Over 120,000 children and 250 towns visited – this is what the Happy Kids Foundation has achieved as part of the Happy Bus summer project, implemented since 2010. This holiday season, the foundation is organizing a campaign for the fourteenth time in which Pepco is a partner. The project aims to equalize opportunities for education and fun for children from rural areas and small towns, providing them with attractions not available on a daily basis in locations outside larger urban centers.
A playground on wheels
Every year, as part of the Happy Bus project, colorful buses turn into mobile playgrounds, offering children, among others, sports competitions, reading fairy tales, inflatables, face painting, braiding and many other attractions. The bravest ones can take part in a tug of war or a water fight. There are many opportunities, also for parents who can try their hand at obstacle courses and sports competitions, as well as take part in first aid lessons. Happy Bus volunteers have prepared not only special activities for children of all ages. English-speaking animators also encourage learning English and getting to know other cultures and traditions through play, because the Happy Kids Foundation brings together volunteers from all over the world, including: from Kenya, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
This year, the foundation's team will also visit children who struggle with physical disabilities and those staying in hospices, organizing special workshops for them with the participation of fairy-tale characters.
– We are glad that Pepco has been supporting us in our travels for seven editions. By acting together, we can reach dozens of small towns throughout Poland, giving their residents the opportunity to spend interesting time during the holidays – comments Aneta Snopkiewicz, operational director of the project from the Happy Kids Foundation.
Pepco supports children
Pepco has been cooperating with the Happy Kids Foundation since 2017, and in 2020, the company financed the purchase, import and modernization of one of the buses – a yellow American School Bus.
– Learning and engaging fun with peers provided by the Happy Kids Foundation is a great opportunity for a child's development and building their curiosity about the world – says Kasia Wilczewska, Head of Corporate Communication at Pepco.
Where and when you can find the Happy Bus
This year, the Happy Bus organizers have planned several dozen stops on three routes – blue, green and yellow. The bus stops at each stop for 2-3 days, and the Happy Bus crew is available from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; all animations will be adjusted to the weather.
