Founded in 2007 by Joyce Tannian of Newark, Delaware and Joseph Larasha of Kenya, Water is Life Kenya (WILK) is a IRS designated 501 (C) (3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing clean, accessible water to the Maasai people in drought-prone rural communities in Southern Kenya. By cultivating relationships in each community and working in partnership with local residents, WILK has completed 24 projects in 18 communities transforming the lives of more than 55,000 people.
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Water is Life Kenya doesn't quit!
Water is Life Kenya (WILK) understands that clean drinking water is just the beginning. Once the clean water supply, sanitation and good hygiene (WASH) is established, Water is Life Kenya (WILK) works with communities to overcome systemic poverty, to manage land and livestock, and to transform people’s own ideas of themselves and their abilities. WILK is committed to long-term and holistic community development. Learn about What We Do |
Transforming communities starts with individuals
Read how Priscilla and Joyce's lives have been changed through Water is Life Kenya's LAB (Livestock as a Business) Program.
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Priscilla Ene Shinina's Story
"Water is Life Kenya has taken us far as women. Even our minds are a bit different than before we meet WILK. If I can go to do farming now with knowledge that I got from WILK, it is a big change. If I go to the market to sell livestock, it is a big change that I can sell as the men sell. I can choose a good breed of cows like the men can choose. it is a big step to us as women." |
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Joyce Nderu's Story
"Since I learned how to keep livestock as a business from Water is Life Kenya I learned to control the drought. For example, I cut grass, bean crop residues, maize crop residues and collect acacia seed pods. Then I bought extra parts for my milling machine, which I only use for my cow feed, and mill them together and store it in bags in my home. During the drought season I have food for my cows." |
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To hear more stories visit our Women's Testimonials page.
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Your donation makes a difference!
4 miles a day was the average distance to water, now it is 1 mile per day. 13,500 hours are saved as a result of WILK's water projects. Improved health for families includes not only clean water. Thus, every WILK water project includes sanitation stations and hygiene training. "Over 700 children under age 5 die every day of diarrhoeal diseases due to lack of appropriate WASH services." - UNICEF.org Read Our 3 Year Vision Plan |
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Hear Leah's Story about how clean water has changed her life
Life in Esukuta was hard for everyone before WILK showed up on the scene. Women like Leah had to walk miles everyday for water. In the dry season that meant having to dig in the dry river bed to access water. Watch the video to the left to hear her story and learn more about the challenges they faced before they got access to clean water. Read our 2019 Report to the Community Learn about our Clean Water Projects Program |
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We are committed to taking it a step further with the communities we serve.
Where other charities come and go, or stay closer to more convenient urban centers, WILK only increases its commitment to the people of rural Kajiado County. When a devastating drought in 2009 resulted in the loss of 85%-90% of the only source of income for these local communities, their cows, we knew we had to do something to help. As a result, the Livestock as a Business program was born. Since that auspicious beginning in 2011, over 1,000 herders, men and women, have been trained in a variety of livestock practices and business skills to help them and their families successfully weather unexpected risks. WILK will continue to remain in this region while there remains work to be done. Learn about our Livestock As a Business Program |
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Joyce Tannian and Joseph Larasha joined forces to make a difference.
Fifteen years ago, Joyce and Larasha met on a 120 mile walk for girls and education in Kenya. Both wanted to make a difference. Little did they know that it would be the beginning of something that would impact over 50,000 lives and counting 12 years later. WILK's US team, made up of a small staff and large volunteer base, puts it in a different league to many larger nonprofit organizations (NGOs) and charities. Lean and efficient by design, WILK works with a small local Kenyan team to generate big change from every donor penny. WILK's team is embedded in -- and from -- the communities it serves. Meet our Team |
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Make an impact:
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Volunteer:
Volunteering for WILK is a rewarding, positive, and enjoyable experience. Through WILK I have grown as an individual, contributed to the local community, and in a small way helped to alleviate some of the global issues of water insecurity. -- Kathy Livingstone
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Buy Kenyan Handicrafts:
Buy Fair Trade hand made handicrafts made by Kenya artisans at waterislifebeads.com
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