Many Wonderful Visits this Week

August 9, 2012 Posted by Karen Huxter

First I want to talk about our HATS School – IMKH.

The results of the grade six and grade nine governmental exams are in our hands as of today. Luckner and I are pleased with the results. There are two students who failed in grade nine, and four in grade six. These exams can be very difficult and if sponsored students do not pass we give them a second chance. In other words ‘Do not quit school. Redo the grade a second time. ‘

We are all thrilled that our own Vladimy passed his grade nine. He will be attending another school this year, along with several other students in our sponsoring program. When they pass grade nine, and leave our school, they do not leave the program. We encourage them to go all the way and graduate. We have them transfer to another school in Liancourt. As long as their sponsors continue to support them we will see that their schooling is paid for.

The government had given the date of Sept 3rd for schools to reopen. Last weekend they announced that schools will open on October 1st instead. That announcement has pleased a lot of people – parents especially.

This week has been very busy with parents or students picking up the fabric for their uniforms. When this is completed, then we have the huge job of going through all textbooks on hand. We have to decide what is reusable, and then figure out what is needed for all the students we have sponsored. A lot of textbooks need to be purchased, organized and given to students and/or parents. School is closed but our work for the school is never done.

Parents or students picking up fabric to sew school uniforms

Speaking of sponsors. A huge thank you is going out to all our sponsors. Many students would not be receiving an education if you were not supporting them through HATS. This year we need more sponsors. Thank you to those of you who have already committed yourselves as new sponsors for this year. Information will come to you soon with the name of your student and grade. Are there any others who are willing and able to pay for a child to attend school? If so, please let us know. Information is on our website, or contact Dickie MacDonald. His address is: hatsa.yarmouth@gmail.com. We have students in prescolaire; elementary – 1-6; and secondary 7-9 who need a sponsor.

Seth and Jessie have been here for 8 days for a visit and will be leaving again tomorrow. Jessie’s teaching job where they live in the US starts August 13th. They have enjoyed being back and everyone has enjoying having them.

Joan Wight, who is my friend and family, from Montreal, spent two days here on the weekend. It was great having Joan back again. Joan was here, as were Jessie and Seth, for our Sunday morning service. Jessie did a message for the children and Seth blessed us with his singing voice.

Sandra in church. Hiding,

While Joan, and Jessie and Seth were here at the same time, we had a water fight with the children. Must admit I did not get wet as I had a camera in my hands. The kids loved the water play!!

Water balloon fun

Soak Jessie and Seth

Jofky and Karena with water balloons

Joan consoling Jofky

The children talked Jessie and Seth into helping them rollerblade twice while here. Vladimy, JJ, and Djemima are able to do it without help. Soon some of the other children, especially Leica, Karena, Dieunel and Anne, will be able to rollerblade without needing support to keep from falling. They love this and it is good for them.

Roller blading with the help of Seth and Jessie

Anne getting ready to roller blade too.

Antoinette came to the compound to see Seth and Jessie. She has still not delivered her baby, but is very anxious to deliver. The due date was supposed to be July 22nd. Antoinette took leave early as she thought her baby was going to come before that date.

Antoinette, baby still in womb, and Ti Fi (Aug 5, 2012)

We went to see Magalie and her new baby girl, while Jessie and Seth were here. I took the older children with us as they were anxious to see Magalie and baby too. After seeing Magalie pregnant for so long, they were thrilled to be able to see the baby in Magalie’s arms.

Magalie with her two week old baby

We are all looking forward to having Mariah return on August 29th. The children have started asking what date, what day, will Mariah be here. Mariah has a friend, Lucie, coming with her for one week. Then Lucie will return to Calgary and her schooling, while Mariah digs back in and helps us for another few months. It will be good to have her back!

Thank you!! God bless you!!

Karena, Jofky, Dieunel, Anne

Remember: I T I S A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N

~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

This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!

Bernie Melanson
HATS Visitor
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
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
HATS Visitor
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
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
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’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.

Barbara
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
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
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