Watoto Australia - Annual Report 2016 by Watoto Child Care Ministries - Australia

OUR WATOTO FAMILY

WATOTO AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT J U L Y 2015- D E C E M B E R 2016

CONTENTS

WHO WE ARE

HIGHLIGHTS

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

OUR VILLAGES

OUR PARTNERS

FINANCIALS

WHO WE ARE Watoto is a family made up of people from all over the world who are working together to ensure that the forgotten have a place to belong. In a time of civil war, Watoto planted a local church in Kampala, Uganda to speak hope and life to the nation. Since then, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve placed thousands of orphans in families, empowered vulnerable women to reach their communities, rescued babies and former child soldiers, and sent childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choirs across six continents.Â As we work alongside the most vulnerable in our society, our aim is to rescue individuals and raise each one as a leader in his or her sphere of life so that, in turn, they will rebuild the nation. In all of this, Watoto Uganda remains a local church, committed to celebrating Christ and caring for community. In Australia, we support Watoto through development projects J210 (Villages) and J416 (Living Hope).

GARY & MARILYN SKINNER WATOTO FOUNDERS

MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS

This year has been full of exciting achievements. By the power of Jesus’ love, there has been incredible transformation in individuals, families and communities throughout our nation. In 2016, we saw 314 children and babies rescued and placed in new families. We reached 562 women, and through them, improved the lives of their children. The Watoto Children’s Choir travelled across the world, sharing their message of hope and 40 students graduated university, ready to become leaders in their nation. As we reflect on these successes, we are reminded once again that we could never have done this alone. It has only been achieved with the meaningful partnership of friends from all over the world. That’s why we’re excited to be able to present you with this year’s highlights and stories from across Watoto. From the villages, to Baby Watoto, to the mothers we’re reaching, right in their neighbourhoods; these stories are just some of the thousands of lives that have been transformed, all for the glory of God. As you read, we pray that you will be inspired and encouraged as you see for yourselves the transformation taking place in Uganda. Together, we are rebuilding the nation.

Gary & Marilyn Skinner Watoto Founders 9

ADRIENNE GREEN INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GETTING TO KNOW OUR INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m an American in Australia that loves Africa! I graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University, and worked in investment banking for several years in the US and UK before deciding that God had another path for me. I moved to Australia in 2010 to attend Bible College, and joined Watoto in 2012. I love travelling, great coffee, a good book and being a part of something that makes a difference. TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH WATOTO. I heard the Watoto Children’s Choir for the first time in 2010 at my church in London. I was inspired, yet heartbroken, to hear about orphaned and abandoned children. In that moment, I decided to donate through my church. In 2012, I joined the Sponsorship Team in Australia, and then moved into Development & Partnerships at the end of 2014. It’s been an amazing journey with great opportunities to see our reach expand both locally and in Uganda. I look forward to the years ahead. TELL US ONE HIGHLIGHT FROM THE YEAR. In 2016, we successfully completed three campaigns that raised c. $325,000 for projects in Uganda, including a Bladder Exstrophy operation for Baby Sam that was performed by a generous surgeon in Brisbane. In a time when the economy was not the strongest, our supporters rose to the occasion and made the seemingly impossible a reality. TELL US ONE THING YOU’D LIKE TO LEAVE US WITH. I simply want to say “thank you” to our partners. Whether you’ve been on the journey since we launched in Australia or are relatively new, we still have work to do in raising the next generation of African leaders. We need you to continue partnering with us in the journey ahead as we take new ground for the glory of God. I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Luke Willey for his leadership as the Executive Director for Australia and New Zealand over the last six years. He and his wife Rachael have played an integral part in where we are today, and for that we say thank you.

TEAM

ADRIENNE GREEN

ADELE TURNBULL

Interim Executive Director/ Development and Partnerships

Finance Manager

EMILY MULLER

SALOTE LUVA

CATHY BEAUCHAMP Tour Coordinator

LARISSA ROWE

Marketing & Communications Director

Sponsorship Relations Coordinator

Visit Watoto Coordinator

KERRI-ANN MPAGI

KESAIA NASALO

AMY WICKHAM

Visit Watoto Coordinator

Donor Support Team Leader

Donor Support Team Assistat

(Maternity Cover)

