Our Goal
Happy Bambini e.V. supports disadvantaged children and youth in developing countries. The organization was founded in 2013 to ensure that your and our assistance reaches the projects quickly and without losses. We honor your trust by maintaining full transparency regarding the use of all donations. When deciding whether to engage in a particular location, one key factor is whether the parents are willing to help. They take on smaller tasks, which fosters a sense of community and helps them identify with the project.
Our Story
The origin of our organization – An inspiration through a fridge
Our association's history began during the pre-Christmas season of 2012, when a round-robin email in Manuela's workplace raised the question of whether anyone was interested in a used refrigerator. Although Manuela herself had no need for a refrigerator, she had a deep passion for charitable projects that she managed privately. For many years, Manuela had been fully committed to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged children and young people in poor regions. The email, in which she asked for support for her projects, received a great response. Generous donations followed from many people, and even a colleague inquired about a donation receipt. This event sparked the idea of founding an association. In September 2013, the time had finally come. Eight dedicated founding members gathered at the law firm Dechert LLP to establish Happy Bambini e.V. Since then, our association has been committed to supporting underprivileged children and young people in developing countries. We actively work towards promoting child and youth welfare, supporting school and education opportunities for young people, and encouraging the development of schools and institutions for child and youth care. Our commitment to transparency is reflected in our work. We maintain documentation on the progress of our projects and provide overviews of how our funds are used to ensure that every donation serves a meaningful purpose.
Our Team
At the heart of Happy Bambini e.V. are nine dedicated volunteers who contribute their expertise, commitment, and passion to improve the education and welfare of children in disadvantaged regions. Each member brings unique skills and experiences to help execute sustainable projects that offer children a brighter future. Through their voluntary work, they play a vital role in helping Happy Bambini e.V. achieve its mission.
Manuela Chersi
Founder
Gunvar Schloder
Sri Lanka Representative
Eufemia Lorusso
Accounting
Cathleen Engelke
Layout & Design
Christoph Hage
Design
Tsende Ayush
Mongolia Representative
Alexandra Wiedmer
Design
Alessandro Fraracci
IT
Cecilia Fittkau
South America Representative
Local Helpers
Bogi
Mongolei
Sarul
Mongolei
Zoila
Honduras
Alex
Honduras
Armando
Honduras
Daniel
Argentinien/ Rom
Dolma
Nepal
Sarath
Srilanka
Transparency
Founded in 2013 in Munich, Happy Bambini e.V. focuses on supporting carefully selected projects for children and youth in developing countries. Transparency is crucial to us, so we provide comprehensive information on how donations are used.
What happens with donations?
Every cent of your donation goes directly where it’s needed, into the projects. Each project page includes a photo gallery and detailed information about the funds transferred and the project progress.
How is the association funded?
Administrative tasks are funded through membership fees, allowing donations to be fully allocated to project financing.
How are the projects carried out?
We work with volunteer helpers who coordinate and manage the projects locally. Like us, our local volunteers work on a voluntary basis.
Press
German BR - Interview
March 2021
In March 2021, German broadcaster BR interviewed Manuela Chersi and produced a short video showcasing how our work is carried out.
Shoes for Mongolia - (Sueddeutsche)
January 2021
In January 2021, the children’s charity “Happy Bambini” launched a project supporting development initiatives in many countries in Asia and Central America. Manuela Chersi, inspired by travels with her parents, had a life-changing experience in Indonesia as a teenager. This shaped her commitment to helping disadvantaged children. One of the projects involved providing shoes to an orphanage in Mongolia.
Children's Shoes for a Mongolian Orphanage
September 2020
Happy Bambini proudly supports one of the largest children’s shoe suppliers in Munich, delivering shoes to those in need.
If you want to buy children’s shoes in Munich, sooner or later, you’ll discover our team at Micky’s Schuhhaus in Munich-Solln. We know how difficult it can be for parents to find the right pair of shoes for their little ones, which is why we are very proud to offer an extensive selection of children’s shoes, making shoe shopping for kids an enjoyable experience. We not only sell shoes with passion, but we also want to help people in need to the best of our ability through our passion for shoes.
