Finally! Progress on the School

August 23, 2012 Posted by Karen Huxter

The work on our school is actually progressing now, after a frustrating holdup due to lack of cement in the country. We were eventually able to purchase some in small amounts at a very high price so we could at least get something done.

Work progressing on elem section of our school

(I must start by saying please ignore any dates you see stamped on these blog photos. My camera started dating photos, and with the month of March 2011 no less. I don’t know how it got turned on and have not had time to figure out how to turn it off. These photos were all taken quite recently.)

Finally cement, that Luckner had ordered a long time earlier, was delivered. Price did not really drop but it is again available.

Cement arrived finally. No one happier than Luckner

Work has been happening on this compound as well – by the children. They have been removing a lot of the rocks we had placed around the compound to prevent mud. Grass, which is what we wanted, is actually growing up through the rocks. Thus we decided to remove the rocks and keep them for construction. We are looking for decent earth and grass seed instead.

Four hard working kids – JJ, Moise, Djemima, Leica

Yard work by children. Ti Luc supervising

Our birthday party this month was for Vladimy and Judel. Vladimy turned 17 and Judel 5. Next month Jonathan will turn one so we will have a party for him and Ismyis who will be six.

August birthday boys – Vladimy 17 & Judel 5

Speaking of Jonathan he continues to like bike riding just as the others do. He still loves to sit in the basket on Ti Luc’s bike. Each afternoon when the bikes come out Jonathan excitedly crawls across the compound and sits by Ti Luc so he does not get left behind.

Ti Luc and Jonathan enjoying riding together

The bikes that have been donated for the children continue to be a real blessing to them. Funds for an additional bike, which will help tremendously, has just been donated. Thank you very much. I will make the purchase as soon as I get to St. Marc again.

Our little Sandra has decided she is too big for riding in the basket anymore and so she fights with Anne and Jofky over the little bike to ride by herself. She is very cute. Yesterday when we were all sitting in morning devotions I said “who would like to lead us this morning?” Immediately Sandra started singing ” Pa’m pa’m pa’m mwen konnen Kris se pa’m” and clapping her little hands with the perfect beat. Everybody cheered her on and she continued singing.

Sandra riding bike too

I made a return visit to Magalie and family so the little ones could see Magalie too, and realize there is a real baby there. I took Karena, Jofky, Anne, Sandra, and Jonathan, along with Vladimy so he could give me needed assistance. The little kids were thrilled to see Magalie again. They were fascinated with her baby girl. They even got to hold the baby.
(Still no news to report on Antoinette. Her baby is still in the womb.)

Magalie with Jonathan, Sandra & Karena

Karena holding Magalie’s baby. Jofky hiding but has his hand on the baby.

As I am typing this an email arrived from the Canadian Embassy In PAP telling us to prepare for the possibility of being hit by Isaac (at this time a tropical storm – could change to hurricane). What the email basically said put in good Newfie language was – “take time to batten down the hatches in preparation”.

Thank you one and all. Thank you for all the love, encouragement, and support of prayer and finances that makes it possible for us to continue to help the children of the Artibonite Valley. May God bless you all.

I T IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

~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 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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
HATS Visitor
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.

Matthew Sketchley
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
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
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
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