After building and running a hotel, Lake Shore Lodge, for the past 20 years, many young people have passed through our doors, arriving one person, and leaving slightly different. We always baffled over the effect that this place had on people, especially longer staying guests. We thought it was something about the remoteness, or the adventures we did with them - but it really felt like there was just something in the air that young people picked up on and thrived in. Then a young man from the UK came for a month of work experience in hospitality, property maintenance/mechanics, and to learn about business in Africa with us. Over the month his perspective shifted completely - he formed new healthy habits, gained a new lust for life, and learnt skills that he never knew he could do. When looking back on this experience, we saw how much he had changed just in a month, physically fitter, mentally stronger, and full of passion for life. Then a moment of realisation struck - that this experience should be open for everyone, that we could help more young people if we turn it into a structured program. We thought, and built, and created what is now  Odyssey. Odyssey dictionary definition - ‘Odyssey - a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience.’ - a perfect embodiment of the idea we were trying to bring to life. We now run yearly courses here on Lake Tanganyika and are honoured to host such amazing young people here and watch them grow into the independent driven individuals they become. Odyssey is a community, a family, offering not only our time-bound courses, but also a continuous network of likeminded people who share this unique experience and help each other throughout life.