Hidden Gems: Meet Linda Hooper of The Samburu Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Hooper.

Hi Linda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to drilling water wells in northern Kenya is an unlikely one. After achieving a degree in Art History from UCLA, I spent time in New York working in a gallery, then MOCA in Downtown LA in the curatorial department, then spent more than 25 years as the Director of the Manny Silverman Gallery. I was a “city girl,” curating exhibitions and visiting art fairs and museums around the world. I use the past tense because in 2005 my life took an unlikely turn. One that involves safari boots, mosquito nets, and often being completely off the grid.

This unexpected turn to the non profit world started in 2005 when I traveled to Kenya for the first time. There I saw first hand how women and children spent hours walking in search of water. In the years that followed, I looked for an organization to work with that would directly effect a change to this very basic problem.

In 2010, I attended The Samburu Project’s 25 Wells Celebration and never looked back. I became very involved with The Samburu Project, initially as a volunteer and organized the Art Meets Africa event benefiting this small organization. I then became a board member (2012) and eventually became the Board Chair (2013-2015). I spearheaded The Face of Water: An Exhibition of Photography and initiated From Seely to Samburu, an educational and fundraising program for K-6th grade students in Scarsdale, New York. I also lent time and efforts to assist with other TSP events and fundraisers, including: the annual Walk for Water; the Forever21 launch event; and the annual Splash Bash gala and art auction.

Then in 2015, the founder of The Samburu Project stepped down and in 2016 I stepped up. Leaving my career in the artworld to dedicate my passion and efforts full time to the mission of TSP, I became the second Executive Director of The Samburu Project.

As our organization enters its 20th year, I can’t help but reflect back on how far we have come. TSP has drilled 175 wells in Samburu county, and with access to clean water, so much more has happened as a result. Education for girls has doubled in our well communities, clean water has eradicated death due to water borne diseases in children under the age of 5, women have time to start income-generating businesses, and so much more.

When I am not in our Los Angeles HQ, I am travelling regularly to Kenya where we have an office and team of 5 who are our boots on the ground. During a time of global uncertainty, the TSP community has reached hands across the globe to bring health, education and women’s empowerment through access to clean water. Doing this work has been a gift and a joy to my life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Making a career change definitely provided challenges. While I had loads of passion for the mission of TSP, I had no experience with spreadsheets, working collaboratively with a global team, hydrogeology or how to keep elephants away from our well projects. (They are thirsty too, after all.) These are all things I have learned to deal with along the way over the last ten years. My staff in Kenya has shared the Samburu culture with me and I’ve learned how to be patient and resilient. And our US staff makes sure I’m up to date on the many changes in technology. (It does take a village!)

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Samburu Project?
There are many non profit organizations that focus on water. I’m glad there are considering the enormity of the world water crisis. No one organization will solve the problem. While The Samburu Project provides access to clean water, we are committed to the partner schools and communities we collaborate with in Samburu. Drilling a well is just the first step in working hand-in-hand with them to witness the power that clean water has to transform a community. WaterIsLife!

What makes you happy?
I still get inspired by looking at great art, wandering through a museum or listening to a piece of music. This city provides so many opportunities for inspiration!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesamburuproject.org
• Instagram: @thesamburuproject
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/samburuproject
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-samburu-project
• Twitter: @thesamburuproject
• Youtube: youtube.com/thesamburuproject
• Other: etsy.com/shop/TheSamburuProject

Image Credits
Mamen Saura