Children Of Watamu

I am Sue Hayward Founder of the Working for the Children of Watamu registered Charity. On my first visit to school in the year 2000, I was so shocked by the conditions that children were being taught in that I knew I had to Make a Difference. During the past 8 years we have built 3 schools that now  educate 700 children, with ages ranging from 2 years until they are ready to join the workforce. Over the years we have put a library into school, which now houses 15,000 books. This room is also used as a community lending library. Another project to help the community and the children attending the school is a  Computer room with 25 computers ready willing and able to change lives through education.

We have many  different ways for people  to help the children and therunning of the school. The Sponsored Child Scheme is a tremendous helpfinancially to the school for paying the food bills and wages. Another scheme that  we are trying to promote is the  Kids Need Text Booksproject for the primary section. £10 will buy 4 text books that 8 children can use at the same time.Since December 2007 when we were able to finish all the classrooms needed up to class 8 in the Primary School we have been able to register with the Kenyan Education Authority. Our children can now be taught  the National Curriculum so we need the books to be able to give them the best education possible. We have 250 children now riding bicycles from our very successful Buy A Kid a Bike Scheme. Some children walk for over an hour to arrive at school at 7am. During the rainy season it is so hard for them , a brand new shiny bike changes a child's life.

The school is extremely well run by the headmaster Silas Karisa and his team of reliable enthusiastic staff. We will always continue to support the school through our different schemes, but now feel that the education part is well organised and sustainable we can move on to our very much needed Happy House. Some people call these places orphanages but to us that conjures up pictures of frightened hungry children huddles together for comfort. Ours will be a Happy place with Happy healthy kids.

The Happy House will thrive with caring, supportive staff and the backing of its sponsors, volunteers and trustees. Without it, these children would be destitute, finding scraps to eat in the bush and sleeping rough. They would have no home, no medicines and no education no future and the great possibility of – not surviving at all.

This project will provide a vital link for so many children, who will pass through its doors over the next 99 years and beyond. Children who will hold their heads high and be proud to say  ‘I was a Happy House Kid ‘  To see how you can help the Children Of Watamu please follow this link.