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Registered charity number 1098731
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About Us

The Inspiring Story of Happy House Children's Home in Watamu, Kenya

The Happy House is more than a home for vulnerable children – it’s a family. Built on the vision of the late Mama Sue Hayward, who founded the Children of Watamu Charity in 2003, and carried forward with immense love by her husband, Papa Dave, it provides love, safety, and opportunity to children who need it most.

Happy House thrives thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and volunteers who have become part of our family. Since opening its doors in 2010, this special place has been transforming the lives of children, offering not just shelter but hope for a brighter future. Read on to discover the story behind the Happy House and how you can help make a difference.

Papa Dave and Mama Sue are sat in the gardens with two children at the happy house smiling
Our Story Begins

In January 2000, while on holiday in Watamu, Sue and her husband Dave visited a local school where children sat on cold stone floors, counting with pebbles. Teachers struggled to teach without basic supplies like pencils, paper, or books.

“We couldn’t believe that this was the year 2000, and children here were being educated in these conditions,” Sue recalled.

Determined to make a difference, Sue and Dave traveled 25 miles to the nearest town to buy exercise books, pencils, and other essentials. Yet, they knew it wasn’t enough. Back home, they started fundraising with a collection bottle placed on the bar of their hotel in Blackpool.

It was the beginning of something extraordinary.

January
2000
Children at reading at the Happy House
A Growing Vision

Sue often said, “If children can read, children can learn.” She believed education was the only road out of poverty for so many.

In July 2003, Sue established the UK charity Children of Watamu, appointing trustees and laying the foundation for growth. By the end of that year she had helped S.D school in the village.  Every one of the 130 children had their own desk and chair, with 20 extras ready for new students.

To support the growing number of children, new classrooms were built, old ones refurbished, and Sue’s dream of a library became reality. Thanks to the support of so many, it was stocked with 50,000 books, opening up endless opportunities for children to learn, explore, and thrive.

By December 2007, the school was flourishing, with 700 children in full-time education. With its strong foundation, the school, which belonged to a local church, was ready to stand on its own.

July
2003
Home
A Home for Every Child

While the school flourished, Sue realised there was a greater problem to address—providing a family home for children who were orphaned, abandoned, abused, neglected, or suffering due to family tragedy or dire poverty.

“These children deserve more. They need love, safety, and a place to belong. They need a Happy House,” Sue often said. Her dream was to create a family, not just a shelter.

Determined to turn this dream into reality, Sue worked tirelessly to raise support and funds. By 2008, a local man generously granted her a piece of land on a 99-year lease, and she had raised enough money to begin construction. By February 2010, the Happy House opened its doors, becoming a haven for children in desperate need of care. Sue and Dave, having sold their hotel and moved to Kenya, became Mama and Papa to this new family.

Sue’s vision was clear: “This isn’t an orphanage - it’s a home. When you step inside, you see happy, healthy, smiling faces. You hear laughter and singing. This is a place where children can thrive.”

At the Happy House, children found warm beds, nourishing meals, security, respect, education, and the love of a family. For many, it was the first time they had ever felt safe or had the chance to dream of a brighter future.

February
2010
sue walk-750739 (1)
Carrying Forward Mama Sue's Legacy

In June 2021, the Happy House family faced a sudden and heartbreaking loss when Mama Sue, beloved founder of the Children of Watamu charity and a devoted champion for children in need, died suddenly.

Sue was an extraordinary woman—determined, driven, and unwavering in her belief that “Every child, regardless of background, deserves the best.” For 21 years, she dedicated her life to creating a sanctuary where children could feel safe, loved, and valued. Her work transformed countless young lives, and her vision for a brighter future continues to inspire us every day.

Her legacy lives on in every corner of the Happy House—in the laughter of children, the warmth of family meals, and the opportunities she created through education.

With courage and devotion, Papa Dave, Sue’s “rock” and soulmate, continues to lead the Happy House family with the support of a highly skilled management team and dedicated charity trustees.

Their unwavering commitment ensures that the Happy House continues to grow and evolve alongside its family, offering hope and a loving home to children for generations to come.

June
2021
IMG_8126 (1)
Sue Has Made a Difference, Can You?

Every donation, however small, every act of kindness helps us provide love, care, and education to the children who call the Happy House their family.

Here are some ways you can make a difference and be part of our family:

Sponsor a Child:

For just £20 a month, you can ensure that our family can continue to grow, providing a safe and loving home and an education. Click here to find out more.

