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
How our Livestock as a Business Program Upholds Maasai Tradition
The Maasai have a close relationship with different types of animals. This makes sense, considering the migration route for many of those animals traverses land traditionally settled by the Maasai. In particular, our Maasai friends are close to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, where people from all over the world…
Widows Update: Hope, Part II
Our Hope for Widows program has embarked on its second year. In recent weeks, we've met the first round participants who have been preparing for their second round of grants. We're also choosing a new group of women to be participants in the next cohort. We have a lot of…
Partner Spotlight: Rotary District 7630
We're well underway with the community borehole project in Lositeti, and experience tells us that we can expect to see great things from a community that will finally have a reliable, clean water source. But establishing a deep well takes a committed "village" in Kenya—and a strong community of support…
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.