Four boys from our program took part in this year’s CITAM Joint Men’s annual Ngong Hills Hike. After deciding to hike all the seven hills, they faced many challenges like fatigue, thirst and heat. Discover how they overcame obstacles and learned the importance of preparation.
March 15th 2025 is going to be a memorable day at our Halfway House for years to come! Four of our exceptional young men took part in CITAM Men’s Annual Joint Ngong Hills Hike. The day was full of triumph and valuable life lessons for each of our incredible boys. The day started off with an early rise at 5 am, a quick shower and a short drive from our Halfway House to the foot of the hills.
After saying a quick hello to a few men who had already arrived, our team of five set off. The adventure of conquering the seven rolling hills was strong. With a nod of the head and clenched fists, our boys set off with courage, determination and enthusiasm.
With each step of the way, the promise of conquering the hills fed the boys’ faith of finishing strong. However, the hike proved to be a true test of endurance. The boys endured the relentless winds, the loose pebbles and rocks beneath their feet. The demanding steep hills and slippery slopes made the journey more demanding. Adding to the difficulty, was the fact that they hadn’t had breakfast and were without snacks.
“Boys, I can see you underestimated the hills and ignored my reminder to each of you to carry water,” James Ouma said. “Anyway, we will share my water but, next time please carry your own water!”
A Valuable Lesson in Resilience and Proper Preparation
True to the die-hard spirit at Lifesong Kenya, our boys persevered. Each conquered hill was a time for a hearty hi-five from each of us. We shared our water and looked at groups that had snacks with a tinge of envy and regret.
On our way back to the starting point, we bought two bananas that provided the much-needed energy boost. It also birthed a valuable lesson about the power of sharing. Rogers who was leading the group divided the two bananas and equally shared them with the rest. This moment of sharing and support highlighted the strong bond the four boys have forged with time. Just a few months ago, sharing was out of the question since each of the boys did not care about the other’s welfare. That is why witnessing this act of sharing was both powerful and incredible.
The breaks along the way were more than just pit stops. We used them as opportunities to share water, encourage each other and set goals for the year ahead. This provided moments of reflection and deeper purpose to our hike.
During our post-hike debrief together, the boys expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity. It is not every day that our boys rub shoulders with men from different CITAM assemblies. Each of the boys spoke of the joy of accomplishing a milestone and valuable lessons learned. They also identified areas that calls for improvement during the next hike.
Post-Hike Debrief
Just before we joined the rest of the hikers for a sermon on the mount that was led by Rev Jotham Munene, we held a post-hike debrief. It was time for each of the boys to give their feedback about the Ngong Hills Hike experience. As has been our ritual at our Halfway House, each of the boys was excited about sharing their opinions about what they liked and enjoyed.
“Next time let’s bring our own water bottle so we can stay hydrated,” Chistian said. “This way Mr James won’t be buying water every time we finish his water.”
“I can also add that we also need to have a hearty breakfast at the Halfway House,” Ken added.
“Yes, prepare and carry snacks that we can eat together throughout the hike,” Rogers said. “”I saw most boys and their dads had snacks and sodas. We should carry our own next time.”
Mr James, we also should start the hike at 6:00 AM instead of 7:30 AM, this was we will avoid the midday heat,” Macklyn remarked.
The boys were also thrilled to connect with men from other CITAM assemblies and other young hikers. Meeting boys they know from CITAM Ngong, fostered a sense of community and belonging. Another thing that made the hike memorable was when a man gave two sweets to each of them.
“Please give us two more for Mr James who is behind us,” Rogers said, thanking the man.
Final Thoughts
This sweet gesture of kindness from a stranger and fellow hiker ended in a ripple effect of kindness and caring. After witnessing the power of caring at our Halfway House, the boys reciprocated. To cap it all, each of the boys received a special memento in the form of a wristband that will serve as a long-lasting reminder of the CITAM Joint Men’s Ngong Hills Hike in 2025.
In the end, this hike was more than just a physical feat. It was a journey of resilience, camaraderie, and valuable life lessons. The lessons each of the boys learned will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We are incredibly proud of our boys for their determination and positive attitude. They faced challenges head-on and emerged stronger and wiser.
At Lifesong Kenya, we thrive on valuable life lessons. We thrive in providing opportunities for growth and development, both physically and emotionally. This year’s CITAM Ngong Hills Hike was a perfect example of that commitment. As the dust settles down, we look forward to many more adventures ahead. We know that each hike will bring more lessons learned together.
Thank you to CITAM Woodley for facilitating such a wonderful event! We are already looking forward to next year’s hike where we will be prepared better and ready to conquer new heights!
