children of watamu kenya banner

Menu:

Contact Details

Sue Hayward

Castlemere Hotel
13 Shaftesbury Avenue
North Shore
Blackpool FY2 9QQ

Tel & Fax (0044) 01253 352430

E-mail

Reg. Charity No.1098731

School Roof Project - Irish Working Party 2006

In May 2006, John and his friend, Damien Bell, met up with me in Watamu to see the task for themselves.By this time John had received a donation from a friend for charity work. Within a few hours it was changed into concrete blocks, sand and cement and sundry other building materials to continue with the building of the main school.

I was delighted and so thankful when they confirmed they would raise funds for the new roof and also offered to build an adventure playground for the 420 children now attending the school.

The work would be done during 2 weeks in September 2006.

My husband Dave and myself were invited to Dublin in June for the planning meeting of the project.

Each member of the party going to Watamu would be responsible for raising their own cash.

This would be done through a wide range of activities including the Dublin Fun Run, packing bags in supermarkets, arranging Poker nights etc.

It was great to see all the group wearing their Working for the Children of Watamu tee shirts.


Le nouveau toit Le nouveau toit

I went over to Watamu on September 11th whilst work was in progress. I was amazed at the physical effort put in by the party.

Thanks to their efforts the building now has a beautiful new roof which means no more soggy kids when the rains come.

All classrooms are partitioned and the gang painted everything inside and out, walls, floors even including some great cartoon pictures.

A fantastic Adventure Playground was built. These children had never seen anything like it!!

They made blackboards and even brought the rubbers needed! Quite amazingly all was completed in just 2 weeks .... this really was Challenge Ireland.


Irish Working Party 2006 Le nouveau toit

I know that all the group from Ireland had a wonderful and very productive visit to Watamu.

Each one will have taken away a very special memory and made a vow to return.

Their work was absolutely invaluable and gave  tremendous impetus to our progress in Watamu.


Irish Working Party 2006

The staff in the computer room made certificates for each person to commemorate the visit.

It gave each person's name and a Giriame name (Local tribe) which was then translated into English.

They received names such as Reliable, Love, Strong and Honest, words which best describe this wonderful group of people.


Irish Working Party 2006 class
The children, parents and staff will always remember very fondly "When the Irish came to Watamu". I am sure it will go down in local folklore

children playing

.