This is the heartbreaking moment children gather around their pal in a slum to celebrate his birthday with a cake made of sand.

Maxsuel Ferreira’s friends immediately started making a cake and different candy-shaped figures of sand when they heard that the lad, nicknamed Suel, turned two in Barras, in the Brazilian state of Piaui.

They then gathered around Suel and his huge cake to clap and sing in celebration of the joyous occasion.

Uploaded to social media by his mother on 13th January, the video, which shows the group of youngsters on unpaved soil in front of a brick wall, quickly went viral, according to local media reports.

Amanda Paz from the social volunteering project Mundo Colorido (Colourful World) paid Suel and his friends a visit on 19th January for another bash, this time with a chocolate cake and a neon green iced cake.

Amanda said she had been gripped by the bond between Suel and his friends and their ability to enjoy the occasion despite the difficult conditions they were living in.

Suel’s mum Maria Lucineide Ferreira told local media: “I took photos and videos of the kids’ sand cake party as souvenirs.”

Speaking about the initial celebration, she explained: “I couldn’t afford to buy a cake, but he had his party, he had his cake. Even though it wasn’t real.”

The single mum of three is currently solely depending on benefits paid by the federal government.

Suel’s sister Alexa is four years old while Nicole was born just one month ago.

They live in a small hut with no bathroom.

Netizens were delighted with the children’s upbeat spirits despite the circumstances.

Social media user ‘yurii_chaves’ commented: “How humble! They know how to be happy in simplicity.”

‘liliancarlamartinscastro’ admitted: “It makes me so emotional to see his joy.”

‘lucilenecarvalho’ added: “God bless these children.”

‘magno.reis’ joked: “He was more excited about the sand cake or is it just me?”

‘wandersombradockk’ concluded: “I sincerely hope that this child’s story has a happy ending.”