As with every school holiday, children will go to visit relatives if it can be made possible.
Indeed, it is the Happy House commitment to maintaining strong connections between kids in our care and their blood relatives, that has enableed some children to go home to live family members who are now in a position to look after them.
On Saturday, excited youngsters were packed and ready for a few days on a home visit. School starts agin next week.
Our little people had great fun communicating theough music, rhythm and touch, with special needs teacher Debs Aspinall.
Debs. visiting Watamu with one of our very earliest volunteers, Hailey, is a qualified Early Years and general primary teacher currently teaching at Broadfield Specialist School in Oswaldtwistle, Lancs and is studying for her Masters in Education.
When getting ready for her first trip to Kenya, she wanted to bring something that would have lasting benefit. She writes:
When preparing for this wonderful holiday to visit the Happy House, I wanted to bring something I could do with the children, but that would be of benefit afterwards.
.As a teacher, there were obvious educational resources, however,I wanted to bring something different.
I teach in a special educational needs school and and where I am the Sensory Curriculum Leader.
I have found a group activity called Tacpac to be very rewarding for the children I teach and decided to bring this to the Happy House.
It is an interactive, sensory communication and relaxation resource which helps develop children's social, emotional and behavioural skills while promoting positive communication with each other.
I delivered group sessions at the school to the younger children.
They were very excited to see the variety of interesting objects we used, such as wet spongers, mini feather dusters, scourers and furry material.
Initially unsure what we would be doing with them, the children soon followed my lead.
They enjoyed the feeling of the different sensory objects as we listened to music corresponding to each. Children with serious faces soon started smiling, quieter children were giggling and they all shared the experience well together.
One child, who Mama Sue had told me had, before coming to Happy House, suffered before physically abused let me tap chopsticks on him gently and squash a wet sponge on his skin.
He was soon giddy with excitement like his friends. For him, this was an opportunity to introduce safe touch and build trust.
The session finished with individual hand massages and positive affirmations to each child. As they were told how good they are, clever and kind, every child had a beaming smile, and couldn't stop smelling their cocoa scented hands!
From one session, I have been able to see the different benefits each child has gained.
The class teacher was involved and was also impressed by how responsive the children were, so I am very happy that they will continue using the Tacpacs Hailey and I created and gave them.
For me, it has been a privilege to spend this special time with these wonderful children.
Hailey and Deborah Aspinall are bowled over by our Happy House.
Hailey was one of our very first volunteers and now, having just completed her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, she is on a return visit, with Debs.
Hailey, having worked with children affected by domestic abuse, will be starting a new role as play specialist at Lancaster Hospital on her return. She writes today's blog, and tomorrow there will be a blog from first-time visitor Debs.
Hailey writes: "When the Happy House first opened in 2010, I was lucky enough to visit, where I met the child my family sponsor, Charity.
Debs and kids
Arriving on the same day was little nine-month-old Stevie who I felt such a connection with, indeed I was destined to become part of his sponsor family too. I have always been eager to introduce, Debs to my extended family and I am so excited to be here again six years later with her. It seemed surreal to see the Happy House again as it has changed so much and so have Stevie and Charity.
2010 with Steve (top) and Charity (below)
They have both grown into wonderful young children; Stevie is quiet, independent and happy, and Charity is cheeky and full of smiles. There are, of course, lots of new little faces too, each bubbling with their own personality and full of curiosity as to who we are. We were welcomed with a fantastic showcase of talent; singing, dancing, acrobatics and a fashion show. Debs was overwhelmed with the feeling of warmth and happiness amongst the children, making her first experience a magical one. I was impressed to see how the Happy House has grown, especially the school which is thriving and it is easy to see why it is number one in the county. The school has fantastic facilities; a large library with the same reading scheme books used in England, spacious classrooms, a computer room and a variety of sports activities enjoyed by the children at break time. We are so happy that we will get to celebrate Charity's 7th Birthday with her this week before we head back to England... with a new addition to our sponsor family!
Scholarship student, Michael, is in class eight at Happy House School and working hard towards his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam in November.
Being at Happy House is a dream come true for this grateful 15 year old.
