Page 46 - Delaware Business Times - 2024 Giving Guide

WATER IS
LIFE KENYA
314 E. MAIN ST., KELWAY PLAZA, SUITE 2, NEWARK, DE 19711 | 302.894.7335 | WATERISLIFEKENYA.ORG
OUR MISSION
To spark personal,
economic, and
community development
in marginalized
communities in Kenya,
according to existing
customs and culture,
through WASH projects,
income-generating
programs, and women’s
empowerment.
Year established: 2007
Number of full-time employees: 8
Number of part-time employees: 6
Annual revenue: $600,000
Geographic service area: Southern Kenya
HOW WE MAKE AN IMPACT
Since 2007, Water is Life Kenya (WILK) has
provided life-saving water, sanitation, and
hygiene (WASH) systems and economic
empowerment to Maasai communities in
Kenya. We work in the Amboseli ecosystem
where traditional livestock farmers struggle
to manage scarce resources and frequent
drought. In 2024, we opened our 30th
WASH project and celebrated 100,000
people with clean water. Our income-
generating programs have also been successful. Livestock as a Business
supports livestock farmers with business skills and loans (700 graduates).
Hope for Widows empowers Maasai widows with entrepreneurship training,
goats, and grants (120 participants). Planning for Pasture supports local grazing
management committees (2,500 farmers trained). Beaded Handicrafts bring
income to Kenyan artisans (100+ artisans).
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
We connect compassionate Delawareans to Kenyan communities. Support our
work by donating via check or online at waterislifekenya.org/donate. Gifts over
$1,000 admit you to the Kilimanjaro Club. We have recently embarked on
partnership projects to support Hope for Widows (Raskob Foundation,
2022-2024) and donate borehole wells (Lions Club International Foundation,
2023; Rotary District 7630, 2024; St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, 2025). Contact
us to discuss planned giving, corporate or foundation support, or partnership.
Joyce Tannian
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Joseph Larasha
Project Manager, Co-Founder
TOP FUNDING SOURCES:
Individual Support: 72%
Foundations & Grants: 23%
Beaded Handicraft Sales: 5%
With the skills I got from
WILK training, my business
is strong, I am saving money,
and I own something now.
It is a big transformation
for me and my kids.”
—Siyiantet Ntamu
SOCIAL MEDIA:
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer opportunities exist for admin. support, event staffi ng, bead sales,
and outreach. Local engineers volunteer through WILK-TEC (Technical
Engineering Committee). Kenyan travel opportunities exist for special projects.
To connect, contact Aaron Lemma at aaron@waterislifekenya.org.
LEADERSHIP
US TEAM:
Joyce Tannian,
Executive Director &
US Co-Founder
Aaron Lemma,
Outreach &
Operations Manager
Paula Persoleo,
Communications
Coordinator
KENYAN TEAM:
Joseph Larasha,
Project Manager &
Kenyan Co-Founder
Nelson Tinayo,
Field Offi cer, WASH
Cate Olegei,
Field Offi cer, Widows
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS:
Francis X. Tannian,
President
Francis Karani
Katie Kowalski
Linda Landis
Mark Manniso
Amy Plante
Stephens Thè
Marsha Walters
Michael Warui
@waterislifekenya
44 | GIVING GUIDE 2024/2025