Ceilings go in

 The long school holidays have given time to make some much-needed alterations to our school.
To increase security, cut down on noise and reduce dust, ceilings have been added to the senior school classrooms and to the lab/library/computer room block.
The work was carried out by our regular builder, Carlos and his men and the decorating was carried out by our scholarship kids!

Looking back with thanks

With the dawning of a new year we look back with thanks and ahead with hope.

We cannot predict where 2017 where take our Happy House, but it will be a year to build on what we have done so far and to continue to improve the lives of children in our care in our home, in our school and in the community.

In 2016, the number of those kids living in our family fluctuated with some new arrivals, vulnerable beings in need of our care and protection, whilst others, once just like our newcomers, left us to start afresh with relatives, now in a position to give them a home.

Mama Sue and her Happy House are leading the way in reunifying families in this way. 

As far as we can ascertain, we are the only children's home facilitating the return of children to relatives who have recovered from the tragic circumstances of loss, sickness or hardship that led to their child or children being deemed in need of care.

This is again an example of how Mama will always find a way.

If a mum, dad or other near relative has a  stable home to share with the kids they love, and can put food on their table, why should they and their children remain forced to live apart? 

It is the cost of education and healthcare that are the major obstacles, so by ensuring Happy House covers these - paying the schools and medics directly - a family can be together.

We never lose sight of these families. They are monitored regularly to ensure all is well at home and in school. The interests of each individual child is put above all else.

Mama and Uncle Billy have every reason to be proud of this wonderful achievement. 

So do you.

You, our friends who have continued to sponsor a child once repatriated have relieved the pressure on our charity finances of reunifying families as well as showing their child how much they care.

Repatriations, opening our secondary school, extending our scholarship scheme to more bright young people from the local community, whose school was jeopardized by family hardship, are the three biggest achievements of 2016.

We now look forward to making a difference to more young lives.

Party start to 2017

 The Happy House family heralded the start of 2017 with a party.

Mama and Papa enjoyed a lovely morning with the kids yesterday celebrating the advent of the new year with singing and dancing and treats!

The children had serving of refreshing pineapple plus a few sweeties each.

At lunchtime they sat down to a delicious meal of home-cooked pizza fresh from the wood oven.

It was a splendid morning and enjoyed by everyone.

Happy New Year to you all.

Narrow win for Greens

Now in the last week of a very long school holiday, our Happy House kids are packing lots of fun and games into every day.
Sporting activities are are always popular with the children who thrive on friendly competition.
So in a mini-sports day, the green team were pitted against the orange.
The green team romped home with 97 points, just five ahead of their rivals.

Special delivery

 Two boxes of goodies from Happy House friend Nicky Gidigbi have been hand delivered by her friends Heather McPherson and Krishna Williams and kids Asher and Jenni-Su.
The family, from Walthamstow, East London,  are holidaying in Watamu where Krishna has relatives and offered to take the boxes necessities and other goodies from Nicky.
The items included toothpaste and toothbrushes, baby wipes, sanitary pads, roll deodorants, comic, stationery, sweets and clothes from her Nicky's mum Betty Hatch,
Mama and Papa and our kids were pleased to welcome Heather, Krishna, Asher and Jenni-Su.
Nicky, who is in Nicolas' sponsor family, said: "It was amazing that they offered to take the boxes for me."
"Everything in the boxes is much needed and truly appreciated." said Mama.
Many thanks to Nicky and Betty and to Heather, Krishna and family too.

Home call

Home is a place where the door is always open to you.

You you don't have to call in advance, knowing for certain you will be welcome.

A home, not an institution,  is what Mama Sue set out to create at her Happy House and that is what it is.
The children once living in our care and who have now moved on know they can always come back to say hello.

There are around 60 children, some who spent the up to five years in our care,  who are now, with our continuing support, repatriated into family homes with relatives who have got back on their feet, 
 Mama and Uncle Billy have a busy time keeping up with the progress of each one.

So it's lovely when a child is able to pop back and say hello.

Natasha, who was with us from being a tiny baby until earlier this year, came back to visit with her mum and her baby brother on Christmas Eve.

Mama was thrilled to see her so very happy and to hear how settled she is at home and in her new school, where we are supporting her education.

They are all living with grandma who is on hand to look after the children while their mum is at work.

Bringing families together in this way is no happy accident, it is the result of foresight and effort. 

Natasha was born when her mum was barely more than a child herself, and the girl was traumatised by the birth and totally unable to look after her baby who was brought into Happy House care.

Over the following years, we maintained links with the mum encouraged her to visit and to build a bond between herself and her child.

Now, also mum to a little boy, sje is able to take care of both her children.

And that's another example of the Happy House magic at work again.

Christmas gift from Mexico

Now married and mother of young children herself,  Fabiola Matute still holds our Happy House kids in our heart.
It is almost three years since Fabiola, Auntie Fa to our family, and her friend Alejandra Quintana set off from their homes in Mexico to spend three months volunteering at Happy House.
The two young women made a huge impact at Happy House where they worked so hard assisting in our school or turning their hands to anything else that was needed.
Since they went back home they have stayed in touch despite changes in their own busy lives.
Just before Christmas, Fabiola held a sale to raise money for our family.
Her mother kindly hosted the event at her own home  and Fabiola was helped by her mother, her sister and a friend.
Those who attended were invited to buy from a selection of lovely goods on sale or to make a donation into a money box Fabiola made with the Happy House logo, or to do both!
The sale raised a wonderful $1090, approx £888.
Our grateful thanks to Auntie Fa, her mother and those who helped and supported the sale.
You are truly making a difference to our children's lives.
Thank you and, Auntie Fa, we love YOU!