Time for a treat

 As we all know Mama likes to spring surprises, and this time it was her Happy House kids who were in for a treat.

While she had been in the UK, she had met some of of children's friends and sponsors who had asked her to bring gifts back home with them for their child., 

She thought this time it would be nice for all the children to have a little present.

So after explaining to the kids she said she and Papa and Auntie Libby were so happy to be home with them that everyone was going to get a treat.

Many of the items had come in parcels sent from Northern ireland by Auntie Dawn Heather White and her colleagues at Christmas, and she just happened to be at Kidz Club with another of our good friends, Linda Newman, they helped to distribute gift bags to everyone.

There was great excitement as the kids showed each other what was in their bag and lots and lots of happy smiles.

One young lady, Keziah, was on the receiving end of two gifts as it is her birthday this week.

Keziah and Mama

Happy birthday Keziah and thank you to Mama, Papa and all the sponsors who sent gifts for their children.

School's out for the holidays

 The school bell signalled the end of a busy term for our Happy House school, yesterday.

And after weeks of hard work it was time to celebrate success and to showcase the children's talents - from Baby Class through to Secondary School - with performances by each class for parents, guardians and guests at a Closing Day ceremony.

Scouts raised the flag and led the National Athem to start the proceedings which followed witha  series of songs, poems and dance.

They illustrated how much the children have learnt, emphasised the importance of education, the responsibility of teachers in inspiring children and the need for parents and guardians to be actively involved in encouraging their children in all aspects of life.

In her address Mama Sue thanked the children and teachers for a lovely morning and thanks parents and guardians for their involvement and asked them to continue encouraging and supporting their children to strive to do their best and perform well.

She said it was a responsibility she and Papa shared as they had almost 60 Happy House kids in school.

Plus there were 60 children on free place scholarships in the school with everything they needed to learn provided for them,. This came at a very high cost and she urged parents and guardians to help by buying shoes if they could.

She warned that places were conditional on performance and that if a student failed to do their best the place would be reviewed.

Mama also told of how she and Papa had been to England on a fundraising mission working with UK coordinator Elizabeth and that they were desperate to raise more sponsors for the scholarship children.

Children and classes who had performed well this term or made the most improvements were awarded with certificates and trophies.

The morning ended with prayers, before children and relatives collected their reports from teachers.

It was a happy morning and the children have the rest of this week at home before returning for Holiday Club for two weeks from Monday. The new term starts on May 3.

Happy birthday, dear Papa Dave

Happy House superhero Papa Dave was the man of the moment yesterday when the family gathered to give him a surprise birthday party.
After three weeks away in the UK with Mama, Papa was totally unsuspecting when he drove in through the gates to a chorus of kids singing "Happy Birthday dear Papa Dave".

 Mama had plotted with her team to arrange the party before she left, and it was the furthest thing from Papa's mind.

Affter greeting the kids it was in to the banda for songs, dancing, a catwalk show and treats incliding, biscuits, mango and., of course, cake.
Mama Sue spoke from the heart when wishing Papa the happiest of birthdays. His love, devotion and humour has been her anchor in every storm she has weathered.
He has has followed her dream and helped to make it a reality.
Papa, who we all know is a big softie at heart, was overcome with emotion when he thanked everyone for being at his party, even though he hadn't invited anyone!
And the told the kids just how much they mean to him and Mama.
"We love every one of you, " he said.
It was a lovely party, with master of ceremonies Samson doing an excellent job, and another special day for Papa to store away in his memory box.

Who wants cake? And that''s just a few of them

Happy Birthday, Papa Dave, we wish you many, many, more.

Mama and Papa home safely

 Three flights and the long journey home were made all worthwhile for Mama and Papa when they walked towards the tiny terminal of Malindi Airport to see an excited band of Happy House kids waiting fo welcome them
Everyone gathered to greet them, laughing and singing as Mama, Papa and Auntie Libby left the arrivals hall and ito be met by the delighted throng
KIds, aunties, uncles all wanted to say hello and to welcome them back home.
Travelling in a convoy of vehicles back to Watamu, everyone knew the Happy House was on the road as the children sang at the top of their voices all the way.
Then there was a chance to catch breath, and catch up on the children's news before leaving the kids to their lunch so Mama, Papa and Auntie Libby could unpack and get some rest ready for the busy week ahead.
With Mama and Papa safely in the fold, all is well in the Happy House world.

Calculating the future, by Kezia

Happy House kid Kezia Beatrice know she has work hard if she wants to achieve her ambition. She writes:

My best subject is maths.

 I like maths most because when I grow up I want to be a banker

When the teacher is teaching I always concentrate so that I should not ask a question that the teacher has already talked about it.

Even in when am doing my exams I ake my time and do the paper well. 

If I get below fifty I  feel disappointed with what I have got.

I normal do more in maths so that I can know about it and to be encouraged.

Math’s is also important because you can’t do anything if you don’t know how to calculate

Time for home... but a final day making new friends

Mama Sue and Papa Dave head back home today after three busy weeks in the UK.
They have enjoyed seeing many old friends and making new ones.
Yesterday, our new friends were the 300+ children and staff at Lord Street Primary School, Colne.
Mama, Papa and Elizabeth enjoyed a Happy House assembly with the children.
Mama told them all about the Happy House family,  their home and their school.
Elizabeth told them the story of one of children, Fred, starting with his rescue in 2011.
The children had lots of questions to ask keeping Mama very busy!
The school is hoping to forge a link with our school so that the children can enhance each others lives and education.
They also plan to fund raise for Happy House and when Mama asked if wanted to help raise some money for Happy House all hands went up.
It was a lovely morning and we are grateful to deputy head James Pidcock for inviting us. James and his family are great freinds to Happy House. His mum and dad, Lesley and Alan, sponsor Janet and Priscilla,
This week Brenda and Red Groves and their granddaughter, Chloe, came over to the Fylde to see them. Red and Brenda, whose whole family are involved in helping Happy House and sponsoring, live in Wantage and Chloe, who sponsors Said, lives in Stafford.
Brenda and Red brought over lots of useful items, includinge ducational aids, for Sue and Dave to take back along with hugs for their sponsor child, Charity, and Brenda's brother Terry's sponsor children Brian and Lovinne.
Mama and Papa are looking forward to seeing Brenda and Red again in the autumn when they visit Happy House.
We wish Mama, Papa and Elizabethm, who is travelling back with them, a safe trip and happy homecoming.

Wear and tear

In a family home, there is all kinds of wear and tear.

Abdulmalik

The Happy House is no different, just a lot larger!
Some of the maintenance is routine other is made necessary by naughty little fingers.

David

A handyman has been at work re-varnishing doors where the hot sun has caused the varnish to bubble and peel away, and elsewhere in the atrium a local artist made emergency repairs  to the colourful animal mural in the atrium, after two year old mischief Abdulmalik who had a little go trying to scrape it off.
And he wasn't alone as first thought. It turned out he had an accomplice in the form of our David
Needless to say, a stern warning delivered by Uncle Billy has put them right about the error of their ways!