At the beginning of this year, before the time of Corona, we carried out a large children’s shoe collection campaign together with the organization Happy Bambini.
Happy Bambini e.V. supports people in need, especially children and adolescents in developing countries such as Mongolia, Nepal, Honduras, Indonesia, and Pakistan. This time, the large number of children’s shoes was collected for an orphanage in Mongolia and then shipped there. Two twin sisters, one of whom runs the orphanage in Mongolia and the other who lives here, actively supported us during this large collection campaign earlier this year.
Recently, the twin sister living in Mongolia visited us, where the image for this article was taken. Together, we reflected on the successful collection campaign. The positive feedback from the orphanage director in Mongolia about the children’s joy over the shoes deeply touched our hearts.
In conclusion, we at Micky’s Schuhhaus are delighted to have been able to help children in need and look forward to continuing to support children and adolescents by organizing future shoe collection campaigns.
A.M.S. e.V. – Everything Changed Due to Corona
04.08.2020
A lot has changed for A.M.S. e.V. because of the pandemic. Until recently, personal donation handovers were out of the question. In July, we were informed that Mrs. Manuela Faßhauer Chersi, a board member of “Happy Bambini e.V.,” was in the area and would like to visit us personally to introduce herself. We then searched for a way to make this possible.
Normally, it is customary to hand over donations with all club members present. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions on the number of participants, we decided to welcome Mrs. Faßhauer Chersi in a small setting at AMS.
On August 4, 2020, the board of A.M.S. e.V. conducted the official check handover. A third of the Christmas donation had already been transferred earlier in the year.
Mrs. Faßhauer Chersi updated us on the progress of the school renovation. The interior work is finished, but the children are still eagerly waiting to use the facilities, which has also been delayed due to the pandemic.
During the conversation, we realized how dangerous Honduras is, especially for women. Mrs. Faßhauer Chersi has never been able to visit the site herself out of fear of not being able to return. A friend of hers has been working for many years for a charity in Honduras and serves as a voluntary local coordinator. The construction management was taken over by the vice-principal of the school benefiting from the project. However, after an article appeared in the local press, the situation took a turn.
Suddenly, another “interested party” appeared, trying to claim the position of construction manager, likely to divert our earmarked funds for other purposes, including personal gain. He even took legal action against the vice-principal, leading to an immediate halt in construction. From our perspective, it was an unbelievable display of audacity.
A court hearing followed, where the ruling was in favor of the vice-principal. A significant contribution to this outcome was a letter from Happy Bambini e.V. in Munich and the protest from the parents, allowing the renovation to resume. The tables and chairs for the classrooms are finished and were specifically made in child sizes to prevent them from being requisitioned by local authorities for other uses—a lesson learned from previous experiences.
In Germany, we are completely unaware of such challenges—corruption and governmental arbitrariness on this scale are fortunately not part of our daily lives.
We are pleased to learn that the remaining funds were used to invest in a water cistern. Now, in Honduras, they are waiting for the rain to fill it. Once that happens, the school will have running water for the first time. A solution for drinking water still needs to be found.
WBS Munich Supporting Projects in Developing Countries
24.01.2017
Social commitment is part of WBS’s company culture. Just like the previous year, the company provided each employee with a donation budget of 300 euros to support charitable projects and organizations. At WBS Munich, a total of eleven employees came together and donated 3,300 euros to the charity Happy Bambini e.V.
Happy Bambini e.V. is committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged individuals, focusing on children and youth in developing countries. Whether it’s providing classroom furniture in Honduras, building playgrounds in Mongolia, or installing efficient stoves for needy families in Pakistan, the organization emphasizes sustainable aid.
With a donation from WBS, a village is now receiving a water pipeline, bringing running water to poorer regions.
We wish Happy Bambini e.V. great success in their ongoing projects.
