top of page

WHO WE ARE

My name is Steve Hamer, President of WASH For Life, Inc. a 501c3 non-profit organizion. I'm a retired business owner with 30 years of experience in the housing industry. After meeting several adult students from Malawi, Africa, who were attending Lakeland University, a relationship was formed and this eventually led to the development of a program of well installations (boreholes) at schools and villages in Malawi. In 2019, I visited many of the sites in Malawi and grew to love the country and its people. Once you've experienced the smiles of the school children, you'll understand why they call Malawi "The Warm Heart of Africa."

IMG_7040.jpg

Thanks to many generous donors, we have built 40 boreholes, helping children, teachers, and family members receive clean water.

MEET THE TEAM

Patrick Tembwe is the person overseeing this program in Malawi; he received his Master of Business Administration degree from Lakeland University in Wisconsin. He personally advises us on the application progress, installation, and presentation of the boreholes. He is also owner of Antigo Aquaponics Farm in Malawi, where he and his family reside. Patrick has been involved in all 20 installations of the boreholes and is responsible for overseeing each project. He screens all applications, makes arrangements for the installation of the wells, coordinates with the Head Teacher and the Village Elders regarding their involvement in the process, coordinates maintenance training, and provides visual aids as well as signage for each project.

IMG_0043.JPG

Paul Treffert grew up in Mequon, Wisconsin, studied Economics at UW Madison, and earned an MBA at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN. His previous service experiences include repairing homes with the Appalachian Service Project, and a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica. Since 2016, Paul has been the CEO at Sheboygan Senior Community, where he met Steve Hamer and joined the WASH for Life cause. He’s been on two WASH trips to Malawi, including this past June with his daughter, Emily. On the WASH for Life Board, Paul is involved with strategic planning, marketing, and developing a sustainable Preventative Maintenance Program for the boreholes created by the WASH/GRO Girls partnership.

Paul image

Stevie Bullard grew up in Kohler, Wisconsin, and is currently based in New York City working in sales and the arts. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and creative entrepreneurship minor. In undergrad Stevie served as President of New Ground Theatre Company where she raised thousands of dollars to produce new works (musicals, plays,and readings). Prior to her role in WASH For Life, Inc, she was a founding member of the non-profit organization, GRO, Girl Reaching Out, which has raised over $180,000 to build wells in Malawi and inspired the conception of WASH. Out of her love for service, the arts, and connecting with others, Stevie has continued her work with water in Malawi and hopes to one day combine her passions to start a creative non profit that funds New Works providing access to the professional arts in Northern Wisconsin.

Stevie Bullard.jpg

Ethan Kapelka is a recent graduate from University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor's degree in computer science and a concentration in game design and development. He is originally from Sheboygan Falls, WI. He currently works as a programmer for Acuity Insurance, living in Sheboygan, WI. He has dedicated his time to WASH For Life by developing the website, publishing blog posts, and writing the newsletter.

Ethan.jpg

Marcella Senti is from Kohler, Wisconsin, and is one of the original GRO founders. She attended the University of Denver and received her degree in English Literature and Creative Writing with aspirations of being an author. Alongside whatever seasonal job(s) she is currently doing, Marcella can be found working on her novel, reading, and writing articles for WASH as the new resident writer. Being able to come back to the mission of GRO and joining WASH has been such a joy, especially because there has been so much incredible progress. Seeing the growth and engagement is wildly exciting, and she is thrilled to be returning with new skills and perspectives.

IMG_2087.png

Jeff Elzinga retired from Lakeland University in 2018 with the title of Emeritus Professor of Writing. In his more than thirty years with the school, Jeff performed several administrative roles for Lakeland apart from teaching, including twice serving as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. He also created and oversaw for seventeen years Lakeland's Malawi Teacher Education Program, through which 55 bachelor degrees in general education and 20 master degrees with a specialty in reading education were awarded to visiting Malawian students. Earlier in his career, Jeff was a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State, serving in Tunisia and Malawi. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Columbia University.

IMG_0052.jpg
bottom of page