2 Big Sleepovers. My kids all decided last night to stay down at the kids home. There are two kids […]
Roosters. Contrary to popular belief Roosters don’t just crow at dawn, unless dawn is from 11pm to 8am. You know […]
100 Gifts, Market, More
The kids project today is to prepare 100 small gifts for the children that attend church. We had about 50 […]
Canal Walk, More Goats, Creatures
Canal Walk:Finally, today we had our Canal walk. One stroller wheel is flat and we’ve been waiting to get it […]
Weather. It’s been quite cool by Haiti standards and not as humid as I remember. The day temps are in […]
Painting, Baking, B-day Parties
Hurry up and Wait: Raced out the door after a quick breakfast of Rice and Beans to get going on […]
Last night Mom, Lex and I spent hours sorting through the donated items to figure out what was going to […]
I have many wonderful family and friends that brought me bags and boxes of new and used clothes, school supplies […]
Flying Things: I read before bed. Always. Here there is no lamp and the light in the ceiling does not […]
Goats and Perms
As I mentioned earlier, today was the start of goats… So far about 33 goats have been purchased by donors […]
I’m in charge of blogging while I’m here and now I can attest to how hard it is. You don’t […]
Goats, Goats, Goats
This is just a short note to let everyone know that we are again doing our Christmas goat program. Goats […]
HATS has been buzzing with busyness as always. Karen and Mariah have their hands full with school, the children are […]
Thank You Liette and Yvette
They came. They worked. They played. They accomplished. They left. The student’s letters and photos in the sponsoring program were […]
The Last Day is the Hardest ?
We have had a wonderful time and as much as we miss our kids home in Canada, we are sad […]
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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 -
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
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