My name is Michael Kombe. Since I came to Happy House I am so happy.
I am getting a a high education than I had in my life before.
Thank you Mama for giving me breakfast every morning
On Saturday, we are coming to school not only to learn but also for life skills and to play different games.
I would like to appreciate Mama Sue for her true love and providing to me the things that I need.
The teachers that are teaching me are qualified teachers and so they are providing to me a high education.
It was a fun Friday for our Happy House kids yesterday as they got into sporting action. Teachers organised a series of competitive events for the kids to take part in and, as eager as ever, they all wanted to win! Individual and team games for all ages went down a treat as they cheered each other on with Mama and Papa on hand to encourage, congratulate and commiserate with the winners
and losers. There is such a wonderful spirit amongst children at Happy House that those who lag behind never feel down for long and they soon get back into the throng even more determined than before.
How very proud Mama and Papa should feel when they show visiting friends around our Happy House. Even those who have visited before, and follow all that we do, are surprised by the sheer scale and quality of our home and school. And our lovely kids never fail to delight! Mama and Papa and the family are pleased to welcome Peter and Joanne Ward, from Nottingham, who are visiting with their sons Dylan and Oscar (named after our own Oscar) .
With Farida and Oscar
They are hugely supportive, in the sponsor families of Oscar and Farida, and do so much to raise both funds and awareness. On Tuesday, the kids put on a show for them at Kidz Club and yesterday Mama and Papa showed them around our school where pupils are having holiday classes and activities. Pete and Jo, who were disappointed to have a planned trip to Watamu cancelled last year, brought with them lots of much-needed items for our Happy House and we were not short of eager little people to show off just a few of the goodies for a picture! Welcome Jo, Pete, Dylan and Oscar, all our thanks for everything you do. It's lovely to see you at Happy House at last!
Ever since it opened, Happy House has been leading the way in raising standards of care and education for children in care. But, as Mama explains in depth in today's video, however brilliant the care might be, no child should remain with us longer than they need to. And over the last eight months we have had remarkable success in re-integrating children into families so they can be brought up in their own communities with relatives who can, and want, to care for them. All those children repatriated who live too far away to continue in our school are doing brilliantly. They are making huge strides forward, and raising standards, in their new schools. Indeed, most of them top of their class. Musyoka, older brother to Francis and Mwende, called Mama to tell her his school needed a contribution towards a new classroom. His grandfather, who has land and crops so they are well fed and well looked after, couldn't raise the 3000KES (£23) the the school was requesting. So Mama sent the money. Those three kids, who were with us for almost six years, are flying. They are happy and loved and all number one in their school. Our next step is to fully integrate more children into their own communities by paying for their education in local schools - cutting down on the very early starts and journey times to school. Mama and Uncle Billy will pay a year's school fees at a time and will make regular checks on their progress. Families want this to happen, so do we. We hope that you will share out belief that what matters most is what is best for the child. They will remain Happy House kids and, just like Musyoka, they will know it.. We will only ever do what is best for each individual child and we hope and believe that you will support us in making this possible. Mama would be pleased to hear your comments or answer your questions. You can email her at sue@childrenofwatamu.net
Our arty crafty kids had a chance to get creative on Saturday.
Louise Webster, who is visiting with husband, Garry, daughteers, Grace and Alice, and her own mum Ann, filled some of her luggage allowance with all kinds of goodies for a glue and glitter workshop.
She and her girls had lots of fun with the kids as they used their own imaginations to turn paper figures into fashionistas!
Mama Sue said all the items, paper dolls, gems, colours, feathers, googlie eyes, craft trimmings plus glue sticks, collected over the run up to their holiday by Louise and her girls, were a huge hit with kids of all ages.
"Even the Form One kids enjoyed joining in. It was a lovely idea to bring all that was needed so if anybody else traveling would like to do the same we would be delighted."
There was a welcome for Hailey and Debbie Aspinall who have just arrived for a break in Watamu.
Hailey
Back in 2010, Hailey was one of our very first volunteers so she is thrilled to see first hand all the changes she has followed on the blog, and to meet up with the kids old and new.
