Children of Watamu: November 2016

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Christmas countdown: Getting in voice

A week from today Santa will be landing his sleigh at Happy House.
He's answered our request for an early call because he knows il all about the big family reunion we have planned for our resident kids and those who have been repatriated to relatives.
The children who were previously in our full time care, now living back with relatives with our support, arrive on Monday and will be staying until Friday.

There's huge excitement as everyone is getting ready for their arrival and a five-day Christmas celebration.
And a party wouldn't be a party without a few songs, here are some of our little ones practicing their routines!

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

We are keeping our Festive Holiday Fund appeal open so that anyone who would like to make a Christmas gift to our family can do so there - every penny will directly benefit our children.

We were thrilled and very grateful to reach our £1000 target in just a week. It will be used to bring together our 70 resident kids and 60 repatriated into families, for a week of fun together at the Happy House in early December when they will enjoy a fun-packed programme of activities, special meals and a visit from Santa.

Any additional money donated will be used to help support the children living in our Happy House and those we continue to support now they have returned to live with relatives in the community.

Every penny will make a difference to children's lives. Thank you.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

LAST DAY TO VOTE

Today is the last day of voting in the Charity Film Awards, so please, if you haven't done so already, cast your vote.

Please vote for Children of Watamu in the documentaries category of the Charity Film Awards to highlight our work with children from despair at our at the Happy House and our founder Sue Hayward's inspiring story told in the beautiful film made for us, free of charge, by Massimiliano Zeuli Please vote for Children of Watamu and ask your friends to do the same. http://www.charityfilmawards.com/videos/children-of-watamu

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

A star who keeps on shining!

Only a few weeks ago, our Brian was being awarded Star of the Week for knowing all his times tables up to, and including nine.
That's very good going for a six year old.

Now he's received Star of the Week fo being a responsible and caring room mate.
Brian received his certificate at last week;s Kidz Club, when the girls sharing downstairs room 1 were named the best room for keeping it nice and tidy.
Well done girls and congratulations to Brian (Mama tells us you are not only a good room mate you are still trying hard with your tables and now know your 10x, 11x and 12x too!)

PLEASE VOTE TODAY

Tomorrow is the last day of voting in the Charity Film Awards, so please, if you haven't done so already, cast your vote.

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

We are keeping our Festive Holiday Fund appeal open so that anyone who would like to make a Christmas gift to our family can do so there - every penny will directly benefit our children.

Any additional money donated will be used to help support the children living in our Happy House and those we continue to support now they have returned to live with relatives in the community.

Every penny will make a difference to children's lives. Thank you.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Monday, 28 November 2016

Saying it with stitches for Happy House

Two crafty ladies are saying it with stiches for Happy house.
Patricia Beechey, who as head of Oatlands Schoool, Surrey, was so spportive of our Happy House family, sponsoring three children, has now retired but she has not forgotten our family.
Patricia is keen to support our Dr Danwata Scholarship Scheme and she and a friend, Anna, have set up an internet shop to sell the the beautiful handicrafts they are making with proceeds coming to HappyHouse.
On their very first day of trade, Patricia and Amma were thrilled to make their very first sale.

They are also taking stalls at craft fairs near to their homes in Surrey, raising both money and awareness for Happy House.

To find out please go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sayitwithstitchesuk/
Items can be bought Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SayitwithStitchesUK?ele=shop_openo

Our thanks to Patricia and Anna for using theit talents to enhance the lives of needy children.

Thank you Mr Postman

It's coming up to the busiest time of the year for our hard-pressed postmen and women, but in Blackpool they still go the extra mile to deliver a letter.

On Saturday, an evelope addressed to Sue, c/o Children of Watamu Charity, Blackpool, dropped through Elizabeth's letterbox.

It also had the message: Mr Postman, I'm sorry but this is the only address I have, so please do your best to find. Thank you.

Find it they did, and the sender had written after seeing a brief letter about the charity, from Elizabeth, in last week's Mail on Sunday, and now wants to do something to help.
Our thanks to the very kind gentleman who wrote the letter and to the postie who got it to the right place!

Two days to go

Voting closes on November 30, so please, if you haven't done so already, cast your vote.

