There are so many incredible individuals, each with their own story, working at House in the Wild. The majority of the team are from the local community, but during my recent trip I spent some time with Rose: whose journey from the outskirts of Nairobi to the front lines of luxury hospitality is one of strength, resilience, and quiet determination.
At 26 years old, Rose has the fresh-faced youthfulness of someone younger but the wisdom and maturity of someone beyond her years. I met her shortly after her arrival at House in the Wild a year ago, and love the fact that the dreams, uncertainties, and shyness she arrived with have now, given away to the natural warmth she radiates today. Even back then it was clear that there was something special about her. What was meant to be a back-office role in administration quickly turned into something far more fitting for her—a front of house role, where she’s now flourishing. It was so lovely having the opportunity to chat with her about her journey so far.
A dream deferred, but not lost
“Years ago, I dreamed of being an air hostess,” Rose shares with a smile. “The idea of flying around the world, seeing different places, and learning about other cultures really appealed to me.”
But life had different plans. Sadly the training for becoming a flight attendant was financially out of her reach, and Rose turned her attention to hospitality instead. Undeterred, she pursued a degree in Hotel Hospitality and Management at the University of Eldoret.
“It was tough,” Rose recalls. “It was hard without any family support: I had to take out student loans and support myself, and some people looked down on me for choosing hospitality as a career which made me doubt myself and my choices. But I knew it could lead me to what I wanted—meeting new people and experiencing new things, even if not through flying.”
The journey through university was difficult, not just because of the financial strain and the constant questioning of her choices and ability, but because of the pressures faced by many young women across Kenya. “Studying can be hard for girls, especially with no money. Some girls end up doing things they don’t want to, getting themselves in compromised situations just to make it through. I saw many other students drop out but it was important for me to stay on course, for myself, but also to set a good example for my brother and sister”
Rose’s determination carried her through, and she completed her degree despite the odds. Her strength was evident even then—navigating not just academic challenges but societal expectations, all while carrying the weight of being a role model for her siblings.
From struggles to success
After graduation, the job market wasn’t kind. “In Kenya, your tribal name can really impact your opportunities, and unfortunately for me, it worked against me,” she explains. “I struggled to find work for a long time.”
Eventually, she secured an unpaid internship at a hotel in Nakuru as a waitress, which gave her some much-needed experience, though it came at the cost of long, unpaid hours. But the graft was important, and luckily a stepping stone to better things.
It was a family connection—her aunt—that eventually opened the door to House in the Wild, and to a much deserved more promising future.
“I came for an interview not convinced I would get offered anything,” Rose says, “but Lippa, the owner, saw something in me. I started in an administrative role but after just a few weeks, I moved to front of house, and that’s where everything changed.”
In the year since, Rose has blossomed. She’s found not only a career she loves (and is a natural in!) but also a sense of belonging in a place she never thought she’d be. “I never imagined I’d end up in the Masai Mara. As a girl, I thought the Mara was for rich people. Someone once told me I’d never go there. And yet, here I am….. and with a sense of place and purpose”
More than a job, a calling
At House in the Wild, Rose has welcomed guests from all over the world and has grown into her role as a gracious, warm and attentive host. Her once quiet demeanour now beams with confidence, and she’s eager to learn from every new experience.
“I want to be the best I can be,” she says. “I love it when guests leave with amazing memories, knowing I was part of that.”
Does she still think about becoming an air hostess? She laughs, “Not so much anymore. But I’ve just got my first passport and hope one day to visit new places.”
A future as bright as the savannah sun
Rose’s journey is a testament to the strength of character she carries, even when faced with obstacles. Her story is one of dreams deferred but never forgotten, of challenges that shaped her, and of a future that’s full of possibility. It’s all too easy to dismiss the journeys that young Kenyan girls take to realise dreams and take the path less trodden. But, despite laws preventing it, one in four girls are still married at a young age, and education, choice and financial independence remains the privilege of the minority.
Rose is in the minority, but a shining example to other young girls. And she’s shown her siblings (now at university themselves) what can be achieved – helping them, both emotionally and financially, to realise their dreams too.
At House in the Wild, Rose has found a place where her warmth and strength shine brightest. She’s not just working in hospitality; she’s building a life defined by the very things she once dreamed of—connection, adventure, and a world of new experiences.