Fundraise:

Organise an event, take on a personal challenge, or simply share our story with friends and family.

Volunteer:

Join us in Watamu and bring your skills, time, and love to the Happy House family.

Your support ensures Happy House can go on bringing hope and opportunity to every child who walks through our doors.

Together, we can make a difference to the lives of children in need.

June
2021
Papa Dave and Mama Sue are sat in the gardens with two children at the happy house smiling

January 2000

Our Story Begins

In January 2000, Sue and her husband Dave visited a school in Watamu. Children sat on cold stone floors, counting with pebbles, while teachers struggled without pencils, paper, or books.

“We couldn’t believe that this was the year 2000, and children here were being educated in these conditions,” Sue said.

Determined to help, Sue and Dave travelled 25 miles to the nearest town to buy exercise books, pencils, and other essentials. But even that wasn’t enough. Back home, they began fundraising with a collection bottle on the bar of their hotel in Blackpool.

It was the start of something extraordinary.

July 2003

A Growing Vision

Sue often said, “If children can read, children can learn.” She believed education was the only road out of poverty for so many.

In July 2003, Sue established the UK charity Children of Watamu, appointing trustees and laying the foundation for growth. By the end of that year, every one of the 130 children had their own desk and chair, with 20 extras ready for new students.

To support the growing number of children, new classrooms were built, old ones refurbished, and Sue’s dream of a library became reality. Thanks to the support of so many, it was stocked with 50,000 books, opening up endless opportunities for children to learn, explore, and thrive.

By December 2007, the school was flourishing, with 700 children in full-time education. With its strong foundation, the school, which belonged to a local church, was ready to stand on its own.

Children at reading at the Happy House

February 2010

A Home for Every Child

While the school flourished, Sue saw a greater problem to address—providing a family home for children who were orphaned, abandoned, abused, neglected, or suffering as a result of family tragedy or dire poverty.

“These children deserve more – they need love, safety, and a place to belong. They need a Happy House,” Sue often said. She dreamed of creating a family, not just a shelter.

Determined to turn this dream into reality, Sue and Dave sold their hotel in Blackpool and moved their lives to Watamu. In February 2010, the Happy House opened its doors, becoming a sanctuary for children in desperate need of care.

Sue’s vision was clear: “This isn’t an orphanage – it’s a home. When you step inside, you see happy, healthy, smiling faces. You hear laughter and singing. This is a place where children can thrive.”

At the Happy House, children found warm beds, meals, Education and the love of a family. For many, it was the first time they had ever felt safe or had the chance to dream about a brighter future.

June 2021

Carrying Forward Mama Sue's Legacy

In June 2021, the Happy House family faced a sudden and heartbreaking loss. Mama Sue, the beloved founder of the Children of Watamu charity and a devoted champion for children in need, passed away unexpectedly.

Sue was an exceptional woman – determined, driven, and uncompromising in her belief that “Every child, regardless of background, deserves the best.” For 21 years, she dedicated her life to creating a sanctuary where children could feel safe, loved, and valued. Her work transformed countless young lives, and her vision for a brighter future continues to inspire us every day.

Her legacy is alive in every corner of the Happy House – in the laughter of children, the warmth of family meals, and the opportunities she created through education.

Papa Dave, Sue’s “rock” and soulmate, continues to lead the Happy House family with immense courage and love. His unwavering dedication ensures that Sue’s dream lives on, offering hope and a home to children for generations to come.

Together, we can ensure her legacy continues to grow, touching even more lives.

Sue Has Made a Difference, Can You?

Mama Sue’s legacy lives on through the Happy House, and you can be a part of her incredible story. Every act of kindness helps us provide love, care, and education to the children who call the Happy House their family.

Here are some ways you can make a difference and be part of our family:

For just £20 a month, you can ensure that our family can continue to grow, providing a safe and loving home and an education. Click here to find out more.

Organise an event, take on a personal challenge, or simply share our story with friends and family.

Join us in Watamu and bring your skills, time, and love to the Happy House family.

Your support ensures that Sue’s vision continues to thrive, offering hope and opportunity to every child who walks through our doors.

Together, we can keep her dream alive.

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Registered charity number 1098731

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Registered UK charity number 1098731 | Registered Address: 24 Chaytor Drive Warwickshire CV10 9ST
Registered in the Republic of Kenya with the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Development as a Charitable Children’s Institution. CS No. 000573

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