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How did it all start?In 2012 several of us went on a mission trip to Cap Haitien, Nord, Haiti to work with children in a Vacation Bible School setting. While there we fell in love with the people and wanted to help them. The need for clean water was evident and an action plan with our Haitian partners was developed. Throughout the development of this plan the idea was to supply two resources for the people of Haiti, safe water and jobs. So began Haiti Clean Water. Haiti Clean Water, Inc provides the resources for our Haitian partners, who implement the project. All work done in the States is voluntary. Through partnering with our Haitian partners and other groups the project has grown to 5 workers in Haiti doing the preparation of materials, installing the filers and follow-up for maintaining the filters to correct standards. By the end of 2019 we have installed 1200 filters. |
Meet the Haiti Clean Water workers
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The Water Team in Haiti consists of:
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Haiti Clean Water Board of Directors
Vince Basile lives in Wyandotte, Michigan with his wife Amy and children Hannah and Kal-el. They are active members of Bethel Baptist Church in Southgate, Michigan. Vince has served in various roles at the church.
Vince received a Bachelors of Science from Michigan State University. He works at NSF International in Ann Arbor as a senior chemist, testing drinking water. He serves on the Executive Committee of ABC-Mi and Region Board as chairperson of the Congregational Ministries and Mission Team.
Vince has been serving in Haiti on an almost yearly basis since 2011 on short term mission trips. He has led and co-led teams in Haiti. Since Haiti Clean Water began, he has been able to install many filters with the Haitian team and introduce the project to new members of mission teams. Vince has also organized and lead youth mission trips to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Vince received a Bachelors of Science from Michigan State University. He works at NSF International in Ann Arbor as a senior chemist, testing drinking water. He serves on the Executive Committee of ABC-Mi and Region Board as chairperson of the Congregational Ministries and Mission Team.
Vince has been serving in Haiti on an almost yearly basis since 2011 on short term mission trips. He has led and co-led teams in Haiti. Since Haiti Clean Water began, he has been able to install many filters with the Haitian team and introduce the project to new members of mission teams. Vince has also organized and lead youth mission trips to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Ralph Brown lives in Harrietta, MI with his beautiful wife and his dog Charlie Brown, a very cute beagle who is not spoiled at all. He has 2 grown children. His daughter, Desiree, works for Kensington Church in Traverse City Mi as their children’s director. His son Benjamin lives in Laramie WY, where he is attending college to be a teacher. Benjamin also spent 4 years in the Air Force prior to going to college. Ralph is a veteran of the United States Army Reserve. He currently drives truck for Estes Express Lines.
He made his first trip to Haiti in 2020 which was an incredible experience. His eyes were opened to how bad their water really is. No one can grasp how bad the water situation is in Haiti until you see it in person.
He is committed to Haiti Clean Water because the people in Haiti are awesome and loving. They need organizations like Haiti Clean Water to help them access clean water. They do not receive any government help.
He made his first trip to Haiti in 2020 which was an incredible experience. His eyes were opened to how bad their water really is. No one can grasp how bad the water situation is in Haiti until you see it in person.
He is committed to Haiti Clean Water because the people in Haiti are awesome and loving. They need organizations like Haiti Clean Water to help them access clean water. They do not receive any government help.
John Joyce lives in Evart Michigan with his wife of 40 years, Jennifer. They are blessed with 5 children, four boys and a girl, and 7 grandchildren that all live relatively close. Thankfully this allows Grandpa and Grandma to watch the next generation grow in grace and knowledge of our community and our God.
John has been in manufacturing and construction for many years, both in design and implementation of systems and processes. John started in mechanical and architectural engineering and later moved into systems analysis, trouble shooting and rectification in the automobile manufacturing business. Going back to school later in his life he earned his MBA from Baker’s School of Graduate Studies. His wife and daughter have partnered with him in business, owning and running a small business in Evart.
John has been involved in his community through civic involvement, as City Council member and currently the Mayor of his community and through volunteer work, with Habitat for Humanity and several local groups. He also managed a relief NGO that sent clothes and shoes to the Ivory Coast. Currently his concern for safe drinking water brought him to Haiti Clean Water to help in the vision of supplying clean, safe water to areas that are not blessed with this basic need. “Every time I travel to Haiti I am amazed at how little we as Americans understand the plight of communities that do not have the basic need of clean safe water and how easily this situation can be rectified.”
John has been in manufacturing and construction for many years, both in design and implementation of systems and processes. John started in mechanical and architectural engineering and later moved into systems analysis, trouble shooting and rectification in the automobile manufacturing business. Going back to school later in his life he earned his MBA from Baker’s School of Graduate Studies. His wife and daughter have partnered with him in business, owning and running a small business in Evart.
John has been involved in his community through civic involvement, as City Council member and currently the Mayor of his community and through volunteer work, with Habitat for Humanity and several local groups. He also managed a relief NGO that sent clothes and shoes to the Ivory Coast. Currently his concern for safe drinking water brought him to Haiti Clean Water to help in the vision of supplying clean, safe water to areas that are not blessed with this basic need. “Every time I travel to Haiti I am amazed at how little we as Americans understand the plight of communities that do not have the basic need of clean safe water and how easily this situation can be rectified.”
Lynne Punnett lives in Tecumseh, Michigan with her husband Rick. Lynne and Rick are active members of First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti where Lynne serves as an Elder. They have three grown children and two grandchildren and look forward to retirement in a few years.
