The New Apprentices

As promised, it’s time to introduce the new students of AHI. First though I want to express how impossible selecting these students has been for all of us. At one point while Sylvia, Jesca, Ali and I were looking over the applications, Sylvia literally pushed the papers at me and shouted in frustration “You decide, it is too hard!” And it was indeed over much meditation, prayer and lively discussion that we selected our students. The original plan was to select only six students for this class because we plan to take in a new group annually now, requiring that we reduce class sizes by about half. However, the decision was so hard that we soon found ourselves finding excuses and “good reasons” to take eight in this first class instead, and having now met all of the students I am quite pleased with that decision. I even found myself almost wishing in those last interviews for bad applicants so our decisions would not get any tougher (it did anyways). After all of the interviews, the names of the final eight continued to rotate for several days - it truly was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

With this new class there are many changes coming to AHI and in many ways this first class is testing out a whole new way of doing school here. I have been very proud of the staff these first two days as they have really stepped up into a higher level of teaching and some, like Ali, who did not start as a teacher with the last class, beam with anticipation for the training ahead. One notable change is the title of the students has changed to Apprentices. It will take some time to adjust to the title swap but it a more apt description of the role they are given and the hands-on practical training that is the defining change with the new AHI curriculum. As the “Apprentices” have only been here two days, the information I can share on them may be brief, but I know you are all eager to meet them so I won’t delay the introductions any further.

Ajibo Agnes

Agnes is one of the two students we took from East Uganda, near Soroti. Her mother actually manages a local hotel there and Agnes perhaps shows the most enthusiasm for learning everything she can about the hospitality industry specifically.

Namatowu Agnes

No, you’re not confused, former student “Mumpi” Caroline is not repeating school - this is an all new Mumpi, Caroline’s year older sister Agnes. I was super excited during the interview by her bright smile and enthusiasm and thought her a clear pick for the school, it wasn’t until later that William asked her if she was related to Caroline and suddenly the connection was made. Still, I was glad that God somehow kept that bit of information hidden from me at first so I could be sure we were not selecting her based on her relatives but her own positive attitude and ability. None the less, two days into school and she has already gained the Mumpi title.

Kabeikiriza Beatrice

After every interview we would have a discussion about and then rate the applicant. We assigned numbers between 1 and 5, with a 5 being someone who could feasibly be hired on immediately as staff. William in his first interview gave the person a 5 until I told him a 5 would have to be as talented as himself… he quickly dropped the rating to 4. However, after Beatrice’s interview she got a unanimous perfect 5 rating from everyone who interviewed her including myself. It will be exciting to see how students like Beatrice can raise the overall level of AHI in the coming years. Beatrice is also from Masindi (where Christine from the last class and Peter, our driver, are from) adding to the growing geographic diversity of AHI.

Atayo Catherine

For some students like Beatrice the facts seem to make the choice obvious, for others the Holy Spirit seemed to lead instead. Catherine had a great interview but she also has seen a lot of abuse and destructive people in her past. She is a teen mother and when the baby was born a cesarean was performed. There is a real lack of knowledge about medicine in Uganda and a few of the staff ignorantly argued against her because they were concerned “her guts will spill out” while she is working. However, her brother had graciously offered to take care of her child while she was in school, and we saw in her a real hunger and desire to learn and improve herself. She has a deep kindness and gentleness that has somehow survived despite her past and so God has brought her to AHI. Catherine is also the second student from Eastern Uganda, truly leaving everything she knows in an effort for a better life.

Nakanyike Justine

Justine was the very first applicant we interviewed, a dangerous place to go because we had nothing to compare her with. Nonetheless, she kept shifting on and off the pile of the accepted. Then Sylvia shared an important piece of information, that Justine had applied with the last class two years ago and been turned down for being too young. The fact that she had returned two years later, and had signed up in the very first timeslot for interviews, showed us everything we needed to see about her desire to be here. She is excited to learn and also helps represent the local area, being from the same district as AHI and many of the staff.

Namubiru Resty

Resty is our miracle student. She actually was not selected as one of the eight and was placed in the “waiting list” pile for future classes. She was so distraught by not being selected that she paid for a boda to come up to the ranch and plead with Maggie to allow her to attend. Maggie had the tough role of having to turn her away, even in tears, telling her she was sorry but the selection was made. When Maggie told me what had happened, I told Maggie, “Resty was number nine, if we could have taken one more student Resty would have been it.” Well, on the first day of school one student didn’t arrive and when we called to find what had happened, the missing student’s mother reported that she had changed her mind. The next phone call we made was to Resty, and within a couple of hours she was in class praising God. This was comforting for me as well, to show that God is sovereign and that He had clearly chosen the students and there was nothing we as humans could do to avert His almighty will. Resty comes from Luwero, the major town between the Ranch and Kampala.

Nyakaisiki Roseline

Roseline is in for the biggest culture shock living in the bush, having come from the big city of Kampala. She is super smart, with great English, but what really sold me on Roseline is what you witness in the picture above… her smile. Many of the applicants looked down, never made eye contact, and certainly never smiled. Many of them were very nervous with a Mzungu at the table, but Roseline never missed a beat, smiling and answering the questions with poise. She’s another student who I think is going to raise the professional level of AHI in the coming years.

Lumala Yusufu

Poor Yusufu, he didn’t sign up to be the only male in the bunch. Sadly we had only 3 men apply this year (something we hope to focus on in future recruiting) and Yusufu is the only one who made the cut. However, what a great applicant he was, and there was never any doubt of him being chosen. Yusufu is one of the brightest students we have ever had and he is already showing great promise, always speaking loudly (no small thing for a new student) and asking lots of questions. It’s clear he is eager to learn and willing to work hard to accomplish his goals. Yusufu also adds religious diversity to AHI being a professing Muslim, but understands AHI is a Christian organization and is willingly joining us in fellowships and as we study scripture. He also comes from Nakasongola and so represents AHI’s back yard and how we as an organization are working to have an impact right here in the heart of Uganda.

So there you are - Class 2013 of African Hospitality Institute. It’s been fun watching the new apprentices’ brains explode with all the new information and experiences; as though they had never in their wildest dreams imagined there could be so many different kinds of baking tins. Two days in, classes are going great, and it’s making the idea of leaving in March harder to deal with. You can pray with us as we prepare for that transition and that we would trust God to be sovereign over AHI and especially the new students. If these first few days are any indication, AHI has a bright future ahead bringing glory to God!