Through the Eyes of a Teacher

May 1, 2014 Posted by HATS Visitors

But aren’t we all teachers? My day started with an interview with Bernice Hillier from the Corner Brook Morning Show. I knew I was in trouble when I started crying last night just thinking about what I wanted to say. It is too difficult, even with photos, to convey the hardships the Haitians have to endure on a daily basis. I tried to paint a picture of the landscape and got through that fairly well. It was when I tried to speak of the children that I my voice caught. I can only hope that those listening could feel a little of what I am experiencing. How can you explain the feel of little arms around your neck, knowing that they are filled with such joy and wonder as any child from anywhere would be, but also knowing that these children are in such great need?

After breakfast, we headed to the school for devotions. I chose to stay near the front with the preschoolers but listened to all the students sing their praises before heading off to class. It is awesome to hear them singing and clapping with such energy!

School Devotions

The first job of the day was to get the new library cleaned. There were many layers of dust on the shelves and books. Karen has a method to her madness (her words not mine) in organizing the textbooks so we simply removed the dirt from windows, shelves, books and floor. The text books are in hard shape and they would have been replaced if I had them at my school at home. There are no resources besides texts that the teachers use in their classes. It is a stark contrast to the Apple TV and 20 Ipads I use in my own classroom. To witness how these kids are being prepared for the world beyond school and what awaits them and what we have in Corner Brook to prepare them for the world beyond their school years is very humbling.

Team cleaning up the textbook library at the school

Jenny and I then headed to the grade 9 class to teach English. We did some basic lessons and they all were very engaged and tried so hard. The hour passed too quickly learning how to greet each other, review the days of the week and months of the year. I think back home I would have been more apprehensive to take on a class of grade 9 students but, here in Haiti, there is such respect expected I figured I could handle the challenge.

Patricia with the grade nine class she taught this morning

It was soon recess and we were swarmed again by the littlest of the students. There is so much love and curiosity from the youngest of them. Is it terrible to want to take them all home? I would certainly make room at my place for them.

The little students run to the team members

Recess time again

Recess

After recess, I headed to a grade 5 class for a math lesson. Again, I was amazed at the power that this school has on these young people. I don’t know how I am going to feel walking into my own classroom next week…truly blessed to live where I do, have what I have and work with the resources I have.
After a great lunch, three children came over to receive gifts from the group members who sponsor them. It was very heartwarming to see their faces light up at the gifts and hugs.

Kathleen with her sponsored student in PS1

Jess with her and Caleb’s sponsored student in grade 7

Grade 10 student sponsored by Terry & Stephanie of Corner Brook

After lunch, Jenny and I decided to go back to the school to clean the blackboards. Jess decided to join us as it was a pretty big job with all those layers of chalk dust! Teaching the classes this morning using blackboard and having to get chalk from the director is not something I will soon forget as I teach back in Corner Brook. At home I have an interactive white board so I can only imagine what these students would think of the technology we use. I figured the least I could do was wash their boards to make it easier to see their lessons for next class.

Blackboards getting a washing by Patricia and Jenny

In the afternoon we had a wonderful time playing with the kids outside, teaching them games and getting served in Judel and Josie’s restaurant. I find it amazing that the kids here can occupy themselves with anything without complaining. They could certainly teach us all about being grateful for the important things we have: our friends and family.

A fun game – What time is it Mr Wolf

No matter where we live in this world, what we have or have not…….it is all about the children.

~Patricia Edwards

About HATS Visitors

HATS – Haiti encourages individuals and work teams to travel to Haiti to be a part of the work we are doing. Those who come to Haiti are given the opportunity to join in construction projects, visit in the local community, spend time with the children, and minister in church. You can help us in our work for the most needy and most vulnerable members of Haiti’s population. Come be transformed by seeing the need and being a part of meeting that need. Be part of the story

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Testimonials

Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
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
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
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
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’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
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
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
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
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