100 Beds for the Happy House Kids

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Ian Bradburn from Brad Europe Limited www.bradeurope.com our Happy House Kids will definately be able to go to sleep in a bed and wake up to a breakfast.

Ian has donated 100 brand new beds with matresses, 600 sheets, 300 pillow cases, 300 towels, 100 beach towels and 100 fleece blankets.

Thank you just doesn't sound enough to say to Ian for this fantastic gift towards equipping the Happy House for our children to come home in January 2010.

OOPS !!

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog but as you can see I am at a slight disadvantage at the moment!! 

Message from Michelle Aspinall

I first came across Sue's fantastic work whilst reading the Lancashire Life at the hairdressers detailing her 'Lancashire Woman of the Year Award'. I had been looking for a charity to be involved with abroad that our family can get first hand experience of when we go travelling next year for 3 months. Children Of Watamu seemd to tick all the boxes, there is a very personal sponsorship scheme so you can actually meet your child when you visit Watamu, and they actively encourage people to go out there and help. We will do whatever is requested when we visit next year, helping out in the orphange-cooking and cleaning, tending to the gardens, playing sports and games with the children, it will be such a privelege just to be there. 
 
I approached Joyce, owner of Heaton House nursery, where all my three children have been, to see if she could help and she very generously donated £100 and is going to use Children of Watamu as their charity of the year next year. They are going to buy a mixture of cow, goats, ducks and chickens and do a display in nursery of the charity and all the animals they have bought- bringing in teaching of counting, letters, colours and of course introducing the idea of children less fortunate. It will be such a good topic of conversation for children and staff and of course parents..
Heaton House has provided my children with a fantastic start in life, making a significant contribution to the happy, caring children they are today. It mirrors what Sue and Dave are trying to give the children in Watamu- that safe and warm environment and good start in life.
 
My husband, Ed and I wish to raise many more funds before we go next year. I am hoping to get some more sponsorships from my employer, Salford Royal Hospitals and through the kids school, aswell as family and friends. We are also talking of doing a triathlon aswell, which will be a big challenge!

 

Thank you Michelle for your kind words. 

 

 

 

 

 

Let There Be light

The electricians are now  busy putting the wiring into the Happy House.

 

Did he get that ladder from B & Q do you think?

Looking Good

Everytime I see the Happy House I think it really didn't look this big on paper!!

 

 

Oh Happy Days

Since I posted pictures of the Happy House on the 14th of July, so much has changed in such a short  space of time. The outside is now being painted. The electricity is being installed and the top rooms are ready for the roof to be put in place. I have emailed Silas and Dixon the builder with ideas for inside regarding the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room.

 

 People in Watamu have never seen such a beautiful place for children. Many local people feel part of the Happy House. It has been a community project. We have only used local people for all the construction work. Since work started in the last week of August 2009 we have never had to stop for a day. Thank you all so much much for your generosity and support .As always, I have to say, so much more is still needed. We need beds, tables, chairs, so much for so many. I intend to have all the items made locally, again supporting the local community, but first the money needs to be raised. Things such as bedding, cots, high chairs & pushchairs we need to send out as they are not readily available. Mums in Watamu carry their babies on their backs until they can walk, sleep with them and feed them on their knee. With so many children to care for we will need help to care for our babies.

 

The monthly standing orders people have arranged are our life line to completion. When the first children come home in January 2010 they will be introduced to their sponsors via email and pictures. I am going to create a memory box for each child, with pictures and information regarding themselves but also of their sponsor who has been caring for them. As we send the sponsor details of their child we want the sponsor to send  updates of their life and family with pictures and letters. When the child is old enough to read and write he/she will be able to open their box and know someone really does care. They are not alone in this world. PLEASE become part of a child's life. For £4.61p per week you can give a child a future to look forward to. Please ring or email me for further details, we need you help.

sue@childrenofwatamu.net  01253 352430  07536058211

 

 

 

The Maize is Amazing

Some of the children from school check  out the maize growing at the Happy House to see if it is ready for school lunches.

Not yet Kids!!