A nonprofit in Kenya is providing clean water and deep transformation to local communities.
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,” reads the haunting final line of W. H. Auden’s poem “First Things First.” In Kenya, a scrappy nonprofit aims to provide both water and love to the Maasai people, going beyond just addressing their physical needs to help them build thriving businesses and communities.
For nearly twenty years, Water is Life Kenya has provided clean water to villages near Amboseli National Park. The organization has seen remarkable success, with over 90 percent of its wells still in operation. This is extremely impressive—a UNICEF report found that as many as 30 to 50 percent of water projects fail within five years of completion.
So what sets Water is Life Kenya (WILK) apart?
Aaron Lemma, director of U.S. operations, attributes the nonprofit’s success to WILK’s unique approach: an ethos that focuses on deep personal and community transformation rather than large-scale efforts to install as many water projects as possible. “We feel like God is calling us to transform lives for people, and our donors are continuously supporting us because we’re able to reach people on a deep level,” he explained.
The organization was founded in 2007 by Joyce Tannian, who witnessed the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. As the city reeled in the aftermath of an act of hate, Joyce asked herself, “What would it look like if we organized around love?” This question led her to begin volunteering, which eventually led her to embark on a trip to Kenya, where she met co-founder Joseph Larasha.
Witnessing the devastating effects of drought and generational poverty on Maasai communities, Joyce and Joseph decided they needed to help. Joyce realized that students were dropping out of school because lack of water access meant they needed to help carry water every day for several hours—keeping families trapped in a cycle of poverty. “The core issue is water, so until you solve that, nothing’s going to improve,” Mr. Lemma said.
WILK developed a model based on three key pillars: microeconomics, community engagement, and buy-in from community members. These pillars allow community members to be active participants in the process and unite around shared goals.
Each water project has a management committee staffed by members of the local community that oversees operations and collects tariffs to cover maintenance costs for the well. This means that each water project is self-sustaining and ensures that WILK can check in on the status of wells during yearly committee training sessions, providing a clear picture of ongoing impact.
But the work doesn’t stop there. Water is Life Kenya invests in each community it serves through its Livestock as a Business and Hope for Widows programs. These programs promote human flourishing by engaging with the Maasai culture and empowering individuals to provide for their needs and the needs of their families, creating a tangible and lasting impact on their lives.
The intentional focus on forming relationships and holistic care for the whole person has paid off. “We’re on our thirty-sixth water project,” Mr. Lemma said. “We’ve helped over 110,000 people have clean water just through taking it one project at a time.”
Communities touched by Water is Life Kenya are transformed. Mothers and daughters no longer have to carry water for four (or more) hours per day. Parents can pay school fees on time, without stress, because they have learned business principles to implement in managing their cattle herds. Widows are empowered to support themselves and their children through entrepreneurship. Children are more likely to stay in school.
Koyiaso, a forty-five-year-old mother of four who completed the Hope for Widows program, was left devastated and alone after her husband’s death. Now? She’s broken out of her shell, started a business, and is providing for her family. “She says she used to be just someone that people ignored, and now she’s a business lady,” Mr. Lemma said. “She can stand up in front of people and talk to them, and she actually has confidence. She’s more of who God created her to be.”
It’s incredible to see what will grow with a little water and a lot of love.
