Elizabeth Gomm, our UK voluntary coordinator, was delighted to be invited back to Blackpool Probus Club to give members an update on all that has been happening at Happy House.
And there was plenty to tell them as it is coming up to five years since her last visit there.
They were interested to her about how our school has grown, how, with support, we are successful repatriating children back to family members in the community and of course touched by Francis' story,
A club donation from the meeting, at the Carleton Hotel, of £40 was boosted to £87 by individual donations and another £100 followed later bringing the total to £187,
Our thanks to the club for making our Auntie Libby so welcome and for their generous gifts to our family.
A bit swapping classes around, and Francis was able to got back to school yesterday. Recovering from surgery to remove some dead bone from his hip joint, and a biopsy to see establish the exact cause of the infection which his consultant believes to be osteomyelitis , he's a had a restful weekend and with a brace to support his leg, crutches and strong painkillers, he is no longer in pain. He was eager to get back to school and will be driven there instead of the usual walk for as long as he need to be. His friends are delighted to have him back and treating him with care and concern. In our video Mama Sue gives us a fuller update and share her own anxieties. If you can donate toward his treatment (there is no free healthcare in Kenya) please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well
There was ice cream for pudding on Saturday, thanks to our generous friends Betty Hatch and her son Paul. Betty and Paul spent the morning at Happy House saying goodbye to our family as they were flying home to the UK last night. They enjoyed Saturday lunch of pizza with the kids and very kind brought them ice cream to follow. Mama said they were sorry to see their guests leave: "They have been a joy to be with and their generosity is second to none. "We wish them a safe journey home." There will be an update on the progress Francis is making tomorrow -but you can see him in the background of the bottom picture enjoying his pizza lunch!
Today's blog is written by our very first Happy House kid, Benedict.
He joined
our Happy House family, as its very first member in February 2010. He was four and had been orphaned when his mum died.
His extended family have remained in touch and for a time he was able to go back to live
with them, with our continuing support, but it didn’t work out and he returned
to our care. He is able to go on home visits in school holidays.
Ben is a happy and confident boy and was the most improved pupil in the school in
the recent end of year results in December. He writes:
Our school is called Happy House. Our director is called Mama Sue.
We called her Mama because she loves children and she always takes care of us at home and in our school.
In our school there are may children. Some of them are Happy House home kids and some are scholarship kids.#
Our dear Mama Sue works very hard to raise the money get the things for us that we need. Things like, for example, food, shelter and clothes.
There was a trio of birthday girls at Kidz Club this week. With Esther, Rose and Sudi all celebrating their birthdays there were celebratory songs to sing and gift to hand out. Our special guests, Betty Hatch and her son, Paul, were happy to distribute the birthday goody bags with Betty handing the to the Esther, youngest of the trio, and to Sudi, the eldest. Paul did the honours for Rose. There were treats, too, with sweets and sodas for all the children, very kindly bought by Betty and Paul Happy birthday girls and thanks to Betty and Paul.
Francis update
Francis is continuing the rest at home after his visit to hospital. We will bring you more news early next week, but for now he is comfortable and enjoying having his friends around him.
Safe back home, and star of the show - that's our Francis.
All his Happy House "brothers and sisters" were thrilled to bits to see him when they arrived in from school yesterday.
Still groggy after his op, he needs time to rest and all our caring kids are on hand to help him.
Francis, 13, had his operation on Wednesday afternoon at Tawfiq Hospital in Malindi, and was released yesterday afternoon with some strong pain killers, broad-spectrum antibiotics and with his leg brace fitted.
It's been a testing time for Mama Sue and Papa Dave who have been worried about Francis and anxious to get him the very best treatment available to us.
Francis who has osteomyelitis is now resting at home but with the love, company and support of his older brother Musyoka, little sister Mwende and our huge family around him he couldn't be in better hands.
Mama Sue gives a full update and tells us what comes next in today's video.
Surrounded by a loving family, Francis is, you will be pleased to know, all settled in at Malindi's Tawfiq Private Hospital.
His leg brace, which he will need need after surgery to remove dead bone from his hip joint, has been tried and tested and he's already mastered the art of walking on crutches.
Mama Sue, Papa Dave, our social worker Uncle Ronnie and Francis' elder brother Musyoka all went to keep his spirits up through the admission process.
Musyoka, ever the caring big brother, was at his side every step of the way as were Mama, Papa, Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Janet before leaving in in the capable and caring hands of the hospital medics and our own Happy House house-auntie, Auntie Janet, who will stay with him for the duration of his stay.
She is Francis' favourite "auntie" so he will feel confident and safe with her to look after him.
