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, […]
Missing our Haiti home
In two and a half weeks time Luc and I will be returning to our home and our Haitian family, […]
It’s All About the Children
“It is all About the Children” This is our mission motto. This is just as it should be. The reason […]
Hands Across the Sea Needs You!
We are urgently looking for an energetic, fun-loving, hard-working individual who loves kids and adventure to volunteer in Haiti with […]
One of the reasons that I fell in love with the Hands Across the Sea Mission, is that Karen Huxter, […]
Our time at HATS Haiti has been a whirlwind adventure with lots of laughs, smiles, hugs, great food, lessons in […]
Anyone who camps knows there is a certain amount of natural outside noise to be expected at night. At home, […]
Before we leave to come here, and after we get home, people always ask what we do when we’re in […]
I’m In My Happy Place
Ah Haiti….Ah HATS…How can I ever express to you all how happy and blessed I am to be back? There’s […]
Focus Your Lens
The last few years, I have missed Karen’s special Saturday morning walk because of rainy weather that made the walking […]
Hugs from Haiti! ?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little more nervous coming to Haiti this summer, considering the unrest […]
Last Saturday dawned bright, sunny, hot and humid in Ottawa for the 2nd annual HATS Golf Tournament. For several years […]
First off, a huge thank you to our past and present sponsors. We are looking for our amazing followers to […]
Luc visits Western Canada
Luc stayed in ON while Mama Karen returned to HATS-Haiti to work for awhile in May. While there he stayed […]
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Testimonials
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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 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 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 -
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 -
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!
Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor -
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter -
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 -
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 -
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
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