Dispatches from Kenya — stories of hope, resilience, and the extraordinary people who make our mission possible.
ProgramsSeptember 16, 2026
Rain in Kenya can bring hope or harm. With 2.7 million people in the drylands facing crisis-level food insecurity and a strong El Niño likely, resilience has to start at the household level.
ProgramsAugust 11, 2026
$25 provides a Garden Tower — but the money moves through a whole community first. Follow the ripple from materials and jobs to food, income, and years of harvest.
Email of the WeekMay 29, 2026
Nearly 1,000 Garden Towers, 150 rainwater tanks, 28 students sponsored, 250+ HopeKits — and a brand-new initiative to kick off our 11th anniversary: Heidi's Hope.
Email of the WeekApril 14, 2026
Three fall teams are forming, a brand-new Build-Your-Own-Team option is open, 27 students just started Term 2, and a spring still needs repair.
Email of the WeekFebruary 28, 2026
Four teams. Thirty-seven travelers. One unforgettable month between World Water Day and Earth Day on the Maasai Mara.
ProgramsJanuary 15, 2026
She couldn't afford food that didn't make her sick. Then a single garden tower gave her health, income, and a future she's still building.
ProgramsJuly 3, 2022
One garden tower can feed a family of six. Meet the communities growing their own food security, one layer at a time.
CultureMay 19, 2022
Step inside the daily rhythms of the Maasai: morning cattle walks, beadwork circles, and storytelling under acacia trees.
ExpeditionsJanuary 15, 2016
Seven volunteers returned to Kenya after the pandemic, and nothing could have prepared them for what they found.
ProgramsApril 5, 2022
When a village gains access to clean water, the ripple effects touch every part of life: health, education, opportunity.
WildlifeFebruary 19, 2022
Witnessing the Great Migration is a humbling reminder of the wild beauty we're working to protect.
EducationJanuary 6, 2022
We've sponsored over 50 children in Kenya. But sponsorship is only the beginning. We pair it with Garden Towers so families can pay their own fees.
ProgramsJuly 30, 2019
150 tanks are sitting in Kenya right now, ready to deliver 3 million liters of clean water per year. Here's what that means in trips eliminated, hours saved, and lives changed.
ProgramsAugust 24, 2016
Eight hundred people shared one contaminated spring. Cattle stood in the water. Children crouched beside them. Then the community chose to protect it. Here is what happened next.
ProgramsApril 4, 2017
Two miles in the dark. A jerry can half her height. And the water she's walking toward will probably make her children sick. This is the daily reality for millions of mothers in rural Kenya.
ProgramsDecember 27, 2017
She used to wake before dawn to fetch water. A $150 water tank changed her morning, her children's health, and her family's future.
ProgramsMay 10, 2018
Water isn't one of the programs. It's the program. It's the invisible thread that holds everything else together.
ProgramsDecember 19, 2018
For years, her mornings belonged to the walk. Her back ached. Her daughter missed school. Then water came to her village, and she got her life back.
HealthOctober 8, 2016
In rural Kenya, millions of girls miss school every month because they lack menstrual hygiene products. A $15 HopeKit changes that for 2 to 3 years.
HealthMay 19, 2017
A HopeKit is a reusable menstrual hygiene kit: pads, underwear, soap, and education. It costs $15 and provides 2 to 3 years of support.
HealthApril 13, 2016
In March 2024, a permanent dental clinic was built in Nkoilale. For many in the Maasai Mara, it was the first dental care they had ever received.
HealthJune 24, 2018
Health is not one part of the solution. It is the foundation everything else stands on — from education to food security to economic growth.
HealthFebruary 1, 2019
HopeKits are sewn in Skills Development Centers, where women learn sewing and entrepreneurship. One product creates health for girls and income for women.
EducationFebruary 28, 2016
When Ms. Lucy saw children sent home for unpaid school fees, she built a school where they could stay. Since March 2023, 100 Humanitarians has been walking alongside her.
EducationAugust 16, 2017
Millions of children across rural Kenya face barriers to education every day. Girls are disproportionately affected.
EducationFebruary 10, 2018
A $20 literacy set creates a shared learning environment at home. When parents learn to read, the ripple effects last for generations.
EducationAugust 7, 2018
Education strengthens every pillar of development: food security, health, economic growth. When communities gain access to learning, transformation is measurable and lasting.
EducationMarch 18, 2019
Community hubs where families learn sewing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Each center trains 50 to 200 people per year and changes every life it touches.
CommunityMay 27, 2016
It started in a grocery store in Narok, Kenya. Two people. A scrap of paper. A dream that neither of them could have known would become a place where lives are changed, including yours.
CommunityNovember 21, 2016
Before the Cultural Centre had a name, before the first wall went up, a Maasai community gave Heidi Totten hers: Nemparnat, The Gatherer.
CommunityJanuary 5, 2017
When Heidi's mother Evelyn traveled to Kenya in 2019, she didn't come to observe. She came to build. The first building at Emparnat was named in her honor.
