This weekend we had the opportunity to celebrate the first high school graduation from one of our kids within the Hands and Feet Project (HAFP) organization! Congratulations to Marvensky for making it through 13th grade (Filo) and we pray that he will continue with his educational success and fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor! He is currently looking at universities in Port au Prince where he can continue his education.
Open House & Fundraiser at Panera in Penfield
As we mentioned in a previous post, we’re having another open house at Panera in Penfield. These events have been highlights of our visits to Rochester because so many people stop by that we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. The next one will be on Friday, May 17th from 4-8pm. This event will be an official fundraiser. For those who present our fundraiser flyer to the cashier, Panera will donate 20% of your purchase price towards our support!
Continue reading “Open House & Fundraiser at Panera in Penfield”May in Rochester
What are your plans for May? Here are some of ours:
- Lilac Festival at Highland Park
- Rochester Public Market
- Rochester Twilight Criterium bike race
- Animal Adventure Park visit (think giraffes!)
- Dunkin’ Donuts latte
- Coldstone Creamery ice cream
- Wegmans Food Market grocery store
- Panera Bread Company Open House
- Church and small group conversations
- Time with family, friends and our awesome supporters
Campus Life Spring Update
As we approach the end of our 2nd year in Haiti, there are some successes that bring us a great deal of joy. Our relationships with the kids continue to grow as they see that we’re not packing up our belongings and leaving Haiti. That’s been a topic of conversation with some of our kids as many of our predecessors left before the 18-month mark. It’s also exciting to see 12-15 of our older kids wanting to go with us to church and wanting to also attend church youth group Continue reading “Campus Life Spring Update”
Time Away and Visiting Us in Haiti
We returned to Haiti on January 10 after a restful furlough. We had a great time visiting with many family, friends and supporters during our time in upstate New York and on both coasts of Florida, and wish we could have visited with many more of you! We also intentionally built in a good time of rest for us. Self-care. We have learned the value of that, big time! We are so glad we did!
On our trip back to Haiti, we traveled with an intern from Alabama. Graham is here with us for 3 months Continue reading “Time Away and Visiting Us in Haiti”
15 Year Anniversary
Happy New Year everyone! 
It was over 1.5 years ago that we moved to Haiti to serve with The Hands and Feet Project (HAFP). This year, HAFP is celebrating 15 years of serving in Haiti! In the short time we’ve been there, we’ve seen positive change and so much potential. We can’t even imagine what those who have been part of the organization for 15 years have seen! Here’s a video Continue reading “15 Year Anniversary”
Merry Christmas from the McGarveys
Our Christmas this year is quite a bit different than last year. After hosting an amazing Christmas team at our Hands and Feet Project campus in Haiti, we headed to the states with the team. We are in upstate New York; the sun is no where to be found and it is seriously cold to us.
Our Christmas team in Haiti helped decorate our kid’s ten houses with Continue reading “Merry Christmas from the McGarveys”
We Are Thankful
As we write this we can almost guarantee that anyone reading it has a full belly. We have seen posts on Facebook all day of all the turkey, stuffing, 
cranberry sauce, pies, and even pizza that has been prepared and consumed. So now you have someone napping, watching football, doing dishes or maybe even out starting the Christmas shopping!
Village Values Weekend
What are Village Values?
Love, Obedience, Honesty and Responsibility. These are the values we strive for here at The Hands and Feet Project. Our Village Values. We talk about them, teach them, strive for the best of them in everything we do. From our littlest of kids to the caregivers, wash ladies, cooks, maintenance and our office staff.
Transition Time
Moving Off Campus
Some exciting news is that some of our kids young adults have moved! Social Services in Haiti has a policy that kids can only stay within an orphan care facility until the age of 18. Considering the challenges that kids face here in Haiti, on top of the effects of trauma from abandonment or possible abuse that kids in our care may have dealt with, the age of 18 comes too quickly. 
Therefore, Hands and Feet Project has transition housing outside of our facility where our kids can live for a few years to help them transition into living in the community. They have a resident assistant to help them navigate living independently without all the benefits of those living on our campus.