2 Big Sleepovers. My kids all decided last night to stay down at the kids home. There are two kids […]
Roosters. Contrary to popular belief Roosters don’t just crow at dawn, unless dawn is from 11pm to 8am. You know […]
100 Gifts, Market, More
The kids project today is to prepare 100 small gifts for the children that attend church. We had about 50 […]
Canal Walk, More Goats, Creatures
Canal Walk:Finally, today we had our Canal walk. One stroller wheel is flat and we’ve been waiting to get it […]
Weather. It’s been quite cool by Haiti standards and not as humid as I remember. The day temps are in […]
Painting, Baking, B-day Parties
Hurry up and Wait: Raced out the door after a quick breakfast of Rice and Beans to get going on […]
Last night Mom, Lex and I spent hours sorting through the donated items to figure out what was going to […]
I have many wonderful family and friends that brought me bags and boxes of new and used clothes, school supplies […]
Flying Things: I read before bed. Always. Here there is no lamp and the light in the ceiling does not […]
Goats and Perms
As I mentioned earlier, today was the start of goats… So far about 33 goats have been purchased by donors […]
I’m in charge of blogging while I’m here and now I can attest to how hard it is. You don’t […]
Goats, Goats, Goats
This is just a short note to let everyone know that we are again doing our Christmas goat program. Goats […]
HATS has been buzzing with busyness as always. Karen and Mariah have their hands full with school, the children are […]
Thank You Liette and Yvette
They came. They worked. They played. They accomplished. They left. The student’s letters and photos in the sponsoring program were […]
The Last Day is the Hardest ?
We have had a wonderful time and as much as we miss our kids home in Canada, we are sad […]
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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 -
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 -
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.
Jess Buckle
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 -
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 -
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 -
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter -
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
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