Maintaining strong bonds between children in our care and their blood relatives has always been important in our Happy House family.Obviously, in some cases, it is not possible but where it is we go to great lengths to ensure our children know their family members and go on short visits in the school holidays.An auntie, grandparent or parent may not be in a position to have a child or children permanently at home but they welcome the chance to be reunited in the holidays.Here Stephano, Jessica and Purity are leaving for a short visit to the home of their aunt who has come to collect them.
During the long school holiday our kids at Happy House have been helping around the house and garden.In this video Husna tells us about her team of young gardeners who are helping our outdoor staff to prepare the land for new crops.We grow as much of our own food as we can, and extra hands are always a great help!
A group of new friends came to visit Happy House.James Ngomeli and members of his family, from Nairobi, had met Mama and Papa at a local restaurant and were so interested in their story of the Happy House that they wanted to see it for themselves. They were welcomed by Mama and Papa and enjoyed singing and dancing with the children.
New Year started with treats for our Happy House kids. Papa Dave led a countdown (slightly earlier than midnight!) and everyone toasting the new year with drinks of juice.They had a favourite meal, followed by delicious celebration cake!
Volunteer Maisie Harley managed to catch our Christmas celebrations at Happy house before flying home to Scotland for Christmas there. Her month at Happy House has flown by and she's been a huge help, using her skills to work with Mama to make some online funding bid (fingers crossed we're successful!).Before she left there was a special thank you from Mama Sue and also from our two aspiring social workers. Janet and Evans, who she has been working with.There was also a cake, with plenty for everyone, and a gift from Santa.Thank you Maisie we hope you will come back soon.
Our first blog of the New Year and of the new decade is a new year message from Mama Sue.It is 20 years this month since Mama, Sue Hayward, started her charity work in Kenya.And in March, the Happy House children's home will celebrate its 10th birthday.Two major landmarks but, more importantly, hundreds of young lives transformed because of Mama Sue's determination and dedication to improve the lives of needy children in Watamu and the surrounding areas.Some of those kids are now in or on the verge of careers and wanting to give back, to help make their communities and their country better places.Sue, with her ever-supportive and devoted husband, Dave, by her side, is the driving force but it is those who support her work and her charity, Children of Watamu, who make it possible.So as we start another year, we thank YOU, but we know that you will want to join us in saying a huge thank you to our ever-inspirational, Mama Sue and Papa Dave and to wish them a happy and healthy New Year.
We all feel like a walk on Christmas Day and our kids at Happy house are no exception. After a filling breakfast, they set off for a walk enjoying the sights and sounds of the the village.The happy band, were able to greet our neighbours and to wish them a Happy Christmas.
New Year started with treats for our Happy House kids.
Papa Dave led a countdown (slightly earlier than midnight!) and everyone toasting the new year with drinks of juice.
They had a favourite meal, followed by delicious celebration cake!
Volunteer Maisie Harley managed to catch our Christmas celebrations at Happy house before flying home to Scotland for Christmas there.
After a filling breakfast, they set off for a walk enjoying the sights and sounds of the the village.
The happy band, were able to greet our neighbours and to wish them a Happy Christmas.