Thank You and Update on Repairs

February 8, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Thank you from the HATS-Haiti Mission to everybody who has helped, and who are continuing to help, with the unimaginable pain and suffering of the people in our area of Haiti.

Several people who were transferred from PaP, to the hospital in our area, have received financial help because of your generosity. Medical supplies have been given to the hospital as well as to individuals. Funds have been dispensed to help people repair their homes.

Your financial support and your encouragement are both so very important. You may be far from Haiti but it is very obvious that your hearts are in Haiti. You have been touched by what you have seen and heard and you have responded amazingly. Thank you.

At the HATS mission many large and expensive repairs need to be made:

School;
Director’s House/Offices/Water Tower Building;
Compound Enclosure Walls;
Kid’s Home for Boys.

Besides this we must finish the Support Missionary House that was underway during the earthquake. Too, there are repairs that need to be made to the washrooms for the orphanage – toilets and showers, etc. An estimate on the cost to repair or redo these things is $75,000.

Repairs have already been made to the secondary section of our school. The whole front wall had to be rebuilt, along with the foundation underneath that wall. Our school will likely reopen within the next two weeks. At this time we will be taking in a number of students, at no charge, who have relocated to this area from PaP due to the quake.

The building in which I live, and which also has two offices, and space for visiting missionaries has serious problems. Four 1000 gallon water tanks are situated at the very top of the building, which actually is level four. That whole level swayed back and forth a great deal on three different days – during the earthquake, and in two forceful aftershocks. Each time I expected it to fall. The support columns for that level have structural damage. Thus no one has slept in this building since the quake. At the moment there are seven little mosquito tents set up in the yard. We will continue to sleep outside until all repairs are made.

A water tower building has been started behind this building. The digging for the foundation has been done and construction of the foundation will get underway today. When finished the four water tanks will be moved to the top of that building. The bottom level of that building will have a storage depot for things for the orphanage.

This building in which I live has only part of the second level completed. The rest has remained without walls since the beginning. For short-term missionaries we have always set up mosquito tents there. They have enjoyed the airflow that has offered. Now, however, we see that we absolutely must finish the walls in this space. Doing so will give added and necessary support for the level above it.

One of the houses for children, that had been used for storage, but was being readied to house boys, has a lot of damage and cannot be repaired. It has slowly and steadily continued to crack – both walls and roof. We hope to get it down before it should fall. This was the one and only building here that was not done under the direction of an engineer. We plan to put up another children’s home on the same spot which will take ten boys. When finished I will welcome more orphans into our family.

Sections of the enclosure (high cement block fence) have to be replaced and some sections braced. In several places the support columns for the fence have cracked/split badly, and the fence could fall.

Lots to be done, but work is already underway. Last week all work was suspended due to all the other things we had to undertake and arrange due to the death of Serlande.

Again, a very big thank you to all of you. Thank you for the various fundraisers. Thank you to those who donated time, donated items, and donated money. All the work done by those taking care of the donations, followup, and banking is also donated. Every dollar donated to the HATS-Haiti Mission comes to Haiti to help in this community. All funds received are used for the purpose received.

On behalf of the people in this area of the Artibonite Valley ” Thank you and God bless you”. As you bless others in need you too will be blessed.

~Karen

About Karen Huxter

Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.

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Testimonials

One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.

Donna Wheeler
HATS Visitor
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.

Aimee Feaver
HATS Visitor
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!

Kathleen
HATS Visitor
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
HATS Visitor
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
HATS Visitor
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
HATS Visitor
We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!

Ashley Withrow, Nicki White & Deborah Gilbert
HATS Visitors