Soccer catch-up for kids

Morphin and his friends at Happy House were thrilled to be able to catch-up on watching one of last weekend's matches -Leeds United vs Aston Villa. The match was too late for the kids to watch live but they were glued to the television for the catch-up all wanting to know the scores. Some of them support Leeds just like their Papa Dave, so it was a good outcome for them with Leeds winning 3-0!

Parcel brings delight

A parcel full of lovely goodies for our children has arrived from our wonderful friends in Essex, Betty Hatch and her son Paul. Betty, known affectionately as "Bargain Betty" because of her amazing shopping skills, buys up whatever sales bargains she can knowing that whatever she buys will fit someone in her family. They also sent seeds for our young gardeners to plant in their plots and more would always be welcomed! Paul, who enjoys following the blog, is a football fan like the rest of our family and he very kindly added some posters to be handed out to kids who follow a particular club player. He even popped in a Leeds poster for Papa Dave, the club's keenest fan in Kenya! Our love and thanks to Betty and to Paul for their love, kindness and generosity. Where would we be without friends like you?

Life lesson from John

John had a tough life and very little schooling before he joined our Happy House family. Now, a few years on, he's a responsible and helpful young man who has worked hard in school and to catch up on missed time. He has learnt a lot from Mama Sue about self-discipline, taking initiative, good manners and being a role model. With humour, he addressed the the confidence building workshop aimed to help students from Years 4 and 8 settle back at school after the seven month pandemic-enforced break.

No need to be afraid

Rukia was another of our Happy House kids asked to help youngsters returning to school. And here she passes on some very good advice about not being afraid to ask a question. Tomorrow in the last of the videos from the building self-confidence workshop, it will be John's turn to talk to the students back in school after a seven-month break.

Advice from Oscar

Oscar is a bright and intelligent by who has been a member of our family since the Happy House opened in 2010. He arrived with his sister Janet and brother Evans. Janet is now working as an assistant in our school and Evans is in his final year of secondary education. All three have grown up with Mama Sue guidance and example. They are confident and capable and well able to think for themselves. Here Oscar, who led the exercises, passes on some advice to the other children in school to help them settle back after a seven-month enforced absence because of the pandemic.

Building back-to-school confidence

After a seven-month enforced break, two year groups have returned to school in Kenya. Classes 4 and 8 are back, and while the kids living in our care at Happy House have been receiving home-schooling throughout the pandemic-prompted closure, the children coming into our school from community have not. So knowing it would be a strange time for some, Mama Sue suggested a workshop aimed at building their self-confidence would be a good idea. It began with exercises, for teachers and students! We will bring you more about the workshop tomorrow.

James is toddling like a trooper!

One last month and James, the youngest member of our Happy House family, is already on his feet and toddling like a trooper! James, a foundling who came into our care when he was 15 days old, certainly makes his presence felt as he runs around shouting at Kidz Club, with all his "brothers" and "sisters" cheering him on. Evans tells us: "He is an active member of the family and we really love him. He is joined by his elder "brother" Victor who makes sure the team is complete." They will be queueing up for school uniforms next!