Hailey, who with her mum Jackie are in Stevie and Charity's sponsor families, Debbie and our other guests were treated to a show by our talented acrobats and entertainers.
During the morning, the kids also had a session brushing up on their times tables, with Mama and Papa on hand to help and encourage.
Mama said it was a really enjoyable morning for everyone.
It maybe 125 sleeps away, but it's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas. And that's just what we are doing at Happy House. With Auntie Velma due to start maternity leave shortly, we are making a head start on getting Christmas bags ready for our children. Christmas celebrations will include the children who have been reunited and are now living with blood relatives. They will be coming back to visit their Happy House "brothers and sisters" and to enjoy an early Christmas together. Auntie Lydia, Auntie Rose and Auntie Velma have been busy in the storeroom ensuring there will be gifts packed and labelled ready for Santa to deliver. If anyone is planning to visit Happy House in the run up to Christmas and would like to take out some items we need please email sue@childrenofwatamu.net to found out what's on the priority list at the time. Mama has already put vertically hanging Christmas decorations on her wish list as they will add some frills to our festive fun.
It maybe 125 sleeps away, but it's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas. And that's just what we are doing at Happy House. With Auntie Velma due to start maternity leave shortly, we are making a head start on getting Christmas bags ready for our children. Christmas celebrations will include the children who have been reunited and are now living with blood relatives. They will be coming back to visit their Happy House "brothers and sisters" and to enjoy an early Christmas together. Auntie Lydia, Auntie Rose and Auntie Velma have been busy in the storeroom ensuring there will be gifts packed and labelled ready for Santa to deliver. If anyone is planning to visit Happy House in the run up to Christmas and would like to take out some items we need please email sue@childrenofwatamu.net to found out what's on the priority list at the time. Mama has already put vertically hanging Christmas decorations on her wish list as they will add some frills to our festive fun.
Exam results are dropping into the vitual mailboxes of the wonderful friends who sponsor Happy House home and scholarship kids. And in today's video Mama is bringing you good news about our school. We love keeping you up to date with how your children are doing and so with the results you should find our latest Happy House School Newsletter with stories and pictures. We have experienced some difficulties in sending the newsletter, so just in case you miss out and forall those those who follow and support our work you can read the two-part newsletter by following these links to our Children of Watamu website. Please let us know what you think, we'd love to hear from you. You can post your comments on Facebook at Happy House, Watamu, Kenya or on Twitter @HappyHouseKenya Find the newsletter at: http://www.childrenofwatamu.net/attachments/article/127/newsletter%20part%201.pdf
Please let us know what you think, we'd love to hear from you. You can post your comments on Facebook at Happy House, Watamu, Kenya or on Twitter @HappyHouseKenya
It was Florence's turn to take a bow at Kidz Club this week. She is celebrating her birthday and Grace Webster was asked to present her with her bag of gifts. Grace is visiting from Yorkshire with her mum Louise, her dad Garry, little sister Alice and grandma,, Ann. It's lovely for Mama, Papa and the kids to have friends from around the world to join our weekly family gathering.
Just look at Mama's boys! And even though they may not all be related by blood they are a real little band of brothers. These cheeky chappies are as happy as sandboys and, as you can imagine, with so many little people around there is never a dull moment. But boys do love their Mama and they are always keen to home in for a cuddle.. What a shame her arms aren't wide enough to wrap them all up in a group hug! With so many little boys to kit out we are gratedful to Lesley Pidcock for the lovely, bright, material she gave Mama to take back from the UK which our seamstress Lucy has turned into lovely shorts. We are also grateful to Margaret Sumpter from Dagenham and her daughter, Dawn Szpak for the shorts they sent to Louise Webster who very kindly found room for them in her luggage. Margaret, who in her younger days worked for royal dressmaker, Norman Hartnell, and stitched dresses for the Queen, has sent out beautifully made dresses and shorts for our children with Dawn taking her turn at the sewing machine too. We are grateful to Lesley, Margaret and Dawn,for all helping keep our boys looking smart. Mama said should anyone be travelling out to visit in the next few months lengths of material, brights and with kids patterns, would be very welcome as Lucy can soon run it up into excatly what is needed at the time. Vertically hanging Christmas decorations would also be very welcome in the run up to the festive season.