MESSAGE FROM THE C H A I R P E R S O N Whenever I speak to people about Watoto, I often hear ‘I know Watoto, it is the Children’s Choir’. This causes me to smile and I tell them that while this is an expression of Watoto, Watoto’s work goes well beyond our amazing Children’s Choir. I have been blessed to travel to Uganda several times in various capacities and I am continually inspired by the work of Watoto and the impact we are having on families and communities. On my first trip to Africa, I was alarmed by the children and families living on the streets in terrible poverty. I found the real solution at Watoto. This is reason that I personally financially support Watoto, as Watoto helps to ‘Rescue, Raise and Rebuild’ the nation of Uganda and the continent of Africa. Watoto is truly the church at work, giving vulnerable women and children hope and empowering them to become the future leaders of Uganda. I am honoured to be on the Watoto Board and the Chairperson in Australia and to be a part of this story. We are so grateful for the partners who have come alongside us as part of our Watoto family. In 2015-2016, 48 young adults who had grown up in our villages graduated from university. It’s through sponsorship that each of these young people have had the opportunity to prepare for life and pursue their God-given dreams and passions. It is a blessing that by partnering with our 6212 sponsors in Australia and New Zealand, we have been able to be a part of their stories. Thank you to our incredible staff, Board, volunteers and supporters in Australia and New Zealand, both current and past, who have all worked together to enable from July 2015December 2016, over $4.8 million to be sent to Uganda to advance the work of helping the most vulnerable. This has also helped us reach into the community in Uganda and see 112 children go to school through Watoto Neighbourhood. These are the children of women in our Living Hope project, and the transformation in both the lives of these children and their mothers is remarkable. We are helping to break the cycle of poverty and raise future leaders to transform their community. Thank you for the part you have played in making this possible. We value your partnership and could not do this work without you. I pray that you will be impacted and inspired as you read our annual report. Natalie Fielding Chairperson of the Board

BOARD

GARY SKINNER

NATALIE FIELDING

Founder

Chair

DARREN THOMAS

PAUL MANNING

MICHAEL J. BYRON

ROD CAREY

HIGHLIGHTS $ 4 0, 000

Almost $40,000 raised for Baby Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successful operation in Australia.

61 . 7%

Watoto Annual Appeal raised $240,181, 61.7% above our goal, to further our work in Uganda.

$ 2 3, 4 14

Bigger than a Shoebox appeal raised $23,414 to send a shipping container of donated resources to Uganda.

1, 600

1600 Solar Buddy lamps sent to Uganda in 2016 from school children in Australia in partnership with Solarbuddy.org.

6, 2 12

6212 individual sponsorships in Australia and New Zealand.

70, 000

70,000 people experienced our Oh What Love production through Choirs 72 and 79.

2 60

Over 260 individuals travelled to Uganda and over $147,995 raised to fund development projects.

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD For over 30 years we’ve been meeting the greatest need, wherever we find it.

LIVING HOPE Africa’s greatest resource is her women and the harsh reality is that many of these women have been left to bear the brunt of war, poverty and disease. When a woman is enabled to reach her full potential, she has the power to raise her family and become a leader in her community. We’re empowering Uganda’s most vulnerable women, and we’re doing it through women like Allen. Allen is a Watoto community worker, who identifies and supports women in need. But Allen’s story is also typical of the women she reaches in her community. In 1998, Allen’s husband died, leaving her a widow, HIV+, with three young children. Her husband’s family took everything from her, including her home. Over the many difficult years that followed, Allen’s greatest priority was always education for her children. She worked hard to provide school fees, but for herself she had little hope. 20

Allen was brought into Watoto later in life, and she received skills training, literacy classes and discipleship that helped her believe in her future. Today, all three of her children have attended university. Allen feels that she is truly living again and is passionate about reaching young mothers. “I cry when I think of the abandoned mother, living in a one room house with a leaking roof. I think of her suffering, and her children’s suffering, and I remember what it was like. But I find these women and encourage them, because I am proof that they can hope again.”    In 2016, we extended our work to reach more women, right in their neighbourhoods. We welcomed 562 new women into the program. The greatest desire these women shared was to give their children an education, an opportunity many of them never had. In 2016, we gave 112 of their children the opportunity to attend Watoto schools. A year on, their transformation is indescribable.

ALLEN WAS BROUGHT INTO WATOTO LATER IN LIFE, AND SHE RECEIVED SKILLS TRAINING, LITERACY CLASSES AND DISCIPLESHIP THAT HELPED HER BELIEVE IN HER FUTURE. 21

We are reaching out to the most vulnerable women by taking care of their basic essential needs.

