CHARITY: Happy Hearts Fund - More Schools, More Hope

          

On Monday, September 26, 2011, Happy Hearts Fund celebrated the openings of the Al Munawar and Hikmatul Hayat kindergartens that were destroyed a little over two years before in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Bandung region of Indonesia on September 1, 2009.  An estimated 87,000 homes and buildings and 3,000 schools were destroyed that day, and just three months after the disaster first response organizations had already left, leaving these communities alone in their despair.    Children, teachers, and members of the community join together to celebrate the school openings with John Andrews and members of Happy Hearts Fund.      Phil Caputo, Executive Director of Happy Hearts Fund, interacts with the excited students.

Thanks to the generous support of John Andrews, Happy Hearts Fund brought immeasurable hope back to the lives of the collective 232 children from the Al Munawar and Hikmatul Hayat kindergartens by allowing them to return to school and better their futures. The communities prepared a memorable celebration that included children dancing, children playing the angklung (a traditional musical instrument made of bamboo) and the sharing of delicious treats made by the families of the community. One head teacher summed up the community's thoughts by saying, "There are no words that can paint a picture of how happy we feel."      The children express their joy in returning to school and the hope for a better future.

John Andrews supported the rebuilding of the schools in honor of his mother, Mary Staples Andrews. Mas Sitri, an Indonesian mural artist, decorated the exterior walls of the schools with bright, beautiful pictures and the entryways to the school with rose garlands, Mary's favorite flower. She taught her children to love family, to be kind and courteous to all, to work hard, and to value education - ideals that will surely echo through the halls of these kindergartens.

HHF receives specific donations to underwrite all administrative and fundraising expenses, allowing all public donations to support our programs. HHF is extremely grateful to our corporate partners - Continental Airlines, DLA Piper, HP and ING - for their philanthropic commitment to help build a future for children affected by natural disasters.

HHF is committed to help accomplish the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MGD's).

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