Heart for Haiti
A monthly blog from Mark and Melissa Kauk
Melissa works as Manager of Curriculum and Instruction, working with Many Hands’ staff to create culturally-relevant materials for teaching. She also be assists in the First 1,000 Days programs held at Many Hands’ Love in Action centers.
Working with our Spiritual Shepherds, Mark impacts lives through his role as Director of Leadership Development, facilitating training and materials for the current Haitian staff and leaders in nearby centers. He also assists the administrative director.
RECENT POSTS
The Accident of Geography and the Purpose of Presence
Real love shows up. Your consistent monthly support helps Many Hands be the ones that stay, building lasting stability and deep transformation in Haiti and Abaco.
Melissa Kauk – First Thousand Days Updates!
Discover the incredible impact of the First Thousand Days in our latest updates! Read about our nurses’ successful Vitamin Angels training, the empowering relaunch of the Alpha Gardens Project—creating first-ever savings accounts for mothers—and the arrival of baby carriers and umbrellas blessing our mamas! Laughter, learning, and life-changing dignity inside.
Real Talk: Why Monthly Donors are the Foundation of Our Mission
Real love shows up. Your consistent monthly support helps Many Hands be the ones that stay, building lasting stability and deep transformation in Haiti and Abaco.
Mark Kauk – I am working for Jesus.
Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of our staff in Haiti! Discover how the Lead Like Jesus Level 2 Class is building a resolute community, transforming lives, and equipping leaders like Wana and Deliyon to be ‘burning coals’ for Christ—steadfast in their work and trust in God’s promises. Read their inspiring stories of faith in action, written by Mark Kauk.
Craig and Christi Gabhart – December 2025 Letter
Gabhart 2025 Update: Christmas in Pignon, Haiti, means soap kits, new homes, and a massive wedding ceremony! See the latest from Many Hands.
The Power of Trust: Many Hands’ 2025 Year-End Letter from Tim Brand
See how ‘Trust’ fueled over $9M in global transformation in 2025 for Many Hands. Discover our major impact—from 87 rebuilt homes to 165 spiritual restorations—and join our mission to ‘BUILD’ in 2026.
What is the Best Way I Can Help? The Three Pillars of Generosity
Maximize your impact with Many Hands by committing your Time, God-given Talent, and managed Treasure. Discover how your holistic investment fuels measurable, long-term transformation in Haiti and Abaco.
Isn’t Haiti Always Having Problems? Why Giving Up Is Not an Option
We reject the despairing narrative that Haiti is a lost cause. Our long-term, relational strategy counters chaos by being present in the community and demonstrating regional restoration with consistent, effective action.
Does My Donation Even Get to Haiti? The Proof of Financial Integrity
We guarantee 100% of your donation goes directly to projects in Haiti. Through radical transparency and our secure Financial Integrity Pipeline, we deliver Love in Action from Pella to Pignon.
Still Working in Haiti? The Unwavering Proof of Love in Action
Many Hands has never left Haiti. Through unrest, crisis, and chaos, our local teams continue expanding campuses, feeding families, educating children, and rebuilding communities—proving an unwavering, long-term mission of Love in Action.
Two Gifts, Immediate Impact: Real Joy in Haiti!
Get ready to see real, lasting joy in action! Our Give Joy Catalog is packed with life-changing gifts; each of these items serve as genuine hand-ups that unlock futures and transform stories in Haiti.
Give Joy is HERE!
The Give Joy alternative giving catalog is back for another season! Feel the joy as you purchase tangible gifts for people in Haiti and Abaco—spreading hope and happiness this holiday season!
Oouff, It Was a ‘Day’ Here.
From exciting breakthroughs to heartbreaking moments, Christi Gabhart recaps one very full day in her latest blog post. Read her personal summary of the recent happenings and see what a “normal” Saturday in Haiti really looks like.
