Full time Didi wanted

[Anne Whitlock]

Hi All,

I am living in Lakeside Pokhara full time with 2 children and husband. I am looking for a full time Didi to help with children after school and house. Could any one offer advice on the following-

What is a good pay rate?

And does anyone know anbody?

We are learning language but English would be a great advantage. Does not have to cook western.

Thanks for any advice you send my way as so far it has been a nightmare !

Thankyou - Annie and family

[Pamela G. Poon]

Dear Anne:

 

It sounds as if you have had a rough start.  Believe me many of us have been where you are, but it will get better.  Luckily, Pokhara is cleaner and more low key than KTM, so it is a better place overall.  I was impressed to hear that Pokhara has banned polyethylene bags, and Kaski District is now an open-defecation free zone.  This is definitely better for the kids.

 

I am sorry you are not in Kathmandu as there are many women in AWON (Active Women of Nepal), of which I am President, who could be good friends, both Nepali and ex-pat.

 

First, re salaries, if you are an American, the US Embassy used to conduct a salary survey among Americans that could give you guidance.  Contact them to see if they are still doing that - 01-400-7200.

 

Second, I pay my live-in cook Rs. 11,000 (she started at 10,000 a year ago because friends who have lived here 25 years pay her sister that much, and I gave her a 10% raise).  In addition to cooking, she also does our gardening organically because she has had that training.  She does not speak much English but,more important, she has a great work ethic and fantastic sense of humor.  She is Rai, totally honest and the backbone of our household.  She had not worked for foreigners before but she is a former schoolteacher..  She also directs our other staff.

 

I pay my housekeeper Rs. 8,250.  She does all the cleaning and laundry, helps in the kitchen and cooks on the cook's day off.  She speaks more English because she worked for expats for 3 years but she has had only a little education.

 

I pay a part-time driver (4 d/wk) Rs. 6000.  He is illiterate but a whiz with cars and other handyman jobs.  He takes care of our bees, can fix almost anything.  He speaks a tiny bit of English.  He also gets overtime on weekends and after 7:00 pm.

 

On top of salary, all employees get Rs. 500/mo. supplement per child for education.  The non-resident staff also get Rs. 1000/mo. for housing allowance.  Plus, I pay all medical for them up to Rs. 12,000 per year.

 

Of course, at Dasain, they will get one month's salary bonus plus clothing.

 

I hope that is helpful and please do not hesitate to contact me directly if there is anything else I can do for you.

 

Best wishes,

 

Pam Poon

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Pamela G. Poon, M.S., J.D.
c/o Houston

NFHP Oasis Complex

P.O. Box 1600, Patan Dhoka

Lalitpur, Nepal
977-1-559-0774 (H)
977-98081-25764 (M)

[Kelly]

Hi Ann,

Someone from Pokhara just posted a notice for their super didi. I am
pasting this for you, in case you haven't found anyone yet. Because
they found such a great didi, maybe they would know how you could find
someone to help you full time.

Kelly ( see below)

From: Matthias & Stefanie <tuchs...@gmail.com>
Subject: [pkrpkr:62] You need a super Didi?
Date: September 16, 2011 3:40:17 PM GMT+05:45
To: Pokhara Pokhara [Nepal] <pkr...@googlegroups.com>

Hello

Shanti, a Nepali woman, helps us in our house for cleaning, gardening,
cooking, washing, paying electricity bills... - in fact she manages
our house since 1 year perfectly. After October she would have time to
work at one more place for 1 - 2 days per week. We can highly
recommend her and would be happy, if somebody is interested. Send an
email to: tuchs...@gmail.com

Matthias and Stefanie