Merry Christmas & A Happy Healthy 2010

Dave & I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and definitely healthy New Year.

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in so many ways from bungi jumping to baking cakes. All those of you who sponsor children at school, the difference that makes to a child and their family is amazing. To all of you have been kind enough to arrange standing orders for the Happy House Kids. These generous payments have made it possible for us to finish and furnish the Happy House ready for the children to come 'home' We are determined to be open for the first children at the beginning of February. The 'official' opening is the 17th of March and we are delighted so many of you are making the journey to Watamu to join in the celebrations and meet our children.

 

The first 40 ft. container has today cleared customs on Mombasa docks and is ready to make the final 2 hour journey by road to the Happy House. It is packed to the doors with everything so many of you have purchased or donated from clothes, medical equipment, to cooking equipment and beds. The second container set sail on the 21st of December and will be in Watamu by the middle of January.

 

Thank you to everyone for caring,

 

Love & best wishes,

 

Sue Dave & The Children of Watamu xxx

 

 

Grandpa Caught Napping

 

It has been due to the kindness and generosity of Grandpa Yaa that we have been able to build the Happy House. Grandpa and his family donated to the charity 4 acres of land and legally signed a 99 year lease. 90 year old Grandpa has been a constant visitor to the site over the past year, but yesterday Silas caught him napping. I have pictures of Grandpa painting, pushing a wheel barrow, gardening but this is the best one ever. A  very well deserved rest Grandpa xx

The Happy House is Nearly Finished

 

I am thrilled and delighted to say the Happy House is just about complete. The plumbers and electricians have finished, the painters have some finishing touches to do. The kitchen and shower rooms are finished.The  container was due in Mombasa this week but due to a delay will now arrive on the 14th of December.

 

We intend to be ready for the first children to come 'home' by the beginning of February. The official opening day is the 17th of March 2010. I am very moved that so many people intend to come out to Watamu to join in the celebrations. I will be very proud to show off the very first Happy House Kids 2010.

St John's Wood Community School, Knutsford, Cheshire

 

Holly Fowlkes, School Business Manager, contacted me before she went to Kenya on holiday in August.  She was very keen to find out how her special school could help the Happy House Project so I arranged for Silas Karisa to meet her and take her to see the Happy House.   When she returned to the UK, Holly's family decided to sponsor a child and then she asked the School Council at St John's Wood to do the same.

 

Dave and I visited the school in November 2009. We were made to feel so welcome by Mike Burgess, the Headteacher and Sally Clayton, the Deputy Head. The pupils were touched when they heard what a difference their money could make and are looking forward to receiving regular updates about the progress of "their" Happy House Kid!

 

The School Council was delighted to present us with a cheque for £240.

Chichester High School for Girls

I received an email from Jayne Davidson at Chichester Girls High School with the great news that they were planning to support the Happy House. This is what Jayne had to say.

 

Year 7 at Chichester High School for Girls worked together
to raise money for the Children of Watamu. We decided to
support this charity following the visit of one of our
pupils to Kenya. Alicia produced a powerpoint to show the
rest of Year 7 in assembly which left a few of us feeling
very emotional and understanding why this was such a good
cause.
 
We designated two of our non school uniform days to this,
with pupils making a donation in order to wear their own
clothes. Each form then chose another way to raise some
money such as washing the cars of the staff ( which was very
popular), running a table top sale and performing a dance.

We managed to raise almost £450. As Head of Year 7 I was
extremely proud of every one of the girls and very thankful
for the support of their form tutors.It is always good to
remember that what we may take for granted is an unecessary
luxury for others.
Mrs Davidson
Head of Learning and Transition Yr7

 

Thank you to all concerned your help is greatly needed and truly appreciated,

 

Sue & The Children