Mama in a Million

It was Mother's Day in the UK yesterday and a time to celebrate all our mums mean to us.
In our Happy House family, it is not just our children whose lives are touched by our very special matriarch, Mama Sue.
Her dedication, her courage, her drive, and her vision is an inspiration to all those of us who support her work.
But above all, it is the hope, love and laughter she brings into the lives of children singles her out a Mama in a Million.
Thank you, Mama Sue.
*This lovely family picture of Mama and Papa  was taken by Rosalia Filippetti

Extra time for learning, by Franco

Scholarship student Francis Anangwe,, Franco to our family, i thoroughly enjoying his first term ion secondary school - six days a week.

He writes:   On Saturdays we  have been  coming into school  in the morning for learning instead of doing the activities at home at Happy House.

I really like this because we have enough time to  spend with our teachers for assistance in subjects that we have difficulties.

The lessons are good in that everybody share ideas with others and then it becomes easy for each person to cater with life problems they may have..

Caring and sharing

 Caring and sharing is at the heart of everything Mama Sue does at the Happy House.

It is a message she drives home to members of our family, and which she illustrates time and time again. 

This week there was a joyful afternoon in school when the Happy House invited members of the local football community to come in to visit.

As we had a surplus of adult soccer shirts in our store room, Mama decided it would be nice to share them with local teams -Timboni Football Club, Starlet Football Club and Descent Football Club.

They were absolutely thrilled that they will have shirts to play in.

Mr Steve, our sports teacher, said: "Thanks to mama sue for her love, caring and sharing may the Lord bless her and those who donated these sports kit abundantly, thank you so much. "

* While we have plenty of shirts, we do need  new or good condition secondhand adult sized football boots for our older boys - UK sizes 7 upwards. If you may be able to help, please contact elizabethgomm@childrenofwatamu.net Thank you.

Sporting stars continue to shine

A very well done to our super sporting duo Mercy Changawa and Priscilla Ponda,
The two girls who had won through to the Inter-schools sub-county level in ball and tyre races took on the competition and remained triumphant.
They are now through to the county level where they hope, once again, harness Happy House power in the hope of doing our school proud.
You are doing so well Priscilla and Mercy, you may not be able to hear us but we are all cheering you on!
Teacher Madam Getry, who is pictured with our Happy House winners, saiid: "Girl power was so marvelous that Happy House power remained to be super power"

Wildlife spectacle for safari adventurers

Elephants, big cats, zebra, giraffe and more, the wonders of Kenya's wildlife world revealed themselves to our wide-eyed Happy House kids on their safari adventure.
It was a dream come true for the 14 Form One students, all on scholarship in our school, and a reward from Mama for passing their KCPE exam in November.
Accompanied by Mama Sue, Papa Dave, head teacher Madam Milka and their Class Eight teacher, Mr Isaac, the set off from Happy House in a convoy of three land cruisers for the two and half hour drive to Tsavo East National Park.

 And the wildlife came out to greet them as they were treated to spectacular scenes on their game drives through the national park, learning so much from the experienced guides who travelled with them.
Staying overnight in one of the Park's lodges was another eye-opening experience for our young people who come from very humble homes. 
Eating food of their choice in the restaurant, their comfortable en suite bedrooms and being able to take a cooling dip in the swimming pool  was the stuff of their dreams.
New and exciting experiences that will stay with them always.
Mama said: "The safari was brilliant, the kids truly had the best time ever. 
"At breakfast, Moses and Nasri stood up to say  thank you for everything.
" Nasri who is 16 said I did not know I could use a fork until yesterday,  to eat in the lodge restaurant, it was the experience of a lifetime". 
Moses said:

"My father has 50 years and he has never done what I have in the past two days. To travel to Tsavo, to see so many wild animals, to stay in a lodge in a bedroom with a bathroom, to swim in a real swimming pool. So many things I never thought I would do in my life, now I have done." 

"They were all so very grateful," sad Mama.
"I replied by saying, this is what can be earned through hard work. Now you have experienced these things you will want to do more, so pass your exams and make your way in life. "


Now they are back in school they are going to do a notice board with write ups and pictures.
" We are going to have group discussions especially with classes 7 and 8 so they can be inspired to do well.
"What touched me most was that all the kids were so grateful that I had kept my word and taken them ob the safari I promised when they started their KCPE exam year."

School report: Prefects appointed

It been an important week in our Happy House Primary School as the school prefect board for the 2016-17 academic year has been appointed, reports teacher, Madam Russell

Young people eager to take on responsibility and who are role models for their peers are now in place.

Head boy is Evans Khamisi with Reuben Khaindi as his asistant. 

Taking on the role of head girl is Doris Bandera who will be assisted by Hope Tumani.

The prefects will work and to hand with the teachers to ensure the school programme is running smoothly,. 

Pupils also sat their mid term exams before breaking for the half-term holiday.

Pictures: Top: Prefects team; right: Back, head boy Evans and head girl Doris. Front, Reuben and Hope their assistants.

Above: Exams in progress

Woodn't it be lovely!

 Making best use of resources available is one of Mama's greatest strengths.
If she sees a way that we can improve and keep down costs, she makes it happen.
And with a plentiful supply of wood on our four acre site, she has decided on a wood burning oven.
"A wood burning oven  is being built at the back of the house, near the kitchen,
" It is going to cost £500 but will be an investment and bring long term savings.
"We have been pruning the trees and have masses of wood. 
"When the cooks are baking bread, especially for school,  they are baking tray after tray after tray in a small oven.
" With this oven they can do them all in one go, saving on the gas and the electricity. There will always be plenty of wood for fuel.
" Habel  from Marina Restaurant is coming to show us how to make pizza, when it is complete. 
"Then the kids will be able to have pizza as an occasional treat.  

"It can be used for cooking lots of different things. 
" Last week I showed the cooks how to make shepherd's pie and the kids loved it and all wanted more."