The Happy Heart Story

It all started in 2008 when the Happy Heart Founder, Mardy saw that the children in the rural villages of Puok were running wild each day. Many of the children didn't attend school and had no structure to their lives. After questioning what the children's futures will look like if they continue like this, Mardy started thinking about ways he could help. He wanted to find a way to get all these children together and create a place for them to go each day, just so they have little bit of structure. In the beginning Mardy formed a Sunday school at a local house. Each week the children would get together in one place, sing hymns, learn about the Bible and play games.

The programme then developed and Mardy started offering English classes as well. English is very important in Cambodia when it comes to getting a good job. Mardy wanted the children to have the best future possible so started teaching basic English. Still with no permanent building these lessons were held at a local house. There were 3 classes all being held in one room.

After acquiring some land in 2008, the first building was built in 2009. Mardy now had a base and a place where the children could go everyday. A few years later the name Happy Heart Organization was established and the centre began to expand.

In April 2021 Happy Heart became a registered NGO, and is now like a second home for all of its 250 students.

Happy Heart Organization is now built up of 5 classrooms, 1 computer lab, a Sunday school hall, and accommodation and facilities for volunteers. There is still a long way to go and Mardy has a dream to have 10 Happy Heart Centres so that all children in rural areas can have access to education.