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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
The Nooriro Borehole: A Gush of Hope
Under normal conditions, Nooriro was paradise for the Maasai, with plenty of rain, grass, and healthy cows. Like most Maasai communities, it doesn’t exist on a conventional map. It’s located in a valley between two mountains which, after the rainy season, turns into a reservoir. However, these are not ideal…
The Challenge of Feeding Students During Drought
What if your child’s college fund grew when it rained and shrunk when it didn’t? That’s been the situation for livestock-keeping communities across Kenya during the ongoing drought. For communities like the Maasai, their cattle herd is a bank account that they use for: savings, expenses, school fees, weddings, dowry,…
Losing Land, Losing Culture: Land Ownership in Maasailand and its Impact
In an opportunity to better understand Maasai culture and people, we’ve been discussing important facets of Maasai life in Kenya. The Maasai are considered livestock keepers, but the ownership of Maasailand has been under threat for over 100 years. A critical debate remains: who owns Maasailand? A Maasai man herds…
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.