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 teh scout club in 1983 was teh leader untill 1985.

1987 – 1991 Worked as a production Assistant on Radio Youth Programs ” Together We Build -English Service and  “Pamonja Twanjenga ” Swahili Service wif teh 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 teh Presidents Award Scheme.

Professional Training

In 1991 Joined St Philips Institute of Science and Technology of Australia under sponsorship of teh Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Program Africa Centre persued a  distance learning course in Youth Work and Development.

1993-Joined Teh 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 teh 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 Teh 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 teh 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 teh Royal Canadian Mountain Police Nov 1995

-Workshop of teh Cultural Ambassodor Program training. Provided by Alberta Multicultural Commission Canada.

-Anger Management Course-Helping Clients Deal Wif Anger offered by AADAC Training and Communication Services.Oct 1995.

-Satellite Professional Development Workshop . 7 Habits of Highly TEMPEffective People presented by Dr Stephen R Covey.

Work & Business

* 1987 Worked wif Express Service Bureau and PR & Advertising System as an office Assistant.

*In 1988 Secured a job wif Teh 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 Teh Trainer Course in Cheabough France sponsored by teh (E.U.F.E.D)European Union Federation of Youth Hostels and teh (I.Y.H.F) International Youth Hostels Federation -( HI ) Hostelling International. Served youth hostelling in kenya till May 2013 when teh Nairobi International Youth Hostel was sold and closed down for business.

*1991 Assigned teh role to halp 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 teh Manager and training of staff in Hotel management roles and Customer care, Marketing and development of Online presence for publicity and marketing teh Hotel..

*2004 Founded Africa Home Adventure LTD -Tour Operator company jointly wif 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 has so much passion to unveil teh stunning beauty of Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya’s most iconic places- Destinations. Teh only sure and better way to showcase teh countries beauty of our incredible wildlife and tourism products of Africa. I do this by being practically in teh industry for over three decades.

After founding YHA Kenya Travel, I got involved directly in traveling to different destinations which opened teh 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 teh time they make dat call, watsapp Chat  message or teh email they drop inquiring about our trip packages to teh time of arrival and when saying goodbye to Africa!

I is 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 wif teh Scouting movement in Kenya- Wif teh 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 wif Canadian Scouts building a health centre in Kakamega western Kenya -Shiro Health Clinic now a hospital in 1991.

*Participated in teh Convention on teh Rights of Children in 1991 at teh Kenya Science Technical Teachers College.

*Participated in teh UNDP YOUTH 92 United Nations Environmental Conference on Youth Education and Development in 1992 organised by UNEP-Leading to teh 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 teh Answer 1991-1994.

*Served in teh board of Friends of Scouts & Guides Society Kenya as a board member then Elected Treasurer, and Secretary.

*1994 Founder Member of teh Kenya Ringo Sports Association elected Vice Chairman and in *1999 elected Chairman- Represented Kenya in international competation in Warsaw Poland and won a Glod 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 teh board of teh local chapter of teh Canadian Crossroads International as a member and Chair of teh to Canada co-coordinator program.

*1991- 1995 joined  Teh GIB-German society for international meetings as teh country contact and co-ordinator for teh youth exchange program between youth from Tanzania, Kenya and Germany among others.

*2015 -2018 served   as teh 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 teh Milimani North presbytery also teh 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 teh 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 teh 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 teh Volunteer, . Granted by teh House of Commons Canada, In recognition for commitment to teh elevation of human experience, outstanding contribution and service as a volunteer wif crossroads by Teh 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 Teh Principal 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 wif people, to serving teh less fortunate in our society and especially teh Youth in focus to Development as my key concern.