Birthday surprise for Papa

 Wednesday was a very special day for Papa who was celebrating his birthday, writes social worker Uncle Ronnie.

Mama planned a surprise party for Papa and staff and children enthusiastically got ready, rehearsing in secret, enjoying making sure Papa would not have a clue!

The overall organisation of the party was left in the hands of our kids who came up with the day’s programme, making sure that all the various presentations were well organised and gathering all the props to be used during entertainment.

By 10am, everything was in place. Papa left home thinking he was going to Malindi but on the way he was to pass via the school so Mama could meet the education officer who was visiting.

As they approached the school gate, there was loud singing; Happy Birthday Papa.

Papa could not believe as he drove in the school, all kids and staffs lining up to form a pathway for Papa to along as they were all in full voice.

Our eldest Baraka and Samson opened the car door for Papa and led him to the Banda ready to start the party.

It started with a word of prayer from Mama, who them explained the purpose of the party and that as we celebrate Papa’s birthday, we also include a farewell to volunteer Camila Domenge who is heading home to Mexico after three months helping our family.

There was entertainment by the kids, teachers and aunties.

The kids had songs, dance, cultural show and acrobat. Teachers presented a dance, speeches and a birthday song.

The Aunties had a song which was used during the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Camila with Mama and Papa

The home kids also had a “Leeds United Drama” where Leeds United won 5 goals to nil against Manchester City and were crowed the champions of the English Premier League.

Big Brian acted as “Radio Watamu” as the kids call Papa when it is time for sports news during the school assembly. It was all fun!

There was also a special song for Camilla as the entire Happy House family said goodbye and wished her a safe journey back home.

Papa also received a special gift from Mohamed who is one of our fee-paying students. He brought a birthday cake baked by his mother just for Papa.

After the presentations we had speeches from Mama, Papa, Uncle Ronald and Mr Isaac.

 They all thanked the kids for the good organisation of the party and for making it special for Papa. We then had chicken pilau and juice for lunch.

Everyone enjoyed the morning, especially our star guest Papa,  who was also joined by his friends Brian and Debbie Grimes and Rob and Maggie Wiseman.

 Thank you Mama for planning the party and for sharing it with the entire Happy House family.

Happy birthday Papa, and safe journey Camila.

Gifts for our family

Many thanks to very kind Peter and Arpi Drett who when visiting Watamu called into Happy House to bring gifts of bread and biscuits for our kids.
As you can see there was no shortage of volunteers to join Peter and Arpi for a picture!

Tomorrow's blog

There was a surprise party for Papa Dave yesterday,
Look out on tomorrow's blog for report, pictures and video.

Happy birthday, Papa.

 Life is never boring at Happy House with Papa Dave around to make it fun.

And today, on his birthday, we are celebrating the much-loved man who, in his own special way, gets across to our kids some of life's most important lessons.

Papa whose childhood growing up in a big, happy but cash-strapped family of 11 children, gives him a unique insight into the lives of our children.

Over his lifetime he has gained a wealth of experience and general knowledge These coupled with an inherent common sense make him a natural teacher.

Through his stories he shares his knowledge with our kids.

From Papa they learn important lessons that go beyond what's taught in school.
He is also their mentor.

Papa is also a joker. His great sense of humour, love of football, and talent for magic tricks entertains them for hours.

He has a posse of little ones who follow him everywhere,  they are this Leeds FC supporter's Leeds Army - marching on forever!

When Papa is going our on an errand, there's a queue of kids volunteering to go with him to help.

An even bigger crowd of small ones is ever-waiting to chase him to the car so they can jump in for trip around the Happy House compound.

For our teenage boys, he is a father figure and friend.

To our Mama Sue he is her everything. 

As she has said herself, so many times, "He is the wind beneath my wings"

So today, Papa from all of us, all over the world, thank you and Happy Birthday.

Easter treat

 
 There was an Easter Monday treat for out Happy House kids yesterday.

Mama and Papa popped in to see the family and took with them some delicious treats.

So instead of their regular mid-morning snacks they had hotdogs and beefburgers.

"This was something they were not expecting so a surprise and a big treat,'' said social worker, Uncle Ronald.

It's back to school today, after the Easter break, with the school holiday starting on Friday.

Start the week with a smile

There's nothing better than a few smiles to start the week.

So today that's just what we are bringing you -  smiles galore!

And how special it is to know our Happy House gives kids from backgrounds of  hardship,  tragedy or despair just what they deserve -  a childhood.

At Happy House their worries are behind them, and they are growing up happy, healthy, and smiling.

Volunteer Camila Domenge captured these smiley pictures.

If you would like to know more about sponsoring a Happy House child please email: elizabethgomm@childrenofwatamu.net

Janet, my best friend - by Mariam

Mariam

My friend is called Janet, she is in secondary school form three.

Janet has two brothers their names are Oscar and Evans.

Janet is very happy and joking to everyone in the school and at home.

I like her because of the way she behaves.

Janet is talented at playing football and also at dancing.

I love my friend so.much.

Janet is kind and likes to share.

Janet

She is the head girl of school and she is treating everybody the same.

The things that Janet likes most is the riding a bicycle and reading the story books.

She likes doing the work the teachers give her and also enjoys, outside school playing, washing clothes and helping where she can. In the exams she tries hard.

Janet goes to church every Sunday from morning until afternoon that’s when she will come back home and take his lunch.

She is such lovely girl that everybody likes her.

She is beautiful like a rainbow in the sky. The food that likes most is rice, beans and chapatti.

She likes going to the beach on Saturday and enjoy herself.

Happy Easter Happy House

Looking after a family with as many children as we have in our Happy House family takes real team work.
And with Mama and Papa heading the team, it runs runs like clockwork
Mama and her admin team (top pictured left) oversee the smooth running of the management of Happy House, working closely with our social worker Uncle Ronnie..
Our aunties do a great job making sure food is prepared for every mealtime (with numbers more than trebling for school lunches), a mountain of laundry is done each day; plus cleaning and, most important of all, looking after the welfare of each individual child.
Our uncles look after the grounds and growing fruit and vegetables, maintenance, security and mechanics.
Day and night, Happy House staff are on duty caring for our our kids and they do it with smiles.
What could be better than knowing that their efforts are helping children, who have had a terrible start in life, to grow into happy, healthy and confident young people.
Happy Easter, Happy House.