It takes boy power!

 The great thing about having plenty of strong boys about is that there are always will hands to help with any heavy task.
And with new desks made  ready for the new school years which starts next month, an army of youngsters got to work transporting them from the joinery workshop at Happy House down the lane to school.
Evans was team leader and as he tells us it was an activity that they all enjoyed.
Our joiner Uncle Charo is now busy making more desks ready for the computer suite which is under construction.

Time to go home

All good things must come to an end, and for Brenda and Red Groves and their granddaughter, Grace Dunbar, it's with sadness that they leave Watamu to go back home to the UK.
They are leaving behind their friends, Mama Sue and Papa Dave, and all the extended family they are such a part of, the Happy House family.
They bring so much to our family, in sponsorship, in the lovely gifts they bring, but, most importantly, in the love they have for Happy House.
They are our loved and valued friends. Mama, Papa and the kids will miss them but as Mama says only by leaving can you return
.We wish them a safe journey home, a happy reunion with their own family and lovely Christmas.



 

Hot dogs anyone?

 When Mama asks our Happy House kids if they'd like hotdogs for lunch, every hand goes up!
They are a real treat and while many of the children are on visits to relatives in the community, special treats are important to those kids left behind.
So with fresh baked bread rolls, delicious sausages and onions, made just the way Papa's mother used to make them, the family tucked and enjoyed every mouthful.

Christmas races

 After a lovely Christmas lunch of chicken pilau followed by Christmas cake,  our kids were still able to get out on the sports field for some fun and games.
The Happy House family loves a bit of competitive sport so what better than a few races and  a tug of war!
An egg and spoon race, sack race, running races  provided lots of laughs and then there were two tug of war contests - small girls v small boys when the girls won, and big boys v uncles when the boy were victorious.

It was all good spirited and  winners or losers, everyone was happy!

Aunties and uncles entertain

Our uncles and aunties put their best feet forward to put on a Christmas show for the kids at Happy House.
In this video you can see the aunties strut their stuff on the catwalk, with some nifty moves added in!
Click on this link to watch the Uncles get up and dance!
The kids were asked to vote for the winners and the result was a resounding win for our Aunties.
Well done to everyone for making it such fun and for being such a great team.
Click on this link to watch the Uncles get up and dance!  https://youtu.be/nF2FOy34Eoc

Here comes Santa

It was jingle bells all the way as Santa arrived at Happy House yesterday.
Making our children's home his first port of call as he prepares to deliver to kids across the world, our children gathered excitedly to wait for him to make his entrance.
And when the arrived they were all keen to greet him and his elf escort as they made their way from the gates and to the banda.
Santa didn't disappoint bringing with him with sacks full of goodies - a bag for each child.
Helped by Uncle Ronnie he handed each child their present.
Our early Christmas day was full of fun and games, with apple bobbing, races and entertainment by the staff - with the uncles and aunties battling it out to see who good give the best performance!
And no Christmas is complete without a delicious meal. Our family and friend tucked into chicken pilau as requested by the children and chocolate cake.
Mama, Papa and the family were thrilled to be joined by friends - Red and Brenda Groves and their granddaughter Grace , and Jo an Peter Reid (in two guises!)
Mama thanked everyone for making it such a special day, and praised the staff for the show they put on and thanked Auntie Phillis and her helpers in the kitchen for the delicious food..
Red thanked Mama and Papa for inviting them to be a part of the festive celebration.
It was a splendid day,  making happy memories for our kids who have been through so much trauma in their lives.
Click on this link for a second video. There will be more tomorrow. https://youtu.be/bqaKvq1jwh4

Christmas is coming!

The  Happy House is all trimmed up for Christmas!
And today is the day that Santa arrives to distribute gifts to our children.
As is our tradition, we hold our Christmas activities early so that our staff an join in and, except for those who will be on duty, can spend the 25th with with their own families.
Happy House kids, home with families but who live locally, will be coming in for a day of fun, food and games.

The tree and decorations went up on Monday as Baraka tells us on this video
https://youtu.be/JLWHPH9C3Bw