SJM_Philawell Profile_0125final.qxp_profile 1 / 24 / 25 2 : 28 PM Page 1 s p o n s o r e d p r o f i l e sjm away proved to be life theirimaginations . altering . “ It was truly remarkable to see what “ What I saw changed they made and the smiles on their faces everything : It changed and how creative they can be when they my outlook on the world work together . You really saw a different and my life , ” she says . side of these kids , ” Cohen says . “ I didn’t “ When I saw how these give them a blueprint , we just gave them tribal people lived , I some Legos , showed them how to use couldn’t believe it . I re - them and told them to create their own alized that if no one is masterpiece . ” allowing these people Cohen also hopes to soon be able to to have clean water , deliversmall propane stoves to help elim - clothes , etc . , then some - inate the use of charcoal for cooking . The one needs to do some - charcoal is made by cutting down trees , thing . So I thought , well whichis displacing lemurs and disrupting I’m retired , I can do theecosystem . something . ” Whilethe donated supplies are helping Cohen started small . the village thrive , fresh water remains the After returning home to priority , which is why Philawell has already Marlton , she kept in builttwo rain - sustainable wells that provide touch with her tour an abundance of water to the camp as guide on the trip , a longas the rain is coming steadily . During A LASTING mannamed Theo , who times of drought , however , the people shared that kids at his struggle , so Philawell is leading a project local school were in to build more wells and a piping system IMPACT desperate need of closerto the river . footwear . So , she col - InMarch , new solar - powered wells will South Jersey’s Karen Cohen created Philawell lected300 pairs of flip - bebuilt with the goal of being able to pro - to help bring clean water , clothes and more flops and returned to vide the village fresh water , 365 days a Madagascar that Oc - year.It’s a project that will solidify the hard to the Antandroy people of Madagascar . tober to personally de - workPhilawell has put forth and hopefully BY MATT COSENTINO liverthem . aspringboard for similar projects to extend “ They didn’t care intoneighboring villages . s a young teacher working at an el - about the color , they didn’t even care if “ I’m completely blown away [ by what ementary school in North Philadel - they were too small . It was like the best thismeans for the villagers ] , but we are not Aphia , it used to break Karen Cohen’s thingthat ever happened to them , because stoppinguntil everyone gets what they de - heart to see students from needy families it was the first time in their lives that they serve — which is clean water , ” Cohen says . come to class wearing the same clothes receiveda gift , of anything , ” she says . The progress made in a short time is every day . Even though she was just starting WhenCohen got back after her second impressive , but Cohen doesn’t want at - out in her career and didn’t have much trip , she was encouraged by friends and tention for herself , just for anyone who money herself , she found a way to help , familyto start a foundation , and Philawell maybe in need . borrowing used items from family members was “ If you think about the women and born . Her nonprofit — whose name is to give to the children . acombination of her hometown of Philadel - men of this village who may be in their Thirty years later , that charitable spirit phiaand the need for wells in the Mandrare 50sor 60s , they’ve never had this . They’ve is as strong as ever in Cohen . The only dif - River Camp to provide fresh water — now alwaysbathed , did their laundry and got ference is that her efforts have increased provideseverything from clothes , toiletries water from an infested river . … That’s considerably : She’s not just helping people andflip - flops to school supplies , including whyI’m heading out there in the summer , in her hometown , but halfway across the laptops , to Madagascar’s Antandroy people because I can’t imagine their reaction . I globe . andschools in need . More recently , Cohen trulybelieve they deserve this opportunity “ I always had it in my heart to give , ” madesure kids in the village received their andI’m blessed this experience happened n Cohen says . “ I’m blessed now that I can veryown sets of Legos so they could spark tome . ” give more . ” After three - plus decades in education , DONATIONSMAKE including 16 years in South Jersey at the ADIFFERENCE Katz Jewish Community Center , Cohen Whenyou donate money planned on a relaxing retirement spent orsupplies to help further withher husband and two kids . When her Philawell’scause , your father passed away unexpectedly , however , support is helping change lives.Please consider she turned to travel as a way to regroup making a donation at and heal , and it was during a visit to Africa Philawell.org . in August 2023 that she found her new purpose . Capping a three - week trip to South Africa with a stop in Madagascar , the get - Philawell Marlton | Philawell.org SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 21 issue 10 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 19