Tools & Conditions so Different in Haiti

July 6, 2014 Posted by Beate Rufft

It was soooooooooooooooooo hot today. Luckily we got up super early to take a walk along the canal. 6:30 a.m. is a beautiful time in Haiti. Some of the older kids joined us, and we enjoyed the quiet stroll and greeting locals.

Early morning walk

Our Judel knows how to tie his laces, but is not letting on. He wants attention from Beate.

View on our 6 30 a.m. walk

Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments, both on the blog and on Facebook. I want to repeat a Haitian saying that Dickie quoted on yesterday’s blog comment: “A rich Haitian is one who knows where his next meal is coming from.” I really don’t know how to explain life here. We see people in tatters, with no shoes, and clearly no energy to move in this heat or from hunger. Yet many, many people who look so very poor have a cell phone (Karen explained that they may have come from a relative living abroad who got the phone for them so they can stay in touch, but most can’t afford to use their phones much locally.)

I’ve also noticed that the daily routines of life may not be all that different from ours, except that the tools or conditions are different. I mean, we hail a taxi which is a 4 door vehicle…Haitians hail a motor cycle and cram 4 people on it, plus goods. Both get people from A to B. Same with the bus system…crazy different types of transportation, yet the job gets done. Then there’s the wee pharmacy we visited today. It sold some familiar products such as diapers, right guard deodorant, colgate toothpaste, hair gel, cosmetics. However, the building of the Haitian pharmacy is in shambles compared to let’s say a nice new air conditioned Shoppers Drug Mart. We have Tim Horton drive through and other such food places, and Haitians cook at the side of the road and sell to passer-bys that way. Once you begin to get over the shock of seeing the “chaos, rubble and dirt,” it’s incredible to really “see” that life in Haiti is actually “same, same, but different” (they say that in Thailand all the time).

It seems that the only way people can get ahead in this part of the country is to open up a wee business. This could be something like making a pot of food and selling it on the side of the road, or selling a few bags of chips and some candy. We have talked a bit about what our HATS kids will be doing when they reach an age to move on. Karen would like them to learn a trade or two and/or get their teaching qualifications. One thing is for sure, these kids will most certainly have a chance in life… And they do know where their next meal will come from thanks to everyone’s generous support.

We had to run some errands today and trying to get gas was one of them. We needed to fill up three 65 gallon drums to keep the generator going since our power is currently out again. Guess what? They wouldn’t do it! We checked at 2 gas stations. You see, the government made an announcement a few days ago that gas prices will be going up Monday. So the gas stations hoard their gas in order to sell it at the higher price to make a greater profit. This tactic is exactly what they did right after the earthquake. People were desperate for gas, and no one would sell it because they knew the prices would skyrocket.

Did I mention that today was HOT? Okay, even Vivienne said she was feeling hot today (this woman wears full pj pants to bed with a light jacket, whereas I am trying my best to be decent with the minimal clothes!!!). I have never felt a heat such as here…oh wait, yes I have…in a sauna!!!!

We stayed indoors a lot today. Vivienne had a great time with Ti Luc and showed him a few new Apps on her Ipad, including Instagram. She taught him to take some really cool shots, and we are posting them here. Yes, he took these all by himself by maneuvering the Ipad and pressing the button all with his very own 2 feet.

Ti Luc Composition # 1

Ti Luc Composition # 2

We ended up whipping over to Vierettes to show Vivienne the market. Ah, the familiar smells of the market were greatly enhanced by the heat of the afternoon. I felt so sorry for the people there who had to sit or stand crammed into their tiny spots with plastic or cloth pinned up for shade which stifled the air even more. Some vendors have a decent 5 x 5 foot spot, others sell their wares from their baskets. I can’t imagine a life like this. Getting up at 3 in the morning to trudge my goods to a market, setting up my little patch, with my make-shift tent made from tarp and sticks that I had to lug in. then staying there till well past 4 p.m. in the thick of the heat or having the torrential rains douse me and what I own. I admire the Haitians. They are remarkable people, and we do have a lot to learn from them too.

Children spend all day in the heat at the market with family members

Late afternoon. Market parking lot almost empty

We got back and tried to cool off with an unsuccessful nap. So we gave up and watched a movie with the kids. Now it’s time to get ready for bed, as tomorrow will be a very big day…an emotional one as we say good-bye to those precious kids tomorrow night 🙁

Hugs

~Beate and Vivienne

About Beate Rufft

Beate Rufft, was introduced to Hands Across the Sea and our founder, Karen Huxter in 2010, after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and wanting to volunteer in the country. An elementary school teacher in Ontario, Beate has previously worked with homeless children in Columbia and orphans in El Salvador. Beate is currently serving as Board Secretary and travels to Haiti each year. She is a proud to support the vital work that HATS does for the children and families in the community of Deschapelles.

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Testimonials

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
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 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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors
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
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor