Student Jessika Poplawski 19, can't wait to get back to Kenya, but not for a holiday this time!
Jessika flies out in May to spend eight weeks as a volunteer with our family at the Happy House.
In the second year of her social work degree at UCLAN, Preston, she is looking forward to getting to know the 58 kids in the Happy House family, some of whom she met last year when she was on holiday with her parents, John and Jackie.
Jessika couldn't believe the high standard of childcare she saw at Sue's Happy House.
"It wasn't what I had expected at all in an African children's home, it was so clean and modern. Everything is so bright and the children are so happy.
"It is a children's home and it is a real family home.
Jessika, from Blackpool, is hoping to get an insight into the children's backgrounds, and to see how Mama Sue and the Happy House social worker, Uncle Billy , liaise with other agencies to get the very best for the kids.
"I hope to do a bit of everything while I am there," added Jessika "to help where I can and to make a difference."
She was successful in winning a university travel bursary to help fund her trip and is meeting the rest of her expenses herself. As we have reported before, she has also been raising money for our family, which depends entirely on fundraising, donations and its child sponsor scheme. Her most recent effort, helped by friends (pictured), was a cake sale in the students' union. With more than £300 already raised, Jessika is planning to another event to boost awareness and funds.