We are helping ladies to become successful business women and pillars of influence in their communities.

From January - December 2016: • 1 77 ladies (2126 treatments) and 98 children (1079 treatments) received medical support from the clinics in Gulu and Kampala.

From January - December 2016: • 1 4 women in the tailoring unit graduated as a trainer of trainers.

•3 1 ladies received support to pay their rent. •6 7 ladies received emergency food support because they were unable to work. In February 2016, we were thrilled to welcome 562 ladies into women into Living Hope. Prior to 2016, 2793 women have graduated from Living Hope. We are developing and growing their life skills so they can build sustainable and dignified lives. From January - December 2016: • 1 4 ladies received tailoring training, 12 trained in chilli growing and 10 trained in jewerly making. •O n average 453 women per month attended discipleship, business and literacy classes. The adult literacy classes helped women in the program to improve their reading and writing. The classes are divided into three levels of assessment in which the students are examined.

• 9 9 women were employed by Living Hope to make products including items sold on tour with the Watoto Children’s Choir. These have resulted in good sales and increased household income. • A ll the women who have gone through the program, and those currently in the program, are now able to pay their children’s school fees and provide food for their families.

WE WELCOMED 112 OF OUR LIVING HOPE WOMENSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHILDREN INTO OUR WATOTO SCHOOLS.

MEET RITAH “ I a m R i t ah. I w as l o s t , b ut n ow I’ m fou n d. I can s u ppor t my family an d p r o v i d e e d ucat i o n f o r m y c h ildr e n . I am able to tak e car e of mys e lf. ” In 2012, Ritah discovered that she was HIV+. She was struggling financially and was unable to afford school fees for her eldest child. Pregnant with her second child, she had also recently been abandoned by the child’s father. Ashamed of her status, Ritah felt isolated. She was terrified that she would die and leave her children without support. Following the birth of her daughter, Watoto reached out to Ritah. It was a lifechanging moment for her. She met other HIV+ women who shared their condition openly, and discovered love and hope in the Watoto family. Ritah received discipleship, skills training and medical care. For the first time, she was equipped to provide for herself. Today, she would describe herself as a woman of hope. Through what she has learnt, she is confident that she can be a better mother to her two children, and that she can provide for them. In 2016, Ritah’s son, Arthur, was offered an education at a Watoto school. It is providing Arthur with a quality of education far beyond anything Ritah could have expected, and she is overjoyed. She is now able to afford school fees for her daughter and, as she continues her training, she is working towards the day when she can fully meet the needs of both her children. Women like Ritah are raising Africa’s next generation. When a woman is equipped she can reach her full potential and her whole family is transformed.

KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL When a girl stays in school, everybody wins. Since 2012, we have been working alongside local schools to reduce the primary school dropout rate among adolescent girls. On average, girls in rural Uganda miss up to eight days of school per term due to menstruation. To help keep girls in school we distribute sanitary products and new undergarments, as well as providing hygiene education and discipleship. Together, this is what we achieved in 2016:

• 2 ,228 girls were supported with sanitary products & undergarments

• 9 ,429 girls and boys reached through hygiene education & discipleship

(KAGIS)

We went into 20 schools and provided mentoring on topics that included sexuality, personal hygiene, adolescence and purity. Each of the girls were provided with six packets of sanitary towels during the threemonth school term along with three pairs of underwear and soap. It’s these simple things that make all the difference. Together we can help keep more girls in school and we’d love you to partner with us to help us achieve that.

EACH OF THE GIRLS WERE PROVIDED WITH SIX PACKETS OF SANITARY TOWELS AND THREE PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR AND SOAP. THESE SIMPLE THINGS MAKE ALL T H E D I F F E R E N C E .Â 27

OUR VILLAGES Our villages provide homes and families for over 3,000 orphaned and vulnerable children.Â We currently operate three villages in Uganda: Bbira and Suubi in Kampala and Laminadera in Gulu, northern Uganda.Â

THE WATOTO MODEL The Watoto village model is designed not only to meet the physical needs of a child, but to provide everything they need to grow up healthy and whole, with purpose and meaning. In each village house you’ll find a woman who has come to Watoto to be a mother to 8 abandoned and vulnerable children. Together they are a family, and she is raising them with love and dignity. Each village contains a medical clinic, education from nursery to high school, a community centre for church and social events, and a water project. More importantly it’s a place that a family can call home.

