Play work underway

Repairs are underway on the children's adventure playground at Happy House.
The playground, which was funded by Limavady Rotary Club in Northern Ireland and volunteer Francis Asher,  is popular and in constant use so repairs are always needed.
This time, there is some fairly extensive work needed  as Uncle Charo, our joiner explains.
Apologies for the interference with sound at the start of the video.

Happy birthday, Mwende.

 Happy birthday Mwende!
Mwende has just turned 12 and at  Happy House Kidz Club her birthday was celebrated with gifts and greetings from all the family.
Mwende was   the very first children to join our family and while her two brothers, Musyoka and Francis, have been able to settle back and be supported by their family, Mwende has remained in our care.
She is happy, confident and doing well in school and it's been a pleasure to watch her grow up. 
Class 8 Primary,, who are about to sit their KCPE exams, were invited to Kidz Club where Mama gave them encouragement and wished them well.

Meeting baby Diana

Our new mum, Auntie Velma, brought her baby daughter Diana to meet Mama, Papa and the Happy House family.
Diana was born on October 8 and is little sister to Daisy, three.
Needless to say, everyone was thrilled to meet baby Diana to see  Auntie Velma looking so well and so happy.
Many congratulations, Auntie Velma.

Walking wonder!

Victor is walking!
But would he walk when we wanted to make a video to show you, no he wouldn't!
So Mama enlisted the help of some of his Happy House big sisters, who also take happily take on the role of being his "Little Mummies".
They love to play with him and with their helping hands he was up and walking!
Victor, who was one on October 20, was abandoned in Malindi when he was just a few months old and because we do not know his actual date of birth it was estimated to be around the third week of October so the 20th was chosen as it is also Heroes Day in Kenya.

New friends for our family

It's always lovely to meet new people and make new friends.
This week Mama and the family welcomed Gail Smith, Debbie and Dave Allsobrook and  their friend Maxine Huass who has a home in Watamu.
When they knew they were coming out to visit they wanted to meet our Happy House family and as Gail is a dentist she brought with her gifts of toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental care information for our children donated by a dental care company.
She and her friends also brought art equipment for our new art room.
We were really delighted to meet them and to see how thrilled they were to see our Happy House home and school and look forward to welcoming them into our sponsor family.

Heroes Day celebration

Heroes Day in Kenya honours all those who took part in the struggle to gain independence for their nation and those who have positively contributed to the country since.
It is also a public holiday and a day off from school for our Happy House children.
And we were delighted to welcome visitors who travelled all the way from Mombasa especially to meet our Happy house family.
They were members of the New Birth Church in Bombolulu.
Led by their Pastor, Leah Gi Karia, they brought with them food for our children and we enjoyed a day of  friendship with singing, dancing and fun.
We are grateful to them for making the long trip to see us.

Happy House songbirds

As always there was lots of laughter ad music at the weekly Kidz Club at Happy House.
And today we entertain you with a lovely song from our girls, lead by Rukia.
Well dong songbirds!

Victor is one!

 Happy birthday Victor!
Victor was several months old when he was found abandoned in Malindi and brought into the care of our loving family at the Happy House.
As his actual date of birth was unknown, he has been given October 20 as his birthday - and his first birthday was celebrated at Kidz Club when he received gifts and greetings.
Victor, who is just walking, is the seventh foundling to take Mama Sue and Papa Dave's surname, Hayward,
His forenames were chosen by Mark and Amanda Barron, who chose to call him Victor Barron.
This video opens with a snatch of entertainment from our friends, Dawn Heather White and Linda Newman, who are always very good sports.

Welcome back Tundra

 Mama Sue and Papa Dave had the great pleasure of welcoming our long-time friend Tundra Tononi from Italy back to Happy House.
On this visit Tundra came with her mum, dad and sister.
Tundra was delighted to catch up with her sponsor child. Husna, and with Khalid and Esther who are sponsored by her friends in Italy.
Tundra brought with her many gifts of groceries, clothes and other much needed supplies for our family generously donated by her own friends and family.  
We are grateful to each one of them for their kindness. it means so very much to us.

Birthday dance

Mama's birthday is so special we have made it last a whole week on the blog.
Our Happy House celebration, organised by the children themselves ended with everyone dancing.
And it was a time when Mama and Papa, so devoted to each other, led the way on the dance floor.

