Since 2023, the Global Linkages travel community and Water is Life Kenya have been collaborating on a project to bring clean, reliable water access to the community of Olmoti, Kenya. Together, the GL travelers, the WILK Team, and the Olmoti Community celebrated the official Opening Ceremony of the project on October 15.
About the Partnership
Global Linkages is a boutique travel organization that connects the African Diaspora with the Motherland. Led by their fearless leader, Lorna K. Johnson, GL travelers engage in cultural exchanges across the continent, often finding ways they can support the communities they visit.
GL’s inaugural trip to Kenya in 2022 led them to meet the Olmoti community and learn about its need for clean water. Soon after, they partnered with WILK to make this dream a reality for Olmoti.
Global Linkages Water Project
For two years, we’ve collaborated to drill a deep borehole, equip it with elephant-proof infrastructure (Olmoti is near the elephant heartland), and ensure there is sufficient water for families and their livestock. We were grateful to officially hand this project over to Olmoti’s Water Management Committee, which will manage it for the long-term.
As with all WILK projects, the Olmoti community was involved from the beginning. We require a buy-in from all community members to ensure the project serves the community, providing reliable service to all who call Olmoti home. We also helped organize a Self-Help Group (called the “Olmoti Community Borehole”) to manage the project long-term. This method is what makes our projects sustainable and built to last.
Sixteen GL Ambassadors raised over $110,000 to make this project happen. From walking and swimming challenges to cookouts to letters to
family and friends, these ambassadors, led by Carole Best and Becky Doggett, made this effort possible. Without them and over 430 donors, this project would not exist.
Global Linkages Legacy Garden
To inspire donations in the final stretch of the water project, the Fundraising Ambassadors encouraged their networks and the GL community to honor their loved ones by planting trees in Olmoti.
Along with WILK’s vision and Olmoti’s commitment to re-greening its home, a beautiful garden space was created near the borehole. Trees have been planted, and they are able to grow thanks to fresh water from the borehole.
WILK plans to maintain the garden in the near future to ensure it is properly established. One day, we hope this garden will help generate income for the community as a tourist attraction, meeting place, medicinal garden, and even nursery.
The Future Looks Bright
Our partnership with GL has benefitted thousands of people with the gift of clean, accessible water, and the community has thrived. Women are alleviated from the job of searching for and collecting water. More children, especially daughters, can attend school regularly. And, because livestock have a designated place for their own water supply, men can stay home with their families.
Our GL friends also have created a beautiful space to honor their loved ones in the Legacy Garden, which has given the community even more hope for the future. The potential for greater income, accessible traditional medicines, and a greener ecosystem will also assist people in Olmoti by offering them more economic opportunities. This bounty, then, is two-fold.
We’re proud of this partnership and all we’ve accomplished together. We look forward to the next phase of growth that happens here.
