Au Pair Carries the Olympic Torch

Claremont, CA, August 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Within a month of finishing up her cultural childcare experience with the Englebert family in Claremont, Mathilde Bonus was racing down the streets of Sandwich, England with the Olympic torch in hand. This last year Mathilde left Belgium to spend a year in the Go Au Pair cultural exchange and childcare program where she lived her dream of residing in the United States and working side by side with an American family.

“I didn't think right away about being an au pair, but I've always loved children so I thought that could be a good way to spend a year abroad,” Mathilde said of her au pair experience in California. “My experience in this family was more than amazing. I couldn't have found a better family to live with during this year. I became really attached to the kids and close to the parents.”

Before becoming an au pair, Mathilde spent time in Russia serving children who were on the street. As an au pair this past year, Mathilde lived in Claremont with the Englebert family and cared for their five children between the ages of two and 14. Much of her time in California was spent helping the Englebert children with homework, soccer practice and other activities. In some of her free time Mathilde would also volunteer to serve less fortunate children in the area.

The opportunity to run with the torch was presented to Mathilde while she was in California. Her aunt let her know she could apply to carry the torch, and Mathilde sent in her application right away. Because of her extraordinary service in childcare and other areas she was selected to run on July 19th, in the historic town of Sandwich. “It was a perfect day to run, beautiful and sunny,” said Mathilde. “The streets were full of people who came to watch and the atmosphere was great.” Some families in the crowd also asked to take their picture with Mathilde, others had her run with their children in her arms.

Now back in Brussels, Belgium, Mathilde plans to spend more time traveling and serving where she can. Mathilde is a remarkable example of living her dreams and lifting children of all nationalities along the way.

Go Au Pair has been providing quality, childcare for more than 27 years. Beginning as a nanny company in 1984, Go Au Pair soon expanded to include Au Pairs and was one of the original Au Pair Program sponsors designated by the department of State in 1989. Go Au Pair has representatives in over 50 countries on six different continents and in more than 100 American cities with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.