The idea to create the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood [PHF] came from our profound need to carry the message of Philippe’s life. Those of us who knew him, know that his time on earth was different than for most of us. And all of us, adults and children, all learnt something from this little boy, who seemed to be wiser than most. His loving and compassionate spirit was so magically contagious, that we decided it needed to live on no matter what. His life may have been short, but it was meaningful, and PHF will carry his message of hope, smiles and compassion wherever the Foundation takes us.
The PHF aims to make less fortunate children of the world happier, and to regain the desire to live and mature into good people. As misery sweeps through children’s lives in all kinds of ways, we want to help make a difference. We don’t naively believe we will eradicate human misery all by ourselves… but we do believe that even one person fighting for children can change another’s life, and that one organization could help thousands more.
And so we set on to develop projects and programs that will make a real, tangible impact, one smile at a time. We will focus on what makes children happy, without any kind of discrimination. We also want to bring awareness to children’s situation, in Lebanon and around the world, especially with other children. Some of our programs will involve children directly, so that a fortunate child can help a less fortunate child, with love and compassion. Teaching children how to care for those who are less fortunate will contribute to making them more responsible and caring adults, another lesson we learned from Philippe.
- The Board of Directors of the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood set a series of principles to abide by in taking any decision related to PHF’s work.
- Live up to Philippe’s standards, and be inspired by his life.
- Focus on making children happy, today, one smile at a time.
- Strive to be different and innovative.
- Focus on making a real/tangible impact.
- Strive to teach children to also be happy from within.
- Actively involve fortunate children in making less fortunate children happy.
- Help children with no discrimination whatsoever of their race, religion, nationality or political affiliations.
- Maximize the use of funds for the benefit of those in need.
A child is a child, no matter where he is from, where he is born, and where he lives. At PHF, we believe it is our responsibility, as citizens of the world, to reach out beyond frontiers and across borders. PHF was established in Lebanon on 13 April 2010 to cover the activities of the Foundation throughout the Middle East; in order to fulfill our international objectives, we are currently working on establishing the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood in the United States of America and in Africa, both of which will become a reality before the end of 2011.
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Teddy-Georges Hatem, Founder and President
Teddy-Georges Hatem is Philippe’s father. He is Founder and President of the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood. He is also the Chairman, Chief-Executive-Officer and Founder of CDS, a leading management consulting firm active in the Middle-East region since 1994. With more than 20 years of management consulting experience, his work has covered a wide variety of industries in the private sector as well as for non-profit organizations. Prior to establishing CDS, Mr. Hatem worked…
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Carol Nader, Vice President
“It is unthinkable to watch human misery unfold, and not react. Every one of us, to his/her own scale, should give back a little of what he receives. This is what I based my children’s education on. Try and make the world a better place.” Carol Nader is Philippe’s mother. She is Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood. Prior to Philippe’s death, Ms. Nader spent nine years teaching sewing in prisons…
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Me Fady Ziade, Secretary
Me Fady Ziade is the Secretary General of the Philippe Hatem Foundation for a Happy Childhood. He is also Founder and Managing Director of the Fady Ziadé Law Firm for more than 30 years and member of the Beirut Bar since 1969. Fady Ziadé Law Firm has established a solid reputation for offering a full range of quality legal services and cooperates with prominent law firms in Europe, the USA and the Middle East. The firm is favored by major and mid-sized clients from Lebanon…
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