Happy Hearts Fund

I heard about HAPPY HEARTS FUND from Petra Nemcova when she talked about it on Dancing With the Stars this season.  Petra is a "Supermodel" who has founded this program to help rebuild children's lives after natural disasters. 

Happy Hearts Fund was founded by Petra Nemcova in 2005 to restore hope and opportunities to children affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami; it received its 501(c)(3) status in 2006 with the vision of rebuilding children lives affected by natural disasters. Happy Hearts Fund was structured so all administrative costs would be underwritten, thereby ensuring 100 percent of all donations received would be directed to children's programming.

Nemcova was in Thailand when the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. After recovering from her injuries, she returned to Thailand to see how to be of the best help. There she witnessed families without homes, children without parents, and entire communities swept away. She was most affected by the children who were not getting any help five months after the disaster. It was the first time she experienced the gap period which occurs after first response and before governments step in after a natural disaster. For this reason Happy Hearts Fund concentrates its mission in the gap period by building "Happy Self Sustaining Schools."

Over time, Happy Hearts Fund has broadened its geographic reach. It currently supports projects and children in nine countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Sri Lanka, Haiti, India, Chile and Hurricane Katrina-affected areas of the United States.

HHF Mission:

 Happy Hearts Fund is a non-profit foundation dedicated to improving children’s lives through educational and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas. Globally, HHF is active in nine countries and has built/rebuilt 50 schools and kindergartens. Since inception our programs have benefited more than 31,000 children and 335,000 community members. All HHF administrative expenses are underwritten by its board allowing 100% of all public donations to go directly toward building a future for children affected by natural disasters.