Hotel

The Hotel Project

IMG_7090

 

When I visited Kenya this past November/December (2014), I started mentoring some of the youth I’d built a relationship with in 2013. But I didn’t expect what happened.

My goal was to be there for them as someone they could talk to about their struggles – as a mentor. And to get them to start thinking bigger and realize what they’re capable of.

I asked them what they’d like to do with all their free time. I suggested things like growing their talent in dancing and music. They liked that idea.

But they had bigger ideas.

They wanted to start a business to:

  • Support themselves.
  • Help their parents.
  • Give jobs to friends of theirs who were into drugs.

 

Their idea transformed from a “bead jewelry market stand” to a “barber shop / salon” to a “hotel” – the idea they landed in the end. (In Kenya, a “hotel” refers to a restaurant.)

They wanted to start a small hotel (small restaurant).

I was pumped! We worked together to come up with a plan:

  1. They researched costs of rent, locations, and supplies needed to start.
  2. They came up with fundraising ideas.
  3. We worked together to come up with a timeline.

They’ll be fundraising between now and April – in school and some in town.

To open the hotel, they need 160,000 Kenyan Shillings.
I’ll be supporting them by raising half of that: 80,000 ksh (USD $885).

And, in April, they’ll open the hotel, buy all the necessary supplies, and create a work schedule among them and their friends.

Meet the Youth Team

This is not the entire team. About 10 youth came on a consistent basis to discuss the Hotel Project and come up with the plan. But these are some of the leaders that emerged:

 

IMG_7095

 

Joseph
Joseph immediately emerged as a leader and came up with a project proposal with a focus on this being only the first project. He’s really excited to give himself and his friends who are idle something meaningful to do with their time. He’s excited by the thought of working on many projects to give the idle youth of Ngong Hills something to do so they stay away from drugs.

 

 

IMG_7100

 

Velma
Velma also quickly emerged as another leader of the team, facilitating discussion with the group and encouraging others to speak up. She wanted to have the tough discussions and moved debates toward a resolution. She headed the team to research the budget and to talk with churches about fundraising.

 

 

 

IMG_7097

 

Rose
Rose is quiet but adamant in her determination to make this project work. She’s excited by the idea of supporting herself and her family and is excited to take on the fundraising and raise money to start her very own first business.

 

 

 

 

IMG_7105

 

 

Louise
Louise is Rose’s partner in crime, also quiet and determined. But once they get going and feel strongly about how the hotel should be run, they make sure their voice is heard. It’s really fun to watch.