» Ref.: wbstraining.de
Bid on a Vintage Car Sightseeing Tour Through Munich!
18.06. – 25.06.2016
Munich, May 24, 2016. “La dolce vita” in the heart of Munich: be chauffeured for three hours in a bright red, vintage Fiat 500 (year 1970) to Munich’s “hidden places” – and all for a good cause! Happy Bambini e.V. organized this exclusive chauffeur-driven tour with surprise stops as part of an online auction. It ran from June 18 to June 25, 2016, on www.happybambini.eu (auction ends at 9:00 PM). The proceeds went towards the construction and furnishing of a school in the “forgotten place” of La Lagunas/El Jungo in Honduras for about 20 children, including Carmencita Herera (6) and Maria Asturias (4). They dream of a classroom with real walls, desks, chairs, a blackboard, toilets, and – finally – shoes.
The parents and their children live in the poorest conditions, some not even having enough to eat, says Alex Maffeis, the project supervisor on-site. He adds, “With the school, they have a chance for a future.” Manuela Chersi, founder of the organization, says, “We believe that happiness doubles when shared. A happy life is also connected to education.” Happy Bambini e.V. is engaged in global projects that are not supported by large non-profit organizations.
(left): The donation-tour Fiat 500 owned by founder Manuela Chersi.
(right): For Carmencita Herera (left) and Maria Asturias (right), the new school means education, which opens up good future opportunities for them. (Center: Alex Maffeis, project supervisor for Happy Bambini e.V. on-site).
In La Lagunas/El Jungo, the boys and girls are currently being taught in a single classroom without furniture and without functioning sanitation facilities. In 2016, Happy Bambini e.V. plans to build a 40 sqm classroom for the school, which will also serve as a space for homework and a library. The donations will also enable the construction of a separate toilet facility. All parents personally contribute to building the school for a better future for their children. Alex Maffeis and Jorge Ramirez coordinate everything and encourage personal engagement, following the organization’s motto: “Helping people help themselves.”
Happy Bambini e.V. – The name speaks for itself.
Happy Bambini – a name that sounds childishly simple – is the goal of the association based in Munich. It is also the key to solving many global challenges. As Manuela Chersi, founder and chairwoman of the association, says: “A happy childhood is the best foundation for a happy life.” She adds, “A happy life is also connected to education because it enables a self-determined life.” Therefore, Happy Bambini e.V. is committed to:
- Promoting child and youth welfare,
- Supporting and fostering the education and schooling of children and youth,
- Promoting schools and institutions for child and youth care.
All donations go directly to the aid projects. The association supports projects worldwide that do not receive assistance from large non-profit organizations. The goal is to give children a good start in life, allowing them to be children, to learn, and to positively change their lives without having to work.
Transparency is a key concern for Happy Bambini. Each project is documented on the association’s website with progress reports and cost overviews. Local representatives personally accompany each project. A concrete example from Nepal is the establishment of the region’s first official home for children with disabilities. In Nepal, parents often hide children with mental disabilities or even chain them to their beds due to cultural reasons. For example, mental disabilities in Nepal are considered a bad omen for the family. With the construction of an official facility, Happy Bambini e.V. aims to help these children and their families take a step into public life and prevent suffering. The association guarantees that teachers will educate these children to ensure they are appropriately supported. Manuela Chersi adds, “We have many exciting projects planned for children and are grateful for donations and any form of support through active involvement.”
Press contact:
tara PR GmbH, Caroline Kämmerle-Roggmann, Klenzestraße 85, 80469 Munich, Tel. 089/20 20 86 97-6, Fax 089/20 20 86-97-7, Email: croggmann@tara-pr.de
Our Supporters
Our Success is Your Achievement – A Heartfelt Thank You to All Our Supporters!
Your unwavering commitment and generous contributions have allowed us to bring education to the places where it’s needed most. Every brick, every pencil, and every child’s smile is a testament to your support. We are proud to be making the world a better place alongside you. Together, we are building a brighter future, one step at a time. Thank you!