Our kids have got talent ... lots of it! And they showcased their exceptional skills for relatives, friends and fellow pupils at the end of term Closing Day Ceremony. Children and young people put on colourful performances ranging from poetry recitations and singing, dancing to acrobatics. Samson and Salama sang a beautiful version of Coat of Many Colours from Joseph's' Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and there were several short plays,
Class 3
Stepping out into the limelight with confidence, the contribution of each child was an illustration of the magic worked on youngsters who come under the Happy House wing - many of whom would not be in school at all without our help. Top and most improved pupils received awards and the Top Class Awards were presented by Mama and Papa, Winners were: Best Class Upper, Primary Class 8; Best Class Lower, Primary Class 3; Most Improved Class, Class 8
Just five, Ernest came to us with so many challenges.
Both his growth and development are delayed, and although a happy little chap he was really struggling to communicate.
But with dedicated efforts from our teachers, aunties and from volunteer Gussy Bunbury his communication and coordination skills have come on in leaps and bounds.
In the end of term exams, Ernest came eighth in his class - a real achievement.
He is talking more, although his pronunication is not always clear he's trying so hard.
His efforts were rewarded with the accolade of being the most improved pupil in the class at closing day on Friday.
We are all so proud of him, as are his Happy House "brothers and sisters."
* Report and video of Closing Day in our School Report tomorrow.
We have many good friends from Italy who do so much for our family,and so it is always a great joy to welcome them when they visit.
Tundra Tononi is holidaying in Watamu and called in to Happy House with her family.
Her daughter, Juna, attended our school for a few months back in 2013, and so Tundra has visited Happy House on many occasions before - always coming with wonderful gifts.
And her latest visit was no different, as she tells us
" I visited the Happy House together with my children Juna aand Ethan and my sister, Katiuscia, with her children Gaia and Zeno.
We were abble to meet my new sponsor-girl Husna and we brought a little present also for DIana, sent by her sponsor family Luana and Roberto.
The two girls are very nice, smiling and bright.
Our boys Ethan and Zeno played football with other children and Juna had fun playing beach tennis with Husna.
Gaia and Ethan gave out lollipops to all the children.
Before she finished school in Italy for the holiday, Juna took her Happy House uniform and other things to show her, and told them class about her experience in Kenya attending your school.
She asked her classmates for help and she is very proud that she raised 250 €
Also my sister Katiuscia and other friends has helped and we could shop for more than 50.000 KSH.
Mama Sue and Papa Dave were very pleased and they invited us to the closing party at school.
Our thanks to Tundra, Katiuscia, Juna, Ethan, Gaia and Zeno for coming to see us and for bringing so many boxes full of lovely things and to everyone who donated money which will be such a huge help, particularly in these very difficult times.
Special thanks to Juna and her classmates, Class 2B (pictured) for raising enough money to buy groceries for a whole month!
You are very good friends indeed.
Sifa, who has been under the wing of Happy House since 2010, is in his final year of primary school and working hard towards his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams in November.
Taking on the task of being today's blogger, Sifa, has chosen to write about the end of term exams.
Hello, I am Sifa writing the blog.
We started our exam on a Tuesday and all the pupils did their best as an individual and worked heard as a class.
In Happy
House school we compete with each other according to classes and with the other
schools around us.
We are very happy because when the results come out we are the
best school overall and betweeen class one to eight we are the ones leading in the
county.
We work as a family and also as a team so as to achieve the best and
make Mama Sue, our teachers and everybody in the Happy House happy and proud,
We really
thank Mama Sue for giving us free education and we work towards being the
best people in future.
Our own Happy House hero, David, is a wonderful big brother to his friend and classmate Earnest. The two children who, with our support and love, are overcoming so many of the difficulties they were born with, are as thick as thieves. So when it was Earnest's turn to celebrate his birthday at Kidz Club it was only natural that David should take his hand and lead him into the limelight! And David (right) helped him out by carrying his birthday bag. Other birthday children celebrating at Kidz Club with gifts and greetings were Gift (centre picture) and his twin Tumaini (top right) and Mariam Safari. Grace Webster presented Tumaini with his gift while her sister Alice made the presentation to Mariam. Happy Birthday kids
We need your support now
We have more than 40 young people on our scholarship scheme without a sponsor.
