As another week begins volunteer Lynn McCluskey reflects on the non-stop pace of life at the Happy House:
" So much happens on a daily basis to keep this amazing project going that timeflies by!
Although this is my fourth visit, I'm still staggered at the amount and diversity of things Sue deals with day in day out here - she has to wear so many different hats in a day.
First she start with finances, like a pro she finds out the latest exchange rates, then barters with the bank to get the best rate of exchange before transferring monies from the UK to Kenya, Sue's is always looking out for those extra shillings. Next it's staff meetings, Mama Sue has done a really great job of delegating but , rightly, she insists each department still needs to report back to her, so there's a number of meetings to get through, everyone from the outside ground staff to the nursery school teachers.....
Things are already really busy and a full day planned when a phone call comes in from the local children's office bringing news they have a nine month old baby needing help. Everyone Mama Sue, social worker Uncle Billy and administrator Aunty Rose wait in anticipation of the new arrival. When the group from the children's office arrive with the baby, the story is relayed to Billy and Sue. The baby looks healthy and well cared for and accompanied by the grandmother, after hearing the case and a long discussion between everyone, it's decided that the Happy House can't help in this case.
As hard as this decision is, it's agreed it's the right one. As Sue is always says the Happy House is here to help the most needy children and this child has family fully capable of taking care of it.
then on to the next job, a much more pleasant occasion, Kidz Club, the weekly get together for everyone but by the time it's finished it's 6pm! A long and full day by any ones standard.
The Happy House is a labour of love for Sue and Papa Dave, who of course keeps just as busy outside growing much needed food crops and doing the weekly shop.He's managed to turn the Yorkshire war cry of " How much ?" into the Kenya shopkeepers war cry of " We know, we know, Papa it's for the children".
Dave barters like a local, getting the very lowest price he can, knowing how important those shillings saved each week are to the finely balanced finances here."