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

We are keeping our Festive Holiday Fund appeal open so that anyone who would like to make a Christmas gift to our family can do so there - every penny will directly benefit our children.

We were thrilled and grateful to reach our £1000 target in just a week. It will be used to bring together our 70 resident kids and 60 repatriated into families, for a week of fun together at the Happy House in early December when they will enjoy a fun-packed programme of activities, special meals and a visit from Santa.

Any additional money donated will be used to help support the children living in our Happy House and those we continue to support now they have returned to live with relatives in the community.

Every penny will make a difference to children's lives. Thank you.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Sunday, 27 November 2016

Our aim, to be the best - by Nasri

Helping Papa to unload the new text books for Form 2, and getting them catalogued in our school library has been a pleasure for scholarship student Nasri.

He can't wait for January to come when he will be one of the first students to use them!

And he is grateful to every one of you who has donated to our Buy a Book Appeal to cover the £2,000 outlay for the text book and teaching manuals required for the 13 subjects on the Kenya curriculum at Form 2.

And here, on behalf of his fellow students, Nasri Juma says thank you:

Am very happy today to write this blog,

I would like to thank and congratulate all sponsors and friends for their wonderful efforts which they have given out.

We have completed our end term three exam and now we are looking forward to move to the next class, Form 2.

Mama Sue and Papa Dave have bought text book for all us and I am very glad for that. It means a lot.

Now our main aim is to focus in our academic studies and be the best, not in the county but in the all country.

I thank all who have contributed their wages to buy these wonderful texts books.

You are making our future bright.

If you would like to buy a book and help take us to our target, please go to:https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/buyabook

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Voting closes on November 30.

Saturday, 26 November 2016

Wave of support

There was a wave of support for Happy House from sixth formers at a Birmingham school yesterday.

Elizabeth Gomm was delighted to be at Shenley Academy to introduce around 70 students to the work of Mama Sue and our charity.

And in giving them a glimpse of Happy House life, illustrated how one woman can, with determination and dedication, change the lives of hundreds of kids.
It was an eye-opener for young people who are fortunate to be able to take an education for granted, to hear the stories of some of our own scholarship students for whom education is the most precious gift which will help them break free of poverty,

Elizabeth was invited to Shenley by Mark Webster, head of art, who has visited Happy House and worked with our children leading art and music workshops.

Mark caused great excitement when, on one occasion, he arrived with a suitcase which he proceeded to unpack to reveal and put together a complete drum kit, which he had designed, made and customised in Happy House colours!
The drum kit gets lots of use and we now have some accomplished yound drummers in our ranks.
Elizabeth's talk was followed by a brainstorming sessions, when working in tutor groups, students put together ideas for how they could fundraise for Happy House.
We will be excited to see how their ideas materialise and are grateful for the enthusiastic response to our plea for support.

Elizabeth was thanked by Head of College for Post 16 education, Rebecca Heath,
Our thanks to Shenley College, to Mark and also to his mum, Jacqueline Webster, for her kindness in collecting Elizabeth from and to the station.

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

We are keeping our Festive Holiday Fund appeal open so that anyone who would like to make a Christmas gift to our family can do so there - every penny will directly benefit our children.Every penny will make a difference to children's lives. Thank you.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Friday, 25 November 2016

Happy birthday Auntie Libby

To wake up to a birthday surprise from Mama, Papa and all our kids was a gift worth more than any money could buy, writes Elizabeth Gomm

Tears streamed down my face at the same time as my heart was bursting with joy, as all the family wished me a happy day, blowing "I love you" kisses.

To be a part of this amazing family, to be their Auntie Libby, and to know these beautiful children, who have been through so much, love me as I love them is more special than I can find words to describe.

It was lovely to see them, some grubby from playing out, singing and dancing for my birthday filled my day with Kenya sunshine.

In the nine years since I met Sue we have forged a a close friendship, shared good times and bad, and have created a sympathic and effective working relationship.

On my many visits to Happy House, I just slot into fantastic team there, working alongside Sue, Billy and Rose.

Working for Happy House here in the UK is a pleasure. I meet wonderful, generous people and, because I am in contact with Happy House every day, never feel out of the loop or isolated.

