About HATS
Hands Across the Sea – Haiti (HATS-Haiti) is a non-profit organization serving needy children and families in Deschappelles, Haiti. This interdenominational Christian ministry is comprised of a children’s home, a school from preschool – grade 9, and a community outreach program.
School students enjoying their daily hot meal
Hands Across the Sea currently has 14 children in full-time care, but we are actively preparing to receive additional children orphaned by the earthquake. Cared for in a family-style environment, our children receive the loving care necessary for them to become healthy, contributing adults.
Judel & Dieunel enjoying the tire swing
Our school has 230 children enrolled in preschool to grade 9 being taught by qualified Haitian teachers. The children receive a quality education as well as daily nutritional support. Hands Across the Sea is also involved in providing ongoing outreach to the wider community through financial and nutritional support and clothing distribution to needy families. Since January 12th, we have been distributing tarps, food, clothing and financial support to families who have lost everything in the earthquake.
HATS-Haiti was founded and is directed by Canadian Karen R. Huxter who has been living and ministering in the country of Haiti since 1995. Hands Across the Sea Association, a non-profit board of directors, oversees the organization in Canada and provides ministry direction as well as financial oversight. All donations in Canada are eligible for a tax receipt.
Karen Huxter with HATS children
Children’s Home
The Hands Across the Sea children’s home has 14 children in full-time care, ranging in age from 2-14 years, who are cared for in a loving family-style arrangement. We are actively preparing to receive new orphans into care in the aftermath of the January 12th earthquake. To this end, we are working hard to rebuild the second home, which was severely damaged in the quake so that we will have the space to safely care for children who lost families in the tragedy. In addition to caring for children in our children’s home, we provide support to needy children and their families in the community in order to maintain the family unit whenever possible. By providing financial support, food aid and school sponsorship, we can help families care for their orphaned nieces, nephews, cousins, or siblings.
Judel is all smiles
Karen & Ti Luc
Community Outreach
Our community outreach includes providing financial aid and nutritional support for families in great need, clothing distribution, and assistance in covering medical costs at the nearby hospital. We work in collaboration with local churches and we support local organizations and initiatives whenever possible. As part of our ongoing community outreach, we help widows and the elderly who have little or no family support.
Following the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, HATS-Haiti has been distributing tarps, clothing, and food staples to families devastated by the earthquake. We have also been able to provide financial help with medical costs and the costs associated with burying loved ones lost in the quake.
Port-au-Prince after the Jan 2010 earthquake
Distributing supplies days after the earthquake
HATS-Haiti is also proud to sponsor the Borel soccer team, encouraging young men and women to get involved in a healthy recreational activity. In a country with rampant unemployment among young people and very few recreational opportunities, we are happy to offer limited financial support for this community program. And all of us enjoy cheering on our young men and women!
Partnerships
HATS Haiti is pleased to operate in partnership with Education Haiti.