We will bring you another update on the progress of Francis, 13, who has the bone infection osteomyelitis, tomorrow.
And, with your help, your donations, we will get Francis up and running again - just like it says on his t-shirt!
Our poorly Francis, 13, who has a serious infection in his hip joint will be admitted into hospital today.
Going with him to settle him in at Tawfiq Private Hospital, Malindi, are Mama Sue, Papa Dave, Francis' elder brother, Musyoka, and Francis' favourite Happy House house-auntie, Janet.
"Auntie" Janet will stay with him for the duration of his stay as patients in Kenya must have someone with them to look after part of their care.
His operation to remove some dead bone and to do a biopsy to establish exactly what anti-biotic he will need to treat his osteomyelitis will take place either today or tomorrow.
Mama Sue explains more in today's video update
Francis grandpa, who lives way up beyond Nairobi, is being kept in touch with every development by our social worker Uncle Ronnie and by speaking to Musyoka and Francis.
All our friends, around the world, send Francis love and good wishes.
If you can donate towards his treatment we would be so grateful as there is no free medical care in Kenya. The cost is still an unknown quantity but could be as much as £5,000 or more, depending on exactly what treatment he needs and for how long. A special leg brace to support his joint while the bone heals has been made to exact specifications for Francis.
To make a donation online go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well
Over the years she has been in Salama's sponsor family, Betty Hatch has sent her letters, cards and gifts. And for grandmother, Betty, from Essex, hearing back about her girl from Happy House has always been a great joy. So when she was told that Salama and her younger brothers, Ushindi and Harrison, were able, with our continuing support, to go home to live with their mum,Betty was delighted for them.
So it was very special on Saturday when Betty's long-held her wish came true and she got to meet Salama for the very first time.
Betty is visiting Watamu with her son,Paul, and Mama Sue arranged for Salama,12, and her brothers to come to visit and to join in the fun of a show our kids were putting on for Betty, Paul and another of our friends Carol Sohier
The kids did dancing, singing, acrobatics and had great fun apple bobbing.
David strutted his stuff doing the kamba with Musyoka.
A delay in getting essential parts for a leg brace is causing a hold-up in treatment for our Francis.
It means Francis,13, who has the serious bone infection osteomyelitis, has to wait until Wednesday to go back to Tawfiq Hospital, Malindi, instead of going for an appointment today.
Once the leg brace, which will support his leg and hip, is ready he will undergo an operation to do a biopsy and to remove some dead bone.
The brace will be essential, as he will be non-weight bearing after surgery while the bone heals.
He will also be dependent on crutches, so Mama, who knows all about using crutches from her own past experience, has been giving him some lessons - much to the interest of all our kids!
On Saturday morning, Papa adjusted the crutches to suit Francis and then Mama talked him through using them - Francis laughing and smiling his way through and his the kids clapping him on!
He also joined Mama for today's video in which she gives us the latest update.
Francis has a long road ahead of him, and we have no idea how much all his medical treatment will add up - as there is no free healthcare in Kenya everything must be paid for and as we want to give this special young man the best chance of a full recovery we are using the best treatment available to us, which comes at a price.
We are so grateful to each and every one of you who has made a donation towards his care, we hope there may be others who would like to help. Any amount, no matter how small, will help get Francis back up and running like a 13 year old should be.
Happy House kid Brian Isiaho looks back to the sports day held during the school Christmaslholidays.
It was on
Tuesday in the morning everybody went to the field to do the exercise. We
played some games like volley ball, netball, football and some other games.
There two teams green and team orange.
We played a till break time.
The team leading in those games was team green and everybody in green was very excited. After break we went back to play.
First we
started with netball, second was volleyball, third one was foot ball then we
continued with other games.
The teachers were there with us enjoying the games and not forgetting my lovely Mama Sue, she was there enjoying watching the games.
We are so thrilled, this week, to welcome some friends to Happy House. Carol Sohier, from Jersey, was delighted to be back bringing with her a donation of £350 raised from doing a car boot sale and by holding a coffee morning, which was well supported by her generous friends. Carol was so pleased to see how the money was spent - it was enough to do our weekly shop and our little ones were queuing up to be on a picture with her and the shopping!. Carol said: " I’ve visited Happy House a couple of times it’s lovely to see how well and happy the children are. I can’t believe how well young David has come on especially after what the doctor had said about him." At Kidz Club the children sang their hearts out to welcome Betty Hatch and her son Paul. They are from Essex. Paul has been to Happy House before but this is the first time for Betty, 77, who is known to all our family for the amazing parcels she sends. Affectionately called "Bargain Betty" - her eye for a bargain is legendary - she regularly sends parcels of essentials, and never fails to cover the cost of import duty. We are so pleased Betty, who sponsors Salama, has finally got to meet our family and we are happy to welcome Paul back once again. Thank you to Carol, Betty and Paul for your love and support for our family and for all the gifts you have brought. We wish you very happy holidays.