Within a few minutes of watching the birthday video, my phone rang. It was Mama, Papa and Auntie Rose calling to wish me a Happy Birthday.

I love them and miss them more than I can say, but wherever I go I carry them with me - in my heart.

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Coming Home for Christmas

Christmas is coming early to Happy House family Santa is jetting in from his secret sojourn in leafy Lytham St Annes make Happy House his first port of call of the festive season.

Mama, Papa and the 70 kids living in our family will be joined by 40, repatriated into families, who will be coming on a "home" visit for a five day holiday.

Some, like Musyoka, Francis and Mwende and Mama's boy, Linus (right), are making the nine road trip to come home for the holiday.
Another 20 repatriated into families and living locally, will be coming in every day.

Mama has a whole week of events planned for the kids, plus lots of special meals and treats, to make it a holiday they will always remember.
It has not been easy for Mama Sue to see so many of her baby bird, grow and fly the nest and while she can't wait to welcome them home again, she is already dreading the moment when she will have to put on a smile and wish them goodbye.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Christmas Holiday Fund which hit its target in six days and will cover the cost of the holiday. We have kept the fund open so you can still make a Christmas gift to Happy House here. Every penny will benefot the children in our care whether they live at Happy House or, with our support, with relatives in the community. Todonate: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Class 2 - start of a new chapter

We try to make sure that when you donate or raise funds for Happy House you know how your money will be spent.

It's important to you and to us.

We also make sure that the children in our family, the scholarship students in our school and all our staff understand how much hard work and effort goes in to fundraising.

They see the blog and Mama often reminds them.

She she also tells them how the friends who sponsor kids work hard and make sacrifices to make a monthly donation; and how fundraising events involve a great deal of effort, ethusiasm and organisation

Everything around them, buildings to books clothes to computers; have come through the generosity of others.

This week we have launched a Buy a Book Appeal page on JustGiving, which aims to cover the £2000 cost of stocking our Form 2 secondary class, which opens in January, with text books.

With 13 subjects on the curriculum, we've bought required books for a full class of students plus the text books and guides needed by their teachers,

It's a huge initial outlay, but one which will, over the years to come, bring so many rewards to our students.

Papa Dave, whose Yorkshire bargaining skills are now legendary amongst traders on the coast, managed to knock £135 off the price, bringing it to just under £2000, with two boxes of pens thrown in!

When he brought the books back to school, the students, all on free place scholarships and from abject poverty, were overjoyed.

He was delivering the greatest gift, a new source of knowledge which will help raise them up to achieve in life.

They have vowed to cherish the books, which have been catalogued in our library, so they can continue in use for as long as possible.

We know that they will.

Our book fund is already at 61% of it's target £2000, thanks to catering and hospitality students at St Aidan's School, Preesall; Inner Wheel District 19 (Lancashire & Cumbria); Kirkham URC Ladies Group and a personal donor.

Knowing that we already have £1227 towards the cost is a huge relief to Mama Sue, who is making cuts and savings wherever she can to compensate for the Brexit effect.

The drop in the £ means we now receive £135 less in every £1000 we transfer into Kenya shillings than we did prior to the referendum.

You can make a donation to buy a book. by going to https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/buyabook

Thank you

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

The Importance of being Ernest

Ernest

Little Ernest has many challenges.

Ernest was born prematurely, with a genetic disorder and physical abnormalities, his development is delayed.

His lack if speech has been a serious concern, and all the Happy House family, at home and inschool, has made great efforts to get him talking.

One to one sessions with volunteer Gussy Bunbury, who has experience of working in special needs school, has brought him on in leaps and bounds.

Wow,!

And last week, he was found, all on his own, counting aloud, from one to 10.

A huge breakthrough, Mama awarded him a Star of the Week wjhich came with much clapping and cheering for clever Ernest.

Welll done, Ernest.

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Monday, 21 November 2016

A winning night boosts book fund

A winning Olympic themed evening raised a pot of gold for Happy House.
We were privileged to be a part of a superb evening of fine dining presented by catering and hospitality students from St Aidan's CE HigH school, Preesall, on Friday.
The students, under the guidance of teacher Joanne Rossall, have, for several years now, taken over the kitchen at the beautiful Villa Hotel, Wrea Green, for an evening to cook and present every element of a three course dinner for 100 guests.

