Friday evening Dickie, Shondi, Jim, Mariah, Vladimy and Karen went to Radio Creole for a while. Vladimy was going to […]
The hottest day yet….
Apparently no one slept last night except me. There was a voodoo service starting when we went to bed and […]
Sick with Sun Burns & the Flu
Day 2 and we are all done in…… Today was warmer than yesterday and Shondi and I are both sun […]
Starting from both coasts of Canada and the nation’s capital, we all arrived safe and sound in Deschapelles last night […]
Quick Note to Say We Are OK
I would like people to know we are all okay here. Sandra is home from hospital and doing well. Baby […]
I am taking a chance that if I write a blog it can be posted. My internet service is worse […]
Baby Sandra in the Hospital
I mentioned yesterday all my children have been, or are, sick. Sandra, too, had been ill with a cold, cough […]
Last Week we Were Blessed
Last week we were blessed by having Keith and Joan Wight from Montreal join us for a couple days. We […]
Our Arrival with Air Canada Bags
Well here I am in Haiti and so far it has been an amazing experience. We arrived on Tuesday to […]
I’ve had the intention to write another blog since the day I left Haiti, over a week ago. I thought […]
Happy New Year 2012
I’ve heard many times at this time of the year “Out with the old – In with the new.” I […]
Dana – Fantastic blogger, goat herder and photographer!!! I can’t fill her shoes. Since I tried to teach my girls, […]
Bugs – Okay, so those that have been here before have mentioned in comments and emails they’ve had no bug […]
Haiti Christmas 2011
Yesterday was a lot of painting, a secret project of Christmas present for ‘mom’, tons of wrapping (well ‘bagging’), visiting […]
130 Gifts are Complete! We did ~130 gifts, we may need up to 100 although with extra’s Mom will be […]
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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!
Brian En
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 -
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!
Bernie Melanson
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 -
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 -
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.
Jocelyn Barnes
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 -
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 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
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