Carita Feliz was founded in March 2001 by Peder Kolind. Having recently moved to Granada, he found many children hungry and begging for food. The first day, he bought food from a street vendor for 70 children. The following day, he found 130 children expectantly waiting for him as he walked through the park. As he realized this was an expensive way to feed children and unsustainable, he asked a lady sitting on a nearby bench if she could cook and the following day they went together to buy a large pot, rice and beans.

The children came with bowls and lined up in a dirt street where the cooking took place. Within a week, the rumour had spread and 150 children lined up with bowls large and small. This continued until the rainy season began and the mud and puddles made it impossible to feed the children – a center had to be built. The result is the existing Carita Feliz center that has since grown to include education, work, health and many other programs.

His son, Andreas Kolind, spent over a year in Granada and together they have greatly expanded the center activities and members.

Everything is completely free for all and the center has no religious or political affiliation.