Please tell your friends about us, encourage them to sponsor; hold a fundraising event or make a one-off donation.
Sponsors not only help to support their education financially, they also show a child that someone, beyond the Happy House, cares about how they are doing, who gives them encouragement and shares with them a little of their own lives.
It costs £20 a month to sponsor a scholarship student. This provides schooling, uniform, books, shoes, PE kit plus nourishing breakfast, lunch and snacks.
They also receive additional clothing where needed, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary pads for the older girls and shoe polish and a brush.
Together we ARE changing lives and Together we will change many more.
There was a wonderfully warm welcome for Elizabeth Gomm in a Lancashire village when she went to tell the story of the Happy House. Elizabeth was the guest speaker at Freckleton Women's Institute and remembered by some for her previous roles as education writer and women's editor at the Blackpool Gazette. They were moved by story of Sue's difficult road to realising her Happy House dream and inspired by the way she has developed her Happy House and taken it forward, always putting the children above everything else. Elizabeth highlighted our current campaign to get more sponsors and funding for our scholarship scheme and explained how we are struggling because of the way the £ has plunged since the referendum - leaving us with a drop of £135 on every £1000 we transfer into Kenya Shillings. The ladies were touched to hear of the hardships endured by the kids who now have hope of acheiving their dreams because Happy House is giving them a free education, and all the other things needed to thrive. Elizabeth received a cheque for £30 which was made up to £205 by a collection. This will be used to help our scholarship students.. Thank you Freckleton WI for being so generous and taking our kid into your hearts. Pictured are: Kathy Gemmell (president), Sylvia Kay (committee member) and Carole Ainley (secretary).
Our Happy House family was in party mood to give a special welcome to special freinds, the Webster family. Louise and Garry Webster are visiting with their daughters Grace and Alice, and Louise's mum, Ann. Louise is the special lady who sends out details of children to our sponsors. She and Gary, from Leyburn, Yorkshire, have been sponsoring Oscar since he arrived at the Happy House and he shares his date of birth with their elder daughter Grace.
Grace thinks of him as her "twin" and plays an important part in their lives.
After the disappointment of having two previous trips cancelled, they are all thrilled to be back in Watamu and back to see Mama Sue, Papa Dave, Oscar and all the family.
They were very touched by the the lovely welcome which Louise says was very emotional.
Welcome back our friends, we are so pleased to see you. Hiave a wonderful time.
Practical science took class three into the garden. They have been learning how plants germinate and grow, and as well as planting they have also been weeding their own plot outside their classroom. Exams have now finished students will be getting their results as the school term finishes this week. It's been a busy time for everyone in Happy House school
Those living in poverty dare not think about tomorrow.
Their focus is on getting through today.
Poverty robs young people of their hopes and dreams.
At Happy House we are giving kids, living in extreme hardship, a brighter future.
By providing free places in our school to children and young people from the local community, we are lighting up their lives.
These are kids denied a place in other schools because of their parent/guardian's inability to pay. even Government "free" schools expect a contribution of some kind. No money, no school.
We now have 80 students, aged up to 19, on our Dr Danwatta Scholarship Scheme and we are desperate to find a sponsor for each of them.
Some have missed so much schooling, they are 17, 18 or 19 and in the first year in our secondary school.
Sponsors not only helps to support their education financially, they also show a child that someone, beyond the Happy House, cares about how they are doing, who gives them encouragement and shares with them a little of their own lives.
It costs £20 a month to sponsor a scholarship student. This provides schooling, uniform, books, shoes, PE kit plus nourishing breakfast, lunch and snacks.
They also receive additional clothing where needed, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary pads for the older girls and shoe polish and a brush.
