Setting the standard for quality tourism and hospitality training

Ukarimu is the first open-source curriculum for tourism and hospitality training in Africa

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What is Ukarimu?

Ukarimu is a Swahili word that means “hospitality”. It is also the name of our open-source curriculum through which we aim to boost the skills of young people working in the African tourism & hospitality industry. The curriculum is based on active learning, and focuses on practical and soft skills.

What our graduates say:

“This training has changed my dreams, as I am now aiming towards being a head chef. Before this training, I thought I was going to be a waiter forever.”

“I have learnt how to do tourism product development & pricing, and how to present the products on advertising platforms.”

"I feel grateful for the opportunity to train with Ukarimu because many people wanted this opportunity, but I'm among the luckiest ones and I'm willing to pass the skills and the knowledge I gained from this training to other fellow workers."

"I've gained more competence. Ukarimu has given me the chance to work in all hotel departments such as service, kitchen, and front office, and most of all to be at the reception. Now I can handle the reception alone."

"The course was very practical. We learned the basic skills for different roles in tourism. Now I know how to communicate with clients, set a table, open bottles of wine and many more things. Within two weeks after graduation I was employed, so I am very happy that I took this course."

What our partners say

"Ukarimu is a wonderful program because I'm a beneficiary as well! As Kikorongo, we've had our service people being trained. They are part of the group whom you've just graduated, and the manager is telling me that there's a lot of phenomenal improvement on the two!"

"Ukarimu comes at the right time to close the training gap that the industry faces. (...) Our staff have benefited in being part of the team. Even those that were not in for the training have also benefited because, along the way, they were interacting with their fellow staff which gives them an opportunity to know how things work out there. So we really are grateful for Ukarimu!"

"Ukarimu providers short and practical training: this is what the sector needs to overcome the skills gap."

“Ukarimu interns were more polished, exposed, confident and interactive, plus, their vastness and level of knowledge into different departments was higher than others from other institutions.”

"I would recommend Ukarimu to other lodges because of the fact that it has taught our people wonders! I think it will do great for other lodges as other people will learn. When our staff came back from the training, they knew that when a client comes, we have to be there, help him carry the stuff, help him check in and most importantly: make them feel at home."