Children for a New Haiti

Leadership

Our board members are from different backgrounds and parts of the world, but we all have one thing in common, we believe in a better way of living for the ones in need. As we join our hands together, we would like you to consider being a part of this great opportunity to make a difference in the life of needy children in Haiti. It may be their only chance to taste the blessings and opportunities that we have had, and our children have to children with less or no opportunities, and no hope.

Board of Directors

Wissel Joseph President & Founder

Wissel Joseph President & Founder

Wissel Joseph is Founder and President of "CHILDREN for a NEW HAITI" an International Action Group for Sustainable Development (IAGSDev), established in Columbia, Missouri, and now based in Valparaiso, Indiana.

About Wissel Joseph

Wissel Joseph is Founder and President of "CHILDREN for a NEW HAITI" an International Action Group for Sustainable Development (IAGSDev), established in Columbia, Missouri, and now based in Valparaiso, Indiana. Originally from Gonaives, a city in Northern Haiti, Mr. Joseph comes from Montreal, Canada where he lived with his family from 1992 to 2000 when he moved to Columbia, Missouri for work.

While living in Canada, Mr. Joseph attended Bois-de-Boulogne, St Laurent, Ahuntsic colleges and Demers Intitute where his fields of study included human resources, health sciences, and computer science, in which he obtained a bachelor's degree.

The youngest in a family of five, Wissel Joseph has continued the strong faith and love for God his late mother, Lamercie Boyer, instilled in him and never passes an opportunity to share the gospel through song and prayer with his family and friends.

It was the spring of 2000 when Wissel moved his young family from their adoptive home of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Joseph, a sought after talent in the Computer Programmer/System Analyst field, was being courted by many companies across North America, but in the end, God directed him to move to Columbia, Missouri in United States.

Wissel has never forgotten the land of his birth. He made several attempts to return to Haiti and finally, in 2009 he was given the opportunity to return and to show his children where he had been born.

The trip home allowed Wissel to reconnect with family and friends. While a happy reunion, Wissel found himself profoundly moved by the living conditions of the people and more specifically the children of his homeland. Wissel realized he could not go back to the U.S. and simply return to the life he had, God had directed him to a new purpose.

Unsure of what to do, Wissel fasted and prayed to God for assistance in helping Haiti in a sustainable way. Wissel felt God's answer come to him. He felt strongly that he should start a nonprofit organization that would help the children in Haiti have access to education, healthcare, and decent nutrition. He shared his thoughts with his daughters who were enthusiastic and encouraged him to move forward with the project.

Wissel knew that God would provide. He immediately started gathering information on how to start a nonprofit organization and a few weeks later, had registered it with the state.

Children are the future of any country and Haiti is not exempt. With the devastation by the historic earthquake that still keeps thousands homeless and hungry, the need for help is at an all-time high. The cascade effect of hunger, homelessness and loss of hope on the people and children of Haiti is not something that should be allowed to continue. Especially when the needs are simple.

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Joe Parmele Advisor

Joe Parmele Advisor

A native Oregonian, Joe has adopted the Midwest as home, having spent the past 34 years living here. Although the mountains and ocean beaches of his younger years still call him, he is proud to be known as a flat-lander.

About Joe Parmele

 
A native Oregonian, Joe has adopted the Midwest as home, having spent the past 34 years living here. Although the mountains and ocean beaches of his younger years still call him, he is proud to be known as a flat-lander.

Retired after working in student services for 40 years with high school and college aged young people, Children for a New Haiti caught his attention as a way to continue being involved in the life of a young person. Education has demonstrated time and time again its value in training students to be leaders. Haiti is certainly in need of leadership both now and for its future.

It is a pleasure to be a part of this organization and in the lives of the young children seeking an education. Joe's desire is that many children will be able to enjoy the advantages of an education through this noble work.

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Pat Parmele Advisor

Pat Parmele Advisor

Recently retired from being the Food Service Director for a small college in Nebraska, Patricia's heart still desires a good education for all kids. She believes education is the most powerful tool in a young person’s life.

About Pat Parmele

 
Recently retired from being the Food Service Director for a small college in Nebraska, Patricia's heart still desires a good education for all kids. She believes education is the most powerful tool in a young person’s life. Leadership skills come with education and leadership may vastly improve the struggling country of Haiti.

Mission work was one of the key components of the college her husband and herself worked for and many times they found themselves in the role of support staff for the pre-med students and medical alumni as they worked in the fields around the globe. Seeing the needs first hand touches their heart deeply, especially hers.

Being a part of “Children for a New Haiti” is such a privilege. Knowing that we can make a difference in the lives of children and possibly a nation is awe inspiring.

