Last Friday, we gathered at SmogShoppe to celebrate 20 years of The Samburu Project, surrounded by the incredible community that has helped make this journey possible. From inspiring stories and exciting announcements to lots of friendly bidding in our silent and live auction, and generous paddle raises, Splash Bash 2026 was a celebration of how far we've come and all that's still ahead.

And thanks to you, we raised an incredible $290,000!

Twenty years ago, The Samburu Project began with a simple but powerful act: listening to Samburu women and asking what they needed most. Their answer was water, and that conversation sparked a mission that continues to grow today. At Splash Bash, we were surrounded by so many of the people who have helped bring that vision to life, including our founder, Kristen Kosinski, our longest standing board member Bob Falkenberg, and many supporters and families who have stood beside us since the very beginning.

This year also marks Executive Director Linda Hooper's 10th year leading The Samburu Project. With unmatched energy, heart, and dedication, Linda has helped carry that original vision forward, strengthening our work while keeping the people and communities at its center. It's a milestone worth celebrating, and we're so grateful for the passion she brings to this mission every day.

A HOME FOR WHATS NEXT

One of the highlights of the evening was sharing news about what’s next: together, with the Kapa Oil Refineries Team, we are building a Community Center in Samburu! 

This vision has grown out of ongoing conversations between our team and our partners at Kapa Oil Refineries about how we can continue supporting the community. The center will serve as a home base for the TSP team in Samburu and a gathering place for ongoing programming, educational workshops, and community meetings. It will also offer a welcoming space for friends and partners to join our team when they're in Wamba. More than a building, the Community Center represents an opportunity to bring people together, and create space for learning and collaboration. We’re excited to see this vision take shape, and grateful to those who have made this possible!

Want to see the bigger picture?

Samburu is vast, beautiful, and home to the communities at the heart of our work.  Follow the butterfly in our latest video, Soarin’ Samburu, to see where we’ve been, what we’re building, and what’s possible when we all come together for a better future. 

YOU MADE THIS MILESTONE POSSIBLE!

The nearly $290,000 raised at Splash Bash will help advance access to sustainable clean water, education, empowerment, and health programs in northern Kenya. Every donation, auction bid, and paddle raise represents someone choosing to be part of this work, and we're deeply grateful for your generosity.

To everyone who joined us at SmogShoppe, tuned in virtually, participated in the auction, or supported us from afar, thank you for celebrating with us. To our board of directors and volunteers, thank you for the countless hours and care you bring to this mission. And to our in-kind auction donors, thank you for your generosity and making our silent auction lineup so special.

We're also incredibly grateful to our Splash Bash 2026 sponsors - AirKenya, Tito's Vodka, Mike Rossi at Strand Hill Properties, Water From Wine, and Helms Design District - for helping bring the evening to life.

Thank you for being part of these 20 years. We couldn't have done it without you, and we're so glad you're here for what's next!