2026 is the beginning of our third vocational training.  We are achieving in our three-month intensive program what other hospitality schools teach in two or even three years. Even so, our students are consistently outperforming interns from other schools. What makes us different?  Practicals – 80% doing and 20% listening to lectures and taking notes.  And teaching that hospitality is about loving your clients, not just serving them.

Our classes:

• Culinary Arts
• Setup and Service
• Computers
• English Grammar and Public Speaking
• Service Italian

Cost: Average each student costs $470

As our enrollment grows, so does the number of internship placements.  The stronger our reputation grows, the higher caliber lodges we work with.    Second internship placements, at more upscale lodges is also being explored.

Cost: Average cost of an intership with uniforms, transport, and accommodations is $250

Large numbers of youth are still dropping out of school because families who have lost all their cattle in the 2020-2021 drought and their land in recent government land divisions.   Because of this, youth are falling into hopelessness, and the growing drug and alcohol culture in Rombo.    Because most of our students come from parents who have never attended school, our ideal is to place them in boarding schools where they can be pushed hard to succeed when their parents cannot.

Cost: Average annual cost for a boarding school is $480

Espresso machines are the norm in bars at the safari lodges.  “Visitors want their brewed coffees,” said the bartender overseeing our students.  “They want their lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas.  An intern who knows how to be a barista is a big plus.”  We want our students to be well prepared and preferred.  So we aim to get our own espresso machine for training, and our staff will be happy too.

Estimated cost:  $550 for a used single-press espresso machine, café supplies, and transport.

As practical experience is the best teaching for our students, the more visitors who come to visit and stay in the “ADEA/PMD Lodge”, the better.  When visitors come, we rent out the agent's guest house, and our students serve as receptionists, waiters, cooks, housekeeping staff, and guides.  It is a fun time for the guests and a powerful learning experience for the students.

As of January 1, we are expecting three groups – maybe you could make up the fourth group 😊

One of the most significant challenges our students face is understanding non-East African English.  Since they will be working with tourists, this is critical.  Our IT team member is working on software that will allow people around the world to have conversations with our students.  This is a great way to get to know them and their stories, and for them to hear what your English sounds like.

As our popularity grows and our desire to improve our education, it is time to start designing our own vocational training center.   We have purchased ¾ of an acre on the soon-to-be-paved road linking the Amboseli Game Reserve and the Tsavo West Game Park.  

Our center will contain:

• A Professional Kitchen
• A Restaurant/Event room
• A café
• A Giftshop
• A Maasai Museum
• Guest Rooms
• Dorm Rooms (so we can offer a more intensive and exhaustive three-month program)
• Sewing workshops

Aim: Design and costing to be completed by fall of 2026

• Lead by our fashion designer staff member – Malei Mutegi
• Teaching students to master sewing and tailoring skills
• Students to learn while producing the uniforms for our incoming students.

• Inviting Kenyan professionals to advise and mentor our youth
• Providing practical and professional coaching

• Working with Kenyan Dentist to combat dental fluorosis (the brown spots staining teeth from heavily fluoridized well water.