Lancashire Scouts help Kenyan children

Preston and District Scouts organized a collection to go out to Children of Watamu Happy House – a children’s home and school founded by former landlady Sue Hayward.

Starting her work in Kenya in 2000, Sue had developed three schools by 2007 when she moved on to address a greater need by building her Happy House as a family home for up to 100 children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused or neglected.

A kindergarten, primary and secondary school have since been added and both the children’s home and schools have become centres of excellence for the way children in care can and should be cared for and educated.

Elizabeth Gomm, the charity’s voluntary UK coordinator, met Lesley Thomas, Deputy District Commissioner for Preston District Scouts, at a recent event and told her about the school’s scout group and how they are taught to parade and raise both the Union and the Kenya flags every Monday at assembly.

Elizabeth said they would be proud to wear neckers and Preston District organised a collection of neckers from different groups her to take out to Happy House.

Lesley presented them over to Sue, who was visiting from Kenya, and Elizabeth at a charity coffee morning in Poulton.

Lesley said: “The least we can do is to send over some neckers to raise the esteem of these eager children and make them feel more like Scouts.”

Elizabeth said: “I was delighted to bring them with me when I travelled back with Sue and to hand them over to our scouts. Our kids come from the worst possible backgrounds and we do everything we can to empower them and to raise their aspirations. Education is their only road out of poverty.

“A simple item like a necker gives them a sense of pride. Thanks to Lesley and every group which donated.”

To find out more visit www.childrenofwatamu.net