2014/2015 School Year Registration

August 4, 2014 Posted by Karen Huxter

It is the getting ready time of the year again for HATS-Haiti’s school. We are very busy preparing for the coming year. Registering of students for the next two weeks, along with buying, cutting up, and distributing fabric for uniforms. Germaine and I cut up approx 400 samples of uniform fabric to attach to the school lists for parents. Today Martha and Yolene are cutting the uniform fabric we had on hand. Luckner needs to purchase more fabric. On Monday we will start distributing the fabric to those students who are in our sponsoring program. Then we need to start purchasing textbooks. As well there are workers in the school yard changing it from the forest it had become in the past five weeks to a school yard once again. A big thank you to all who sponsor students for schooling. You are the ones making it possible for them to get an education. This is a huge gift to all the family. You can see that we are spending money for uniforms and textbooks for your students. I ask that you pay your sponsorship fees as soon as possible to enable us to take care of things on our end. Thank you so very much.

School uniform time again

Today Luckner is a very busy man with the registration of students. This is day one, of a two week period, of registration. Apparently some parents were outside the school yard at 7:00 am and registration was due to start at 9:00. Every student must register every year. The word on the street is that HATS has a ‘really good school’ and parents want to be sure to find a place for their children. Too, there is excitement in the air because this year we are not sending our grade 9 graduate students to a lesser quality school outside of HATS to continue their education. Parents have been requesting this every year and they are very pleased that finally their children will remain with us until graduation. This will also mean more parents will want to register their children with our school for preschool each year as their children will be able to start and complete their education with us.

Registering students for our school

Almost finished registration for day 1 and they are still lined up

There was a lot of happiness and many squeals of joy on this compound today too because the results of the government grade 6 exams were released. Our school, IMKH, had only one grade six student who did not pass. This is ‘good’ results as many students in schools in the area do not make it. Now we anxiously await for our grade 9 government exam results. The news that had us jumping and squealing with joy, however, was the news that one of our HATS children came first in our school for these exams. Our own Djemima got top marks for our school. Yay Djemima. The other children were thrilled for her, as were the employees. They were all moving so much I could not get a good photo.

Such joy that Djemima came in 1st place in grade six govt exams

Our children started back in ‘lessons’ (tutoring) today and will go to school for two hours a day, three days a week, for a month. We find this very valuable for our children to be ready when school reopens.

Our kids get a month’s help with their reading and writing skills before school reopens

It is important to me to see our children learn to cook, and to do so outside over charcoal. When they leave here there is very little chance they will have a nice gas stove to cook on. I had them start on Saturday. JJ, Moise, Djemima and Leica started off in a small way with making popcorn to share with the other children. This week they are going to prepare cornmeal as the Haitians like it.

Munching popcorn made by the older kids who are learing to cook by themselves

On the weekend I discovered that the storage unit for meds, etc in my bathroom was infiltrated by bugs that were eating the wood. Wood does not stand up in this hot and humid country. We build with cement but wood is needed for some things. This whole unit will have to be replaced some day but for now we think we have chased them away. Everything was removed and spread all over my room and Germaine scraped, washed and sprayed. I could not even walk through it. Another big job done for awhile.

Work is on again at the church. The work on the finishing of the inside walls and ceiling has started. We, however, will need to find funds to do the finishing of the floor. Can’t wait for this work to be finished so we can start using the building regularly. Thanks to all who have helped with the construction of our church. If anyone is willing to help us get the floor finished and or the walls of the church outside finished please get in touch. We certainly could use your help! Thank you.

Work started on inside walls of the church

Please join me in prayer for whatever is continuing to block us receiving Ti Luc’s passport to be resolved and to be resolved this week. I need it desperately as I need to be able to apply for a visitor’s visa for him. I plan to take him to Canada with me in September and we are quickly running out of time. Too, I need to be able to do the paperwork for Step 2 of application for him to become a Canadian citizen. I must have the passport before I can move forward on these two things. Thanks for your prayer support once again.

Our Magdala has settled in beautifully. She goes from one child to the other now and likewise for the employees and Mama Karen, and Papa Luckner whenever she sees him. This is home to her now.

Our Magdala

On Sunday 10th two special young ladies, my neices Jennifer and Jocelyn, from Deer Lake, Newfoundland are coming to give me some help. With all that is on the go here right now I certainly appreciate them coming. Our children are excited about their pending arrival and Ti Luc is counting ‘how many more sleeps’. No doubt you will hear from them in a few blogs.

I must finish this blog with two special photos for my sister, Sandra. Saw these two days in a row, Sis. I asked them to wait for you in January. Would not want you to be disappointed when you come.

Another one for my sister, Sandra

And yet another one for Sandra

Thanks again everyone. You are the ones who make this work for children possible. We are all a part of the family of HATS-Haiti.

I T I S A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N

May God bless you all.

~Karen and gang

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

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
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
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 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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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’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