Machetes are the “Must Have” Tool Haiti

December 19, 2015 Posted by Karen Huxter

Machetes are very valuable and useful in Haiti as a tool for many things.

In our developed culture we have a lot of tools and instruments plus saws (even chainsaws), axes, and all sorts and sizes of knives. Here the choice of tool/instrument is a machete. It is used when planting, harvesting, killing animals (goats, pigs, chickens, cows, etc) for meat. I have seen it used often to cut vegetables and fruit. I have seen it also seen it used by children as a toy with some rags tied into a ball on the tip of it.

It is used a lot for cutting down branches and even large trees. This morning a very large tree on the property next door that had encroached over our property was cut down by the neighbours, who had hired someone to do the job. He nimbly shimmied up the tree and started hacking at it with a machete. Sounded like a hammer was being used on wood instead of a tree being cut down. No chain saw sounds, no hand saw even. It is amazing what they can do with the very basic of tools. When a job needs to be done Haitians know how to handle it.

Big tree about to come down with a machete

Limbs all need to go, then the tree itself

Need to go higher to cut

On our own property this morning two HATS employees were also working on trees and branches with machetes as well. A tree from the property to the right of ours had grown over unto the girl’s home causing danger from the electrical lines running there. Too, it provided an unsafe place for anyone wishing to come unto the property without being seen. That had to be cleaned up too. Euguene and Merise worked with machetes on that problem.

Merise doing the splits but not on the ground

Chopping down other branches and cleaning it up.

Luckner has been working all week at school with teachers on report cards. Tomorrow is the day they receive their report cards, enjoy a ‘fet Noel’ which will include a Christmas program by the students in the church and a special Christmas meal. It will be a full and enjoyable day for the children. I am sure Luckner and the teachers will be glad to see it all finished tomorrow. A break is definitely in store for them.

Our children are enjoying their school break. They are daily helping with various chores (albeit some of them need to be forced), riding bikes, using the swing set a lot, and enjoying a video most days. Some of these things may change when the report cards are given tomorrow. Did they work this semester? Did they not? The results will be known tomorrow.

Two helpers. Wheelbarrow full.

Morning chores when school is out

Pause in playtime

Jofky reading to Sonson

Sonson holding on tightly

The next blog will have photos of the school Christmas party and our church service on Sunday along with a photo of all our kids by the Christmas tree. Stay tuned.

Thanks for notes, greetings, gifts for the kids, and funds to enable me to provide a nice Christmas for them. It will be done on behalf of our HATS friends and supporters.

God bless you all.
~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

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
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
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
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 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
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
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 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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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