Dwain and Christina Abramowski of Charlevoix, Michigan believe that “the world is run by the people who show up.” They take this to heart particularly in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. How they care about the world is reflected in not only what they do, but how they give.
“We all have a special place in the world where we do the best we can to increase the quality of life on earth for all living things in our own way.”
For Christina and Dwain, one particular passion started over 30 years ago in a classroom at Shawnee Park Oral-Deaf School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a teacher, Christina met 6-year-old Julia Bohl and developed a lifelong friendship with the Bohl family of Otsego, Michigan. Jerry and Judy Bohl, Julia’s parents are founders of Clean Water for the World (CW4W), a non-profit that provides water purifiers at no-cost to rural communities the world over. In less than 15 years, CW4W has installed over 250 clean water purifiers in nearly 20 countries. One water purifier provides water for 600 people. Annually, more than 150,000 individuals in remote rural villages receive access to water, free-of-charge thanks to generous donations and collaborations.
Water is an important part of life. “We watch what is going on around the world with draughts and disasters in Haiti and New Orleans,” Christina commented. The Abramowski’s became involved with CW4W after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti in 2012. Wanting to help, Jerry and Judy invited them to learn more about CW4W and the impact the water purifiers made in Haiti. While they cannot go with CW4W on delegations to Haiti, El Salvador or Guatemala where a majority of the water purifiers are, they help financially and promote CW4W in their community. They say to others, “if you´re going to donate to an organization, this would be the organization you trust.”
Christina spoke highly of finding an organization that uses money responsibly. “I can´t do what they do. I have a different life right now. I am grateful to donate to them.” It´s important for people to know, she said, exactly how much of each donation goes to the work they do. “When I donate $850, I know all of it goes to help the people of Haiti.” She further commented that not only do people get free access to clean water, they receive education on sanitation and how to maintain the purifier system.
Jerry, co-founder of CW4W, explains that the total cost of the water purifier covers all wholesale costs of the purifier including costs to transport them and installations. Purifiers are built by volunteers in the Bohl’s garage in Otsego. The network of people involved in CW4W get involved in a variety of ways ranging from participating in delegations that transport purifiers to other countries, visiting the workshop in Otsego, joining the Walk for Water in Kalamazoo and Toledo or donating directly.
Christina and Dwain donated to Clean Water after the most recent hurricane that hit Haiti and has left hundreds of thousands homeless, yet again. Having access to the most basic of necessities—clean water—is so important. Please join us with Christina and Dwain. Like they say—“You have to make a stand and you have to make a statement” with phone calls, with donations, with time. Won’t you join us? Check out www.cleanwaterfortheworld.org for more information.