Changing Lives Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated…

February 3, 2018 Posted by Jocelyn Pitman

Have you ever thought about sponsoring a child? It’s a wonderful opportunity that many people miss out on.

I sponsor two children here at IMKH which is the school run by HATS. I decided to sponsor a child during my first trip here in 2015. The first child I sponsored was a little girl in Preschool 2. Her name is Anne Ciara and she is now in grade 1. She is a tiny little girl with a beautiful smile and a sweet personality. She lights up every time I see her and always has a smile. I see her at school quite often and she comes to our church occasionally with her older sister. It has been a blessing to watch her grow up these last few years. I have gotten to see her every time I’ve come to HATS and getting to spend time with her over the last three months and seeing her consistently has been pretty awesome.

Jocelyn and Anne Ciara 2015

Jocelyn with, Anne Ciara now in 2018

Jocelyn’s student with her in church Sunday

My second sponsor child is a girl in Secondary 3 (grade 12) who is just a few years younger than I am. Her name is Rose. I have only been sponsoring her for the last year and I haven’t gotten to know her as well as my younger child but it is still encouraging to see her at school and pursuing an education.

Jocelyn’s secondary student, Rose Guerchie

Many times when people sponsor a student, it’s just a picture on the fridge, or $25 going out every month. But sponsorship is so so important.

Sponsorship changes lives.

Education changes lives.

I have heard of many stories from the community of how being sponsored changed that kids life and how they had opportunities that they wouldn’t have had if they had not been sponsored.

These kids are not just a picture in your house.

Sponsorship is not just money being thrown away into a third world country.

These kids are real.

They have families.

They need an education.

They need a good nutritious meal every day.

They need to learn how to read and write.

But many parents cannot afford to feed their kids let alone put them through school.

Sponsorship opens up so many opportunites that these children would not otherwise have access to.

It’s not just about putting a kid through school. It’s about relationship. Nothing is more rewarding then sponsoring a child and then getting to see them in real life. To spend time with them and find out their interests and meet their siblings or families. To see what your money is going towards and how it is helping real people in real life. If you come to visit HATS, you have the opportunity to meet your child and spend time with them. You have the chance to change a child’s life, you have the opportunity to change a child’s future.

You’ll never regret sponsoring a child. Even if you never get to meet them in person you can still send letters, pictures, or little gifts to them when teams come down. It’s such a rewarding experience, you always end up more blessed when you give rather then when you receive.

Maybe you would like to sponsor a child but are worried about the finances.

It costs $25 per month to sponsor a elementary student. If I bought a new shirt, that would cover the cost of that sponsorship for one month. If you’re a Starbucks fan like me, and you buy four drinks a month, that is the same amount of money it would cost to cover a student.

It costs $35 a month to sponsor a high school student. If I went out to eat twice in one month, that would be about the same amount as sponsoring a child.

Is there something you can give up so that a kid can benefit? Do you have to have that new pair of pants, or eat out that many times? Do you need to buy that expensive fancy drink EVERY time you go to town?

Yes there are people who absolutely cannot financially sponsor a child but oftentimes we place our own wants ahead of more important things.

I love sponsoring my two girls, it adds something extra to my trips here and I look forward to seeing them as well as all the kids who live at HATS. I look for them every time I go over to the school and wave hi if I pass by their classrooms. It brings joy to me to see them getting an education and eating a proper meal every day and learning about Jesus in school devotions every morning. I love watching my little Anne Ciara sing her heart out in church praising Jesus because she knows all the words. There’s no need to give that sweet child a songbook, she has them well memorized!

I write this blog not to pressure anyone into sponsoring a child, but to share the joy and fulfillment I’ve found since sponsoring my kids. Not only does sponsorship change their lives, it changes your life too. Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in our North American lifestyle and we forget how simple it really is to change someones life in a real way. Changing lives doesn’t always have to be complicated…

Here at HATS all the money goes to the kids education. It pays for their meals, their uniform, their school supplies. We do not use the donated money for administration or salaries, it is all given to educate and benefit the children. Come down and see for yourself the amazing work that happens at IMKH (Institute Mixte Karen Huxter). The school educates and feeds over 500 kids every day!

We have several children that still need sponsors. There are some adorable kids that are just starting their first year of school who look barely old enough to walk let alone be in school that need sponsors. We have secondary students who are close to finishing their education and preparing to go onto more advanced training at colleges, universities, or trade schools. And we have kids of all ages in-between that need sponsors. Please prayfully consider sponsoring a child, it is an amazing opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on!

Jocelyn

Raising of the Haitian flag at our school

School Devotions

Grade 11 (JJ on right of screen)

HATS School yard

Jocelyn is in there somewhere

Enjoying time with Sandra

Preschool cuties

Preschool classes being taught hygiene

About Jocelyn Pitman

Jocelyn Pitman was born in a small town on the East Coast of Canada. She always had a desire to serve people and enjoyed helping in her church and at home with her family but never really looked beyond the small town of Yarmouth. In April of 2015, she traveled to HATS for the first time and fell in love with the country and people. After returning in December 2016, it was clear that God wanted her there longer than a week. After much prayer and guidance, Jocelyn returned in October 2017 to begin a six-month term. When home in Yarmouth, Jocelyn is actively involved in her church, serving on the mission’s board, and doing fundraisers for HATS.

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Testimonials

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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
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