Noticing a lack of access of books within schools and communities, in 2022 Mischa Wijesekera and Leyla Goucha founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Happi Readers, Inc. to promote literacy in underserved communities through book donations. Happi Readers strives to combat book deserts and ensure that every child can foster a love for reading from a young age.

Within three weeks of launching Happi Readers, Mischa and Leyla collected 1,000 books. Now, Happi Readers has intiated donation efforts in over 50 schools in all 50 states and half a dozen countries to donate over 8,000 books.

Happi Readers has also partnered with numerous other non-profit organizations, including the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, Friends of the Houston Public Library, Nu'Goddess Foundation Inc., and The Book Cycle.

Aside from donating books to individiual schools, in May of 2023 and 2024, Happi Readers and Nu'Goddess held an annual book exchange where 700+ students were able to take home 2-5 books for the summer. 

Next up, Mischa and Leyla hope to donate 10,000 books before the end of 2025.