“THE FIRST DAY IN WATOTO I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I WAS ALLOCATED MY OWN BED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED IN MY LIFE BEFORE.” FLORENCE, AGE 17.

BABY WATOTO Baby Watoto exists to care for abandoned and vulnerable babies and toddlers, aged between zero and two years old, to give them the best possible start in life. These infants often come into our care abused, premature and with complicated medical conditions. They require love, care and immediate attention in order to thrive. We are thrilled to report that, as a result of the work Watoto and other organisations are doing, we have seen a substantial reduction in the rate at which babies are being orphaned and abandoned in Uganda. The generosity of donors around the world has significantly contributed to this achievement and we thank God that together we can change their stories. 32

Our key objective over the past 18 months was to equip our playschool rooms, train playschool coordinators and introduce the second phase of ASQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social and emotional (SE) guidelines, which are used to determine and guide each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s developmental progress. The intentional use of play therapy methods has led to significant changes in the babies growth.

111 BABIES WELCOMED INTO OUR CARE. 37 T O D D L E R S T R A N S I T I O N E D T O A WATOTO VILLAGE. 37 B A B I E S R E S E T T L E D W I T H F A M I L Y .

M E E T N A N N Y C A R O TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. My name is Caroline, Caro for short, and I’ve been a Watoto nanny for five years. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BABIES. My little family of four includes Baby Jeremy, Baby Benjamin, Baby Isaac and little Agnes. They’re very cute, they get lots of cuddles and they love smiling and playing with each other. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AS A NANNY? My favourite memory involves little Agnes. She has an amputated leg and we didn’t expect that she would walk for a little while. So I’ll never forget the day I saw her walk for the first time. I was so proud of her and praised God for how far she has come. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THE BABIES? From all of us here at Baby Watoto, thank you. We have babies here who wouldn’t have survived but are alive today because of you.

BABY SAM’S STORY At just 8 days old, baby Samuel was abandoned by his mother in Mbarara Hospital in Uganda, where she had taken him for medical treatment. The social work team contacted Watoto and asked us to take him in to provide care and protection. Sam arrived at Baby Watoto severely underweight and in constant pain caused by Bladder Exstrophy, an external protrusion of his urinary bladder. As a result, Sam needed a number of surgeries that were not available in Uganda. A generous Australian surgeon offered to perform two surgeries in Brisbane, and our supporters helped us raise almost $40,000 in 2016 to make this possible. Sam’s initial surgery was a success and he returned home in November 2016; however, he’ll need return to Australia in early 2018 to complete the second operation. Thanks to our generous supporters, funds for the second round of operations are available.

EDUCATION Our goal is to ensure that each of our children,

In 2015:

no matter their ability, leaves Watoto with a

• 2 619 children attended Watoto junior, senior and vocational schools.

skill in their hands. In 2016 we educated 2,891 children in 2016 across our three schools.     40 students graduated university this year, and we celebrate their achievements.     We’re thrilled that 6 of our high school students received scholarships for university. 4 of these students earned the incredible opportunity to study abroad and 2 received full scholarships to Ugandan universities as a result of their outstanding grades.   In addition, we have seen significant development in our vocational training schools. This year, 205 students attended vocational training in areas such as mechanics, beauty, agriculture, catering and hairdressing. We have also been able to secure workplace apprenticeships so that our children are well prepared for a competitive marketplace.  36

• 1 85 young adults attended various universities in Uganda. • 9 0 students graduated from Senior High, Hope Technical Institute and various universities, ready to join the workplace.

IN 2016: • 2 558 children attended Watoto junior, senior and vocational schools. • 1 82 young adults attended various universities in Uganda. • 1 38 students graduated from Senior High, Hope Technical Institute and various universities, ready to join the workplace.

40 STUDENTS GRADUATED UNIVERSITY I N 2016. T H E N E X T G E N E R A T I O N OF FUTURE LEADERS.

MEET JONAL Jonal is a budding photographer with a servant heart, and kids throughout the Watoto family look up to him as a big brother.   Abandoned by the roadside as a 9-month old baby, he spent some time in a local baby’s home before being brought to Watoto in 1998. Here, he was given a new family, a new home and a good education.    Growing up in a Watoto village, Jonal became fascinated with photography. He would often see our staff photographers in the village and began asking them questions. He met Baker, one of our photographers, who became his mentor, father figure and friend.     Jonal  began volunteering with our staff to gain more experience in photography and graphic design. In September 2016, we were invited to send Watoto staff to a Leadership Forum for Creatives hosted by Google. We chose to send Jonal as one of our most promising photographers. He was the only student in the room.    However, Jonal didn’t want to keep the training he’d received to himself. He created and leads a photography group which meets every week in the Watoto villages.    He says, “I’m teaching my brothers and sisters because all of these skills and opportunities were given to me freely. I really thank God for Watoto because they’re supporting my dream. I couldn’t have imagined that this would be my life, and that I’d have so much hope for the future.”   Your support is creating future leaders, like Jonal, who have both the technical skill and the moral character to enter the workplace and transform the nation.

