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Phase: Ideas Missions: Informal Knowledge Exchange

Life is a Song

Life is a Song aims at creating content that will make reading a fun activity for children and their parents.

Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
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Children learn more from their peers more than they do from teachers Children learn more from their peers more than they do from teachers
We use words and pictures to inspire children in thinking outside the box We use words and pictures to inspire children in thinking outside the box

EXPLAIN YOUR IDEA

Children often thrive in an environment where they are affirmed and encouraged to become part of the solution Children often thrive in an environment where they are affirmed and encouraged to become part of the solution
Reading is, more often than not, associated with passing exams. Our idea aims at creating content that will promote integrated learning as well as separate reading from exams. Currently, many children lack motivation to learn while resources to teach and classes are increasing diminishing by the day, our idea therefore, aims to create a forum that will inspire children to discover the treasure that is within them. According to a report posted on http://www.jc-hem.org refugees come to the Kakuma Refugee camp for safety reasons due to war, famine, religious persecution. The camp is located in the desert, hundreds of miles from the nearest city. It is a place no one chooses to live, where very few people visit, where it is difficult to leave. And since children suffer most our initiative aims at changing the effects on children by; (a). Building the children's self esteem (b). Promoting creative problem solving (c). Promoting child to child learning (d). Improving refugee mentoring (e). Creating a strong bond between teachers, parents and children

WHO BENEFITS?

Children who are given the space to play and engage with each other have more chances of living fulfilling lives Children who are given the space to play and engage with each other have more chances of living fulfilling lives
The main beneficiaries of our programme are children, teachers and parents since children will be more inspired to learn and focus on doing the things that will enable them experience purposeful living. The children will also be able to help their own peers, siblings and parents to learn how to solve issues and challenges that they face in their daily lives at the refugee camp

PROTOTYPE

Because this will be the first time we are going to engage with children and parents in a refugee camp we plan to pilot our idea by (a). Creating content (b). Conduct a survey via email with teacher, parents and children in order to refine content (c). Engage a group of 10 children in our pilot

FEEDBACK

A boy explores nature at Five Star Academy A boy explores nature at Five Star Academy
Lifesong Kenya celebrates the achievements of young people Lifesong Kenya celebrates the achievements of young people
Lifesong Kenya donating books to an organization in Kibera Lifesong Kenya donating books to an organization in Kibera
Our reading initiative has had considerable feedback from Teresa Njoroge (Founder of Clean Start), Patty Liston (Standing with Boys), John Wollwerth and Tracy Hanson (Next Global Generation Education) who have had the opportunity of meeting and interacting with the children we mentor. Most of the boys we met in juvenile prison as well as children at Five Star Academy (Kangemi) and Dagoretti Girls Rehab have embraced a purposeful life and improved in their academic performance. Our creative approach in mentoring children by using what we have available has received positive response and we hope to build on this success by working with as many children and young people as possible. Last year, we worked with children in Baragoi and Samburu where we donated books, sew children's torn clothes and replaced buttons. We hope to receive feedback and contribution from experts on the ground. We have already initiated the process by submitting a survey that will refine our idea.

SKILL SHARE (optional)

Expertise I have Writing Film production Mentorship and motivational speaking Expertise Needed Expert advice Feedback Visualization Partnership Resources

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

I am a TV producer and creative writer who aims at creating a passion for reading and purposeful living in children as opposed to engaging in social vices that don't add value in their lives. As a TV producer my work impacted on the children I met and when I quit my job I founded Lifesong Kenya

IS THIS AN IDEA THAT YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO TAKE FORWARD?

  • Yes, and I am looking for a partner working with refugee communities to implement this idea.
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Attachments (2)

Testimonials from recipients of Lifesong Kenya Programme.pdf

This is what Sydney had to share about our involvement in his life after Lifesong Kenya met him in juvenile prison

Life is a Song.pdf

Lifesong Kenya aims at creating a passion for purposeful living, reading, creative writing, critical analysis of issues and purposeful living in children as opposed to watching too much TV and engaging in social vices that don’t add value to children. The club activities seek to empower and mentor children into responsible adulthood through mentorship, capacity building initiatives and reading.

12 comments

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Photo of Charles Edwards
Team

We are really happy with what Life Song Kenya is doing for our kids here at Five Star Academy. It is 5 years now since Life Song started working with our kids here through James Ouma. I personally knew James just as a new friend. Through him Life Song came in. our young boys and girls have developed an attitude of working hard however the limitations in their lives through Life Song Kenya. They have learnt that the situations they are going through are not permanent and that one day things will change – having positive view of what is happening in their lives is what is important…
Life Song Kenya through James Ouma has left a permanent mark into the hearts of these needy kids and I personally believe that one of their needs has been met…there are a lot of things we really need to help these kids but we need more of Life Song Kenya than ever.
…there are a lot of resources a school like this need but Life Song Kenya is more resourceful to us here than we can describe ~~Charles Edwards~~

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Photo of John Wollwerth
Team

This is great work you're doing, James. Education is the great equalizer. A child with an education can go anywhere. This is especially needed in places like Kakuma, where there is so little opportunity. God bless you in your work. I hope you can move forward with it.

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Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
Team

Thanks John for your comments and supporting our work

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Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
Team

Thanks Kenneth.

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Photo of Kenneth Wendo
Team

I respect conviction and effort towards solving a particular problem or realising a goal. Great job.

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Photo of Edward Mbogo
Team

Great work so far! LifeSong Kenya is going places!!

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Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
Team

Edward, welcome to the forum

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Photo of Cynthia Wendo
Team

I appreciate the great work that Lifesong Kenya is doing. Investing in children's lives is a BIG thing to do. They are the next generation and this is a good way to impact their lives in a more positive approach. Investment in their education and also engaging their parents in making sure that it impacts them. Great work Lifesong Kenya!!!!!

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Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
Team

Thanks Cynthia for being part of the team that is impacting on the lives of children

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Photo of Shane Zhao
Team

Thanks for sharing Life is a Song James! We're curious to learn which communities your team has worked with, and if you've reached out to any refugee communities in expanding these efforts. In this challenge, we're keen on uncovering new innovations around refugee education. Are there any new strategies/ programs that your team is planning to develop in adapting this program to the context of refugee communities? This will help us better understand how we can support your current efforts!

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Photo of James Ouma Odhiambo
Team

Thanks for your comments Julius Omondi. I am based at Rukina Centre, along Naivasha Road, off Ngong Road. My strategy is using reading to inspire children into purposeful living. I recently developed an online forum via www.lifesongclubhouse.com where I hope to avail content as well as register members for my reading club. Currently we are mentoring children and young people in juvenile prison, rehab centre and informal schools

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Photo of Julius Omondi
Team

Thank you so much my brother for your bold undertaking to understand what education ensues and wise decision to offer it in that foundation. I would wish to ask where you are situated and your strategies of which i may build interest in it and most importantly offer support. I urge the institutions having goodwill approach to such problems to overstretch it to the unfortunate communities especially those in camps. Thank you.

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