A Surprise Appearance at the HATS School

March 1, 2014 Posted by Karen Huxter

Carnival in Haiti officially runs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Schools, businesses, government offices, etc are closed for carnival. This is a time when Mama Karen spends extra time with her children. We try to look at what is good about carnival and what happens that is not good or acceptable. We listen to some carnival music that is clean and uplifting to Haiti generally. We do not dance in the streets or enter into anything that we believe is not acceptable. I take advantage of the carnival holiday period for a teaching time.

All schools have music and fun on the Friday before carnival. This morning my kids were happy about being able to go to school without uniforms. They first attended devotions with the rest of us at home after which Mama Karen, of course, had to take a photo of her cuties.

A cute bunch of kids in my opinion

At IMKH today we did not have classes. All students came to school without uniforms. The teachers in the younger grades had made a little mask or a party hat for their students,we had music playing, and people visited and had fun.

I can dance Mme Karen

Preschool dancers

Preschool cutie

During the festivities a masked man sauntered and danced slowly into the school yard. He was quickly surrounded by a group of students who were fascinated,
wanted to know who he was, but were not willing to touch him.

Who in the world is this ugly man

After 30 minutes or so this man decided to remove the mask. The students and teachers were amazed and thrilled to find out that it was Mme. Karen. What fun.
They had known me only as the school administrator who was always checking on students and teachers alike. They had only seen me as a straight laced person always trying to make sure things were running as they should. (they obviously did not know the fun loving, game for anything, prankster, Karen.) Teachers told Luckner that Mme Karen ‘made the ti fet today’. They loved the fact that I did what I did.

Found this little guy sitting by music equipment

Must admit it was fun planning it and gathering up the clothes. The mask came from Dickie MacDonald. Thank you Dickie. Had to call Rose Lore early this morning for a long sleeve shirt of Luckner’s. Someone recently left a pair of men’s pants to be given away. I used a pillow to give me a stomach and to fill the pants. Did not want to lose them onroute. Used new size 10 runners recently brought down for JJ. Used Ti Luckner’s gloves Dickie had given him. They did not have fingers so I taped all my fingers with black electrical tape. All together it was a good disguise. One little problem – The mask tended to move a little so I had to hold it sometimes.

Holding the mask in place so I could see

The students enjoyed the change in pace this morning from regular classes. They were fed the regular school day meal with a bonus thrown in of a cold pop.

Cold drinks for everyone

There is a time for school classes, a time for teaching, a time for lessons, a time to be serious, but there is also a time to have fun. For me there is need of a time to let my hair down and let the fun Karen out of the cage. These times are few and far between here in Haiti. I must take advantage of them when they arise.

All students, including my children, had a fun morning. My kids thanked me for doing what I did and for surprising them along with the other children. I believe they need a well rounded education.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

Blessings everyone

~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.

Archive by Month

Testimonials

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 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 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
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
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
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
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