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Ha👓y World Foundation Inc.

@happyworldinc

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Promoting global citizenship education, cross-cultural understanding & citizen-to-citizen diplomacy in schools & communities in the 🇺🇸 & abroad 🌎👓

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Muchas gracias por brindarle a cada niño la oportunidad de conocer el mundo 🗺 sin salir de sus aulas.
Thank you for giving every child the opportunity to experience the world without ever leaving their classrooms.
¡Ven, hazte voluntario! Come volunteer with us! 🌍👓 by @happyworldinc

Growing up in #India 🇮🇳 with societal + parental pressure and obsession with careers in engineering, medicine and law, I had NEVER imagined I would someday learn Spanish, give up my pursuit of an engineering degree and find my lifelong calling and passion for connecting children, schools and communities worldwide. I am so incredibly excited to travel to Argentina 🇦🇷 today to keynote the 6th International Education Congress, to share our @happyworldinc story with over 30,000 educators and to inspire them to champion global citizenship education and cross-cultural understanding in their schools and communities.
#Argentina has a very special place in my heart. Hundreds of Argentinian youth volunteer with our nonprofit connecting thousands of American 🇺🇸 students with Argentinian culture and helping them with their Spanish skills. Thousands of Argentinian teachers also avail of our database to connect students in their classrooms virtually with people in over 150 countries. I hope to build even more bridges of goodwill and collaboration over the next two weeks to further our shared goal of a HAPPY world free of bigotry and prejudice 🌎👓 #CIE2022 by @happyworldinc

4 years ago today, we lost our loving co-founder @happypatel91 to a tragic plane crash in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will forever be in our hearts ♥️ and the work we do connecting people and communities worldwide. Siempre en nuestros corazones 🌍👓 by @happyworldinc

Made it to #Spain! 🇪🇸

What a night in Alcalá de Henares — after an incredible roundtable with executives and leaders from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and @federacionele (Federación Española de Asociaciones de Escuelas de Español para Extranjeros) we stepped out to the Plaza de Cervantes, at the foot of Don Quixote.

I am honored to be here representing the United Nations Association of the United States of America (@una.usa ), as Past President of ACTFL, and on behalf of Happy World Foundation Inc. — building bridges through languages and cultures.

Grateful for this VIP invitation from FEDELE and for sharing this moment with powerhouse colleagues and friends: National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE) President Dr. Margarita Machado-Casas, @aatspglobal American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese President-Elect Sybil Sanz, and AATSP Immediate Past President RB Bell.

We had an absolute blast and made some very high-level connections. This is just the beginning of a very exciting week in #Madrid and #Valencia.

Thank you to the Spanish Ministry and FEDELE for believing in the power of language education to unite people and nations 🇺🇸🇪🇸🌍❤️ by @happyworldinc

🇺🇸 As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday next month, it’s a fitting time to recognize the people who make our communities stronger every day.

Tomorrow, the United Nations Association of the United States of America - Oklahoma City Chapter @unausaokc in collaboration with @happyworldinc will honor 22 extraordinary Oklahoma women whose leadership, service, and compassion have improved lives across our state at the 2026 Women of Impact Awards Ceremony at the Dove Event Center.

From educators and healthcare professionals to community advocates, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders, these women remind us that the American story is still being written by individuals who choose to serve others, uplift others, and make a lasting difference.

Thank you to FOX 25 for the opportunity to share these inspiring stories today alongside Ira Simbolon-Burrough, MLA, Public Relations Director of United Nations Association of Oklahoma City. @una.usa

Leadership. Service. Impact. 🇺🇸🇺🇳

#America250 #Oklahoma #Leadership #CommunityImpact #WomenLeaders by @happyworldinc

Fifteen years ago, I was a college student with a backpack and a one-way mindset — saying yes to places I couldn’t pronounce and opportunities I didn’t feel ready for.

One of those yeses took me to the Dominican Republic… into the Office of the then First Lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández @margaritacdf

That’s where I met Armando Manzueta @ajmanzueta

We were just two young people in a room way bigger than us — trying to find our place in the world.

Last week, I saw him again… at the @unitednations

No longer interns.

Armando is now the Vice Minister for Public Innovation and Digital for the Dominican Republic.
And I stood there as Chairman of the National Council at @una.usa

He was the keynote speaker.
I spoke to the same students — in Spanish, from the heart.

We didn’t coordinate this moment.
Life did.

And in that room, something powerful happened: Students didn’t just hear about diplomacy.
They saw it.

Two kids who once felt out of place…
now standing at the UN, helping others find theirs.

That’s the power of saying yes —
to the unknown,
to the uncomfortable,
to the long road that doesn’t make sense until it does.

Fifteen years ago, we were just trying to get in the room. Last week, we realized… we never left.

Full circle. 🇺🇸🇺🇳🇩🇴 by @happyworldinc

April 9 will always be a day that changed my life forever. It’s the anniversary of my twin brother @happypatel91 ‘s passing — but more than that, it’s a reminder of the kind of life he lived.

