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Happy Child International
Happy Child rescues children and adolescents from the streets and from situations of personal and social risk in the large Southern city of Belo Horizonte and the Northeastern city of Recife on the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Founded in 1993, Happy Child is regarded as one of the leading and most experienced Christian charities in Brazil working with these children. In Belo Horizonte there is a 24-hour emergency centre, eight safe homes and an eco project, all of which provide a secure environment for their rehabilitation and reintegration back into family and community. The Belo Horizonte operations are now fully self-funded from within Brazil. Happy Child UK is now helping to replicate this model in Recife, Northeast Brazil, in partnership with local government, churches and businesses. (V10.1.13)
Our Patrons
Sir Paul Beresford and Baroness Anne Gibson of Market Rasen are our patrons in the UK.
“Happy Child International is a formidable organisation which, despite its small size, has had a huge effect in a very large country. It has helped to reintegrate thousands of vulnerable young children back into society and I am very proud to be a Patron of the charity.” Sir Paul Beresford
“I am very proud to be Patron of a charity which has done so much to help some of Brazil’s most underprivileged children. It certainly lives up to its name and its rescue and rehabilitation programme has transformed the lives of thousands of children and set them on the path to a brighter future.” Baroness Anne Gibson
Dr. Dilsa Doddrell, wife of Brazil's British Consul-General, is patron of Happy Child Recife, Brazil.
An introduction to our work
Help us celebrate at Happy Child's 20th Anniversary party on the on the Terrace at the House of Commons on 24th September 2013. Tickets £50 per person from beth.townend@happychild.org to include welcome drink and delicious bowl food. Find out more..
Calling all Cyclists to join us for the Happy Child Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Ride. Cycle 103 miles through beautiful countryside from 27-29th September 2013. Cost is £110 and suggested fundraising target is £500 per person. Up for it? then email sign up with alexrdalton@hotmail.com. Find out more....
Coming soon; Happy Child International Annual Golf Day; Clandon Regis Golf Club on 3rd October 2013. More details via contact@happychild.org
Read more about these events and other Happy Child activities in our latest newsletter (May 2013)
For photos of our House of Commons dinner 2012, the Diamond Jubilee dinner at the Ricardo Brennand Institute in Recife, and numerous other great events, browse our Facebook page.
Watch our fantastic new Promo produced by Double Barrel Productions.
The Street Children of Brazil
To hear more about the story of Happy Child, read Sarah de Carvalho's book, The Street Children of Brazil, available for online order from most well-known bookstores including WHSmith, Amazon and Waterstones. Buy from Amazon »
Solomon's Song
Read about Sarah de Carvalho's latest book, a novel, Solomon's Song. Watch Sarah's short video about the book. Buy from Amazon » Read an interview with Sarah in Woman Alive.
Introduction Leaflet in Portuguese
Click here to download a copy.
HAPPY CHILD 20th Anniversary in 2013
2013 is Happy Child's 20th Year of rescuing children from the streets and abuse in the slums. Please help us to celebrate and continue our work by donating now.
Campaign for Happy Child Recife - We are trebling our work to help children and families with a further two projects starting in February 2013.
It's a Penalty, Campaign against Child Sex Exploitation around the FIFA World Cup in 2014
View a short video of the Portuguese promo with English subtitles
A new campaign, led by Happy Child International, called 'It's a Penalty' is to be launched in September 2013 tp address the issue of child sex exploitation and trafficking around the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Read more >>
Article about Happy Child in the Daily Telegraph 
Article published 18/06/12 in the Daily Telegraph's Business Section in a special section on Sustainable Development in Brazil. The article is entitled 'A Sense of Community'. Our thanks to Sorcha Hellyer and Gabriele Villa from Image Diplomacy for the article. You can also read the excellent full Brazil feature here.
