Licensed Plumber LICENSE #CO88900054
Call For a Licensed Plumber: (317) 859-9999

Greenwood Plumber goes to Haitigreenwood plumber | haiti mission | global plumber | plumber without borders

Jamie and Lisa Carter are Southside plumbers with big hearts.
Jamie has been a plumber for over 35 years. Lisa, who has degrees in nursing and public health promotions, has been in the plumbing business with her husband for 27 years. This Greenwood Plumber took his plumbing skills to Haiti to help others in need.

Their son, Kelson, also is learning the family trade, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Their daughter, Lauren, is a graduate fromย Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and heading to Taylor University in the fall for her Masters.

The Carters recently put their skills to use in Haiti, where Jamie built new bathroom facilities for nearly 40 orphans at the Christian Light School in Port-au-Prince (www.christianlighthaiti.org). They talked to the Star about their experiences.

Question: Most of us have heard of Doctors without Borders, but this is the first we’ve heard of plumbers without borders. How did you end up building bathrooms in Haiti?

Answer: This truly is a “God thing.” Lauren, our daughter, has a huge passion for mission work, so she was the instigator. Jamie had never been on a mission trip before.

Lauren and Lisa have been to a Navajo reservation, Costa Rica and Colombia. With Jamie going on this mission, the folks in Haiti were ecstatic about (having) a plumber. . . . Lauren and Lisa were his helpers. Lauren explored other orphanages a few days, and Lisa, a registered nurse, treated children at the orphan’s clinic.

Q: Tell us about the orphanage you are helping.

A: It is an amazing facility that houses 38 orphans. Most were left homeless when their parents were killed in the earthquake. It’s a very humble facility with dirt walkways, limited water supply, outhouses and no air conditioning. The resources are extremely limited, including medical supplies and educational materials.

Q: Describe the area where you were working? Sanitation conditions?

A: It was extremely hot, dirty and unsanitary. Sanitation flows through the dusty gravel streets. Trash is piled along the sides of the makeshift streets where pigs, goats, chickens and dogs roam freely. There are no restroom facilities and people are seen relieving themselves along the roads. Buckets are used in some tents.

There were a few toilets at the orphanage, and we were not allowed to flush paper. At the mission house where we stayed, we used the army method to shower — turn the water off between suds. Water is not filtered, and many Haitians have died from cholera.

Q: Are toilets and bathrooms common there?

A: No. The poverty level is so high that no one can afford a bathroom. There are no sewers or sanitation facilities. Rainwater is collected. The ice cream bell American’s hear in the local neighborhood, Haitians hear a bell from a water truck delivering small bags of drinking water to locals.

Water at the orphanage is brought in through a well; however, it is contaminated because of the surrounding sanitation issues. The water is siphoned to the rooftop where a large plastic cistern holds it for showers. During the day, temperatures get up to 115 degrees and the water becomes stagnant and moldy.

One of the first things Jamie did was install lids on the cisterns on the rooftop because pigeons would sit on top of them and, well you get the picture.

Q: You are there to make life better for the Haitian orphans, but how has this experience affected your lives?

A: We were both impacted by how little these people have and yet they are happy.

God has given us a new vision to make a difference regarding the installation and education of bringing fresh water sources and sanitation to third world countries. We want to start or partner with a nonprofit to improve the fresh water sources and sanitation in these impoverished nations. We recognize the need and there are matters out there bigger than us.

Q: Does your company do this kind of pro bono plumbing work for local needy folks or charities?

A: We do. We donated the installation of new plumbing in a house for one of the State Fair stage collapse victims last year. It was a complete remodel, and we donated the installation of all new handicapped plumbing fixtures to accommodate the young man.

 

Kelson Carter

Article reviewed by:

Kelson Carter, aka, The Prince of Plumbing

Kelson is a 3rd generation Plumbing Contractor. His family business is located in Greenwood, Indiana, and provides Residential Plumbing Service to the Indianapolis Metro market.

Kelson grew up watching his grandfather and father do plumbing. After graduating high school, Kelson went to Trade School and became a Licensed Master Plumber and Licensed Plumbing Contractor. He is also Certified in Backflow Prevention. He currently owns and operates Carter's My Plumber with his parents.


Instagram

Schedule Your Appointment Now

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
Happy 6 Year Anniversary to one of our customer service representatives, Tonya! ๐Ÿ‘‘

Tonya truly cares about people, is a loyal employee, and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure our customers are taken care of! 

If you call and talk to Tonya this week, tell her CONGRATS! She deserves it. 859-9999
In Southside of Indy born & raised. At the office is where he spent most of his days. Chillin out, Maxin', relaxin, all cool. 

Sittin on his throne, as the PRINCE OF PLUMBIN' ๐Ÿ‘‘๐Ÿ’ฆ
DON'T LISTEN TO THE PACKAGE.

But if you do, call us at 317-859-9999 ๐Ÿ‘‘โญ
Reminder as the temperatures are DROPPING. Prevent those pipes from FREEZING and save yourself a headache! ๐Ÿ’ฆ
It's Tuesday, lets Thank a Tech!!! โญโญโญโญโญ

Alex is a stand up guy and A++ plumber! Have an experience, like Pete & call a company, like Carters! 317-859-9999
"I don't have time for this today...." -Max

BUT WE DO! Make the Friday, GOLDEN. โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ› ๐Ÿ’ช
Above & Beyond the call. This is what you can expect when you get Carter's My Plumber in your driveway! โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

317-859-9999
It's almost the end of the month, get your November CARTER CARES nominees in today! We'd love to hear how we can help. 

https://www.cartersmyplumber.com/carter-cares-water-heater-give-away/
Listen to TAYLOR

317-859-9999 ๐Ÿ‘‘
Keep us in mind when you're picking your plumber! ๐Ÿ› ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Family owned, local, and always has your best interest in mind. We're forever grateful for our LOYAL customers.
Some of us mayyyyyyyy have had too much to eat yeaterday and are currently horizontal, but WE'RE OPEN! ๐Ÿ’ช

Call us to get on the schedule before the weekend. Let those leftovers digest & we will do all the work. 317-859-9999
Happy Thanksgiving from Carter's My Plumber! ๐Ÿฆƒ๐Ÿด

Enjoy the day with your family & know we are so THANKFUL for all of you!
Watch out world, looks like this guy is trying to take over the wheel! 

Call 859-9999 to get one of these trucks in your driveway. We'll leave you as happy as this guy is beside big trucks! ๐Ÿ‘‘๐Ÿ› ๐Ÿ’ฆ
Have you heard? Install a water heater with Carter's My Plumber & receive a FREE turkey!

It's almost time to start cooking. Let us help keep the water hot and knock out a step of the preparations. ๐Ÿฆƒ๐Ÿฅง๐Ÿด