He took his visit to hospital to be measured for a leg brace in his stride and went straight back to school afterwards,
When Mama Sue showed him the pictures taken during his visit, he just laughed!
Meanwhile, his Happy House brothers and sisters were very serious indeed when they looked at the pictures and Mama explained how Francis has a bone infection needing a special brace and lots of treatment.
They all want him to get well soon, just like you do.
Our fund to cover the cost of his treatment now stands at £4,379. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated for helping to get Francis well again.
Learning he has the bone infection osteomeylitis which needs surgery and antibiotics is a huge worry, made worse because there is no free healthcare in Kenya.
At the moment, we have no idea what the total bill will be but we know that the initial costs can be covered thanks to your donations.
Our volunteer Sara Tognon who has come from Italy to spend time working with our Happy H ouse family brought with use some very useful gifts of clothes, toiletries and other essentials.Some of our kids had great fun helping her to unpack.Thank you Sara.
JustGiving problems for Italian friends
Some of our wonderful Italian friends are experiencing problems trying to make donations through JustGiving. This is causing a major problem for them and for us and JustGiving has assured us that they are investigating the matter with urgency, To help them with this they have asked donors to attempt clearing of their browser history and to then try again to make the donation. If this does not work please let our UK coordinator know: elizabethgomm@childrenofwatamu.net and she will pass the information on to the data team at JustGiving. The general donation process on our charity page is working so others wanting to give to our charity should not face any problems. We apologise to our Italian friends for this and we are doing out utmost to ensure that JustGiving resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Our Francis smiled his way through his latest visit to Tawfiq Hospital where he was being measured for a leg brace. Francis, who is suffering from the serious bone infection osteomeylitis, will need the specially made brace to support his leg and hip after he has a surgical biospy to determine the exact nature of the infection and to remove some dead bone. This is likely to take place next week, once the brace has been completed. The latest trip to hospital, with Mama Sue and Papa Dave, went smoothly and Papa played games with Francis on his tablet whilst they waited. Mama was stayed with him while he was being measured and as she says in her video update he was very relaxed. She also took the chance to talk to the consultant. Mama is still worried and upset about her boy, but thanks to you, our amazing friends, some of the financial worry has been lifted from her shoulders, because we now have £4,179 donated towards paying for his treatment. Living in a country where there is no free healthcare, is a huge worry for our charity when a child develops a serious illness. We know that Francis' treatment could escalate beyond the amount raised so far, but the way you are rallying to help us get our boy well also gives us reassurance that you will help us to raise all the money we need. There are no words to express our gratitude to you. You are giving this youngster, a lively, vibrant, 13 year old, a real chance of making a full recovery. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you would like to help by making a donation please go to:https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well
Our four new classrooms at Happy House school are almost completed. The air vents, which are handmade using a mould, are going in to give both ventilation and additional light. The vents also help to keep down the costs The steps, paths and floors all made from the local stone, galana, are also being laid. Mama Sue said: "It's all looking good."
Francis update
Francis, 13, who is being treated for a serious bone infection, osteomeylitis, was in Malindi yesterday at Tawfiq Hospital, we will bring you an update with video tomorrow - internet connection permitting.
We have a special JustGiving page where you can contribute towards the cost of his treatment.
There is no National Health Service in Kenya and we will have to fund all the care he needs.
There is an early start today for Mama, Papa and Uncle Ronnie as they take Francis to be Tawfiq Hospital in Malindi to be measured for a frame which will be made to support the leg and hip affected by the serious bone infection osteomeylitis. Thanks to your generosity we will be able to pay for the frame and his initial treatment, but we have no idea, at the moment, what lies ahead for Francis, 13. But one thing we do know is that he will never be short of someone to lean on!His Happy House friends are rallying round to do all they can to keep him smiling and to help him get around as this pictur with Stephano (left) and Oscar(right) illustrates,We are grateful to everyone who has made a donation and for your good wishes.In a country with no free healthcare, every bit of medical treatment, dressings, appliances and medication must be paid for. You can help keep Francis on the road to recover by making a donation at : https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well
Today, Musyoka,15, writes the blog. He came to Happy House in 2010 with his younger brother Francis and baby sister, Mwende, having endured a difficult time with their sick mum. For the first time, Musyoka, the eldest and the carer to the two little ones, was able to be a child, to go to school and to have fun in a happy, caring, family. Five years later they were able to go to live with their grandparents, north of Nairobi, and with whom, through Happy House, they had built a loving relationship. A few months ago they returned to our care, for just one reason - as Musyoka explains: "Two years ago me, Francis and Mwende went home to live with our grandparents. We loved to live with them. I enjoyed it so much I even joined with them in farming and looking after the goats and cows and growing crops. We were all happy.