After working in the newspaper publishing industry for 23 years, Lynne’s work with non-profits began with the American Red Cross and later Habitat for Humanity, where she and her husband volunteered for years before she joined the staff. For the last 12 years she has been with Habitat and now serves as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Lenawee County, Michigan. In her community role, Lynne serves on numerous Boards and Committees.
Lynne also serves with the American Baptist Churches of Michigan as Region Mission Consultant to Haiti. She works with our ABC churches all over Michigan to encourage and assist people who want to participate in a short term mission trip anywhere but most often Lynne helps teams travel to Haiti and to make connections in support of our ABC missionaries. She and her husband own a construction company. They led six teams over five years to help rebuild the Gulf coast following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and Lynne has now traveled to Haiti with 12 different teams since 2011.
Lynne grew up in the beautiful Pacific northwest where she first attended College of the Redwoods. After moving to Michigan and experiencing a successful career, she completed a BBA in Business Management at Cleary College in Ann Arbor.
After working in the newspaper publishing industry for 23 years, Lynne’s work with non-profits began with the American Red Cross and later Habitat for Humanity, where she and her husband volunteered for years before she joined the staff. For the last 12 years she has been with Habitat and now serves as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Lenawee County, Michigan. In her community role, Lynne serves on numerous Boards and Committees.
Lynne also serves with the American Baptist Churches of Michigan as Region Mission Consultant to Haiti. She works with our ABC churches all over Michigan to encourage and assist people who want to participate in a short term mission trip anywhere but most often Lynne helps teams travel to Haiti and to make connections in support of our ABC missionaries. She and her husband own a construction company. They led six teams over five years to help rebuild the Gulf coast following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and Lynne has now traveled to Haiti with 12 different teams since 2011.
Lynne grew up in the beautiful Pacific northwest where she first attended College of the Redwoods. After moving to Michigan and experiencing a successful career, she completed a BBA in Business Management at Cleary College in Ann Arbor.
Lynn Ross lives in Cadillac Michigan with her husband Bill. They are the parents of three grown sons, three daughters-law and five grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Church Cadillac.
Lynn received a degree from Central Michigan University in education. Her past work experience includes Manton City Treasurer, a retail bookkeeper, Family Independence Specialist for the Michigan Department of Human Resources and manager of the Social Security Administration’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance grant for UCP Michigan. She is now retired.
Lynn has been traveling to Haiti 1-2 times a year since 2012. She was part of the group that started Haiti Clean Water in 2014 and remains committed to bringing clean drinking water to Northern Haiti.
Lynn received a degree from Central Michigan University in education. Her past work experience includes Manton City Treasurer, a retail bookkeeper, Family Independence Specialist for the Michigan Department of Human Resources and manager of the Social Security Administration’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance grant for UCP Michigan. She is now retired.
Lynn has been traveling to Haiti 1-2 times a year since 2012. She was part of the group that started Haiti Clean Water in 2014 and remains committed to bringing clean drinking water to Northern Haiti.
Michael Smith lives in Cadillac Michigan with his wife Kimberly. They are the parents of two daughters. They are members of First Baptist Church Cadillac.
Michael received a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University in business. Michael achieved the certified public accountant designation in 2006. His past work experience includes auditing local governmental units, tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll preparation. Michael is currently self-employed in Cadillac, Michigan as a certified public accountant and volunteers with several local non-profit organizations.
Michael supports the efforts of Haiti Clean Water from the United States and remains committed to bringing clean drinking water to Northern Haiti.
Michael received a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University in business. Michael achieved the certified public accountant designation in 2006. His past work experience includes auditing local governmental units, tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll preparation. Michael is currently self-employed in Cadillac, Michigan as a certified public accountant and volunteers with several local non-profit organizations.
Michael supports the efforts of Haiti Clean Water from the United States and remains committed to bringing clean drinking water to Northern Haiti.
Woody Wright
I am a Wisconsin Badger and a Methodist. I came to Michigan when I was 18, and got an Engineering Education at General Motors Institute and the University of Buffalo. My wife Nancy and I have been married 57 years, lived in Flint and Flushing Michigan, Ridgewood New Jersey, Antwerp, Belgium, Zaragoza, Spain, and now reside in Elk Rapids, Michigan. I had a 34-year career with General Motors building plants and equipment, and managing organizations.
I am active in the Kewadin United Methodist Church, including as Treasurer. I am also involved in other volunteer activities in the greater Traverse City area.
I am new to Haiti Clean Water, supporting and assisting the Team from here. I did go on the 2020 Mission Trip to Cap Haitien, and that experience showed me the benefits to the Haitien people of the important work we are doing.
I am a Wisconsin Badger and a Methodist. I came to Michigan when I was 18, and got an Engineering Education at General Motors Institute and the University of Buffalo. My wife Nancy and I have been married 57 years, lived in Flint and Flushing Michigan, Ridgewood New Jersey, Antwerp, Belgium, Zaragoza, Spain, and now reside in Elk Rapids, Michigan. I had a 34-year career with General Motors building plants and equipment, and managing organizations.
I am active in the Kewadin United Methodist Church, including as Treasurer. I am also involved in other volunteer activities in the greater Traverse City area.
I am new to Haiti Clean Water, supporting and assisting the Team from here. I did go on the 2020 Mission Trip to Cap Haitien, and that experience showed me the benefits to the Haitien people of the important work we are doing.