100% of every donation goes directly to the children. UK registered charity 1098731.Sponsor a child
Sue Hayward, our beloved founder, and her husband Dave, lovingly known as Mama and Papa, created a place filled with care, love, and opportunity for every child. Today, Sue’s vision continues to guide everything we do.
Sue entrusted Happy House to a dedicated and skilled management and administrative team, who work every day to support and grow the home. Our Director, Rose, leads the team, ensuring the smooth running of the home and the very best outcomes for every child. The school office, led by Velma, supports the day-to-day running of the school alongside the principal, ensuring everything operates efficiently.
Our UK-registered charity, Children of Watamu, supports and sustains the Happy House. Our trustees volunteer their time to provide governance and oversight, ensuring the charity operates responsibly. David Hayward serves as Chair of Trustees, with Philip Marshall as Vice Chair.
Elizabeth Gomm, known as Auntie Libby, volunteers as our UK Coordinator. She works tirelessly to support and promote Happy House, helping ensure Sue’s vision continues to grow.
In Kenya, our “Aunties” and “Uncles” provide a loving and nurturing home for the children. They care for their daily needs, from meals to emotional support, creating a safe and stable family environment.
Our Social Worker, Auntie Elina, ensures the welfare of every child. She works closely with the Children’s Office in Malindi, supports legal documentation such as birth certificates, and manages a range of welfare needs.
Our outdoor team grows fresh food, maintains the gardens, and keeps the home in excellent condition. Skilled carpenters in our joinery workshop repair furniture and support the upkeep of the home.
Everything we do is rooted in love – for the children and for the wider Happy House family.
Our doors are open. We welcome registered visitors and volunteers to come and experience the work of Happy House first-hand. You can email us at the home using happyhouse@childrenofwatamu.org
Here are some of the people you may meet if you come and visit us in Watamu, Kenya:
Founder and Chair of the Charity
Originally from Leeds, UK, now based in Watamu, Kenya. Papa Dave oversees Happy House, supports the team on the ground, and chairs the trustee board.
dave@childrenofwatamu.org
Director
Rose has been part of Happy House since it first opened. Raised in Watamu, she has deep knowledge of the local community and leads the day-to-day operations, ensuring strong safeguarding and compliance.
rosep@childrenofwatamu.org
Administrator / Communication Lead
One of the first children who came to the Happy House. He is now over 20 years old, settled into his own little apartment in the local village and is part of our management team working on administrative tasks and sending updates and videos to you.
evans@childrenofwatamu.org
Social Worker
Aunty Elina oversees the welfare of the children, working closely with government authorities in Malindi and supporting key areas such as safeguarding and documentation.
socialworkdept@childrenofwatamu.org