A few of our scholarship students
To cut the risk of fires and ill health from kerosene lamps, we give them solar lanterns so they can read at home when darkness falls,
Mama Sue, who makes a direct appeal in today's video, thinks of everything to instill self-esteem and confidence in these kids, She meets each one individually on a regular basis to reflect on their progress , keep them focused and to encourage them.
They want to be doctors, teachers, engineers, farmers and will help change their communities and their country.
Mama's ambition is to increase the scheme to more kids - there are so many more who need our help.
But right now we must find sponsors for these youngsters.
The UK's exit from the EU is costing is dear. Most of our income is raised in thew UK and as the £ has plunged, we are £130 down on every £1000 we change into Kenya shillings.
We need your support now.
Please tell your friends about us, encourage them to sponsor; hold a fundraising event or make a one-off donation.
Together we ARE changing lives and Together we will change many more.
Hairdresser Natasha Wenman and her friends are all set to sizzle with a charity
barbecue to help our Happy House.
Our kids won
Natasha's heart when she, and her dad, Russ spent a month volunteering there last year.
Since
then the Happy House we have extended our work to many more young people from the
local community, all from abject poverty, by giving them free-place
scholarships in its school and are desperate to raise funds and sponsors to support this work.
Natasha, joined by her friends, is planning a Bank Holiday Barbecue at London
Colney Cricket Club, Shenley, Borehamwood, on Monday, August 29, from 1pm to 7pm.
It
promises to be an afternoon of fantastic food, fun and entertainment with music, live performances and games for
all the family and she would love any Happy House friends and sponsors living in the area to go along.
Natasha said: “I visited the Happy House last
summer and was over the moon to find a charity that I could trust and with whom
I could see directly the money going exactly where intended, to supporting the
children and giving them a childhood free from fear, hunger or neglect.
“To work with these children and see the smiles
on all the kids faces every day and to see how they are being given the best education at the Happy House school was such a privilege and a life changing
experience for me.
“I have told
friends about it and they want to help too so we are starting our fundraising
with a barbecue. Everyone is welcome and we hope local families will come
along. Everyone who buys a ticket will
make a difference and give more kids a brighter future.
“We
have some great prizes and items to auction – including a football shirt signed
by England players.”
Tickets
are £10 each. That’s enough to buy a pair of school shoes for a child – they
take such great care of their schools shoes, they will take them off rather
than walk through a puddle and get them wet."
“The
Happy House is a wonderful place and it depends entirely on the generosity of
others and those who sponsor children.”
I have found a group activity called Tacpac to be very rewarding for the children I teach and decided to bring this to the Happy House.
They enjoyed the feeling of the different sensory objects as we listened to music corresponding to each. 
From one session, I have been able to see the different benefits each child has gained. 
We were welcomed with a fantastic showcase of talent; singing, dancing, acrobatics and a fashion show. 
It was a fun Friday for our Happy House kids yesterday as they got into sporting action.
How very proud Mama and Papa should feel when they show visiting friends around our Happy House.
Welcome Jo, Pete, Dylan and Oscar, all our thanks for everything you do. It's lovely to see you at Happy House at last!
Ensuring our kids look smart and smell sweet, raises their self-esteem and their aspirations.
Our arty crafty kids had a chance to get creative on Saturday.
There was a welcome for Hailey and Debbie Aspinall who have just arrived for a break in Watamu.
It maybe 125 sleeps away, but it's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas.
With Auntie Velma due to start maternity leave shortly, we are making a head start on getting Christmas bags ready for our children.
Margaret, who in her younger days worked for royal dressmaker, Norman Hartnell, and stitched dresses for the Queen, has sent out beautifully made dresses and shorts for our children with Dawn taking her turn at the sewing machine too.
Mama said should anyone be travelling out to visit in the next few months lengths of material, brights and with kids patterns, would be very welcome as Lucy can soon run it up into excatly what is needed at the time.
We have many good friends from Italy who do so much for our family,and so it is always a great joy to welcome them when they visit.
Our boys Ethan and Zeno played football with other children and Juna had fun playing beach tennis with Husna.
Our Happy House family was in party mood to give a special welcome to special freinds, the Webster family.
They have been learning how plants germinate and grow, and as well as planting they have also been weeding their own plot outside their classroom.
