As the #1 World’s Best Workplace, we are committed to providing a flexible work environment where our Team Members can achieve their personal and professional dreams. As part of this commitment, we offer our Thrive Sabbatical program. Team Members at Hilton’s corporate offices and managed properties can apply for the opportunity to take time off to pursue a dream, develop a skill, or give back. Team Members at our franchise properties also have an opportunity to Thrive via a Reset option.
Meet one of our Thrive Sabbatical winners: Patrick Kirer, a Cluster Revenue Manager at Dubai's Revenue Management Consolidated Center. In 2023, Patrick was awarded his sabbatical and went to his hometown in Kericho County, Kenya, for four weeks off. During this month, he started a goat and chicken adoption program to help feed the students and encourage attendance at the school for children with disabilities that his mother created. Listen to the podcast at the bottom and keep reading to learn more about the adoption program, why Patrick set it up, and what this experience and #TeamHilton mean to him.
Why did you apply to the Hilton Thrive Sabbatical program?
"My dream was to help the lovely kids in the school my mother started in Kericho County, Kenya. I wanted to build a program that would help feed the kids at the school and, at the same time, provide an incentive for the parents to bring the kids to the school. I created a chicken farm to get eggs, sell them to the parents, and then use the profits to buy food for the kids. Our goal for early 2024 is to subsidize 50% of the profits to purchase new ingredients! For the goat adoption program, every kid gets assigned one goat and is part of a team of three other students. Being on a team motivates the kids to be excited to come to school and take care of their goats!”
Why is education important to you?
“Growing up, my parents made me understand the value of education. One of the sayings I still remember from my childhood was from Nelson Mandela, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ This solidified the value of education as the greatest equalizer, regardless of where you come from or your background.”
Why did you set up the chicken and goat adoption program in Kericho County, Kenya?
“My mother was my inspiration! 1998, she completed special education training, and in 2013, she completed her bachelor's degree. After this, she established a special needs class at the local public school, which was funded by well-wishers and the local community. Her main passion was providing essential life skills and education to these children with unique abilities. She ran the class until her retirement in early 2020. She saw a need to continue the program even after she left, primarily because the government did not fund it. Because of this, she established a new special needs school on land she acquired with her retirement benefits and support from the community, which now has 250 students!”What is a favorite memory from your 4-week Sabbatical?
“My favorite memory was the program launch ceremony. Seeing how the parents reacted so positively to the new program was amazing. After hearing those students graduated, I realized that this program will be making an impact.”
What has participating in a Thrive Sabbatical meant to you?
“It was a privilege to take the time to pursue something so important to me. I am so grateful to have been able to change people’s lives. I hope my story can inspire more people to make an impact in their community as well. One person can truly do so much if they dream it.”