Mama's birthday thank you

Our beloved Mama Sue,was very touched when the kids decided to spring a birthday surprise in her honour.
They organised a party with a whole programme of imaginative activities especially in her honour.
Mama was thrilled and delighted and here she says thank you to them. 
There were also more tributes to Mama from Mwende and Florence.
Mama shared her special day with Stevie so there were happy birthday gifts and greetings for him too,
Mama's friends, DawnHeather and Linda were also delighted to be guests at her special day.

We are happy and we know it!

If you are happy...
What song could be more be more apt, our Happy House children are happy, and they know it!
They know that their happiness is all down to the care, love and family that their Mama Sue has given them.
Here Evans leads the singing and we have tributes from both him and his sister, Janet (left), to Mama at her birthday celebrations.

This is Radio Watamu - by the kids,

Anyone who follows out Happy House blog will know that at Monday school assembly, Mama Sue always has a few words to say before handing over to Papa Dave with his football update.
Papa is an avid soccer fan, as are all our kids,  and they look forward to what has become known as his "Radio Watamu" broadcast.
At Mama's birthday party, secretly organised and rehearsed by the children. Priscilla took the role of Mama. John was Papa "Radio Watamu", Brian was Mr. Khamisi and Diana,Md. Spriana.
In our two videos here we have the children's sketch and Papa's speech.

We love you Mama

Happy House social worker, Uncle Ronald, joined the family to gain work experience when he was a student.
He is now a  qualified social worker doing great work alongside his mentor, Mama Sue.
At her birthday party, a surprise organised by the children, Uncle Ronald wished her happy birthday but also told of how he felt he has grown up, like her children are, under her watchful eye.

Mama, you have taught us well

When the Happy House  children decided to surprise their Mama Sue with a party for her birthday, they also wanted to tell her how much she means to them.
They really do understand and appreciate how much her efforts have done to change their lives, to lift them out of poverty into a life of family, love and opportunity.
Here John, one of the oldest boys in the family,  thanks Mama Sue for putting them on the right direction, teaching them right from wrong, and for all the support she gives them both at home at Happy House and in our school.
We are bringing you video highlights of Mama's party over the next few days.
Today we have songs  John's moving speech and songs from the girls' choir.

Happy birthday dear Mama Sue

 Today is a very special day - it's Mama Sue's birthday.
And on Saturday, the children decided to surprise her with a party as they will all be at school today.
They wanted to show her just how much they love her and to give her a really happy day.
So they got together, in secret, to plan and rehearse a programme of items which would make her smile.
Since the Happy House opened nine years ago, Mama Sue has devoted her entire life to changing the lives of children.
With Papa Dave by her side, every step of the way, she has taken children from backgrounds destitution and despair, trauma or tragedy, abandonment or abuse and given them happiness, love, hope and opportunity.
Every child in her care now, or who has been in her care, loves and respects her.
As they go on through life they will hold her, forever, in their hearts.
Her birthday is a chance for the children to say thank you, to make her laugh and to see her having fun.
If anyone deserves to have a special day, it's our Mama Sue.
Happy birthday, Mama.
We will bring you video highlights of Mama's party over the next few days.
Today we have Mama's arrival, Evans introduction and songs from the boys choir.

A new coat of paint

The girls bedrooms and bathrooms at Happy House have been getting a new coat of paint.
They soon get to look a little the worse for wear and keeping on top of maintenance is as important for us as it is for anyone  who has a home and family of their own.
Uncle Ibrahim tells shows is his handiwork.
If you can help towards the cost of maintenance 
you can make a donation through through our bank account or via JustGiving : https://www.justgiving.com/childrenofwatamu/Donate  

Planting maize

A public holiday in Kenya meant a day off from school for our Happy House kids.
To use the time well they went out into the gardens to plant a new crop of maize.
Maize is the staple crop of Kenya and is used to make flour which is he basis of ugali, a traditional  food eaten daily by many, many, people.
Here Evans explains what the boys are doing.

Fired up for testing time

Our Class Eight at Happy House Primary School are about to sit their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examinations.
This is a key exam for these students as it opens the door on to the next stage of their education- secondary school.
Mama Sue and head teacher, Mr Hamisi, had a session with the the young people to talk through their mock-exam results and to give them encouragement for the main event.
Without our help and support, and that of all those who support the work of our charity many of these kids would not be in education at all.
You have helped us to put them into education and on the road out of poverty. Thank you.

Primary exams

Primary students at Happy House School are in the midst of their end of year exams.
They've worked hard all year and the results of these exams will, we hope, reflect their efforts.
They breakup on October 25 for the longest holiday of the academic year and will, if they get good results, go up to the next class when school resumes in January.

