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Happy Horizons Children's Ranch |
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Two months later Happy Horizons took in four street girls who had been picked up for prostitution and petty acts of violence or other criminal activity. All four girls were under the age of 14.
Today Happy Horizons has 56 full-time residential children, 5 full-time college students, and approximately 600 additional children that they touch through five other projects. The compound also has Happy Horizons Academy (a school for the children to attend), a church building, and a vocational training program.
A new kitchen has just been built at Happy Horizons. They are in desperate need of furnishings for this, including stoves, shelving, trays, refrigerators (chillers) and other equipment. To totally furnish the kitchen facility will require about $18,000. They are also in desperate need of a diesel generator. This needs to be a 75 KVW diesel generator set, which will cost $16,500. They also have a new girls dorm that needs furnishing. This dorm will accommodate 25 new girls; most of whom are coming from the child rescue project. They need 25 beds, 25 small dressers, 25 desks, 25 chairs, pillows, linens, curtains, rods, lamps, fans and other supplies. To completely furnish the new girls dorm will cost $10,250. Finally, they need to complete the second phase of their school project. They have about 75 percent of this project now complete. To totally finish the second phase of their school project will require $35,000. If you would like to partner with Global Assist Network and Happy Horizons—rescuing trafficked girls and street children . . . giving them help and hope for the future—we would be grateful. If possible, please DONATE NOW! For smaller national and international projects that need your help NOW, |
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Happy Horizons began in 1994 as a small outreach to the street children in Cebu. It was soon very obvious to our partners in this project that what the street children needed most was a "home" and a "family." Thus, the idea for this outreach was birthed. The mission: to rescue, rehabilitate, and become a voice for forgotten children in Cebu, Philippines.
In 1995 Happy Horizons took in its first family of orphans, which included four boys and one girl who was autistic. Shortly after these children came to the home, it was discovered that they had another sibling that was being cared for by an aunt who was receiving funds from another NGO to care for the boy. Our partners went to the home of the aunt and found the 7-year-old boy emaciated, unable to walk, and lying in his own filth. They determined the boy couldn't remain with the aunt, and took him back to Happy Horizons.
The Garrisons, founders of Happy Horizons, learned quickly that their vision was a lot of hard work, and by the end of the first year, HHCR was near closure. They spent a short time back in the States to raise funds and awareness about their work, and shortly following this time funds began to come in for expanding their staff, building a facility for staff and building a new dorm. 
In May 2006 Happy Horizons began partnering with another international organization in rescuing children who are being trafficked for sex in Cebu. There are about 50 "houses" in Cebu; some has as few as 6 to 8 girls and others have more than 100 invovled. Most of these girls are underage. Happy Horizons has become the rehabilitation home for the children who have been, and continue to be rescued. After spending a short time in the "Safe House" in Cebu, they are brought to the Ranch for school and integration into a "family" community.
