School Report: Learning from experience

 A highlight of the term leading up to Easter was a visit from teachers  from our neighbouring school, Kingsway Academy. Madam Naomi reports:

They came to see first hand the teaching techniques we use in our nursery section and were taken into each nursery class by Madam Rose.

They observed sessions in progress and were able to ask our teachers various questions concerning the teaching methods we use.

They wanted to understand how children could learn to read at such a young age and also how they we were able to teach them computer skills and French.

At Happy House we have to be proud of our school and are very happy to be able to share experience with others working to educate children.

Mr Hamisi adds: Last week primary students completed examinations, having shown a great interest in improving their performances.

For teachers, it was also a time for learning as they received an induction on marking compositions and Inshas (Kiswahili composition) in line with Kenya National Council for Education guidelines.

What a difference a year makes

 Sarah and John Flanagan make a trip to Kenya every year and for the past few years visiting the Happy House has been high on their agenda.
Sarah, who first met Mama Sue at a Lancashire Woman of the Year lunch, volunteered in our school a couple of years age and she and John are in Hassan's sponsor family.
On this visit they very kindly brought money for groceries for Happy House and enjoyed going to the shop with Uncle Billy, Hassan and some of the kids to buy them as Sarah tells us in today's blog:
It has been so wonderful to visit The Happy House again on our annual visit to Kenya.

 A year makes a big difference and the changes are not only noticeable but so impressive.

Hassan with John.

 The new primary school has now moved up the lane....with airy large classrooms and a large recreational area and toilets

All this has been achieved in just ten weeks with workers often carrying on through the night!

Of course the children have also grown....some now look so grown up and our sponsor child Hassan is going to be eleven next week

. On Friday we went with Uncle Billy, Hassan and his friends to buy essential provisions: rice,cooking oil, nappies and shoe polish!! The boys were so well behaved (including Uncle Billy!) and they all wanted to help load and unload the shopping.

On Saturday, we went back for a very special celebration laid on for Papa Dave.

It was his birthday, and we knew he hoped Leeds United would win that day,  but they were playing Blackburn Rovers (our home team) so there was some intense rivalry over the birthday cake!

As ever we have been so impressed and charmed by the children's behaviour and their care and consideration for each other ... they are polite, respectful, confident and, above all, Happy..

It has been a privilege to spend time with them again.

Papa's birthday, in short!

  Papa got a fashion makeover from the kids for his birthday.
His surprise gift was a new pair of shorts in a very chic check.
Papa was taken by surprise by the family gathering held in his honour on Saturday morning with greetings, cake and juice.The kids had fun dancing, playing party games and the tinies put on their own fashion show - just so Papa knows how to strut his stiff on  the catwalk when he's wearing those new shorts
The children also sang "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings", the song Mama dedicates to Papa.
.Mama and Papa and the family were joined by friends Linda Newman, John and Sarah Flanaghan and DawnHeather White who are all visiting from the UK and by Linda's stepdaughter.
Mama says they all had a lovely time - specially the kids and their Papa!
Papa would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who posted greetings on our Facebook page.
Catch a few clips of the party action on this video:

Ciao to a new language by Margaret

Hello,

Today's  blogger is Margaret and I am talking about the Italian lesson.

On Saturday we learnt Italian. I was very happy to know that Italian is an exciting language.

We learnt how to greet people, how to ask people where they live, their names, age and many more things.

I am very excited to know how to express myself in Italy. 

We have a nice, kind teacher of Italian.

Thanks very much teacher

Happy birthday to our Papa

Happy birthday, Papa Dave!
Everyone's favourite Papa, Dave is Mama's love, confidante and support.
He is, she says, "The Wind Beneath My Wings", the hand who steadies her and the one who lifts her when her spirits are low.

As today is Saturday, all the family are at home and we know they will be making sure that Papa has a wonderful day.
Thank you, Papa, from all of your friends the world over, for all that you do. 
We wish you the happiest, happiest day. 
If only we could deliver you the best present - a win for your favourite team, Leeds United, against Blackburn this afternoon!
 We have our fingers crossed.

Easter chic!

 There's nothing a little girl loves more than a new dress!
And our Esther is no exception.
When this pretty frock arrived from  her special friend Karen Harkness she was so excited and wanted to try it on straight away.
And all in her finery she's as pretty as a picture and  our own Happy House Easter chick.

Bed Appeal

Five years wear and tear and beds (at Happy House Children's Home, Kenya,  are on their last legs.

The best 5th  anniversary gift you could make to our family please, is to help towards buying a bed. We are buying materials and making them at Happy House. Bed £25; mattress £15

https://www.justgiving.com/childrenofwatamu/Donate

Guests and greetings

Mama and Papa were at home to greet two Italian families when they came to visit Happy House.
The Barbara and Guiseppe Scalise and their children Emanuele and Frederica and Simona and Daniele  Pelissero and tehir son  Jacopo , staying at Seven Island Hotel, very kindly brought with them gifts of groceries and clothing for our children.
We are very grateful to them for their kindness and the interest they showed in our family.

There were more visitors at Kidz Club when Sarah and John Flanaghan, who are in Hassan's sponsor family, joined the family for their special weekly gathering.
Sarah and John had a lovely time with the family and are looking forward to a return trip today.
Four birthday children were celebrated at Kidz Club. Evans, Shakila, Kezia and Victoria  received gifts and greetings.

Bed Appeal

Five years wear and tear and beds (at Happy House Children's Home, Kenya,  are on their last legs.

The best 5th  anniversary gift you could make to our family please, is to help towards buying a bed. We are buying materials and making them at Happy House. Bed £25; mattress £15

https://www.justgiving.com/childrenofwatamu/Donate