MEDICAL Each of our three Watoto villages includes a medical clinic to provide care to our babies, children and mums, as well as extending healthcare to our neighbours. In 2016, over 32,000 visits were made to our clinics. We treated a range of diseases, vaccinated over 12,000 individuals, dealt with long-term health conditions and ensured the health and well-being of those in our care. Our staff, mothers and medical professionals are all part for raising our children. Last year we held 60 training sessions for Watoto mums on health education and nutrition. Medical fees incurred by hospital visits or referrals outside of Watoto clinics are costly. As such, our goal is to raise our clinics’ standards to provide more specialised treatment in the villages. We currently provide dental care and have recently acquired equipment for both a physiotherapy unit and a laboratory for disease diagnostics. We are also working towards the development of a surgical unit and further

mental health services. These improvements will allow us to expand our care within the Watoto villages, as well as into the surrounding neighbourhoods. Over the past financial year, a total of 1993 women and children were vaccinated against infectious diseases. These diseases were mainly Hepatitis B, yellow fever and Chicken pox.

KEY MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Reduction in patient clinic visits by 19% • E stablishment of physiotherapy units in both Bbira and Suubi

• R eceived medical equipment from Project

C.U.R.E USA towards the establishment of a surgical unit in Suubi

• A case of bladder exstrophy was

successfully operated on in Australia and Sam is now able to walk and attend nursery school.

BEYOND THE VILLAGE Watoto is continuing to reach more vulnerable families through outreach into the community. In 2016, a medical outreach was conducted in Gulu where 4262 patients were provided free medical care in the local community. In the future, Watoto Australia will be hosting a medical outreach to the communities in the local neighbourhoods in Uganda where we provide support to vulnerable women and children. This will be an opportunity for volunteer medical professionals from Australia to partner with us to reach out to the community in a pop-up medical centre. 40

W E H E L D 60 TRAINING SESSIONS FOR WATOTO MUMS ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND N U T R I T I O N .

SUSTAINABILITY Watoto operates three farms: a goat farm, a poultry unit and an agriculture farm. These farms help provide food for our villages, as well as creating learning opportunities for our agriculture students and local producers. In 2016, we produced enough goats’ milk to meet almost all of the needs of Baby Watoto, while our chickens produced over 800,000 eggs for Watoto homes. In 2016, we welcomed Watoto students to the farms for hands-on experience that will have a great impact on their future careers. Wherever we operate, we seek to facilitate community transformation and empower individuals. We provide employment and

training opportunities for the communities around the farm and beyond. Our friend Immaculate is a perfect example. Whilst working on a Watoto farm Immaculate received training in planting methods for crops. With the money that she earned she also was able to purchase cows, pigs, chickens and a sewing machine to supplement her income. Immaculate is particularly proud to have built a new house and paid school fees for her four children, providing them with the opportunities she never had. We’re proud to come alongside her and empower her to become the business leader and mother God has called her to be.

OUR PARTNERS

PARTNERSHIP Beyond sponsorship, Watoto partners with individuals, teams and organisations to raise the next generation of Africa’s leaders. In this financial year, we continued to focus on building meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with new and existing partners. We value each individual partnership and strive to meet our partners’ missions and partnership objectives.

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT Major donors, foundations, businesses and corporations contribute significantly to the work of Watoto and help us make a difference in the lives of those in Uganda. These partners engage with Watoto through sponsorship, building infrastructure, volunteering time and expertise as well as making significant donations to Watoto projects. These objectives are achieved through matched giving, corporate fundraising, volunteer grants, selling Watoto merchandise and a variety of other unique ways.

