Helping children and adolescents

We are non-governmental, non-political, and non-religious.

We support children and adolescents; and many are orphans who have, or are affected by, AIDS. They often get the virus through mother-to-child transmission, blood transfusion, sexual abuse or harmful traditional practices including FGM.

In 2019, Sierra Leone had over 8,200 children and adolescents with HIV. Very few children – only 18 percent – get the lifesaving medication and help they need. Read our overview of child and adolescent HIV in Sierra Leone.

There is currently no cure for HIV. However, a combination of medication and lifestyle changes can help people keep the virus under control and their immune system healthy.

Our ambition

We want to empower vulnerable children and adolescents to:

• improve their quality of life

• access information and support in their local communities

• reach their potential.

Main aims

• Intensify case finding for children and adolescents living with HIV

• Increase access to appropriate HIV care, treatment, prevention and support services for children and adolescents living with HIV

• Improve knowledge and skills on SRHR (Sexual reproductive health and rights) including HIV, sexuality education among adolescents, menstrual hygiene management among adolescents girls and young women.

We fulfil our aims in different ways.

Our dedicated team

HAPPY Kids charity has a pool of competent and qualified staff. The team leads and supports our activities.

Mrs Mariama Conteh is the Director and Founder of HAPPY Kids and Adolescents. She started HAPPY as a community-based organization in 2006.

For ten years, until January 2021, she was the National Coordinator for HIV Testing Services in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone.

Mariama’s work in HIV units at various hospitals, clinics and community-based support groups defined her life and career path.

She was moved by the sight of children abandoned and stigmatised because of HIV; this inspired her to set up HAPPY to help these children survive and thrive.

Where are we

Our headquarters are in Freetown but we have resource centres in seven districts in Sierra Leone:

• Kenema

• Bo

• Western Area Urban District

• Western Area Rural District

• Pujehun

• Kailahun and

• Bombali.

Registered status

We are legally registered to operate as a National Non-Governmental Organization in Sierra Leone. Our registration certificate number is NNGO/626.

Sponsors, partners and supporters

HAPPY is pleased to be affiliated with NETHIPS (Network of HIV Positives in Sierra Leone).

As a small non-profit charity, we rely on external funding and donations:

• We currently receive funding from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

• Past donors include the Swedish National Committee for UNICEF, and Manchester United Football Club.

Our main funders and supporters include:

• The AIDS Healthcare Foundation

• UNAIDS

• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

• the Sierra Leone community, Cambridge, UK

• Solthis (Therapeutic Solidarity & Initiative for Health)

• NACP MOHS (National AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health & Sanitation, Sierra Leone).

We are grateful to all our sponsors, partners and supporters.

Our work depends on donations so please donate so we can help more children and adolescents in Sierra Leone.