CommunitySeptember 29, 2017
Birdsong and fresh Kenyan coffee. Working in the soil beside a Maasai mother. Warriors leaping against the sky. Stars you've never seen.
CultureSeptember 21, 2018
You sit beside a Maasai woman whose hands move with generations of practice. She guides your fingers. You learn the colors. And you realize: this isn't craft. It's language.
ExpeditionsJune 15, 2019
Ten minutes from the main gate. Lions. Elephants. The Great Migration. But you're not just a tourist. You've already walked with the Maasai.
ProgramsOctober 27, 2019
A vertical garden made from a sack, soil, and seeds. It sounds almost too simple, until you're working beside a Maasai mother watching her children hand you seedlings.
ProgramsDecember 10, 2019
When clean water arrives, children go to school instead of the river, Garden Towers flourish, and mothers reclaim their mornings.
HealthMarch 8, 2020
Period poverty causes girls to miss 3 to 5 days of school every month. A $15 HopeKit provides reusable pads and education that keeps them in their seats.
ProgramsMay 28, 2021
An unprotected spring is a source of life and illness at the same time. $1,000 protects it, and clean water flows for decades.
CommunitySeptember 12, 2019
Moses Masoi grew up herding cattle in the Maasai Mara. He dreamed of building a bridge between his community and the world. That bridge is called Emparnat.
CultureJune 5, 2020
The circle tightens. The energy rises. A warrior leaps, straight up, impossibly high. The adumu isn't a performance. It's identity.
CultureSeptember 3, 2020
Two sticks. Dry grass. Ancient patience. When a Maasai elder teaches you to make fire the way his ancestors did, you're touching something primal.
CommunityJanuary 14, 2021
Children run to greet you. Women take your hand. Elders welcome you like family. This isn't a tourist stop. It's the moment the distance between your life and theirs shrinks to nothing.
CommunityFebruary 28, 2021
Mancha Letura doesn't just cook. He creates the moments where teams bond, where strangers become family over shared plates.
GuidesApril 13, 2021
Eight days. Safari, village visits, humanitarian work, cultural immersion. Here's exactly what to bring, and the most important tip: leave room for the way home.
ExpeditionsJuly 11, 2021
They come for eight days. They leave different. Over 30 teams have stayed at Emparnat, and the story is always the same: this wasn't a trip. It was a turning point.
CommunityAugust 25, 2021
Every project starts with a person. A name. A handshake. Meet the communities surrounding Emparnat, the families who changed us first.
CultureJuly 11, 2016
Warriors, storytellers, stewards of the savanna. The Maasai are one of the most extraordinary peoples on earth, and their story will change how you see the world.
CultureFebruary 18, 2017
Every bead is a word. Every color is a message. Maasai beadwork is one of the most beautiful art forms in Africa, and when you understand what it means, it becomes extraordinary.
CultureJuly 2, 2017
These aren't performances. They're some of the most emotionally powerful ceremonies on earth, moments where identity, community, and centuries of tradition come together.
WildlifeMarch 26, 2018
It's not just a wildlife reserve. It's one of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet, and it exists because of the Maasai people.
CultureNovember 4, 2018
The Maasai believe God entrusted all cattle on earth to their care. Understanding this bond reveals a radically different definition of wealth and purpose.
ProgramsMay 1, 2019
A vertical garden made from a sack, soil, and seedlings produces enough vegetables to feed a family of six. Here's why it matters in the Maasai Mara.
CultureNovember 13, 2017
The Maasai warrior is one of the most iconic figures in African culture: fierce, disciplined, and deeply loyal. Today's morans carry that legacy forward while embracing a changing world.
CultureDecember 1, 2020
They build the homes. They create the beadwork. They raise the warriors. Maasai women carry an entire civilization on their shoulders, and it's time their story was told.
CultureNovember 22, 2021
They carry no books. They need none. Maasai elders hold the laws, stories, medicines, and prayers of an entire civilization in their memory.
WildlifeOctober 8, 2021
Warriors who once proved their courage by killing lions now risk their lives to protect them. It's the same courage, redirected, and it's saving an entire species.
GuidesJuly 20, 2020
This isn't a tourist stop. It's one of those rare, life-rearranging experiences that changes how you see the world.
CultureApril 22, 2020
It's raw, electric, and unforgettable. The Maasai jumping dance isn't a performance. It's an expression of warrior pride and belonging that will give you chills.
CultureJanuary 24, 2020
Smartphones and spears. Universities and cattle herds. The Maasai are proving that you don't have to choose between tradition and progress. You can hold both.
CultureOctober 17, 2020
The Maasai believe in one God, Enkai, who created everything and entrusted all cattle to their care. Their spirituality is woven into every sunrise, every blessing, every drop of rain.
ExpeditionsDecember 28, 2022
A founder's honest reflection on her first trip to Kenya. Misconceptions shattered, lessons learned, and advice for anyone visiting Africa for the first time on a humanitarian expedition.
GuidesFebruary 11, 2023
How to photograph your humanitarian trip to Kenya ethically and beautifully. Camera gear tips, ethical photography guidelines, and the best moments to capture on expedition.
