Haitian Real Life: Increased Costs = Hunger & Malnutrition
Greatly decreased Haitian dollar – Increase in food cost – Inability to purchase food = Empty tummies – Hunger –...
Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.
Greatly decreased Haitian dollar – Increase in food cost – Inability to purchase food = Empty tummies – Hunger –...
Thanking God and thanking all of you very much for your prayers for us and for Haiti, too for all...
Thank you to all who have been praying and sending notes of encouragement. Please continue to do so. The situation...
There is presently a social unrest/manifestation situation in Haiti that has basically blocked the country. The manifestations are ongoing. Those...
Thank you to all you chose to bless a family with food this Christmas. If you designated it for your...
Walking the canal road by myself early morning on Christmas Day I enjoyed a quiet time, no children, no one...
The four family members, Dickie, Sandra, Jim and Irene arrived the same day Liette and team, who accomplished a great...
A THANK YOU Photo Blog to Liette, Rob, Mariah, Yvette, Heather and Mercy All our children, employees, students, teachers, school...
A photo blog of Mama Karen’s children. Words not needed. One thing though to note – the photo of HATS...
Children running, playing, yelling, singing, shouting, running back and forth throughout the day to hug their mama. Outside the walls,...
In two and a half weeks time Luc and I will be returning to our home and our Haitian family,...
“It is all About the Children” This is our mission motto. This is just as it should be. The reason...
Luc stayed in ON while Mama Karen returned to HATS-Haiti to work for awhile in May. While there he stayed...
My trip back last week went well. All passengers on our AA flight had to stay at luggage carousel in...
A photo blog of Luc’s time in Eastern Canada. One from Western Canada will follow at a later date. ~Karen...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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.
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.
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.
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.
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.
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.
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.
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!
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