News of Velma's new arrival

Our Happy House Auntie Velma, one of Mama Sue's righthand women, has given birth to her second baby.
Her baby girl was delivered safely by cesarean section on Tuesday, October 8.
And she's a sister for her elder daughter, Daisy, who was three last week.
In this video we join Mama Sue as she announces news of the much-awaited arrival to our children at Happy House where Velma is very much a part of our family.
She also reveals the name  Velma and her husband Cleophas have chosen for their baby girl.
Many congratulations  and lots of love to Velma, Cleophas and and Daisy.

Stars ascending!

Each one of our Happy House kids is a star!
And in our safe care they learn to shine brightly, with confidence and love.
So for our next series of videos we are going to invite them to sing you a song so that we can show you just how talented they are!
And you are being asked to let us know what songs you'd like them to sing  and we'll do our best to make it happen.
The series will starting a few weeks time, after the school term ends, and is sure to bring you as much pleasure as it will bring our children.
So if you have a song you would like to hear your sponsor child sing please let Mama Sue know. You can email her at: sue@childrenofwatamu.net

Big brother Evans

Evans who was one of the first children to join our Happy House family way back when we opened in 2010, is looked upon as a big brother by all the younger kids.
He's a kind, caring and gentle young man with his sights set on becoming a social worker.
He's also very good fun as we see in this video filmed at Kidz Club.

Boys in voice

Today, it's the turn of the boys to bring you a song.
The older boys from our Happy House family joined together to sing  "Love is like a Mango" at Kidz Club on Saturday.
The family found it very entertaining, joining in to give them a boost.
Well done lads.

Girls chorus

Everyone enjoys a singalong and the children living at Happy House are no different.
They were in fine voice on Saturday for the weekly Kidz Club family gathering.
The girls got together to entertain, followed by the boys.
Today we bring you the girls rendition - we'll have the boys song for you tomorrow.

Sudent board makes an impact

A student board is proving a great asset to  Happy House Primary School .
The team is being led by Sanita Ann, the school captain.
Every class is represented by one class prefect whose duties and responsibilities are well explained to them by their teachers. we also have another representative who is in charge of welfare, sanitation, computer/smart TVs and library. 
The team is really working hard with the help of the teachers and everything is running in a well and organised manner. 
Much thanks to Mr. Khamisi, the school head teacher, and Mr. Duncan his deputy.

Secondary exams

With the end of term- and the end of the 2019 academic year - just three weeks away, students at Happy House School are very busy indeed,
And in secondary school they are currently sitting exams in all their subjects.
Our secondary school principal, Mr Paul, introduces this video in which students are sitting a business studies exam.

When it rains ...

Gardening duties have come to a halt at Happy House with the onset of some rain.
Our gardener, Uncle Alex, has been unable to work on our vegetable plots because of torrential downpours.
When the rain comes this time of year it is usually short lived, but it certainly has been enough to quench the ground and water our crops.
It should give them a a growth spurt once the rain stops and the sun comes out again.

Talking books

Form Four students from Happy House Secondary School  have been talking books with students from a neighbouring school.
They travelled to  St John’s High School to have an English literature session with the St John’s students who will also be taking their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams this term. 
The two school years will be sitting their exams together and same school they will be sitting for their final exams and it was also an opportunity for them to interact with their friends and to get to know the surroundings which will be their exam centre.
They were accompanied by their English teacher, Mr Emmanuel and Md. Sara. 
An English exam in Kenya s comprised of three papers - grammar, literature and composition.
 The students are required to read and analyse three set books which will be tested in the English Literature paper and on this visit they were discussing one of the books.

Girls entertain

Some of our girls formed a choir to entertain the family when they gathered for the weekly Kidz Club meeting at Happy House.
It was a happy time  spent with Mama Sue and Papa Dave sharing family news and events.
There was just one birthday to celebrate this week. Saumu has turned 12 and she received birthday gifts and greetings.

Volleyball prize

 Youngsters from Happy House School came away with  a trophy for gaining third place in an inter-school  volleyball tournament.
Schools taking part were Happy House, Sawasawa, Timboni junior, Precious Memory, St. Johns and St 3P. 
The  tournament was organised by Watamu Marine Association as part of their work in raising awareness of environmental conservation issues.
In this video you can hear more about the competition and meet our team: John, Katana, Brain, Benedict and Peter.