James Ouma

Creative Writer, Author & Mentor

[ojamesouma]

Close Shave Finding the perfect balance to taking care of a bald head is often not easy. Before I finally decided to take matters in my own hands, I went to several barber shops. Even though I knew I was getting short changed, I lacked the courage to take the big leap. Since I am not earning from my work with boys, spending close to $5 a week, was leaving a deep in my pocket. As a result, I needed to save money. .... .... Three months ago, I took the big leap. Not only am I saving money and time, I am closer to achieving the goals that I sought to achieve by changing barbershops. My skin is not itching and the rashes I used to experience after shaving, is no longer there. .... .... Any ideas on how I can do a better job? #selfcare #barber #joy #life #diy #haircare (at Nairobi, Kenya) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCF29pfnta0/?igshid=1t3wvsaxjs54a

[ojamesouma]

View this post on Instagram

Elsewhere, fire refines gold. But to a grateful family, it creates a miracle that fuels and refreshes hopes, faith and dreams. Thank you for enabling more families to have food on their tables. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8wIKmnftP/?igshid=s4rj9n8s7mfd

[ojamesouma]

View this post on Instagram

The Kind of Lack That Bites & Fights Back I didn't know whether to be happy or feel extremely sad. On one hand, I was happy to have driven Mom #1 to stay with her sister closer to the hospital. On the other hand, I was sad to have driven away without leaving them wiry this week's supplies. I have lived and experienced what it means to lack and to be poor. But there is another kind of poverty and lack that very few people experience. It is the kind that bites and fights back. It is the kind where your kerosene runs out just before your ugali becomes edible. It is the kind that makes 18 sticks inside a matchbox to loose their courage to burst into a flame so you can cook a meal. It breaks my heart that somewhere a desperate mother is going to bed hungry, in the dark and with one hope. That tomorrow, someone will care enough to share a glimmer of hope. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_75RdGA2Ed/?igshid=1chqk1g3v5tyv

[ojamesouma]

View this post on Instagram

You Didn't Know What You Were Doing... You thought 100 shillings wasn't enough at the time you were donation. Well, it is enough to buy two cabbages, carrots, tomatoes and onions that brings sizzling joy to the table of a family. That's not all. Cabbages are extremely good for digestion. They have lot of dietary fibre, which helps in regulating bowel movement and managing blood pressure. Help us to provide more nutritional value and joy to grateful families receiving our Care Package by donating another Kshs. 100 ($1) or more today. MPesa Paybill: 574329 PayPal: [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5ABGBATQc/?igshid=egcauh5hps0h

[ojamesouma]

When you donate towards our Care Package you help put food on the tables of a family that needs a bite. #GivingTuesdayNow    #GivingTuesday    #generosity https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0XcgoAx2T/?igshid=a73xeramapsz

[ojamesouma]

#givingtuesdaynow #givingtuesdaykenya Lifesong Kenya ensures that it's care package benefits families and sellers in the community. Each monthly pack costs $40. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0F1AcAGu-/?igshid=hwrbjucv5502

[ojamesouma]

Our response to Covid-19 has enabled us to have families plan meals together, for the very first time. Now, we're planning for a baby shower for one of our beneficiaries. DM if you'd like to take part because we need gifts for the mother and baby. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_wTjEDAL5b/?igshid=1k6coyq90rsp2

[ojamesouma]

Resilience to overcome https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vL7zDAV6C/?igshid=1nve6g7dqcd10

[ojamesouma]

[ojamesouma]

When you eat, it’s vegetables; when you are sick, it’s medicine. ~ Vietnamese Proverb https://www.instagram.com/p/B_sz5ecgihS/?igshid=1d8c7q55jrcha

[ojamesouma]

We at Lifesong KENYA have partnered with our friends at Nduta Angels Foundation www.ndutaangels.org to help feed 30 very needy vulnerable families who are affected by this COVID-19 pandemic. Our beneficaries are made up of families who have lost their main source of income, single moms, the sick, young orphans, pregnant and breastfeeding women who aren't able to receive help from anywhere. Our approach involves finding out what the families need and paying for their weekly supplies at a local retail shop and Mama Mboga who is their neighbour, friend or family member in the community. The families then pick what they need on a daily basis and/or weekly basis. Please join us in this noble cause #StayHomeSaveLifes but #SpreadHope #ChooseHope #IsolatedButNotAlone https://www.lifesongkenya.org/food-care-package/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_reHGEgtG9/?igshid=1lx6hl3h6ops3

[ojamesouma]

This notice seems to weather the storms. No matter how hard it drizzles - it is a constant reminder, a thorn from off the tree and on the flesh - it is a reminder that not even a full stomach can ever ignore. Full rent is due even in times of quarantine. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ovXGVAby6/?igshid=18w4ccp5bnx5o

[ojamesouma]

When you plan to provide a Care Package for 10 families every week and end up serving 30! A million thanks for your continued support and donations. We're on Week Two and still going strong. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_of6rTAvtW/?igshid=xtbjdzt0k7gd

[ojamesouma]

[ojamesouma]

And just lile that, we reached Household #28 as you continue supporting our families to get supplies from their neighbours, friends and families who sell in the community. Can't forget how the negotiations before settling on a list and meal plan often happen. We laugh, learn and acknowledge that giving a helping hand ought to be inspiring, uplifting and affirming. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fy9owAmLC/?igshid=1olyy1xzxbnjx

[ojamesouma]

Serving Household #22 Today We wouldn't have done this without your continued support and donations. A million thanks to all of our family, friends, Bible Study members and faithful supporters who are making this possible. #covid19 #care #lifesongkenya #standingwithboys https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ZWr1-gkCy/?igshid=yi1npkfqlh6i

[ojamesouma]

No act of kindness and generosity is too small. When you give towards our Stay At Home Plan, big change is POSSIBLE, family by family. #bethechange #LinkInBio #lifesongkenya https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QOgW3gw70/?igshid=scey2hw7blel