World Cup Soccer Mania has hit Haiti

June 16, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Haitians call soccer football. They really love the sport. They are basically for one of two teams – Brazil or Argentina and most are for Brazil. We just finished watching Brazil play North Korea. My little Ti Luc was sitting here with a group of us and he kept yelling “Brasil, Brasil”. When they scored the two goals he was standing up and yelling. What a riot.

Ti Luc cheering for Brasil

My daughter, Liette, saw that game in person as she is in South Africa for the World Cup. She has a lot of envious friends and family members. The people watching the game in my house kept hoping to see Liette and Ti Luc was also yelling “Kote ou Liette?” (“Where are you, Liette?”)

Today our school was closed due to the Brazil game. Final exams started yesterday. We knew that today no one, teachers or students, would have their minds on anything but the Brazil game. Tomorrow the exams will continue. Our construction workers borrowed half a day today to watch the match too. They assured me they will work the four hours during this week. No doubt they will. No doubt too they were thrilled to leave and watch the match. Almost no one works during an exciting game in Haiti.

Well folks – exactly five months after the earthquake, on June 12th – Ti Luc slept back in the house in his own bed. I had been talking about it for some time to prepare him, about how special that would be, etc. He went willingly and is ready to go to his own bed every night now – no problems whatsoever. I have yet to make it to mine as my room had become a storage depot. I am, however, almost there. Sleeping in the house but not yet in my bed.

TiLuc in his bed exactly 5 months after EQ

Ti Luc has a new trick to share now. He can turn on the TV by himself without a remote. He asked for television and I had said “tomorrow, it is too late in the day now”. He walked away without any fuss. I came into the living room and saw him trying to turn it on himself so I grabbed the camera and hid. He knew which button to push and tried to get his fingers to rest on it, but that is a very difficult task for him. He is a determined little guy and soon I saw him use his elbow to turn it on. He was thrilled but knew he needed to push one more button (smaller) to bring the picture from the satellite dish. He managed that by himself too, also by using his elbow. What joy of accomplishment on his face. Today I saw him turn it on using his chin.

I saw my mama push this button

Fingers not steady – try the elbow

Got it on Mama

A start was made on moving the fourth tank yesterday but something important came up and it could not be finished. The room on that level that was being used for storage, however, did come down. It looks empty up there now. Now when the last tank gets moved to its new home we are ready to have that heavy cement roof knocked down. That might mean that both satellite dishes (for internet and for TV) have to be taken down for protection and put back up after. I might possibly be without internet service for a day. If I have to loose it, hopefully it will be no more than a day. I would like to find a way for that roof to come down without the possibility of it crashing the satellite dishes so they could stay where they are.

Going to take down the room upstairs

gone

The workers have also been continuing with the cement work on the storage rooms. That will soon be finished. The railing for the stairs up to the tanks is almost finished as well. Luckner said today the doors for the storage rooms are done so soon they will be put on. Slowly and steadily the work is getting done. Because we have been working on a few different things at the same time it seems to be taking a long time. But things are happening and I am pleased with how it is being done.

trying to get storage rooms finished

Remember: IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN !!!!

That’s it for this time. Good night friends. God bless you.

~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

I am so thankful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve at HATS and to finally experience the great work that God is doing there. I look forward to seeing them all again when I visit next time.

Nancy Goodwin
HATS Visitor
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
HATS Visitor
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
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
I spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
HATS Visitor
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
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
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