New home for Happy House School - on video

 It's been a tough call, but the relocation of our Happy House School hit deadline, by all but a day, with the opening of Little Chicks Kindergarten yesterday.
Those of you who follow our blog will know that Mama  made the decision to move the school to fulfil a requirement of our our re-registration as a children's home, which requires that that children in our care should attend a school outside the confines of home.
Little Chicks was taken down block-by-block so  materials could be used to recreate a bigger and better kindergarten on the site we already owned a short distance from Happy House.
The Primary School should be finished, funds permitting, in a few weeks time. 
The build, which started just before the end of term in November, has been a massive undertaking and has eaten up all our reserves,
It is not something we would have chosen to do, but there are huge positives -  our kids are thrilled to be going out to school and the rooms, once vacated, by primary classes will be made into bedrooms for more children, desperately in need of a home.
Between mid-November and Christmas, our family grew from 87 to 101.
These are desperate times, creating desperate need.
Now we know that we can truly be there for any child who needs us.
What can be better than that.

Growing feet bring a big bill

 Kitting out the kids for the start of a new school year is an annual expense that every parent dreads but has to face.

So imagine what it's like for Mama with 99 children in our Happy House family needing new school shoes all at the same time? While hand down where we can, most shoes are worn out by the heavy wear they get from children who, full of energy, are constantly on the go. 

Shoes are looked after carefully to make them last, with a rota of children taking it in turns on polishing duty every day. 

And apart from our own children, there are our 22 scholarship students who we must also provide with shoes.

The cost  is approximately £10 a pair, and to save us transporting kids to his shop the man from Bata brought his measure to Happy House to ensure each child would be sized up correctly and delivered the shoes in bulk.

The total cost of shoes, never mind new dresses, trousers, shirts, PE kit etc, is  more than £1,200 and comes at time when our budget is stretched to the absolute limit and our reserves are being swallowed up by the relocation of our school.

If you can to help in any way, by making a donation (as one or two people already have) to pay for a pair of shoes or by making a  donation towards our school build we would be so grateful.

The past year has been difficult for the whole community of Watamu and we are no exception. 

And whilst we are experiencing a hard time financially, our family has grown - by 22 children since last April.

Our thrifty Mama holds a tight rein on the purse strings, every penny is spent wisely and scrupulously accounted for, but she admits this is a very worrying time.

If you can help by making a donation you can do this online at https://www.justgiving.com/childrenofwatamu/Donate/ or if you prefer to send a cheque (payable to Happy House) please post to Elizabeth Gomm (UK voluntary coordinator), 6 Burwood Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8NS.  

If you are a UK taxpayer, please Gift Aid your donation - it brings us an extra 25p in every pound. 

 You can do this on JustGiving or by requesting a Gift Aid form from Elizabeth when sending a cheque (this can be sent by email so please enclose your postal address or email)

Thank you

 

Every day is a day of celebration for David

When our kids go back to school today, there's one little boy who will be oozing confidence and trying to be the boss -  our David!

On December 19, David celebrated his fourth birthday and for those of us who have watched him grow from a very poorly baby, abandoned at birth, to a happy-go-lucky child this landmark brings us joy and pride.

How different things could have been for David, had it  not been for the faith, determination and magic of everyone in the Happy House family .

At 10 months, he was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome and Mama and Uncle Billy were told he would probably never walk, nor ever amount to much. 

But we believed otherwise and after sourcing all the information we could get on how we could help him, he was put through a a series of exercises, three times a day, to stimulate and encourage him both mentally and physically.
David lapped it up and rewarded us by achieving one developmental milestone after another. Every one, celebrated by us and cheered on by all his "brothers and sisters". 

We don't know whether he has Downs or not, and  what does a label matter? So long as he is healthy and happy we will encourage, and help him, to reach his full potential whatever that may be..

He may lag a little behind his peers, but he stands his own ground, puts heart and soul into everything he does and can melt hearts with a cheeky smile!

Mama Sue says: "David is doing well, he tries to sing and does the actions to songs/

" He can say mama and Papa., music to our ears, and is developing a strong personality and a bit of temper when he is told no.

" He is such a good boy, just a bit on the bossy side!"

And while David's birthday is a joy, every birthday is just as special. And also celebrating their birthdays recently are Mercy and Freddie who, like David, received their gifts at Kidz Club.

Happy birthday to you all.

My days at school - by Evans

Our Happy House kids go back to school tomorrow after the longest holiday of the academic year ... and they are eager to get back.

Today Evans writes about how much he loves school:

I am happy during school days because when I am  at school I meet with different people.

 I enjoy during school days because we have different activities and these are quiz, debates, and games.

 I love doing  the quiz when we are competing with the girls and we defeat them, it is only sometimes that they win and  a good mannerism that ladies go first.

We do not want to let down our boy power even if it is ladies first. 

And also during school days we normally have free time for cooling and refreshing, during that time I enjoy playing with my friends, we jump and run happily,

 I love school days so much.

Trevor Sinclair is our Pointless Celebrity!

There's nothing Pointless about ex-England winger Trevor Sinclair.
He's chooses our Happy House as his charity when  he appears on BBC1's Pointless Celebrities  tonight (6.05pm)
 Player-turned-assistant manager of Lancaster City, Trevor teams up with Final Score presenter Jason Mohammed as they test their general knowledge on an FA Cup special against   broadcaster Gabby Logan  and former player and pundit Robbie Savage; MOTD2 host Mark Chapman  and player-turned-coach Phil Neville;  ex-QPR midfielder Jermaine Jenas and commentator Jacqui Oatley.
Alexander Armstrong  will be quizzing the teams while  Richard Osman, as always, is the man with the the facts at his fingertips.                    

Our Abdul's on the ball!