In 2010
I always phoned Mama Sue often to tell her about our life, and when we were facing problems I could tell her. There was just one problem we had which was about our school which was dropping. We went to school always, but we were lacking a lot of things. We lacked teachers, school facilities and books. I decided I should tell Mama Sue about our big problem and she said that once a Happy House kid, always a Happy House kid. She said we could come back if we would like to and talked to our grandad. She arranged for the transport to get us safely back home again to join our Happy House family and we are so happy. We now have a good education.
Musyoka, Francis and Mwende
We can talk to our grandad and our grandma whenever we want to. I thank you Mama for everything you do, may God bless you. * Musyoka's brother, Francis, 13, has been diagnosed with a serious bone infection, osteomeylitis requiring costly treatment in a country where there is no free medical care. We have set up a Justgiving page where you can help Happy House to get him the treatment he needs. To make a donation please go to :https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well Thank you.
In 24 hours your donations have totalled close to £1,700 towards the costs of getting our poorly Francis back on the road to recovery. Almost £700 has been given through our special JustGiving page, while another £1000 has come in offline. We are so grateful to everyone who has responded to our appeal to to pay for medical treatment at Twafiq Hospital, Malindi, for Francis, 13, who has a serious bone infection, osteomeylitis. With no national health service in Kenya all medical care must be paid for and we know, that initially we are looking at £2000 and that this could more than double. Francis is one of our precious family of Happy House kids and we will get the best for him, whatever the cost - but we cannot do it without your help. For those of you who may have missed it, Mama's video appeal is here and to make a donation please go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/childrenofwatamu/get-francis-well Thank you.
Our Happy House family is rallying round to support our Francis who is suffering from a serious bone infection, osteomyelitis And today, we are appealing to you to help get Francis, 13, well again
There is no national health service in Kenya, and we hope you, your friends and your colleagues to help us raise the money we will need to pay for his treatment.
His worried and anxious Mama Sue is so upset for the youngster who will have to endure a long course of treatment.
And as she explains in her video, we are looking at a minimum of £2000, even if we can negotiate some discounts, and over time the costs of treatment could escalate to more than double that.
Mama, Papa and Uncle Ronnie took him to see an orthopaedic consultant at Tawfiq private hospital in Malindi earlier this week because they were concerned that he was walking badly, and on a second visit were told blood tests indicated osteomeylitis.
Mama Sue, said: "Francis is being very brave, but when we were waiting he was holding on to my hand so tightly, while Papa was playing games with him on the iPad to try to distract him, so I know he wasn't feeling as brave as he was pretending to be..
"He's our Francis. He came to us as just a little boy when we first opened Happy House with his brother and sister Musyoka and Mwende. They were with us for five years before they were able to go back to live with their Grandad two years ago, with our continuing support.
"They only came back a few months ago because their school had deteriorated and they settled in like they'd never been away.
"It's upsetting to see him poorly and trying to be brave. He's going to school, but the other kids are looking after him and carrying his books for him and he has Musyoka and Mwende.
"He is one of my kids, one of my family, and I am worried. I don't like to think of him having to go through all the procedures the consultant is talking about. But we will get him right, we must.
"Money is always a worry for us,and we are having to appeal to you to help.
"Living in a country where there is no free healthcare means people go untreated if they do not have the funds, we cannot let osteomyelitis blight Francis' life.
"He is a bright, kind and thoughtful boy who deserves the best chance."
Please can you hold a Francis Fundraiser, maybe a coffee morning or get together at your home, a cake sale at work, or a raffle. Every £ or euro will help get Francis back on his feet and running about with his brothers and sisters.
The new school year has brought us more new pupils at Happy House School and we were running short of table space at mealtimes, despite the fact they are already staggered,
So we decided to take some of the long tables and benches we have at home, and which are not always in use, down to school.
Our high school boys immediately volunteered to help.
We also needed new tables for our study rooms, made by joiner Charo, taking down from his workshop at Happy House to school and once again kids, this time upper primary, wanted to help.
It's a huge bonus to have them going the extra mile, and of prime importance that we make sure our school has the equipment it needs and enough for all those who need it
The first time Natasha Wenman visited Happy House it was to spend a month volunteering there alongside her dad, Russell.
