“Orphans Today, Leaders Tomorrow” (Reflections from Beate)

One of the reasons that I fell in love with the Hands Across the Sea Mission, is that Karen Huxter, our founder, has always respected and understood the fact that as “foreigners” to this country, one simply cannot come in, “set up shop,” and proceed to change the way people have lived for decades and even centuries. Indeed, one first needs to recognize and learn where change is necessary and vital, and then recognize where things are just fine the way they are; even though things may be done differently than how they are done in one’s own life or culture.

With this in mind, raising children to be prepared for life outside of the safety of the HATS compound requires a lot of consideration and understanding of the type of culture the children will be living in when they turn 18 and, by law, have to leave HATS.

As a HATS kid, you are being raised by a strong, wise, firm but fair mama…who is our beloved Karen… and you are bound to be taught things that may be different than how you may see the other kids in the neighbourhood around Deschapelles or at school are being taught. I have had the pleasure of coming to HATs now for 8 years, and let me tell you, Karen has always raised her HATS children to be good, kind, respectful, honest, strong, proud, and capable citizens. Her actions truly exemplify one of the mottos painted right outside our gates for who drive by to see: “Orphans Today, Leaders Tomorrow.”

I watch Karen discipline and teach the kids with love and kindness. She explains the reasons why she makes decisions or why what the kids did was wrong. I enjoy watching the kids sitting around her when she calls a family meeting. Sometimes, the meeting is to discipline, other times it’s to simply hand out a chocolate bar (that they have to save until the next day mind you! Talk about self-discipline!).

When you visit HATS for a week, it’s very easy to be the “fun one;” the “Disney mom, or aunt or uncle,” who does all the fun things with the kids. Then, the visitors go back to home and leave Karen, Luckner and the house mothers with…ummmm… (For those of you reading who have children, you know what I mean…it’s like when grandma and grandpa come over, spoil your kids, then they leave and your kids want to be treated that same “special” way their grandparents treated them…which is simply impossible). However, because, I’m usually here for 3 weeks at a time now, the kids have seen a side of me that isn’t always “Disney Beate!” My students would easily recognize Toughy Ruffy. Well she’s here in Haiti too. Of course, that side of me only comes out when the kids are being naughty. Otherwise, Karen has done a beautiful job, and the kids are always thanking me, or helping me around the compound. They are a true joy to hang out with.

Another observation is that Karen tries to instill equality and respect between the girls and boys. That concept is right up my alley. In some cultures, females tend to some typical jobs like cooking and cleaning, while the males never hold a broom or know what to do with a frying pan. Not at HATS…Karen put up a summer holiday chore schedule, and I’m pleased to say that both boys and girls share in the laundry, cooking, sweeping and dish duties.

Change takes time, and change may never happen, but one can never give up teaching children to be kind and to respect oneself and others. So hats off to Karen and HATS… “It’s ALL about the children.”

With Love ?,
Beate