Management & Staff
Front Office
CHARLES OBES
HEART Lodge Manager
charlesobes@africaheart.com
reservations@africaheart.com
Obes joined HEART in 2004 and has helped oversee the HEART Lodge’s growth to its current level. He has a diploma in Hotel Management Skills and Guest Relations and over 15 years of experience in the hotel industry.
JOASH ALIONGO
Deputy Lodge Manager
Joash joined the HEART staff in 2009. He has a rich experience in housekeeping. He has been diligent in his work over the years. He is skilled in and excels in public relations with HEART’s guests and teams. Joash plans to achieve a degree in hospitality at the Kenya Utalii College. His favorite sport is rugby. He is married to Elizabeth Aliongo and a father of four children.
Housekeeping/Kitchen
CHARLES KAHARI
Chef/Housekeeping
Charles works as the HEART lodge chef but he began working for HEART in January 2004 as a guard and gardener. Kahari is married to Margaret and they have four children. In his spare time, Kahari enjoys walking, traveling to new places, meeting new friends, and farming. He also enjoys cooking and gardening. Kahari says working for HEART has been an answer to prayer. “The positive Christian environment and culture have kept me at HEART for many years and hopefully many more.”
SIMON MANDU
Pastry Chef and Housekeeping
Simon has worked with HEART since June 2010. Originally from Kakamega in Western Kenya, Simon is married to Seliphia and they have three children. Simon’s work is to ensure HEART’s guests have delicious meals and often, along with the other kitchen staff, wakes up early and goes to bed late. Although shy at first, Simon has a light-hearted attitude and enjoys a good laugh. “HEART is a good place to be and learn more about God.”
ANNE KIVUVA
Pastry Chef/Housekeeping
Anne is known not only for the delicious pastries she cooks for dinners at HEART, but her sweet and gentle spirit. After being referred to HEART by Lake Nakuru Lodge, she began working for HEART in 2009. Anne enjoys cooking, swimming, and singing, and often when one passes by the kitchen they are likely to hear her singing while cooking. Anne genuinely loves the Lord with her whole heart and appreciates working for HEART “because it is a Christian-Based Organization.”
BONIFACE INGOSI
Cook and Housekeeping
Boniface began working for HEART in April 2010 after hearing that it is a caring Christian organization. Originally from the Ichina area in Kakamega town, he is married to Ann Auma and they have four children. Aside from cooking, Boniface enjoys playing football, cycling, and watching television. “I like working for HEART because it has changed my life. All of the HEART family (staff) plus guests are very kind and caring.”
GLADYS MACHARIA
Kitchen Assistant and Housekeeping
Gladys began working for HEART in 2010 at the Freedom for Girls Packaging Centre. Later she expressed interest in the hospitality industry and was offered an opportunity to work at the HEART Lodge in 2014. She assists the chefs in preparing meals for the guests as well as housekeeping. In her spare time, she loves visiting children in children’s homes. She loves charity and believes that working at HEART is contributing to her passion. She is cheerful and interacts well with her colleagues and guests at the lodge.
Grounds
RICHARD MISOKA
Groundskeeper
Richard has been with HEART since June 2007 after hearing about it through an HIV/AIDS prevention seminar which was held in Migori District in rural Kenya. Born in Kisii and raised in Nakuru, Richard is now married to Phoebe and has two adorable children: Jenifer Tamara and Steve Misoka. Richard enjoys watching movies and dancing, but his passion is helping the needy. He loves working for HEART because “it is an organization which has changed the lives of many people, more so the WEEP women, who are HIV positive.”
Security
CHARLES OCHIENG
Security Officer
Charles Ochieng has been working for HEART since 2007. Ochieng is married and has two children. It is not uncommon to find Ochieng working joyfully, singing praise hymns as he works hard to keep the HEART Lodge safe and beautiful. Preaching is another special gift that Ochieng has, and all the staff members look forward to the mornings that he leads devotions because of his passion for the Lord.
WILLY TANA
Security Officer
Willy started working for HEART in the year 2014 as a security officer. Tanas lives with his wife Faridah and is blessed with 3 children. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning new things, watching scripts for updates, walking, traveling to new places, meeting new friends and running. He also enjoys farming. Being at HEART has developed Tanas in a Christian way as a result of the freedom to worship God. A place where the gospel is the most important thing. HEART is a blessing to Tanas.