On April 9, 2018, I lost my twin brother, Anand “Happy” Patel, in a plane crash. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

Happy didn’t just chase success — he brought people together. Whether it was through entrepreneurship, music, or simply showing up for others, he had a way of making the world feel smaller, warmer, and more connected.

After we lost him, I struggled to make sense of it. But over time, I realized something: his story didn’t end that day. Today, his legacy lives on through the Happy World Foundation — connecting classrooms across 160+ countries, training educators, feeding communities, and giving students opportunities to see the world through a broader lens.

Thousands of lives have been impacted. And that’s who Happy was — someone who gave, who uplifted, and who believed in people.

Today, I don’t just remember the loss — I celebrate his life, his energy, and the impact he continues to have on this world.

If you knew Happy, you know exactly what I mean. And if you didn’t — I hope you carry forward a little of his spirit today: Be kind. Be bold. Bring people together.

Forever my twin. Forever my brother. 💙 by @happyworldinc

The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City and Happy World Foundation Inc. are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 Women of Impact Awards, held in celebration of International Women’s Day.

At a time when women around the world — from the brave women of Iran and Afghanistan to the courageous survivors who have come forward in the Epstein cases — continue to face profound challenges, we are reminded of the importance of uplifting and honoring the women in our own communities who stand for dignity, opportunity, and empowerment.

We invite Oklahomans to recognize the women whose leadership inspires positive change and strengthens the lives of others.

➡️ Nominate an inspiring woman here: https://tinyurl.com/3mcp6dye by @happyworldinc

Incredibly proud moment! The 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala, a labor of love by the Happy World Foundation Inc., United Nations Association of Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma City Community College, has been featured by the @unitednations 🇺🇳 🇺🇸

This recognition underscores a powerful truth: the most impactful global change often starts at the local level. From Oklahoma City to the world stage, our honorees prove that leadership, compassion, and courage know no borders.

Thank you to the UN for highlighting the work of these extraordinary leaders:
🏆 Mohammad & Jalal Farzaneh, @homecreationsokc
🏆 Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum @okcnm
🏆 Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., @thecherokeenation
🏆 President Mautra Staley Jones @otriplec
🏆 Phil G. Busey and Cathy Busey, Delaware Resource Group

Their stories of global citizenship are now inspiring a worldwide audience. Read the full feature below! by @happyworldinc

Today, I was deeply honored to accept the City of Norman’s Humanitarian Day proclamation from Mayor @holman.for.norman — in memory of my late twin brother, @happypatel91 , a proud Norman resident, and on behalf of the Happy World Foundation Inc.’s global, nonpartisan work promoting peacebuilding in schools and communities worldwide.

What began as a way to honor Happy’s life has grown into a movement, training over 100,000 educators, mobilizing volunteers from 150+ countries, and connecting hundreds of thousands of students across borders to foster empathy, understanding, and global citizenship.

This recognition is not just mine. It belongs to every humanitarian worker, teacher, student, and community leader who believes in the power of education to build a more peaceful world. 🌍💙

Thank you, Mayor Holman, Human Rights Commissioner Aisha Ali and the @thecityofnorman , for celebrating the values of compassion, service, and global connection. Happy’s spirit continues to inspire every step of this journey. by @happyworldinc

This weekend, the United Nations Association of the United States of America - OKC chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. proudly hosted the 2025 Global Citizen Awards, honoring five remarkable leaders whose visionary work is creating lasting impact across Oklahoma and around the world:

🏹 Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation – Advancing Cherokee sovereignty, health, housing, and language preservation in alignment with the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages.
🏡 Mohammad & Jalal Farzaneh, Home Creations – Transforming lives through business, philanthropy, and $10M+ in charitable giving to education, healthcare, and research.
🌱 Kari Watkins – Building a global legacy of resilience through the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
🎓 Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, Ed.D. – Breaking barriers in higher education and expanding equitable access to opportunity.
🌐 Phil & Cathy Busey, Delaware Resource Group – Blending global enterprise with local investment in youth and the arts.

🎉 Over 200 guests joined us for an unforgettable evening filled with inspiring multicultural performances, powerful storytelling, and a shared vision for global unity and purpose-driven leadership.

📚 Most importantly, thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised thousands of dollars for study abroad scholarships benefiting students at Oklahoma City Community College
—opening doors for the next generation of global citizens.

💬 Special thanks to keynote speaker William Davis, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Washington, D.C., for his inspiring remarks and to everyone who helped make this evening so impactful.

Together, we’re building a more connected, compassionate world. 🌎 by @happyworldinc

This morning, Melody Derksen and I went live on FOX25 to discuss our upcoming 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala at the United Nations Association of Oklahoma City & Happy World Foundation Inc. honoring Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, Kari Watkins, Phil G. Busey and Cathy Busey, Jalal Farzaneh and Mohammad Farzaneh.
Join us on Saturday, July 26 at 6 pm: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-global-citizen-awards-gala by @happyworldinc