Faith, Mitchelle and Angela - There is Hope!!

They came to Happy Life at different times and each of them had a story.  A sad story of being abandoned by the people they called family; a mother? a dad?  we cant tell.  One thing is sure, they are happy to belong to a big family, the HL family and to the Shalom family, and Salome as their Mummy. They love it to be sisters; not now in despair but full of hope.  They just got to their house after school and they are happy.  Their destiny is big, yes!! its big with a big God.  Hope is written all over their innocent faces!! We thank God for Happy Life.

Rosemary

Enoch's Story

Enoch was  admitted at HLCH on 22^nd August 2012 when he was about 3 - 4 months old.  He seemed to be in good health although his chest was a bit congested; he was a jovial baby. 

 

Picture of Enoch when he was admitted at HL

 He was put on some antibiotics but after two weeks, the congestion worsened.  We were referred to another hospital and to another and finally he was admitted at the Gertrude hospital where he was in ICU(intensive care ward) for 10 days and in the recovery ward for another 3 weeks.  It so happened that when he got serious, the doctors in the governments hospitals were on leave and since it was an emergency, we took him to Gertrude children's hospital.  He accumulated a very large bill of more than a million Kenya shillings which we have not yet settled the whole of it until now.  When he was released from Gertrude, Enoch was never the same, he was discharged paralyzed, some doctors says its cerebral palsy; of which we cant figure out whether it was a result of the sickness or the effects of the drugs he was taking.... very unfortunate!! However, we thank God who has a good plan for his life. 

 

The day he was discharged from Gertrude Hospital

The first week of this year, he got sick again and admitted at Kiambu district hospital with bronchial pneumonia.  He was discharged on Friday 17th and has fully recovered.  However, the doctors have advised that he needs frequent therapy although we used to take him for a therapy once a week.  God got him out of the comma when he was at the ICU for 10 days!! He has healed him again, He has a good plan for his Life!!! Our prayers goes to Enoch.

Enoch  now

 Rosemary

Changed by the Power of Love and Family!

Lost! Withdrawn! Confused!, Sick,all these and more described the situation baby Veronica was in when she came to Happy Life on 13th November 2012.  We could not figure out what she had gone though only what we could read from the police letter that she was found abandoned in a small town in the out-skirts of Nairobi on 14^th May 2012, and later referred to Nairobi children's Home.  Her face spoke it all; she was a sad child who had gone through so much when she was just a baby.  This is a common phenomenon to most of the children admitted when they are a bit older.  Veronicah started ailing a few days after admission.  In one occasion, she was admitted at Kenyatta National hospital for 8 days.  She has had occasional pains in her legs and abdomen and I think the doctors have not fully verified what could be the problem although she has improved a lot and the pains are not as often as they were then.   However, Veronicah smile today speaks louder, " I know I belong, am loved and I have a loving family!! She belongs to the Shammah family in our Juja centre and in nursery class.  Thank God for Happy Life!!

On admission

Veronicah smile speaks

She belongs to the Shammah family in our Juja centre and in nursery class.  Thank God for Happy Life!!

Rosemary

Season's Greetings

 

Happy Life Children's Home family wishes  all our partners,  friends and well wishers a Merry Xmas and prosperous 2014!!!

A volunteer's Experience

I dont believe my time at Happy Life is over.  After spending 3 months there it was time to pack and go home.  Wish I didn’t have to, I really felt like home already. As I write this there are 2 days since my driver backed out of the front gate, with me crying in the back seat. I still don’t believe that I’m not there anymore, I can’t stop going through my pictures with tears in my eyes. Happy life really touched my heart.

 There are so many children that I love and miss, but also I got moms and friends there that I will never forget. When you’re on your own faraway from family and friend it’s always good to feel that there is someone there for you and that’s something I truly felt

I fell in love with one baby boy I think even before I got there.   I saw his picture few days before my journey started and when we meet he was like my own right away. His smile just makes my day every time.  As the days went by I kept falling in love with all of the kids one by one.

I think every child there has touched me in some way, their background, their need for love and attention, their smiles and hugs and also the love I received from them. They all take their own time to decide when they are ready to let you be their friend, some are your best friend as soon as they see you for the first time but others the take all the time they need. And no matter how long it takes it‘s always as great to earn their love and trust.  Spending 3 months with babies means a lot of changes, they are at that ages that you can see them growing day by day. Seeing the first smile, learning to sit and stand and some even to walk, wow I was and always will be so proud of them.

As hard it was to leave it helps a lot knowing how well the children are taken care off. I miss the moms and the staff as much as I miss the children. And I admire them for the terrific job they do. They really amaze me. It also helps to know that volunteers will keep on coming to stay and help. With more people around makes the day better for everyone I think. I really encourage everyone that wants to be a volunteer to apply at Happy life.  I have been thinking about volunteering for a long time and something always came up so I never did anything about it. But earlier this year I knew it was time and I’m so glad that Happy life was the home I got to experience. I think it was the best place for me to stay at. It has been a life changing experience that I will always keep in my heart. 

Here are few pictures that I love:

 Me and the big children having an awesome day together

 The last baby that came to Happy life before I left was a two day old boy. I got to name him and his name is Gabriel

Some of the best times are moments like this. Here I’m with Daniela (4 weeks). She really loves to have a good talk. It so great to see her just looking at you when you talk to her, it’s like she is really listening.

The week I got to meet these gorgeous babies might just be the hardest one there. They all came as a new born and they are all born in the same week.  On this picture they are all under two weeks. Now they are almost three months and have grown so much. 

Thank you Happy life for changing my life.

Anna Thora

1st Graduation at Happy Life Christian School

Graduands

John

Melvin

Reciting a poem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and they sang and danced

It started like a dream but now its for real! Happy Life Christian School had its first graduation ceremony on Friday 15th November 2013 with 35 Children all from Happy Life Children's Home (Juja centre).  This was so exciting and emotional  at the same time, seeing these children whom we have seen grow and now in school, and not any other school but HLCS!!! God is surely the father to the fatherless!  John and Melvin were among those  graduating to class one, other graduated to class two and three respectively.  Thanks to all our friends and partners who have enabled us to reach this far; "together we are making a difference!) We are hoping to have four classrooms ready in January so as to admit  more children even from the surrounding community. Happy Life Christian school,‘Giving Hope; Transforming Lives’

Rosemary

HAPPY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL!!

Happy Life Christian school classes (at Juja farm centre) is in progress.  Thanks to all our partners who have given this far for this great work! God bless.

Rosemary