Running to Raise Funds for Our Juvenile Prison Program



Elisha Maketa, the 21 year old young man I am mentoring, and I finally have our tags for the Lukenya Trail Run on Sunday 21st May 2017. This run is aimed at raising funds for Lifesong KENYA and our work with juvenile offenders. 2016 I participated in half marathons and duathlons alone. However, since Elisha Maketa joined this year, the team has grown to two members.



The Story Behind Lifesong Kenya



My name is James Ouma. I’m the founder of Lifesong Kenya. I would like to give this appeal for funding a personal touch. About nine years ago, I got a job as a children’s television show producer. My work involved interacting with 75% of school children who were growing up without fathers and lacked proper parenting. Because I also grew up without a father, I identified with their challenges.



After awhile, I started challenging the children I was meeting to envision a better world for themselves, families and their communities. I encouraged them to appreciate who they are as opposed to focusing on what they didn’t have. On July 2012, I met 100 boys in juvenile prison and begun a weekly mentoring program. Six months later, I quit my job to focus on working as an online writer in order to focus on working with the boys in juvenile prison full time.



Since then, I have worked with over 1, 000 youths. The boys we have worked with have embraced crime-free life and successfully reintegrated back into their families and the community. The ones we are currently working with are finding alternatives to crime and learning how to discover treasure that is within them. Our work is adding value to the community since the communities and families where our boys exit prison to are able to enjoy peace as a result of the boy embracing crime-free lifestyles.



Lifesong Kenya



Lifesong Kenya is a Community Based Organization that aims to rehabilitate, reconcile and reintegrate juvenile offenders back into the society. Our programmes and activities include the following activities: -




  • Visiting juvenile prisoners every Friday for 6 hours

  • Calling family members and encouraging them to visit their children in prison\\

  • Calling victims of crimes and initiating reconciliation process with the boys

  • Tracing homes of parents and victims of crimes who are not on phone or haven't shown interest in reaching out to the boys

  • Visiting police stations to verify information and collecting charge sheets on behalf of the boys

  • Accompanying boys to court

  • Other activities include shaving, providing tissue paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, bar soap and underwear



The Current Situation and Steps to Achieve Our Vision



The Lifesong Kenya vision has surpassed my personal capacity and resources. I am therefore appealing for financial support to enable Lifesong Kenya to rehabilitate, reconcile and reintegrate 200 boys back to their families and the community this year. Additional ways the Lifesong Kenya staff and volunteers raise funds: -



(a). A percentage of their monthly salary



(b). Running half marathons and taking part in duathlon activities



(c). Offering online writing services



Monthly Expenses



Transport 60



Phone calls 20



Internet 45



Total Cost $125



Yearly Budget (125 x 12) =$ 1, 500



In conclusion



Lifesong Kenya is a 501(c)3 fiscally sponsored organization through Omprakash. Every donation and contribution made through our link on Omprakash website is tax-deductible. What's more, you also get a special receipt acknowledging your donation or contribution.



Your generous financial support will enable Lifesong Kenya to undertake its mandate of empowering juvenile prisoners to reintegrate into the community as responsible and young men ready to adopt crime-free lives. Not only will you be helping us impact the lives of juvenile offenders, you will enable hundreds of families to have a peace of mind as well as impact thousands of future generations to come. Feel free to contribute any amount. Every amount counts...!







How to Get Involved



Contribute and donate any amount in support of our run and work

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