About Us
We are water is life kenya
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Who We Are
Water is Life Kenya (WILK) is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit (Tax ID number: 26-3185829). Founded by Joyce Tannian of Newark, Delaware, and Joseph Larasha of Kenya, WILK is a US-based charitable organization that operates with boots on the ground in Kajiado County, Southern Kenya.
For 19 years, WILK has worked primarily with indigenous Maasai people in southern Kenya. What began as an effort to install water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects has evolved into a model for overall development. For these communities, water is the beginning. We don’t just drill wells—we empower local communities to care for themselves. We help in the following ways:
Due to our strong, grassroots US donor support and low overhead, millions of dollars have been channeled through Water is Life Kenya and into developing Southern Kenyan economies, benefiting more than 110,000 people. Most importantly, our programs have helped women and young girls who were traditionally burdened with collecting water. By not having to walk long distances to obtain water, girls are free to pursue education. Girls who stay in school have improved income opportunities and can help their families in the future. In addition, with girls staying in school longer, they can have fewer pregnancies, which leads to lower maternal mortality rates and better chances for gender equality.