In 15 years, many children have found a home at Children of Watamu’s Happy House.
They have come to our family from backgrounds of extreme poverty, neglect, hardship or tragedy. With love, patience, guidance and education we have turned their lives around and seen them grow.
Our administrator Rose Pendo has been there every step of the way.
Mama Sue saw her potential and helped her to develop it to become her right-hand woman.
Since Mama died, Rose , Auntie Rosie to the kids, has been at the helm guiding Happy House forward alongside Papa Dave , our Happy House team and charity trustees.
In this video, on the day we celebrate our 15th anniversary, Rose reflects on the years gone by.
“In these 15 years I have watched children come through our gates, some carrying heavy burdens for such young hearts.
“It is exciting to see how the same children have grown in confidence, spirit, and in hope.
“We have seen them strive at school, discover their talents and build bonds of friendship and family within these walls.
“They are no longer children in need. They are future leaders.”
Rose acknowledges the many difficulties that we have faced over the years some that have taken us so close to the brink, but we have refused to give up, driven forward because of our children, and bolstered by the love and and generosity of those who support our work.
Rose says:”This milestone is not just a number, it is a powerful reminder of the journey we have taken, the challenges we have overcome and the lives we have touched along the way.”
“Every moment, every challenge, has been worth it,’ she says.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we must remember our work is far from over. There are dreams to nurture, a future to build and children who need a safe place to call a home.”
You can watch a Facebook live of our birthday celebration this morning (March 16) at 9am UK time, 12noon in Kenya. https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/www.facebook.com%2Fhappyhousewatamu%2F/Rpji/pvy7AQ/AQ/4a5ed750-c82b-4257-93b3-861851de9f4d/2/EX-kl3JSF-