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Bev Christiansen Financial Advisor

Bev Christiansen Financial Advisor

North Dakota was Bev's home for the first 20 years of her life. Her husband, Sidney and herself, have subsequently lived in Washington, California, Missouri, and Florida.

About Bev Christiansen

North Dakota was Bev's home for the first 20 years of her life. Her husband, Sidney and herself, have subsequently lived in Washington, California, Missouri, and Florida. They have lived in Missouri for 35 years and raised 3 daughters in the "Show Me State". All three daughters are graduates of Seventh Day Adventist Universities and they have traveled the world. Her daughters' inspiration stimulated her interest in the "Children for a new Haiti" and she is thankful to be a part of this project.

Bev has been involved in Adventist Community Service for 20 years and has served as director. She has also been involved with Refugee/Immigration Services here in our community assisting new arrivals to America with their needs. She has been involved with many aspects of her husband's medical practice over the years. Her favorite hobbies are gardening and quilting.

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Diann Hancock Member

Diann Hancock Member

Diann was born in Lamar, Colorado; she spent the first 18 years of her life on her family farm in Holly, Colorado, (a farming community in Southeastern Colorado) 

About Diann Hancock

 
Diann was born in Lamar, Colorado; she spent the first 18 years of her life on her family farm in Holly, Colorado, (a farming community in Southeastern Colorado) where her parents instilled a strong work ethic in all their children. She learned to drive tractors and grain trucks. She helped with milking and feeding cows on their dairy. She learned how to ride horses; her father was a horse trainer. Diann is one of 8 children - 2 of her siblings passed away before adulthood.

After graduating from Holly High School, she went to College at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, where she graduated with a double Major in Elementary Education and Home Economics and a Minor in Sociology. Upon graduating from college, she began her teaching career in Elementary schools in Houston, Texas, where she continued her Education and received her Master's Degree in Reading with a Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Houston. She taught various elementary grades (K-9) for 22 years before becoming a full time employee of Hancock Refrigeration & Heating LLC (their family owned company that does commercial refrigeration, air conditioning/heating).

After graduating from College in Keene, Texas, she married her best friend, Ed Hancock. They have 3 adult sons and 3 daughters-in-law. (They lost a little daughter as an infant). They currently have 2 granddaughters and 2 grandchildren on the way. They feel that God has blessed in their lives and they have a desire to help others achieve their potential and have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

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Linda Schnell Member

Linda Schnell Member

riginally a native of Saint Louis, MO, Linda is an alumnus of Sunnydale Academy in Centralia, MO and Union College in Nebraska. Linda is married to Larry and both are the proud parents

About Linda Schnell

 
Originally a native of Saint Louis, MO, Linda is an alumnus of Sunnydale Academy in Centralia, MO and Union College in Nebraska. Linda is married to Larry and both are the proud parents of two (2) sons: Dex, a full time construction worker, primarily and Electrician; and Lane a senior in High school.

Linda and Larry owned and managed a construction and leasing company. They strongly believe that the Lord has blessed their efforts and continues to be the head of their company. Linda's greatest joy has come from raising their boys. She has had the privilege of being Sabbath school leader for various children departments throughout the years and vacation Bible schools.

Linda's passion for what we do and the impact that we are having in the life of the less fortunate children speaks loud.

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Leon Makovicka Member

Leon Makovicka Member

Originally a native farm boy from Nebraska, Leon adopted Missouri as his temporary home in 1978. Leon is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science Degree

About Leon Makovicka

Originally a native farm boy from Nebraska, Leon adopted Missouri as his temporary home in 1978. Leon is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accounting. He is married to Judy Makovicka.

Leon held various positions in the Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1978. He helped plant the Fulton Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1998. He is the President of the local low-power Christian radio station affiliated with 3ABN (3 Angels Broadcasting Network) since 2000. For the past 16 years, Leon has been an Associate and Department Manager at Walmart.

2 Corinthians 9:7, 8 states: "Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

Leon is very grateful to be a part of "Children for a New Haiti."

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Staff & Contact in Haiti

Cherubin Eustache Representative in Dos-Palais

Cherubin Eustache Representative in Dos-Palais

Cherubin is a native of Haiti. He lives in Dos-Palais, a village between Lascahobas and Belladere in the Centre plateau

About Cherubin Eustache

Cherubin is a native of Haiti. He lives in Dos-Palais, a village between Lascahobas and Belladere in the Centre plateau. He is married and is considered as one of the respected leaders in the village.

He studied agriculture and has worked in various projects in different part of Haiti with other organizations (NGOs). He feels fortunate to be involved with "Children for a New Haiti". His dream is to see big changes in the life of the children in Haiti especially in the small villages.

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