Crafting Hope: From Troubles to Treasures with Hawi James Ouma – Act 1
Today I am so thrilled to be joined by Hawi James Ouma, an incredible man who survived some of the most turbulent times in Uganda, only to move back to rural Kenya after his father passed away. Hawi's journey is a cocktail of adventure, confusion, and raw emotion, though despite facing ostracism from his community and a stint in police custody, he found a guiding light in reading and storytelling. Through Shakespeare and Ben Carson, he learned to turn his focus from what he lacked to what he was great at—writing and storytelling. It was the key that unlocked a new perspective on life. Hawi's parting wisdom? Focus on your one thing, the one skill or passion that makes you, well, you – you never know what doors it might open. Stay tuned for Act 2 of our conversation next week!
Bio:
About 1 in every 4 boys in Kenya is unfathered, underfathered or misfathered.
Growing up without a father or a father-figure causes a boy to feel unappreciated, unloved and unprotected. Therefore, they become more vulnerable to juvenile delinquency, gender based violence, sexual assault, bullying, crime and conflict. They also become prone to dropping out of school, lacking an appetite for life or lacking respect for their mothers or the authority.
Through my work, I help create an ideal environment where boys become more aware of who they really are. Together as a co-partners, I’m the catalyst that helps to remind boys and young men of the infinite treasure they possess. When I was being interviewed for a TV Production job, which I wasn’t qualified for, I said that life becomes a beautiful lifesong.