ExpeditionsMarch 27, 2023
Your humanitarian trip to Kenya doesn't end when you fly home. Learn about reverse culture shock, the Ambassador Program, ongoing giving, and how to stay connected with Maasai communities.
GuidesMay 11, 2023
The best time to visit Kenya for a humanitarian trip depends on wildlife migration, weather, and service impact. Learn when 100 Humanitarians runs expeditions and why.
GuidesJune 24, 2023
Voluntourism and humanitarian travel are not the same. Learn the critical differences, red flags to watch for, and how 100 Humanitarians ensures ethical, community-centered impact.
ExpeditionsAugust 8, 2023
Garden Towers empower women in Kenya by giving them control over food production, income, and community leadership. Learn how 100 Humanitarians' program transforms lives.
CultureSeptember 21, 2023
From Maasai chai to safari bush lunches, discover the incredible food culture you'll experience on a humanitarian expedition to Kenya with 100 Humanitarians.
ExpeditionsNovember 5, 2023
Clean water projects in Kenya transform entire communities. Learn how 100 Humanitarians expedition teams support borehole drilling, rainwater harvesting, and water access in Narok County.
CultureDecember 19, 2023
Narok County in southwestern Kenya is home to 1.2 million people and the heart of 100 Humanitarians' work. Learn about the geography, people, challenges, and why every expedition traveler leaves changed.
ExpeditionsFebruary 2, 2024
The most powerful corporate team-building experience: a humanitarian expedition to Kenya. Build Garden Towers, bond your team, and create measurable social impact.
GuidesMarch 18, 2024
A complete guide for solo travelers joining a humanitarian trip to Kenya. Safety, what to expect, who travels solo, and how to prepare for the experience of a lifetime.
ExpeditionsMay 1, 2024
Church groups choose 100 Humanitarians for Kenya mission trips because our model prioritizes partnership over charity. Learn how your group can serve with lasting impact.
ExpeditionsJune 15, 2024
A parent's guide to bringing kids on a humanitarian trip to Kenya. Learn about age recommendations, safety, what children learn, and how to prepare as a family.
GuidesJuly 29, 2024
Everything you need to prepare for a humanitarian trip to Kenya — visas, vaccines, travel insurance, packing lists, and money tips from experienced expedition leaders.
GuidesSeptember 12, 2024
Kenya is safe for humanitarian travelers with the right organization. Learn about real safety measures, health precautions, and what past travelers say about their experience with 100 Humanitarians.
GuidesOctober 26, 2024
Wondering how much a humanitarian trip to Kenya costs? Here's a transparent breakdown of what's included in the expedition fee, what's not, and exactly how your money supports communities in Narok County.
ExpeditionsDecember 10, 2024
Does humanitarian travel actually make a difference? Read real stories from past 100 Humanitarians expeditions — from Garden Towers feeding families to travelers whose lives were transformed by Kenya.
GuidesJanuary 23, 2025
Planning your first humanitarian trip to Kenya? This complete preparation guide covers everything — from visa requirements and vaccines to packing lists, fitness tips, and the right mindset for the journey.
CultureMarch 9, 2025
The Maasai are one of the most iconic cultures on Earth. Here's what you'll experience when you visit Maasai communities in Narok County — from ceremonies and beadwork to daily life and deep hospitality.
GuidesApril 23, 2025
Not sure if a humanitarian trip to Kenya is right for you? This honest self-assessment guide helps you decide — covering fitness, mindset, budget, and what kind of traveler thrives on these expeditions.
ExpeditionsJune 6, 2025
Garden Towers are the cornerstone of 100 Humanitarians' mission in Kenya. Learn how these vertical gardens work, what they cost, and how they're transforming food security in Narok County.
ExpeditionsJuly 21, 2025
How does a Maasai Mara safari connect to a humanitarian mission? Discover how 100 Humanitarians blends world-class wildlife viewing with community impact in Kenya.
GuidesSeptember 3, 2025
A complete day-by-day breakdown of the 100 Humanitarians 10-day expedition to Kenya — from landing in Nairobi to safari in the Maasai Mara and building Garden Towers in Narok County.
ExpeditionsOctober 18, 2025
100 Humanitarians founder Heidi Totten shares why this organization exists, how it's different from voluntourism, and what makes these Kenya expeditions transformative for everyone involved.
ExpeditionsDecember 1, 2025
Wondering what a humanitarian trip to Kenya actually looks like? From building Garden Towers in Narok County to safari in the Maasai Mara, here's everything you need to know before you go.
ExpeditionsNovember 13, 2022
How early observations about food insecurity in the Maasai Mara — from training workshops to family home visits — slowly built the foundation for what would become the Garden Tower Project.
ExpeditionsAugust 16, 2022
People often ask me when I first knew that Kenya would become such an important part of my life. The truth is that I didn't know it at the time. Looking back now, though, I can clearly remember the moment when something shifted inside me.
ExpeditionsSeptember 30, 2022
Eleven years ago, I boarded a plane to Kenya for the first time. I had no idea that one decision would eventually lead to more than a decade of work in Maasai communities and the founding of a humanitarian organization.
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