That was in 2015, since then she has just kept on spreading the love to her family, friends and to the clients of her hairdressing business in Buckinghamshire.
Last year,Natasha went back to visit on her own and this year she's been back again and this time making it a family affair with her mum Janice, her sister Kara and Kara's husband, Rob Barnes.
And how they have loved our kids.
Natasha has enjoyed seeing just how all the youngsters have come on in the last 12 months and has been delighted to introduce them to Janice, Rob and Kara.
Kara, Janice, Natasha, Rob with some of our younger kids
Natasha said: "It's been so lovely seeing everyone again. It makes my heart burst every time."Happy House is such an amazing place and they all look out for each other which is just lovely." Thank you for coming to visit and for all the wonderful gifts you brought for our family.
It's all
change at Happy House School, as in schools across Kenya, as a radical change in the system is
rolled out.
Despite
fears it is being rushed the new education chief minister affirmed that the second
phase of the 2-6-3-3-3 system was being introduced across 33,000 public
and private primary schools this term.
The new system will
replace the 32-year-old 8-4-4 system.
Schools
and parents were caught off guard by the decision to bring the new system into
effect immediately, and new curriculum books are still in print/
Mama
and head teacher, Mr Isaac, held a meeting to explain to parents how the
changes would affect their families and to reassure them that we were ready and able to adapt to change.
This
will be the second time the country will be adopting a new curriculum since the
1985 change-over from the 7-4-2-3 system.
The new
curriculum has put forward as the ultimate remedy to limitations identified in
the 8-4-4 system because it is entirely skills-based.
The 2-6-3-3-3 was
piloted in 2017 between across 470 schools – 10 in each
county.
When it is
fully implemented, over a number of years, learners will not sit exams but they
will be evaluated through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) on the skills
acquired as opposed to cramming for exams.
Experts are of
the view that it will enable learners to develop beyond academics and also
focus on how best they can use their specific talents to make a living.
The needs of
special needs children have also been incorporated in the curriculum which will
integrate ICT at all levels of education.
The emphasis will
be on formative years of learning where learners will spend a total of eight
years - 2 in pre-primary and six in primary.
A big welcome to volunteer Sara Tognon from San Lorenzo, Italy. Sara, a dog trainer, is spending four weeks working with our family and is looking forward to helping out wherever she can at school and at home. Sara says; " I love working with children, I do so with passion and with patience." Our kids were thrilled to welcome her on Saturday she called in to say hello. She will be working in school from Monday. Welcome Sara. To find out more about volunteering at Happy House go to http://www.childrenofwatamu.net/volunteer
Being together for a family Christmas was so special for our Happy House kids - those living with us and for those repatriated to relatives in the community who were able to return for a festive break.
Happy House kid Samson writes:
It
was the first week of Christmas, when the other kids who have gone back to life with family came back home for the Christmas re-union party.
We were all glad to see them
back on Monday, back at the Happy House. We all welcomed them and they felt
relaxed and happy. As we always say once a Happy House kid always a happy
house kid.
We
all had a lovely day and the following day we all had a sports day which
everyone enjoyed
On Wednesday we celebrated "Christmas day" which our loving and caring mother Mama Sue had
planned.
She had arranged for every kid to get a present to show as how much she really
loves us all. The presents were given with the help of Santa- the
Father Christmas.
The next day, we went to the beach where every kid had fun diving
in the water and splashing.
All week we enjoyed special meals prepared for us.
Thank you Mama Sue and everyone who helps for giving us a happy Christmas together.
There were smiles all round when Fiona Lockyer and her daughters, Hebe and Imogen, popped in to Happy House for the final visit of their holiday. They had great fun with the kids, with Pendo taking the pictures, as they shared hugs and laughs with our little ones. Fiona, Hebe and Imogen, from Sutton Coldfield, have spent two weeks at Turtle Bay Hotel and enjoyed lots of time with our children and seeing the progress made since their last visit. We thank them for coming to see us, for being such good friends, and wish them all the very best until we see them again.
Mama and Uncle Ronnie arrived at school yesterday for a quick meeting with head teacher Mr Isaac.
On the way, Uncle Ronnie grabbed a picture of the work going on to put the roof on our four new classrooms.
He said: "The men are working so fast, when we arrived they were working on the front half, when we left they had completed it!. We could hardly believe it.
"There is a lot of multitasking going on on the building. Our builder, Uncle Carlos is with his men working on the walls.
"Baya is with his men doing the roofing while Jay is doing wiring at the same time.
"It shows the importance of teamwork, which is what we are always telling our kids!"
