50 New Preschool Students Need Sponsors

September 18, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

Thank you for your encouragement which has touched all of us here at HATS.

School will soon be reopening and our kids are actually getting excited. You should see the excitement on the faces of our little Anne and Jofky. Yes, Anne, too, is going to start this year. Anne will be starting preschool 1 and Jofky preschool 2. Karena will be going into preschool 3 this year. I will blog with photos of the cute little monkey doodles in uniforms when school opens. Thank you to the new sponsors of Anne and Jofky, and to Karena’s sponsor as wel. Thank you to all of you who are sponsoring students. In doing so you are giving hope for the future to the students and their families. We have 50 new preschool students who needs sponsors this year. Anyone interested in helping one of these little ones please get in touch with Liette at liette.hatshaiti@gmail.com. Thank you.

Anne sparkling with excitement about preschool

Jofky excited about preschool too

A couple of years ago Dickie and Sandra arrived with suitcases filled with rollerblades and helmets. What excitement and joy it gave and is still giving here. It was fun seeing the older kids learning to rollerblade. At first they were on the ground as much or more than on their feet. Now they are almost pros and are helping the little ones learn, i.e. Judel, Karena, Jofky and Anne. It is a riot. This week Jonathan and Sandra wanted a turn too so I decided they should get one. They had to put on rollerblades and helmets much too big but they were so excited to be able to try. Ti Fi also needed a chance. The kids did their best but it was not easy to help Ti Fi as she is a heavy girl. I was behind the camera, which was likely for the best or I might not have been walking properly afterwards. I did a lot of laughing. Ti Fi did too at first. She was so excited but the kids could not hold her up. She was glad to sit down again and when she saw the photos she laughed with me.

Anne & Jofky on rollerblades for first time

Jonathan wanted to rollerblade too

Sandra got her chance at rollerblading too

Ti Fi needed the rollerblade experience too

Getting Ti Fi back home without falling.

Ti Fi back home. Not so sure it was a good experinece after all.

Sandra has always had a strong and independent spirit. She is now 2 1/2 and she is becoming even more independent. She is a joy to be around and fun to watch, even when she is ticked. Now she insists she must dress herself. She, however, always wants to put on clothes that belong to Anne or Karena and this does not go over well with the two older girls.

I am still waiting for things to be finished for Ti Luc. I believe I have been lied to many times. I have no idea what to do next or how to do anything else. Please continue to pray that this can be finished and we can receive a passport for him.

Ti Luc continues to enjoy playing soccer and walking along the canal. (It is too wet and muddy right now for his bike.) Recently I took four of the boys out for a walk – Moise, Ti Luc, Dieunel, and Judel. Ti Luc was doing really well walking on the uneven ground. We met a man who stopped and stared at us. (This happens often.) He called out for us to push Ti Luc in the canal to drown. Oh my, all four kids heard it. I tried to pretend nothing was said, but Ti Luc’s face was so sad and the other three boys were upset too, so we had to face it. All four boys needed a hug. Ti Luc allowed only two tears and then he looked at me and said “It’s okay mama. You always tell me not to pay any attention to things like that because people who speak like that do not understand.” Then off he marched like a trooper. I asked the other boys to not repeat what was said and to forgive the man and we enjoyed the rest of our walk. As we walked I gave them a little English lesson, which we do often. Must admit I had to ask Ti Luc to not respond when I quizzed the boys. He is proficient in English and has become quite the little translator.

My little soccer player

Ti Luc enjoying a walk before someone suggested we push him in canal .

All the children are unique and special.

Thank you again for everything. May God bless you as we continue to work together for the children.

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

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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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