ACCESS ALL AREAS – SUSANA BUDÉ

In our behind-the-scenes series, in which we let you in on some of Baobab Suites’ hidden corners as well as meeting some members of our fabulous team, we get up-close and personal with Susana from Saplings Kids’ Club.

NAME: SUSANA BUDÉ

POSITION: IN CHARGE OF SAPLINGS KIDS´ CLUB

NATIONALITY: SPANISH

A little bit about me:

I have always liked looking after small kids. When I was 12, I was the “cool babysitter” according to my small cousins, who always wanted their parents to go out for dinner or on a romantic weekend, because that meant that they would stay with me. When I was 14 I started working with kids, training a girl’s gymnastics team. And since then, I haven’t stopped… And don’t plan to either!

A typical day at work:

A day full of games! Well, it’s actually a lot more than that: it involves playing and entertaining kids, adapting to their needs and explaining to their parents how the club works, always bearing in mind the responsibility a job like this involves.

The best office in the hotel:

For me, it’s even the best office in the world! It’s enormous, spacious, beautiful and the best thing about it: it’s full of games! But that doesn’t mean I spend all day playing… When there are no kids it means, we have to prepare everything for the holiday period. Even the simplest game has a lot of thought put into it. Also, the toys have to be properly looked after, the place has to be thoroughly cleaned and we have to prepare the activities, crafts and materials.

We use a universal language:

Kids from all over the world visit Saplings, so we have to use the most universal language there is: body language. As long as they play and have fun, they understand everything. In general, kids know how to make themselves understood much better than adults, who, over time, lose the ability to understand body language. I have seen kids playing together, one asking something in one language and the other answering in a different one, and even so, having a great time.

My greatest passion:

My two kids! I have a five-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. There are people who think that being with kids all day at work should be enough, but for me, it’s never enough! Kids can teach us so much, they’re so joyful and, on various occasions, they make us forget all our worries.

To unwind:

I like dancing, going to the cinema and travelling with my family.

Something curious about my job:

When I meet kids, whether it’s because they are shy, introverted or a bit older, sometimes they come and say that they only want to have a look, but they aren’t going to stay. All they need is ten minutes to change their mind and not want to leave! The parents are usually very grateful that we insisted as we have turned a good holiday into a great one (for the parents and the kids). This for me is also very satisfying.