HATS school IMKH

May 11, 2016 Posted by Jim Steer

Warm greetings to all our sponsors of students at IMKH and prospective new sponsors for the next school year. Thank you so very much for making it possible for your student to get an education in Haiti. Education is a tremendous blessing in the life of students and their families. Getting an education gives ‘hope’ as well as understanding. Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Thank you for giving them ‘hope’.

I am asking for sponsors to please send your sponsorship funds for the next school year – September 2016 to June 2017- by the end of June which is fast approaching. In July we must purchase uniform fabric and get this into the hands of parents so uniforms can be ready by late August. Every student in Haiti will be getting uniforms made by someone in the community. Many students do not turn up for various schools in the area each September due to their uniforms not being ready on time. Our school does not accept students to start late. Too, your funds are needed for some textbooks. I ask you to please make a note that the sponsorship funds are due and send them to the HATS Canadian address Box 101, Yarmouth, NS, B5A 4B1 by the end of next month. Thank you.

Morning raising of the flag before school.

Recess time at our school

I did a blog awhile back stating HATS was undergoing financial difficulty. It still is and because of this we do not have the finances to borrow from general funds to cover school expenses for the start up of school while we wait for your funds to arrive. We need, your sponsorship funds to arrive on time please. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

This school year is quickly coming to a close. Our school exams are scheduled to start June 8th. Before exams though we will be celebrating the Haitian Flag on our ‘Flag Day’ May 18th. Flag Day is celebrated by individual schools -students marching in uniform with flags, music and some Haitian dancing on the school grounds afterwards, followed by a meal for all students.

Last week we once again gave food into the community – starting with our own students taking it to their families. Thank you again to all who have donated to this cause.

Food going from one truck to another and into the depot.

Food arrived for the school. Everyone works

Our Dieunel also does his share

Packing food for our school into HATS depot

Depot looking better now

A mother picking up food

Grade 9 student picking up his

Secondary student carrying food for a Preschool 1 student

Two Grade 11 students taking community food home

450 students can make the painted walls of our school very dirty. Last Saturday we had three students come join us at HATS to start washing the walls. We saw a tremendous difference in one hour. This weekend we will continue the cleaning job. Hopefully more students will come join us in the work.

Washing the walls of our school

Thank you for all your help with the students in our school, children in the community and those who live with us at HATS.

HATS is ‘A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N ‘

Blessings everyone.

About Jim Steer

I first visited Haiti in 1989 and felt God drawing me back there in 2009. After speaking with Karen I was added to a team for 2010 and have been returning regularly since. I felt I had something to offer the mission but soon discovered that I received much more than I could ever give. God has blessed me so much through all the people I have met there, especially the children. The country is beautiful, the people a delight and the time at the mission flies by.

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Testimonials

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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.

Aimee Feaver
HATS Visitor
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 have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
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
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
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
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
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