When 100 Pictures Say 3 Words

After having planned more retirement and birthday parties for Nicky (aka our Founder, aka Mum to me) than I have for myself (birthdays, not retirements), I was, of course, tasked to lead the charge of her birthday wishes from Angama.

On February 26th this year, 'Mama Nicky' turned 70. A few days before, in an attempt to rally one or two messages of well wishes, I appealed to the team to take a ‘selfie’ holding up a sign that said 70 and post it on our company-wide WhatsApp chat, of which she is still a member.

Early that morning, I posted mine, which I thought was exceptionally creative, especially since I had outsourced the colouring to Nicky’s beloved 5-year-old granddaughter (I was sure to win at my own game) to encourage the rest of the team to post their messages, too.

What ensued throughout that day was one of the most beautiful moments of love, creativity, and visual representation of a beautiful company (nay, family) culture that I have seen. The pictures started to flood in, each one celebrating Mama Nicky in their own unique way, with a quirky sense of humour and gentle one-up-man-ship.

Every time my phone pinged that day, the biggest smile broke across my face — the selfies were beautiful, funny, creative, and perfect.

They didn’t need to say more. Those 100 pictures said it all.

Happy Birthday, Mama.

When Mama Nicky finally hit Kenyan soil as a septuagenarian, the Angama Amboseli team went one step further in arranging the ultimate selfie as Nicky was flown over the Amboseli Airfield… Below was her final 70, made out of the team who loved her.

After all, it’s the people of this company that make us who we are. The people first. Always.

Reaching three score and ten came with its fair share of raised eyebrows (mine included), but nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming love that arrived from my Angama family. Over 100 images — each one a masterpiece of care, mischievous humour, and creativity — hit my WhatsApp, each a ‘gift’ of Seven Oh crafted from the tools of their daily work.

From towel folds that would make the head housekeeper from the Savoy green with envy, to wondrously arranged vegetables, from medical instruments to maintenance gear, even the security team joined in with bullets and handguns (safely, of course). I laughed. I cried. And I marvelled — because this wasn’t just a birthday gift; it was a celebration of the extraordinary people who make Angama what it is. Their hands, their hearts, their sense of fun, their deep pride in their work — it was all there, woven into each photograph. Thank you for making this milestone one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. You are, and always will be, the very best part of this journey.