YHA Kenya Travel
New Member
James Muraguri Gichohi
Director
Tourism
“ I have experience in the field of social, hospitality, tourism, Management, Computers, Marketing especially in online and social media, Broadcasting, writing and compiling reports among others. ”Autobiography of James Muraguri Gichohi
Me James Muraguri Ngungu Gichohi Was Born on 21 st March 1966 at Tumutumu Hospital in Mathira, Nyeri District (County), Kenya. Started my early Education at Musingu Primary school 1971 in Kakamega their after went back to Nyeri Kiarithaini Primary school in 1972 where I completed my Primary Education in 1981.
High School.
In 1982 i joined Mweru high school in Mukurweini Nyeri and then to Kiarithaini High School in Karatina, Nyeri and completed my High School Education in 1985. At Kiarithaini i founded the scout club in 1983 was the leader untill 1985.
1987 - 1991 Worked as a production Assistant on Radio Youth Programs " Together We Build -English Service and "Pamonja Twanjenga " Swahili Service with the then Voice of Kenya (VOK) Now KBC-Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation on Volunteer basis to produce and Air Radio programs for Kenya Scouts, Kenya Girl Guides and the Presidents Award Scheme.
Professional Training
In 1991 Joined St Philips Institute of Science and Technology of Australia under sponsorship of the Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Program Africa Centre persued a distance learning course in Youth Work and Development.
1993-Joined The African Institute for Economic and Social Development -( Inades-Formation Kenya) Persued courses in
(1) Agriculture and Animal husbandry.
(2) 1997 Management of development workers course.
(3) Trained in other social courses in the field of Youth Guidance, Leadership, Fundraising, Counseling and Development.
-First Aid Course 1987 by St John Ambulance Association.
- Family Life Education by Kenya Institute of Special Education and Kenya Scouts Association 1990
-Family Planning Course by Family Planning Association of Kenya 1987.
-Adolescent Health In Kenya. By World Health Organisation(WHO) Ministry Of Health Kenya, and Kenya Association Of Youth Organisation(KAYO) 1988.
-Local Fundraising Workshop by The world Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office. 1997
- Action For Youth Aids Workshop Dec 1990 Mukono Uganda-World Health Organisation, World Scout Movement and League of Redcross and Red Cresent Societies.
-Suicide Intervention Workshop offerd by the Canadian Mental Health Association Sept-Oct 1995 Grande Prairie,Alberta Canada.
- Crisis Intervention Training Nov 1995 Canada offerd by Providing Assistance Councelling and Education(P.A.C.E)
-Victims Assistance Volunteer Training offerd by the Royal Canadian Mountain Police Nov 1995
-Workshop of the Cultural Ambassodor Program training. Provided by Alberta Multicultural Commission Canada.
-Anger Management Course-Helping Clients Deal With Anger offered by AADAC Training and Communication Services.Oct 1995.
-Satellite Professional Development Workshop . 7 Habits of Highly Effective People presented by Dr Stephen R Covey.
Work & Business
* 1987 Worked with Express Service Bureau and PR & Advertising System as an office Assistant.
*In 1988 Secured a job with The Kenya Youth Hostels Association (Nairobi International Youth Hostel) as a trainee warden, Promoted to Assistant Warden, Senior Warden and Deputy Manager incharge of IT -Marketing and Publick Relations.
*Attended Hostel 2000 Training Course in Customer Care, Youth Hostel History & Philosophy and Train The Trainer Course in Cheabough France sponsored by the (E.U.F.E.D)European Union Federation of Youth Hostels and the (I.Y.H.F) International Youth Hostels Federation -( HI ) Hostelling International. Served youth hostelling in kenya till May 2013 when the Nairobi International Youth Hostel was sold and closed down for business.
*1991 Assigned the role to help set up an international Hostel and Campsite at Mararal YARE Hostels and Campsite training staff on matters of Youth Hostelling in Kenya.
*2001 went to train Uganda Youth Hostels Association staff on management and running hostels network in Uganda.
*2003 Appointed manager Olive Gardens Hotel .Worked as the Manager and training of staff in Hotel management roles and Customer care, Marketing and development of Online presence for publicity and marketing the Hotel..
*2004 Founded African Home Adventure LTD -Tour Operator company jointly with others Till 2016.
*2008 Started Enchoro Wildlife Camp Masai Mara a hospitality business offering accommodations in Masai Mara. Till 2016
*2016 Founded a family business YHA Kenya Travel a tour operator company todate.
About: James Muraguri Gichohi Founder and Director of YHA Kenya Travel.
