to bring attention to the many cultures the girls represent.

In First Neighborhood of Westlake Village, Cultural Care au pairs from around the world shared their national heritage with the Conejo Valley community by presenting a family friendly International Music Festival.

The au pairs were joined by their host families and families from the local community. Children attending the festival received backstage passes and proceeded to seven stations with different activities representing various areas of the world.

The event culminated with a 35-minute show under an oak tree featuring singer and dancers from various countries.

The au pairs- representing Australia, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden and Thailand- are living with families in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Malibu, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village as part of Cultural Care Au Pair's intercultural exchange and childcare program.

The au pairs provide up to 45 hours per week of flexible, affordable childcare for local families while taking classes and experiencing American culture for one or two years.

In addition to the activities and entertainment, families could join a raffle for a Kids First CD and Kids First goodie basket. The raffle was held to raise money for the Kids First philanthropy sponsored by Cultural Care Au Pair.

Kids First is dedicated to helping "at-risk" children around the world. Ubuhle Babantwana, an orphanage in South Africa; Casa do Zezinho, a daycare center in Brazil, and St. Mary's, a school New Orleans, will all benefit from the funds raised through the raffle and matched onetoone by Cultural Care.

Some of the highlights of the event were face painting, tambourine making, a musical instrument-matching card game, learning songs and dances from other countries, and the show.

For information, call Emily Davis at (805) 371-8855 or e-mail emily.davis@llc.culturalcare.com or visit www.culturalcare.com.