Group ensures happy birthdays for hundreds of less-fortunate kids

Hundreds of less fortunate children tasted the happiness of celebrating their birthdays, thanks to the help of Birthday Happiness Asia, an non-profit organization which organized birthday parties for them.

The nonprofit organization was co-founded by Edward Fernandes in 2020, in memory of his wife and co-founder Marilou, with a mission to make sure that all children experience the joy of celebrating their birthdays.

The organization's overarching mission is to create a lasting memory that improves the many aspects of their celebrant's lives. They have found that celebrants' attitudes, studies, and even relationships with those close to them have all improved after a "joyous party".

The organization currently organizes four parties a month on average, but it is looking to increase the frequency to two or three parties per week towards the end of the year. Each party has about 30 participants including eight celebrants on average aged between six and 13 with their guests.

Fernandes co-founded the original Birthday Happiness along with Marilou with the firm belief that all children, not only their children and grandchildren, should celebrate their birthdays. Edward said: "We could see the benefits in our children so why not in everybody else."

The original beginnings of Birthday Happiness fell through due to Marilou falling critically ill but it was given new life when Edward approached Peter Manktelow, who had worked with the original Birthday Happiness, and asked him to help get it going again. Birthday Happiness Asia was started in memory of Marilou. "She is the driving force behind it - our methodology is down to her," said the husband.

Manktelow is the director of the organization and works behind the scenes. He deals with the company's administration, and helps manage the company and raise money for it.

"I help with everything behind the scenes, whilst Edward is the front man who actually goes out there, attends the parties, organizes the volunteers I do everything else," said Manktelow.

Fernandes said: "I get the easy part. I get the cake and play with the children."

"We want to give the celebrants and their guests a great party to serve as a reminder to them when their birthday was celebrated, even if it's only once, it could be something to hang onto. We give them a birthday party, have games such as pass the parcel and musical chairs, as well as a birthday cake, preferably homemade. We also give them a present that doesn't promote sexism, violence or racism," Fernandes added.

Birthday Happiness Asia works with partnering organizations that provide centers for parties to be held, while Birthday Happiness provides the volunteers, decoration, cakes, presents etc.

These locations include a wide variety of centers such as community centers and schools, having just hosted a party at the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf. Also recently was a visit to Love 21 Foundation, an organization that helps people with autism and Down syndrome, who they will be returning to next month.

"Marilou insisted that we bring the volunteers in an hour ahead. For 45-50 minutes we would decorate the venue, and with the last 10 minutes of prep time we always get the social workers to talk to the volunteers: what is this school? What is this center? What do they deal with? What difficulties do they have?" said Fernandes.