Skip to content Volunteering with us is a truly rewarding experience, both for our children and for you. Some of our volunteers are local students gaining work experience, especially those studying child development at university, while others join us from abroad.
Our home is built on love, belonging, and the belief that every child deserves to feel valued, safe and joyful. As a volunteer, you become part of our family, bringing your skills, energy, and kindness to support the children’s growth.
The interests of our children are paramount. We never lose sight of the fact that we are exclusively child-focused. Keeping the children safe and helping each one to develop into a healthy, confident young adult is always our priority.
We must emphasise that there is a great difference between being a tourist and being a volunteer. Tourists are on holiday, while volunteers are here to work alongside us for the benefit of our children. Volunteers are expected to comply with Happy House policies and procedures at all times.
To make sure your time with us is meaningful for both you and the children, we ask all volunteers to come prepared – physically, emotionally and practically.
Volunteer quick checklist
✔ Minimum stay 1 month
✔ Signed application form & guidelines
✔ DBS/AccessNI (or equivalent police check)
✔ Vaccinations / medications arranged
✔ Sufficient travel insurance
✔ Fundraising required – £500 (or equivalent)
When you join us as a volunteer, you become part of the Happy House family. Your days will be guided by our children’s needs and the rhythm of our home and school.
Welcome Tour – On your first day, you’ll be given a guided tour of the Happy House and, subject to school approval, a tour of the Happy House School.
Where You’ll Help – Depending on your skills and our needs (and subject to school approval), you may assist in classrooms, the library, computer room, office, or even outdoors in the grounds. You’ll be a valued member of the team, helping with our daily work.
Teamwork – You’ll be timetabled into tasks and are expected to arrive on time and stay for the full session.
Schedule Changes – If you need time off, please arrange this with the office. If you’re unwell, phone in as early as possible.
Working Hours – Typically 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
Supporting, Not Replacing – Volunteers bring extra help and energy, but staff remain responsible for care and teaching. Always work under staff guidance.
You will find some useful practical information about your volunteering visit. We will also send you more information throughout the process.
Most international volunteers fly into Nairobi (JKIA), then connect to a domestic flight to Malindi or Mombasa. Malindi is the closest airport to Watamu. We can help arrange an airport pick-up from Malindi or Mombasa if needed.
Yes. To enter Kenya, you’ll need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you travel. The application is straightforward and can be done through the official government website. We recommend applying a few weeks in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.
You can choose from local hotels, guesthouses, or self-catering apartments, many within walking distance of the Happy House. Some volunteers also stay in Papa Dave’s villa on a B&B basis (subject to availability), which includes morning transport. We can advise and help you find accommodation that suits your budget and needs.
Yes, ensure you have adequate insurance for your volunteering visit. Children of Watamu / Happy House is not responsible for personal injuries or lost items during your visit.
It is usually hot and humid with occasional extremely heavy downpours depending on the season so bring loose, light clothing. The dress code in most places is casual although the coast is the home of many Muslims so some discretion is required e.g. it is not acceptable to walk through the village in swimwear. Sleeveless t-shirts and shorts are fine.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our Happy House family:
Papa Dave (David Hayward) – Our founder and chairman, originally from the UK and now based in Watamu. He oversees the Happy House and chairs the charity trustees.
Rose – Our Director, born and raised in Watamu, who has been with us since day one. She ensures smooth operations and compliance.
Evans – One of the first children cared for at the Happy House, now an adult and part of our management team, supporting administration and updates.
Elina – Our social worker, working closely with the children and the Government’s children’s office to ensure every child’s welfare.
Velma – Our school secretary, who runs the school office with care and expertise alongside the principal.
And of course, you’ll spend most of your time with the children and our wider staff team of aunties and uncles, who will make you feel at home from your very first day.
Yes, but with care and respect. Always ask permission from the office and then ask the child before taking photos. Please don’t post images of children who are not residents of the Happy House (for example, fee-paying pupils at our school). We also ask you to respect privacy and not share personal stories or the backgrounds of the children online. Every child has the right to choose to have their photo to be taken or not, after taking permission from the office, please ensure you ask the children first if it is okay to take a photo.
We are a family and therefore outings are always organised for the family as a whole. This ensures no child is left out. When we go on trips, everyone goes together unless the activity is age-specific. You can speak to the team in the office to find out more but trips such as visits to the beach at the weekends are things we often do as a family. We do not allow just a small group to be taken on a trip.
Past volunteers have raised funds through sponsored challenges, bake sales, pub quizzes, or simply asking friends and family. We can provide publicity materials and information to help. The money must be paid into our charity account before your arrival, so it goes directly to support the children.
At the Happy House, you may share meals with the children such as beans and chapatti, rice and greens, or ugali. Drinking water is available, but we recommend bringing bottled water.
A lot of the large hotels are all-inclusive. If you are self-catering there are a couple of small supermarkets which stock many European brands although they can be quite expensive. Local shops sell fruit and vegetables and other basics such as milk, eggs, rice etc. and are a much more affordable option. Eating out ranges from extremely cheap takeaways from local bandas to restaurants aimed at tourists. For example beans, greens and chapatti will provide a cheap lunch for 100ksh. There is a Chinese restaurant and several Italian restaurants as well as those selling European style food mixed with local options. Papa Dave can recommend the best places to eat.
There are several options for getting about. For shorter journeys there are motorbike taxis and tuktuks which are reasonably priced and buses known as matatus are available for hot and crowded longer journeys. All these forms of transport are fairly cheap. There is also the option of car or bike hire.
There is a good clinic in Timboni (5 minutes up the road from the Happy House) and a dentist beside Blue Marmalde supermarket (5 minutes into town). There are also many Pharmacies where you can get cheap Doxycycline if you are using that as your anti-malarial medication. Tourists are charged more than locals at the clinic but it is not expensive and you can usually get seen within 15 minutes without an appointment. There are always mosquitoes about in the evening but many of the local shops sell tubs of cream which are effective and contain mostly natural ingredients.