Medicine for a Month: Giving the Gift of Health
Discover how Many Hands is providing vital medical assistance to children, pregnant moms, and the elderly in Haiti. This month, we’re focusing on our “Medicine for a Month” initiative with the goal of bringing essential medications to 500 children. Read more from Summer Brand, Many Hands Marketing Coordinator, to learn how your support creates lasting impact and helps us live out “Love in Action.
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
Join in Christi Gabhart’s excitement about her return to Haiti, along with her husband Craig and the Kauks, two other Many Hands missionaries. Christi shares a few of the most current updates, as well as her thoughts and prayers for their arrival in a place their hearts have been longing to return to for quite some time.
Unwavering Hope: How Many Hands is Responding to the Crisis in Haiti
For some time now, Haiti has faced immense challenges, with political unrest and gang-related violence creating an incredibly difficult environment for its people. While much of this has unfolded away from the public eye, we at Many Hands have been actively responding to the urgent needs arising from this chaos. We are ready to share stories of the incredible resilience of the Haitian people and the immediate response we’ve been taking, thanks to the commitment to being love in action from our staff on the ground.
Empowering Families Through Goats in Haiti
Join Summer Brand, Many Hands Marketing Coordinator, as she shares an inspiring look at our July focus: the transformative Goat Program in Haiti! Discover how this incredible initiative is not only providing vital income and food security but also building brighter futures and restoring dignity for families in profound ways.
Where Every Day Counts: Investing in the First 1,000 Days for Babies and Moms in Haiti
In her latest monthly development blog, Summer Brand, Marketing Coordinator for Many Hands, delves into the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life in Haiti. She shares a powerful message about hope, resilience, and the profound impact of investing in mothers and babies during this vital period. Discover the heartwarming stories and the tangible difference your support can make.
Laying A Solid Foundation: Safe Homes in Haiti
Dirt floors breed disease, but concrete floors bring health and hope. Many Hands for Haiti has already transformed 1136 homes, but our work doesn’t stop there. We’re investing in safer homes and brighter futures, pushing past 1136 to reach even more families. Discover the impact of these concrete floors and how your support can lay the foundation for even more change, one home at a time.
More Than a Bag: How Maternity Kits Save Lives in Haiti
Hear from Kendra Meyer, a member of the Many Hands Board of Directors, about her passionate journey creating Maternity Kits for mothers in Haiti. Learn how these simple kits provide essential resources and hope, and why this initiative is so vital for saving lives.
Hope Blooms in the Dust: Nurturing Mothers and Babies in Haiti
We’re not just providing care; we’re building a lifeline. In Haiti, Many Hands for Haiti is empowering mothers with nutrition, education, and medical support to combat high infant mortality rates. See how ‘Healthy mamas raise healthy babies’ is more than just a saying, it’s another way Many Hands walks alongside those who are the most vulnerable.
All in A DAY!
Christi Gabhart shares an update of what’s going on in Haiti. From beginning construction of the Many Hands School of Light fundamental school, caring for the Many Hands gardens during dry season, to providing prayer and ministry to those who need it, there is a lot that happens ‘All in a DAY!’.
Updates From Melissa Kauk: Mamas and Babies in Our Haiti Programs.
Hear from Melissa Kauk, Many Hands’ U.S. Lead for the First 1,000 Days Program in Haiti, about the program’s March 2024 updates, including center activities, garden initiatives, children’s programs, birth bag distribution, and crucial medical support for new mothers.
A Whole New World: Many Hands’ Adult Literacy Program in Haiti
Mark Kauk, U.S. Lead of Leadership and Development in Haiti, shares about the joy of relaunching the adult literacy program in Haiti and how it’s opening a “whole new world” for students, featuring stories of recent graduates and their journeys.
Not Alone: Stretch Out Your Hand and Restore Dignity in Haiti
Families in Haiti are struggling with hunger and despair. Discover how “Stretch Out Your Hand” provides critical aid and how you can help bring immediate relief.
