Banda gets bigger

Work on extending a banda to provide more space for family and school gatherings, school lunches and meetings is going full steam ahead.

Once complete this will free up the largest of our three bandas to convert into a school resource centre, and , in turn, to return rooms and bathrooms on the first floor, currently being used by our school,  to family use ... making room to give a home to more children in need .
The work going ahead now is thanks to the generous way that Steve and Cherith Cushing have supported us, mostly recently by hosting a very successful barbecue. The cost of the extension will be met entirely by what they have raised and we are so grateful to them for their continued support.

We have some of the estimated £15,000-£18,000 needed to convert the large banda for  Making Our Room for Another project  -full details: http://www.childrenofwatamu.net/making-room-for-another , but we still need help to raise the rest.
There are so many children in need, who need our help.
Please can you help us to make room for another?
If you would like to make a donation you can do this online at  http://www.justgiving.com/childrenofwatamu/Donate   
Thank you.     


       

Brothers in arms ...

Two little boys bound by love...
Happy House kids Freddie and Harry are as close as brothers can be.
But theirs is a relationship determined by love, not blood.  
For many of our children love was once in short supply, but when they find a home at the Happy House they discover not only what it is to be loved, but also how to love.
The ties they make in childhood will remain throughout their lives, and there is no doubt that in many years to come Harry and Freddie will still be the firmest of friends and "brothers" still.

Mama and her kids now have every reason to smile!

Some lovely smiles from some of our lovely children and today they have more reason than ever to smile!
Their Mama and Papa will, very soon, be on their way home and their family complete once again.
Today, we are thrilled to tell you that Mama is back home with Papa at their  Blackpool apartment.
She was discharged from Blackpool Victoria Hospital yesterday morning by surgeon, Steve Mannion, who is delighted with the progress she has made since her hip replacement operation on Thursday.
At last,  everything is finally going right for Mama and Papa and all our prayers have been answered.
Mama and Papa are so grateful to Mr Mannion, Mr Elbowe and all the surgical team and to the nursing staff on Ward 15A for looking after Mama so well.
They would also like to thank everyone who has sent cards or messages wishing her well - every card and every message has helped to give her strength and focus.

Hitting a high note, by Daniella

There's a musical note from Daniella , who is today's guest blogger.

" I hope you are fine I just wanted to let you know that  during our Kiswahili lesson with Mr. Mdachi, we had a resource person to visit.
 We have learned about the different musical instruments. 
The resource person has taught us how to play the keyboard, just the introduction part of it.
 We have played the solfa notes d r m f s l t d and also sung many songs using the key board. 
The lesson was so  lively and active  that during break time other classes joined us.
 It was lovely to sing and to dance.
 From Daniela hugs and kisses xxxx "

The magic of learning ... together

Sifa helps the younger ones

The Happy House magic is learning.
The words spoken by Evans, 11, on our video A Very Special Job show the importance our kids place on their education.
Mama encourages each and every child to do their best, and also for those who are doing well to help others who may be finding it little bit harder and for older children to help their little brothers and sisters.

Janet turns teacher

Our primary school head teacher, Mr Athuman, writes:

 Education is the first priority of the children at the Happy House, Mama’s dream.
 Every child gets an opportunity to learn in a good environment. 
The kids in their different classes  have termly targets in every subject. This gives the kids clear focus on what they want to achieve by the end of term -to achieve all the targets.
 Happy House kids have their own unique study groups which comprise of all learners grouped in different abilities.

Maria shows how it is done

The kids in the upper class help those who are weak in the lower classes so that they can achieve their targets.

The Happy House kids enjoy learning so much since they get an opportunity to learn from their fellow kids.

Kids get involved fully in the learning process and this makes a child centred way of learning. 
 This is the magic of the Happy House and the way towards the success in education.

Star role for Sifa, and Mama is doing well

Moyra ,Laura,Georgia and Luke

Our green-fingered Sifa was on the receiving end of a star of the week award at Kidz Club for helping Uncle Telvin in the garden.
His award was presented to him by visitor John Player from Thorner, near Leeds. John and his wife Moyra, who are in Maurine's sponsor family, are on holiday in Watamu with their daughter and son in law, Laura and Will Gordon and their two children Georgia and Luke. Will and family are in Musyoka's family and they have enjoyed getting to know him at long last.
Mama doing well
We are delighted that Mama is doing well after a successful hip replacement operation. 
A very big thank you to orthopaedic surgeon Steve Mannion and his team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and to the nursing team who are now looking after her.
Lots of love to you Mama and Papa from all your family.

Mama has surgery today

Today Mama has surgery to give her a new hip, ending the many weeks of waiting.

Since March, when an infection put her in hospital, eventually leading to the removal of the partial hip replacement she underwent in 2010 in Mombasa, and the insertion of a temporary spacer to help clear the infection, she has endured so much pain and put up so patiently with limited mobility.

For her and Papa, who is the most supportive and loving husband, it has been a very difficult time.

The biggest blow was the delay to their return home to their Happy House family. At times the homesickness has been almost unbearable.

This morning  signals a new start. She will be having surgery  to give her a complete new hip and will be in the safe hands of orthopaedic surgeon Steve Mannion at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Mr Mannion divides his working life between the NHS, and his own charity, Feet First Worldwide, leading volunteer medical teams to carry out corrective surgery in some of the poorest countries in the world. Many children affected by club foot will now walk normally because of his work.

He and Sue have much in common, and we are grateful that she is in his expert and understanding care.

Once the operation is over she will then have a few weeks recovery before, finally, going home at last - to the biggest and most loving welcome in the world.

God bless Mama, we know everyone at the Happy House is saying a special prayer for you today, and all your friends and extended Happy House family, all around the world, join them in wishing you a speedy recovery.