Together We Stand, Divided We Fall

July 17, 2011 Posted by Karen Huxter

It truly does feel like an overheated oven. Yesterday we did not get rain which meant the heat and humidity stayed high. With rain comes mud outside the compound but it also reduces the atrocious level of humidity somewhat, and makes for more comfortable sleeping. This is important especially in light of the fact that the generator continues to give us problems and has not been working again for four days. We will be sending someone to PAP on Monday, to where we purchased the generator for a new relay for the starter. We have been managing due to a ‘fet’ in Liancourt. EDH (Haitian Elelctric Company) does not tend to give electricity for things that are necessary to live, but will do so when people want to party for a few days. Right now I say “party on folks and keep the electricity coming our way too.”

The construction on the foundation for the office at the school is nearing completion. Soon work will start on the building itself.

Foundation almost finished at school

Today the clotheslines for the children’s homes are being moved to a better location. They are no longer between both children’s homes, which was a nusiance, prevented children playing there, and an eyesore to boot. The lines are going up between Kay Timbrmart and the Multipurpose Room (aka devotion room). They will run the length of the fence there which will not be a problem for the play area – swing set, basketball court, etc. Today also, now that the clotheslines have been removed there, the cement in front of Kay Margo is being leveled, and the holes from the clotheslines filled in. There will soon be a beautiful place for the children to play between the two houses. Plus a nice place to walk quickly (which I tend to do) without the danger of being cut off at the neck by a line.

clotheslines moving to a better location

Clotheslines gone, cement being leveled

Due to the cement work being done today, the children all have to stay in Kay Timbrmart, watching videos (oh torture for them), and eating on the gallery there. The only problem is Ti Fi. She constantly sneaks out and tries to walk through the wet cement.

Movie time in Kay Timbrmart

Lunch time on gallery of Kay Timbrmart

lunch time

TiFi

I told you on the last blog that since Ti Luc’s paperwork had not come through that he and I would not be going to NS and NL as planned. I had completely given up on the idea of attending the Springdale reunion and other reunions affiliated with it. It was not an easy thing to accept. Ti Luc and I were both very disappointed and sad, but I did my best to explain to him why we could not go. Well, thanks to my daughter Liette’s encouragement, good advice, and gentle loving pushing (something like mine to dear little Anne to walk, not crawl over the rocks) I will be going, not Monday, 18th, but one week later Monday, July 25th. It means one week less to be away but it also means I will miss out on what is always very special to me – time in Yarmouth. I will have to save that for another year. I still can’t imagine leaving without Ti Luc, and the tears flow when I think about doing it after my promises to him, but I know he and I will survive it. He cried a lot this morning when I mentioned it to him and kept saying “mwen meme tou Maman, mwen meme tou.” “Me too Mama, me too.” I know that I will have a precious and blessed time back east. Luckner, Jessie and Seth, agreed wholeheartedly with Liette that I really should go. Luckner, as usual, will be in charge here. He will have help from Seth and Jessie and the three of them will be covering things with Ti Luc. Jessie and Seth have agreed that Ti Luc can sleep at their place, and no doubt he will spend some time at Papa’s too. That arrangement is what is going to make it easier for him with me going without him.

Our kids, including us big kids sometimes, are enjoying the swing set. Moving it here was a very smart move. I will be looking for two additional attachments for it that the children can enjoy.

Leica

Anne

Djeumima and Mirlande

Karma

Looks who likes the swing

Again thank you for all your support and encouragement. Together we stand, divided we fall. We need all of you to help us keep standing for the children of Haiti.

Anne 14 months holding Sandra almost 3 months

Dieunel, Ti Luc and Anne

My orange tree

Corn growing in back yard

Grapes on the vine outside my house

Karena and Josie

Jofky and Karena

Ismyis and Judel

My kids. Two missing

JJ and Mirlande

Ti Luc with Jessie

Moise & Vladimy

Anne with Jessie

It is all about the children!!!!

Love from all of us,

~Karen and gang

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
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
HATS Visitor
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.

Gerry Rhyno
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.

Sara-May Cardy
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
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