This year they designed an Olympic themed menu with a choice of starters and main and a trio of deserts. Rounded off with coffee.
It's a huge undertaking for GCSE student, embarked upon with the help and encouragement of Villa professionals.
Mrs Rossall's K7 year group sponsors Stevie Safari and youngsters throughout the school do much to help us. So it was a real joy to us when Mrs Rossall said the GCSE studets had chosen the Happy House to benefit from a raffle on their big night.
Our coordinator Elizabeth Gomm was delighted to to say a few words about the work of Happy House to the gathering of relatives, friends and staff..

Kory sells raffle tickets

As we have just had to outlay the eqivalent of almost £2000 to buy text books to open our Form 2 secondary class in January, the wonderful £307 raised the night will go towards that.
Students in Form 2 will study 13 subjects and we have had to buy all the books required by the curriculum for every subject, plus the teachers' books.

Congratulation from head Andy Smith.

We had already decided to set up a JustGiving page for anyone who would like to donate specifically to Buy a Book, and the amount from St Aidan's has been added to that.
Also going towards books is £520 received from stalls at Inner Wheel District 19 when Elizabeth attended a meeting recently (the district made a donation of £240 to fund a scholarship for a year on the day) and £100 from Kirkham United Reformed Church Ladies.
Our huge thanks to St Aidan's for an amazing evening. Congratulations,Mrs Rossall, to you and to all your very talented and kind-hearted students and to everyone who contributed to making the evening so enjoyable.
The food and service were superb.
Our thanks also Inner Wheel District 19 and to Kirkham URC.
The three donations total £927 which is a huge amount to kickstart our appeal.
Donate to buy a book at:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/buyabook

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

Saturday, 19 November 2016

School on show

Some of our students went back into school for an open day yesterday.

It was an opportunity to showcase all we have to offer in a bid to bring in more fee paying students.

As the school is a not for profit enterprise, the fees are affordable to many families and the income they bring helps to sustain our school.

Bringing in children from the local area also adds to the diversity of our school population and gives an additional element of healthy competition.in the classroom.

Our secondary Form 2 students showed the visitors around.

Uncle Billy said: "They had a chance of seeing the many learning resources available: the computer room, the well-stocked library and the well equipped science laboratory.

"The presence of the entire Happy House family made the event fruitful. The visitors left with joy, promising to bring their kids to Happy House."

Students pictured showing visitors around are: top left: Franco top right: Moses, and bottom left: Nasri. Also pictured are Uncle Billy, Mama Sue and Auntie Rose and kids enjoying a healthy school lunch.

Make a Christmas gift

If you would like to make a gift to Happy House for Christmas, here's how.

We are keeping our Festive Holiday Fund appeal open so that anyone who would like to make a Christmas gift to our family can do so there - every penny will directly benefit our children.

Any additional money donated will be used to help support the children living in our Happy House and those we continue to support now they have returned to live with relatives in the community.

Every penny will make a difference to children's lives. Thank you.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/festivefund

VOTES PLEASE

Please vote for Children of Watamu in the documentaries category of the Charity Film Awards to highlight our work with children from despair at our at the Happy House and our founder Sue Hayward's inspiring story told in the beautiful film made for us, free of charge, by Massimiliano Zeuli Please vote for Children of Watamu and ask your friends to do the same. http://www.charityfilmawards.com/videos/children-of-watamu

Links

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Make a Christmas gift

LAST DAY TO VOTE

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

PLEASE VOTE TODAY

Make a Christmas gift

Monday, 28 November 2016

Thank you Mr Postman

Two days to go

Make a Christmas gift

Sunday, 27 November 2016

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Saturday, 26 November 2016

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

Friday, 25 November 2016

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Make a Christmas gift

Thursday, 24 November 2016

LAST FEW DAYS TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Make a Christmas gift

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Make a Christmas gift

Monday, 21 November 2016

Make a Christmas gift

Saturday, 19 November 2016

Make a Christmas gift