Support our Hope for Widows Program in 2026
We're raising $40,000 to ensure we can help more widows this year
In Kenya, Maasai people say Enkare Enkishui
Our Mission
Water is Life Kenya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to spark personal, economic, and community development in marginalized communities in Kenya, according to existing customs and culture. We do this by providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; empowering women; and equipping people to develop income through improved resource management.
Years in Operation
1
Clean Water Projects
1
People with Clean Water
1
Widows Supported
1
WILK Blog: Perspectives
New Grant from Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church for “Double LAB” Program
We are happy to share that we received a $45,905.51 grant from Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church to support our new “Double LAB” Program! This grant will help us build a model farm to help our Livestock as a Business (LAB) farmers and grass managers grow nutritious livestock feed for their cows. This…
WILK-TEC Finishes Phase 2 of Rainwater Harvesting at Inchakita Primary School
This past September, Emily, Doug, Weldon, and Ryan, engineers from our very own WILK-TEC (Technical Engineering Committee), made the trip to Kenya. This trip focused on Phase 2 of the Inchakita Primary School Rainwater Harvesting System. A new building was outfitted with WILK-TEC’s custom-designed first-flush system, which keeps dirt and…
Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) Update: From an Idea to Practice
We’ve made Dr. Francis Tannian’s dream come true! After last year's fundraising efforts and much planning, WILK's new Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) has been going strong. Let's take a look at the results of the pilot over the last several months. WILK Co-Founder Joseph Larasha speaking at an early youth…
WILK's Transformative Programs
WASH Projects
Mainly through deep borehole wells, we establish community water, sanitation, and hygiene systems, each benefitting hundreds of families and their livestock.
Hope for Widows Program
Maasai widows are incredibly marginalized. We empower them to lift themselves out of poverty by providing business training and giving grants of goats and cash.
Livestock as a Business Program
To keep the water on, communities need stable income. We train and finance Maasai livestock keeping groups so they can run better businesses.
Beaded Handicrafts Program
One way we help Kenyan women generate income is through our Beaded Handicrafts program. We buy directly from artisans and sell our products to U.S. supporters.
Our Method
Across each of our programs, our educational approach meets a few key criteria:
- Engage all the Senses. We encourage dynamic participation by bringing lessons to life and teaching important lessons in approachable ways.
- Respect the People. We respect the people, culture, and traditions of the Maasai while introducing new concepts for water, livestock, and business management.
- Raise up Women. In a male-dominated society, we empower women with the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to improve their lives.
Water is Just the Beginning
Watch the video below to see the Oleopolos Community Borehole, established in 2012. For over a decade, this life-changing project has provided clean, reliable water to the surrounding community, improving livelihoods and supporting sustainable development.