The Happiness Project is an attempt by Egyptian youth from different educational backgrounds, who were gathered by a single idea, which is to spread happiness amongst the less fortunate. While others may think that helping the less fortunate can only be done financially, this group believes that psychological help is more important and effective, and they do that through coloring and restoring the working-class neighborhoods.
This project was founded in 2013 by Hashem Raafat – 23- an Architecture student who started the project with only 13 members until they reached 45. The project enabled them to spend their time doing what they love and creating art works that would have a great effect on the residents of those neighborhoods.
The project first started with a small wall in Bab El-Khalk in Cairo, and then the idea expanded to coloring Darb Saada and El-Geddawy alleys. The group’s activities reached Fayoum and Nubia, and they colored parts of Heisa island, the last island in Nubia, which Raafat describes as one of the world’s most beautiful islands.
Raafat wishes to color the rest of Heisa island, and that his project would be a reason for tourists to visit Nubia and Egypt.