Small Gift, Big Impact: Djidens’ New Stroller and Renewed Hope
Many Hands has been walking alongside Djidens, a courageous nine-year-old boy with hydrocephalus, and his mom, Stefani, for many years. Our commitment to this family has remained steadfast, and we’re thrilled to share a heartwarming update on how your support has made a tangible difference in their lives.
A Day of Love and Joy: 19 Haitian Couples Celebrate Their Weddings
Witness the heartwarming moment when 19 couples said "I do" in a beautiful wedding ceremony, overcoming challenges with the support of Many Hands. Read their inspiring stories of love and resilience and learn how you can help support more moments like this!Weddings, a...
Welcome Summer Brand, Many Hands’ New Marketing Coordinator!
We are thrilled to officially welcome Summer Brand to the Many Hands team as our new Marketing Coordinator!
Walking in Unity: Intentionality in Prayer at the Many Hands’ Campuses in Haiti
Many Hands staff in Haiti took part in a special morning devotion recently and would encourage others to consider doing something similar. Staff across all five of Many Hands’ locations spent 30 minutes in a prayer walk during their normal devotional time. Christi Gabhart shares some thoughts and images from that special time.
Transformative Power: The Huysers’ Final Day in Haiti
Leah and Jager Huyser, a young, newly-married couple, wrap up their time in Haiti. They share how they were able to witness the power of transformation, even in the short amount of time they spent in Haiti, interacting with its people and culture. The Huyser’s highlight a special place Tim Brand, CEO and Founder of Many Hands, took them; Tim showed the Huyser’s the School of Salt and Light in La Belle Mere, which is the school Tim and his family built back in 2007. This served as a moment of impact for the Huysers as they witnessed firsthand the capability Haiti and its people have to change for the better, as evidenced by the success and blossoming of the school.
Viewing Daily Life From A New Perspective: Another Day in Haiti for the Huysers
Leah and Jager Huyser are newly married 19-year-olds with hearts and minds for God and the work He calls them to in Haiti. The couple has been in Haiti for a few days and share their perspectives on the differences in daily life in Haiti as compared to the United States.
Impact in Action: The Huysers’ Perspective
Leah and Jager Huyser are newly married 19-year-olds with a dream of serving God wherever called. Both serve in the youth group at First Reformed Church in Sully, IA. This is their first trip to Haiti.
We Love Because God First Loved Us
In her blog, 'We Love Because God First Loved Us,' Christi Gabhart explores the profound truth that God's love precedes our own. This powerful realization empowers us to love others, as she beautifully illustrates with personal stories and insights from her ministry...
Sowing, Planting, and Finishing Well
Tyler Kamerman invites you to read from Many Hands' partner, National Christian Foundation (NCF) about how to be a wise steward. In turn, God blesses, brings growth in numbers, and ensures our livelihood over time. Author Gary G. Hoag shares an excerpt from...
More Than a Program: A Movement of Transformation
Tyler Kamerman, Chief Development Officer of Many Hands, shares firsthand experiences from a recent trip to Haiti. Discover the incredible impact of our First 1,000 Days program and how it's empowering mothers and strengthening communities.On a recent trip to Haiti, I...
Satisfaction of an Accomplishment
The Vi Bella artisans, led by Herby, worked tirelessly to meet a demanding production goal, resulting in a significant accomplishment and a sense of pride and purpose for the entire team.The Vi Bella artisans had a production goal to strive for. There are some...
Kevin Stittsworth Joins Many Hands Team
We’re thrilled to announce that Kevin Stittsworth has joined our team as the new Development Manager! Kevin brings a wealth of experience and passion to Many Hands, and we’re excited to have him on our team.
Give Joy This Christmas
Learn how the simple act of giving can have a profound impact. Tyler Kamerman's latest blog post shares how his family's personal journey with Many Hands' Give Joy Gift catalog transformed their Christmas.My Give Joy Story In December 2021, something unexpected...
Growing Leadership
Hear directly from Mark Kauk, Many Hand's Director of Leadership Development in Haiti. Mark shares updates about the on-going Lead Like Jesus courses, and some stories about the impact these course have had on the community. A common sight near our Mè Bèl Mè center is...
