THE ONE TROUSER MAN BREAKING BOYS OUT OF PRISON GATES

 “The measure of a man is not how did he die, but, how did he live?" said a poet. “His measure is not, what was his station but, had he a heart?" And above all, “How did he play his God-given part?”.

For most male teens incarcerated, your guess is as good as mine, their chances in life in many cases remain zero to none. Faced with the Dilemma, to either go back to crime or be part of nation-building.

For many, they would have been hopeless had it not been for the one trouser man, whose journey of sacrifice and determination to restore the dignity of young men from ex-convicts to leaders still goes on.

In July 2012,

Hawi James

met 100 boys at Nairobi Remand Prison and overwhelmed and felt love, compassion and responsibility towards each of them. Soon devoted to having sessions for them during his off day, on Fridays.

About 60% of the boys had not been visited by their families and needed someone to accompany them to court. They also needed someone to visit their families and the people they had wronged. When most of them got released they soon returned to prison as hardened criminals.

James Ouma, also known as Jim Buttons is a Clarity Coach, Writer and Web Designer whose life surrounds breaking boys out of prison https://lifesongkenya.org.

This would cost him his job of five years as a producer for a children’s show. Choosing between a job as a producer and going to prison was one of the most difficult decision he had to make. With a heavy heart, he chose the boys and planned to use writing as a fall back plan. Put between the choice of the daily pay work, to the uncertain paths of sacrifice as a labor of love, he chose the labor of love. He found this work fulfilling, every time when he reconciled a young boy with the family, he would feel even more alive.

He came up with a reading club, which was well received at CITAM Buruburu Academy, which gave him enough courage to officially quit his job in 2013, he figured that earning an income would give him more time and the freedom to continue developing an alternative conflict resolution program for the boys.

To his huge surprise when schools reopened in 2013, there was a new headteacher, followed by freezing of all club activities. He would need to discover and learn and gain other valuable skills, meanwhile, one incarcerated male teen after another was being reconciled with their families, the police, those they had hurt and the whole community. As a result, many cases and charges were withdrawn, enabling many of the boys to exit prison earlier than they would do had he not intervened. This continued to fuel his work, as he continued to give young boys a second chance, scratching from his own empty pocket.

It cost him, misunderstood, and having no one to invest he was devasted. Most that had known him as a TV Producer for five years thought he had lost his mind. Even he, thought he had lost his mind. Struggling to pay rent, afford to feed, clothe or provide for himself. Isn’t this almost always the struggle of many entrepreneurs?

The many ideas flopped, no clients, in spite being surrounded, yet still did not give up. He has been on a mission to save a boy after another close to 10 years strong. It made up for all the heartbreaks that he felt when he couldn't feed, clothe or provide shelter for self.

A long the way, he lost everything and were it not for being in church ministry, he would have not had extra clothes! Thanks to being in church worship team, he had an extra pair of black trousers, and other shirts. Since these were church clothes, left with one shirt and brown trouser. Because of this, he considered self as a one trouser man!

In 2014, he met Cynthia Wendo, a very wonderful woman who bought into his vision and accepted to get married despite not having anything tangible. He says, the fact that she agreed to marry him On October, 31, 2015, despite not having a single cent to his name, will forever move his heart deeply.

They begun to run businesses together with support from friends and got additional capital from another friend raising about KShs. 170,000, starting MPesa services, selling chicken, soda, water and other products. Still also looking for clients to coach, write and design websites for. These businesses failed and were restarted years later. Sooner than later, he has bought a domain name and transferred all of writing from a personal blog to a more professional one (https://candidwriters.com .

Today the vision has grown bigger with more people becoming part of this movement in an, “All men affair, men lifting men”, to provide a Half Way House for boys who need to rediscover their mission, heal before they can fully reintegrate back into the community.

For the last four years, Lifesong has been fundraising, bringing leaders to be part of the movement through sports. This year the cycling begins from Yimbo Usenge to Malindi Town. For more details, check here: https://lifesongkenya.org/half-way-cycle-2021/

Many years wondering about his future and wondered whether if he was lost, as you probably feel right now! Soon, as he looks back, he has realized his life and destiny is tied with that of the boys. They have become part of his life and success.

“Each of these boys is a wonderful person and human being who deserve a shoulder to lean on and a new beginning.”. He says.

Seeing the exceptional young men he coaches thrive gives him such satisfaction and fulfillment. It gives him joy to see exceptional young men gain clarity, confidence and become the best they can ever be.

“When you gain clarity and confidence to pursue your desired goals, a shift happens. If you are feeling lost, confused and need clarity you need a coach to help you chart the way forward… I foresee a future where the young men I have worked with and coached will be incredible changemakers in their communities.” he says.

What is in a seed, you never know, unless you plant it. Life song is devoted to plant seeds of hope for these ex-convicts becoming leaders.

You can be part of this 4year cross-country tradition of cycling for transformation!!!

1. Become a biker who will ride the journey with other shujaas, to cycle for over 1,200 KM across the country.

2. Sponsor a Biker to race across the country to inspire courage in young men

3. Ride with us cross country and be part of the movement, cheer us along the way and mobilize.

The 10 days cycling will take us through a scenic route via Kericho, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Thika, Nairobi, Emali, Voi, Mombasa and Kilifi.

Sign up, Donate or Spread the word!!!

sign up:- https://lifesongkenya.org/half-way-cycle-2021/

Reach out on Dreamtribevillage@gmail.com to engage with James.