Chikungunya Virus Challenges

June 9, 2014 Posted by Karen Huxter

The main reason for this blog is to let our HATS family and friends know that we are doing okay. Chikungunya is causing a lot of sickness in this area. HATS school compound and our main orphanage/administration compound have both been hit.

We have had, and still have, many teachers and students down with it. We have had two of our four security agents, three of our five housemothers, our laundry lady, and myself ill with it. It hits some harder than others, some recover more quickly than others, some think they are okay and end up in bed again. I got sick on Tuesday, three days in bed, Friday was up a little and today, Sunday, I am okay. I still suffer from pain in my joints and don’t have my full energy back, but I am fine. One consolation is “the evidence suggest that once you get it and recover, once your immune system clears the virus, you are immune for life. ” Hopefully this is fact.

What is this ‘Chikungunya’ that is causing so many people to be ill? It is a virus, transmitted to humans through an infected mosquito. It has been reported in Africa and Asia for years. It apparently arrived in the Caribbean in December as it was then that WHO reported it in Saint Martin. As of May 6, 2014 it was reported in 14 countries in the Caribbean, including Haiti.

We have been operating at the school with not enough teachers and every day missing a lot of our students. Our final exams for this year start tomorrow morning. Hopefully our students will be there to write exams and hopefully we will have enough teachers to supervise exams.

I am certainly hoping that our own children here at HATS do not go under with it. They, too, will be heading over to the school for exams tomorrow. Only Djemima will not be writing exams this week. She will have regular classes as she will be writing the government exam for grade six next week in Verrettes.

This morning it was obvious in church Chikungunya was causing problems in the area. Our worship leader is recovering from this illness and could not lead worship. Yesterday I asked Leica and Djemima to do so. One of our students in the sponsoring program for years, and a regular church attendee, Clemanta, came here yesterday to prepare to lead worship with the two girls. Too, the three girls sang something special in church this morning for today which is “Fet Timoun” in Haiti. I did not have the strength to prepare a message for today either. I told them there was a message in every song we sang in our worship service and it was enough. We were missing a lot of regular church attendees this morning, but still had a fair number out to church. I asked how many people there had been affected by the virus in some way – been sick themselves or some family member. Every hand in the church was raised. I noticed one of our housemothers did not appear to be well during the service, and seemed to go downhill during the service. Afterwards I sent her home very quickly on a moto taxi. I just now had a call from our housemother in Ti Riviere letting me know she will not be able to come to work tomorrow due to the virus.

Leica, Clemanta and Djemima leading worship in church this morning

If you do not hear from me for some time, rest assured we are doing okay. The next couple of weeks will be very busy ones – even if no more sickness hits HATS. Hopefully and prayerfully it will not continue here.

Yesterday we had a birthday party for three of our children who all have birthdays in June – Dieunel, Jofky and Ti Fi. Dieunel’s birthday was last week, the others this week. The three birthday children were eager to have the ‘ti fet’.

Three brothers carrying things outside for a b-day party

Jonathan saying Happy Birthday to Jofky

Anne wishing the kids happy birthday

Djemima who is a ‘gem’ with helping TiFi wishing her a happy b-day

Waiting patiently for cookies, cake and juice

Today all the children were told to spend time studying to prepare for tomorrow. This is not easy for Ti Luc as this mama cannot help him due to not knowing French. Instead I gave him some words to write on his blackboard to check his spelling.

Ti Luc practicing for his spelling exam

After they had spent some time ‘supposedly’ studying for the exam tomorrow they came to have library time. I love seeing the children pour through books, in both English and French. Often they come and ask lots of questions, which shows they are truly interested.

Library hour for those who have already studied for exams tomorrow

Thank you everyone for continuing to walk with us even though you are not here at the mission site with us. I want you to know how important you are to those of us in the HATS family who are here onsite. We need you. We appreciate you. Together we will continue to make a difference in the lives of the children in this valley area.

IT 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

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 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
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.

Gerry Rhyno
HATS Visitor
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
HATS Visitor
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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