The number of vulnerable children in Uganda due to AIDS, malaria, and years of civil wars is a crisis. 50% of the population is under the age of 15 years. Unemployment rages uncontrolled. The majority of the rural population lives on less than $1 per day. The mission of African Hospitality Industry [AHI] is to be a part of the solution to overcome the violent cycle of poverty and unemployment in a developing nation through the training of employable skills. AHI provides vocational training in the hospitality industry to destitute, unemployed youth in a remote, primitive and chronically poor area of central Uganda, East Africa. AHI offers a 2-year program at no cost to its students which train them in basic ethical business practices, life skills, English as a Second Language, computer training and character development based on the teaching of Jesus as well as ‘hands-on’ practical skills in cooking and cleaning to ensure their success in the workforce and growing them up into stable and productive members of their society.
Maggie Josiah was self-employed in the hospitality industry for over 25 years in Kirkland, Washington, USA. She is a business woman with no background in missions, Bible training or theology; just a simple yet passionate follower of Jesus who believes God can use anyone to build the Kingdom of God and that our lives should radically reflect Jesus. Maggie’s first visit to Uganda in 2002 was motivated by the idea that her life was not radical enough. Her business in Washington was successful but did not offer enough purpose or meaning. Upon her first visit she worked alongside other organizations located out in the bush. The need for a guesthouse to care for short-term mission volunteers became an obvious need
that she could fulfill. Maggie has lived in Uganda since 2006.
AHI built and operates a 10 room guesthouse in the bush of Uganda, caring for short term mission volunteers that work outside in the surrounding community in various capacities. AHI encourages business men and women to share their skills here, firmly believing that helping others to learn to help themselves is essential in the fight against poverty. The needs are a vast as the many skills businessmen and women have to offer. By operating the guesthouse as a functional business, AHI is committed to reaching a high degree of sustainability as well as offering training in opening small businesses. AHI is solely responsible for the funding of all guesthouse and vocational school expenses and construction – serving as faithful reminder of God’s provision and faithfulness. One does not have to have a missions or theology background to impact the Kingdom, your skills, life experiences and knowledge offers freedom, hope and dignity to those that have never been offered the privileges you have known. We invite you to visit – to invest in the lives of ‘the least among us’ as your own life is transformed forever.