Trevor, who began his career with Blackpool FC went on to play at QPR, West Ham; Manchester City and Cardiff City. He made 12 appearances with  the England team , retiring in 2008.

He follows what we do at the Happy House and said: " It is  privilege to help in any way.

A big well done to you all."

Thanks Trevor for raising our profile, and for your donation, we are so grateful to you for choosing Happy House as our charity.

Our kids, even the littlies,
love football and will be over the moon to hear that you know all about them!
Pointless Celebrities, BBC1, today, 6.05pm-7pm

More festive thanks

We are now into 2015, and we still have to day some Christmas thank-yous.

Firstly, to everyone who sent parcels which ensured that Santa's sack was filled to overflowing. 

 As Mama said in yesterday's blog, times are very tough, and the items you sent, and your donations, made Christmas possible for our children.

We also have to thank those who took part in our Christmas Hats Challenge - some opting for festive jumpers instead!
At St Aidan's School, Lancashire, where Mrs Joanne Rossall's form K7 are in Linus' sponsor family staff and pupils up our hat challenge, while at St Bede's school Lytham  pupils were busy making and selling items for Happy house.

 Retailers and management at Freeport Fleetwood held a Christmas jumper day , splitting the £100 raised between Happy House and another children's charity. Thanks to general manager, John Magee (who sponsors scholarship student Kennedy) for introducing Happy House to the centre.

Another Christmas dress-up day was held by Paula Lochrie, and team at Oxfordshire County Council raised £54.83  with their jumper day. Paula's family all support the Happy House with her mum and dad, Brenda and Red Groves in Charity's sponsor family; her uncle sponsors Brian and Lovinne, and her daughter, Chloe ,is in Said's sponsor family.

Staff at Chards, Blackpool, donated their Christmas Jumper Day money to Happy House. Lawrence and Jane Chard are members of Pendo Francis' sponsor family.

Our growing branch of the family in Saudi Arabia, gave the Happy House a special place in their Christmas Day celebration held Taif compound where they live.

Lesley Pidock, who is in Janet and Natasha's sponsor families explains: "As our men work Sunday to Thursday so our weekends are Friday/Saturday so they were working Christmas day...  and as you can imagine there is not a lot of Christmas in Saudi.

" However we had our special Christmas lunch where most of the community come together, everyone makes food,  so we have a full British Christmas dinner.

"If you do not donate food then you are asked to make a cash donation.

" We also held a quiz which each table paid 20SR to enter, this money was added to the donations. 

" This year the money raised was 2,868 SR and it was decided that the money would be split between two charities, one being our Happy House! 

This means a donation of £239 to Happy House.. 

Happy House sponsors (pictured) who live in Taif are second from left: Diane Hilton (Kezia).; Kay Summers (Baraka Francis) and Lesley Pidock (Janet and Natasha), far left is Lesley's daughter Kathryn who was visiting.

Our thanks to everyone who made Happy House a part of their Christmas - every penny you have raised is much needed and greatly appreciated.
Happy New Year.

A new year greeting from Mama

Mama with Kidz Council and our four little Haywards-
 David,
 Esther, Harry and Brian

Hello Everyone,

Mama Sue here to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year.

Here we on the threshold of another year, 2015. 
Where has the time gone since we opened the Happy House in March 2010?
It seems to have passed in the blink of an eye, that is until I look around at the children who were amongst the first to come home, who have now grown into happy, healthy, responsible teenagers.
 Yes,  happy is not always a word that can be used to describe teenagers, but these children are.
 They appreciate life here at the Happy House, they love school and each other.
 Abandoned babies, our four little Haywards,  who are now comical three and four year olds are developing their own personalities. Each one growing to be independent and determined.
They understand the meaning of family life where they are safe and loved, a place where  we share and we care.
The children who came recently are now beginning to settle. Most of them have come from the most terrible of circumstances, so it takes time. They will  adjust better when they start school on Monday. It has been a long holiday since November, too long.

We have our Kidz Council , with ten board members. They deal with issues between themselves, and recommend on what punishment should be given.
 Maybe it is early bed or helping to sweep the floors after meals.
 They met on Monday morning  and talked to each of the  our most recently arrived children individually to explain the way of  Happy House family life.
 It is so wonderful children helping other children to understand how life changes so fast, but in their cases definitely for the better.

Helping each other

This is, as you know, a difficult time for us with so few visitors, to bring us  the many much needed items  needed by such a large family.
 Thank you to everyone who have sent brilliant parcels full of love and great things for the children at Christmas. I know some are still on the way here, but everything will be stored safely to cover the at least 100 birthdays that we will be celebrating throughout 2015.

We are now well on with  moving of the schools. Little Chicks Kindergarten will be ready for the children to start school  on Monday .
The Primary School will be just a few more weeks, funds permitting.
 It has taken all our small reserve of money but it is something we have had to do.
 We have made applications to different companies, trusts and organisations, so hopefully in early 2015 we will be lucky enough to receive some funding for the future education of our children.
The family are delighted to be going out to school. The new schools are just a short walk up the lane. It will be a lot healthier for them to go out to school and come home in the afternoon.
We are taking 15 at a time to see the school so they know where they will be going.
Musyoka said to me: ‘Mama if we are going out to school, what about Kidz  Klub on a Tuesday?’ I said don’t worry you will be home for that, we cannot do Kidz Klub without any Kidz.   Another problem solved !

The classrooms upstairs here at the Happy House  that have been used for the Primary School  will now be used as bedrooms, which is a relief in itself, now we know we will always have room for another. 
No child needing the safety of the Happy House will ever be turned away.

Thank you for all your love and support.
It is your generosity and kindness that makes our work with the children possible.
 Together we are truly saving and changing the lives of children.

Wishing you a very happy and definitely healthy 2015.