Transforming Lives: The Impact of Many Hands’ Safe Homes Programs
Catch up with Tyler Kamerman in his latest blog post to learn about the impact and continued initiatives of Many Hands’ Safe Homes Programs.
Building Up The Next Generation With a Love of Education
Amidst great challenges, a group of dedicated Haitian educators are working tirelessly to shape the lives of their students and build a brighter future for their nation. Dive into the inspiring stories of these educators, highlighting their passion, resilience, and the profound impact they are making. Through their words and actions, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they face, the motivations that drive them, and the hope they bring to their communities.
Building a Brighter Future: Expanding the Many Hands School of Light
Tyler Kamerman, Chief Development Officer, explains how and why Many Hands plans to expand their educational impact. By expanding our Many Hands School of Light to include grades 7-9, we’re laying the foundation for brighter futures in Haiti.
Nurturing Futures: Many Hands’ Investment in Haitian Families
The First 1,000 Days program has become a true cornerstone of our mission work in Haiti. From working with pregnant mothers to providing comprehensive services and support for that new mother and child through the child’s first 1,000 days of life, the program has a long-lasting impact on families. Read all about it from Melissa Kauk, Many Hands’ Program Director.
Investing in the Future: The Power of the First 1,000 Days
Tyler Kamerman, Chief Development Officer, explains how Many Hands is nurturing the potential of children through our First 1,000 Days program. By providing essential support, we’re laying the foundation for brighter futures. This August, pledge to make a difference....
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Legacy of Love and Generosity
* Key Points from Tim Brand's Interview on the CharisYourLife Podcast, Part 3* Many Hands’ CEO and Founder, Tim Brand's new book isn't just a memoir; it's a call to action, a heartfelt exploration of the life lessons learned from a remarkable father. Tim's words paint...
Transforming Lives Through Generosity: The Purpose of Many Hands
* Key Points from Tim Brand's Interview on the CharisYourLife Podcast, Part 2 * At Many Hands, our purpose isn't just a tagline; it's the driving force behind everything we do. As Tim Brand, our CEO says, "We're here to ignite generosity, grow communities, and invite...
From Calling to Commitment: The Story Behind Tim Brand, CEO and Founder of Many Hands
* Key Points from Tim Brand's Interview on the CharisYourLife Podcast, Part 1 * Dive into the captivating story of Tim Brand, the CEO of Many Hands. We explore his unique journey, from a young boy yearning to leave his mark on the world to a leader fully committed to...
Turning the Tide in Haiti: Many Hands Fights Malnutrition, Disease with Love in Action Health Programs
Millions in Haiti face a critical challenge: limited access to healthcare. Read about Many Hands' "Love in Action" initiatives and learn how we're providing medical assistance, reducing infant mortality, and empowering families to build a healthier future. Haiti is a...
Better Together: Vi Bella Partnership Through the Eyes of Christi Gabhart
Christi Gabhart shares her insights on the partnership between Vi Bella and Many Hands, highlighting the positive impacts she has observed in the Pignon community.
Herby’s Story and Role in Vi Bella in Pignon
Vi Bella in Pignon runs smoothly because of dedicated employees such as Herby. Read more about his story of the impact Vi Bella and Many Hands has had on his life!
Vi Bella and the Heart of the Founder Behind its Mission
Learn more about Julie Hulstein, founder of Vi Bella, one of Many Hand’s partner organizations.
Tim Brand’s Vision: How MH4H & Vi Bella are Creating a Sustainable Pignon
From struggle to sustainability: A powerful partnership between MH4H and Vi Bella is empowering Haitians. MH4H CEO Tim Brand explains how. Here at Many Hands for Haiti (MH4H), we believe in the power of collaboration. Our name itself reflects this core principle –...

















