I have so much passion to unveil the stunning beauty of Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya’s most iconic places- Destinations. The only sure and better way to showcase the countries beauty of our incredible wildlife and tourism products of Africa. I do this by being practically in the industry for over three decades.
After founding YHA Kenya Travel, I got involved directly in traveling to different destinations which opened the door of opportunity to explore my whole vigor in tourism. I handle many clients and I practically offer my whole self to every client from the time they make that call, whatsapp Chat message or the email they drop inquiring about our trip packages to the time of arrival and when saying goodbye to Africa!
I am looking forward to seeing you and most important to serve you on any of our adventure trips soon!
Scouting, Community Service & Social Life
As a distinguished Volunteer with the Scouting movement in Kenya- With the Kenya Scouts Association i participated in both local and International Scout Symposium in Oshima Island and Tokyo Japan in 1989 also joined other scout leaders in Kenya in a Development Projects in partnership with Canadian Scouts building a health centre in Kakamega western Kenya -Shiro Health Clinic now a hospital in 1991.
*Participated in the Convention on the Rights of Children in 1991 at the Kenya Science Technical Teachers College.
*Participated in the UNDP YOUTH 92 United Nations Environmental Conference on Youth Education and Development in 1992 organised by UNEP-Leading to the World Rio Dejanero Conference in Brazil.
*Leader Trainer/ Scout Leader Dr Livingstone Primary School Nairobi in 1986-1988.
*Scout Leader Nairobi Pentecostal Church Valley Road -Christ is the Answer 1991-1994.
*Served in the board of Friends of Scouts & Guides Society Kenya as a board member then Elected Treasurer, and Secretary.
*1994 Founder Member of the Kenya Ringo Sports Association elected Vice Chairman and in *1999 elected Chairman- Represented Kenya in international competation in Warsaw Poland and won a Gold and Silver Medal.
*1993 A founder member of Friends of Scouts and Girl Guides Societies of East Africa in Mukono District Uganda .
*1995 elected to Serve as assistant secretary and Secretary General Friends Of Scouting and Girl Guiding Societies of East Africa in Daresalaam Tanzania.
*1994 Served in the board of the local chapter of the Canadian Crossroads International as a member and Chair of the to Canada co-coordinator program.
*1991- 1995 joined The GIB-German society for international meetings as the country contact and co-ordinator for the youth exchange program between youth from Tanzania, Kenya and Germany among others.
*2015 -2018 served as the Public Relations Officer Baseball Federation of Kenya and a board member.
*Vice Chairman (PTA) Parents Teachers Association, Kings International Academy Nairobi 2013 - 2020.
Church Engagements
*Served as a Deacon and Deacon Assistant Secretary at PCEA St Andrews Church of the Milimani North presbytery also the deacons leader of Group 6.
*Deputy Treasurer (PCMF) and Board Member-Presbyterian Church Men Fellowship.
*Vice Chairman PCEA St Andrews Deacons 2022-2024,Retreat Chair and training of Church Deacons.
*2019 Oct Joined the Civil Society Academy- Did courses in Leadership and Team Management also appointed Kenya representative for one year but dropped due to Covid 19 pandemic.
Awards & Honours
* 1-James Robinson Award highest honor by the Canadian Crossroads International having served Crossrods for over 10 years in Kenya and Canada 2000. For promoting World Peace and International Cross Cultural Exchange, Human Understanding through Canadian Crossroads International.
*2-International Year of the Volunteer,. Granted by the House of Commons Canada, In recognition for commitment to the elevation of human experience,outstanding contribution and service as a volunteer with crossroads by The Hon Maria Minna , P.C., M.P. Minister for International Cooperation Canada June 9th 2001.
*3-Long Service Award- Kenya Youth Hostels Association 13th August 2003 by Patron Hon Spephen Kalonzo Musyoka.
* 4-Scout Plaque by Boy Scout of Nippon Japan in 1989.
* 5-Service Award Certificate P.C.M.F Leadership P.C.E.A St Andrews Parish
*6- Seruice Award- Presented by The Principle of Harry Balfour School Grande Prairie,Alberta Canada in Recognition of outstanding contribution to school life and cross cultural understanding.
*7- Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Volunteer Services to Grande Prairie, Alberta. By Volunteer Service Bureu Canada.
My Hobies & Interests in youth leadership and development issues and a focus in politics as a way to build our society.
Love music, Adventures, Travel, writing, reading, socializing, meeting and sharing with people, to serving the less fortunate in our society and especially the Youth in focus to Development as my key concern.
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