Supermarkets, Parties, & Day Trips

March 5, 2018 Posted by Jocelyn Pitman

As Luc’s teacher, math has got to be my least favourite class to teach yet is his favourite subject to learn so that makes for a difficult combination. We’ve been doing well going through the curriculum in his books but being homeschooled isn’t just about classes and books, life skills are important too! On Wednesday morning last week, I set up the HATS Supermarket in the gallery while he was busy playing. I found various odd items from around the house and set them up with price tags on them. I printed out Canadian play money and put his “salary” in his envelope.

HATS Supermarket

I found him and told him he needed to quickly put his shoes on, and grab a basket because Mama needed us to go to the market to get groceries for the week. He couldn’t find his shoes, so we left anyway. Our tap-tap never showed up so we had to walk the exhausting 20 feet from the bedroom to the gallery, pushing our way through the (non-existent) crowd. I was exhausted by the time we got there but he was getting more and more excited the closer we got. I gave him the first scenario, he was to buy groceries to feed the family for week. He had to count his money, take a look at all that was for sale and make good decisions.

Budgeting

He did well with budgeting and didn’t even give a second look to the $72 half eaten jar of Nutella (for those of you who don’t know, this kid LOVES his Nutella!). He did find his shoes and bought them back for $20 so he wouldn’t have to go home barefoot.

Expensive Nutella

I was impressed with his budgeting, reasoning, and counting skills. He dropped the groceries off at home while I set up another store. In the second scenario he had to buy a birthday gift for his son, but payday was almost two weeks ago so he didn’t have much money left. Once again, he made great decisions and got a cake and gift for his son. The third scenario he had to buy clothes for his kids and he did great. Who says math class can’t be fun, and practical?!

All of our younger boys have had an ongoing head infection that has been difficult to treat. There is a wonderful pediatrician in St. Marc that I met one time we dropped off some extra meds to his clinic. We mentioned the boy’s heads to him and he suggested we bring the worst one in to see him next time we were in town. We knew were headed in the next week, so we decided to bring Jofky along. We sent him to school that day since we weren’t leaving till later in the morning. I went over to find him right before we left and of course it was recess for all of the elementary grades and some lower secondary grades. Trying to find one little boy in a crowd of close to 200 kids who all wear the same uniform, are generally the same size, and look the same is interesting. After looking for 10 minutes, I enlisted the help of Dienuel who quickly found him for me. Poor Jofky thought he was in trouble being brought home from school during recess. I tried to explain to him that he was going to see the doctor, but he still didn’t seem to sure of the idea. Before we left I grabbed a handful of granola bars, candies, and a couple bottles of water. You never know how long you’ll get stuck in St. Marc. We spent most of the day going from store to store getting different things and of course going to the clinic. He was a happy boy sitting with me in the back seat eating candy (he was giving the granola bars away once he knew I had brought candy) and playing games on my phone all day. If we ever have to take him back in to see the doctor, I’m sure he won’t mind being taken out of recess again.

Jofky’s Trip to St. Marc

We try to take the kids out to walk along the canal a few times a week. We all enjoy these walks and it gives the kids a chance to explore. The gardens are getting ready to be planted with rice, so the kids have enjoyed running along the paths and exploring the fields.

Running Through the Field

Last Sunday we had a birthday party celebrating Leica’s and Sandra’s birthdays. The girls were dressed beautifully, and all the kids enjoyed cake, pop and candy.

Sandra’s Birthday

Leica’s Birthday

We played musical chairs at the end which was so much fun. All the kids were good at it, even the little kids caught on quickly. I think they enjoyed dancing to the music more than playing! Judel gave up his seat to one of the little kids more then once so they wouldn’t be sad about being out. He showed amazing sportsmanship the whole time. The day ended with lots of laughs and happy smiles and wonderful memories made.

Musical Chairs

~Jocelyn

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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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