BUDDY TO BUDDY In 2016, we partnered with SolarBuddy.org, and together, sent over 1600 solar lamps from students in Australia to students at each of our eight Watoto Schools. Alex Ssozi, our Watoto Homes Team Leader, stated, “The solar lamps are very bright and provide great light for reading at night. This is much better than using kerosene lamps that damage the students’ eyes. The mothers also use the solar lamps in the kitchen while cooking. It’s durable and easy to carry.” As a result of this partnership, we have been able to almost completely eliminate the use of kerosene lamps in our villages and are looking to expand this project to local slums and rural communities in Uganda through Watoto Neighbourhood.

SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT This year we were intentional about connecting with students, faculty and schools to provide cross-cultural learning experiences between Australia and New Zealand, and Uganda. We introduced engagement opportunities for Buddy to Buddy (left) and Keep a Girl in School (see page 26) where students can make a significant impact in Uganda through projects that directly impact other students in the developing world. Schools continue host the Watoto Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir and build infrastructure in Watoto villages, including laying foundation for a multi-purpose facility on school grounds in Bbira Village in June 2016.

CHURCH ENGAGEMENT Each year, churches across the world partner with us by hosting the Watoto Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir and encouraging their local communities to be missional. Churches and teams have also been an integral part of building homes and schools in our Watoto villages since the 1990s. In the years ahead, we hope to see churches partner with us by continuing to support building projects in Uganda, as well as development activities in our villages and the community.

BEQUESTS Supporters may wish for their Watoto partnership to continue making a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and children in Uganda for years and decades to come. Leaving a legacy gift presents a meaning opportunity for those who wish to continue to sow into the work of Watoto long after their time on earth. Supporters may request that their gift go towards a specific area of our work. 47

SPONSORSHIP Sponsorship is the foundation upon which Watoto provides holistic care to more than 4500 women and children. The support of nearly 40,000 sponsors from 40 countries, enables this practical vision of Watoto to become a reality and ensures all Watoto members receive the care they need. The impact of thousands of vulnerable children and women living in the Watoto Villages or part of programs like Living Hope, rescued and their lives rebuilt, is great. Safety, comfortable homes, health care, counselling, education, family, daily demonstration of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love - that is the difference sponsorship is making. From January 2015 to December 2016, Watoto had 48 university graduates, 85 vocational school graduates and in 2016, 182 young adults attending university. Through sponsorship, Watoto children have the opportunity to prepare for life and sustainable income in their chosen sphere. Watoto is continuing to address the current needs of orphans and abandoned children. 48

Watoto sponsorship is also addressing Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge of the treatment of her women. If women can be embraced and empowered, the result is that their children benefit. The last 18 months has seen Watoto respond further to this need. Through the Watoto Neighbourhood, an initiative to meet the needs of women in their own communities, Watoto is partnering with women to find sustainable solutions regarding housing, medical, employment and education for their children. The first phase is the education of their children. With limited available space in the Watoto Villages, in 2016 Watoto identified 112 children who have been admitted to our schools in the Watoto villages. During the holidays, the children go back home to be with their mother and siblings.Â We sincerely thank our generous sponsors in Australia and New Zealand who play a vital role in responding to the needs in Uganda. Through sponsorship, the lives of children and women are being rebuilt so that they in turn will rebuild their nation.

SPONSORSHIP AT A GLANCE (as of 31 December 2016)

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: 6,212 4440 46 170 473 32 568 483

Children resident in Villages Seed Sponsorships Neighbourhood Child Sponsorships (New) House Mother Sponsorships Teacher Sponsorships (NB this is being phased out) Living Hope Sponsorships Baby Watoto Sponsorships

TOTAL GLOBAL SPONSORS: 40,057 BENEFICIARIES OF WATOTO CHILD CARE MINISTRIES: 4,388 2742 145 112 382 225 619 163

Children in Watoto Villages Seed Project Neighbourhood Children House Mothers Teachers (NB this is being phased out) Living Hope Women Babies

UNIVERSITY GRADUATES Catering

NO. STUDENTS 20

Motor Vehicle

Electrical

Tailoring

Beauty

Cosmetology

Bachelor Business Administration

Bachelor Development Studies

Bachelor Procurement and Logistics

Carpentry

Bachelor Social Work and Social Administration

Bachelor Science in Accounting and Finance

Building

Diploma Business Administration

Art & Design

Bachelor Mass Communication

Plumbing

Bachelor Arts in Social Work and Community Development

Bachelor Business Computing

Bachelor Commerce

Bachelor Community Psychology

Bachelor Ethics and Human Rights

Bachelor Human Resource Management

Bachelor International Business

Bachelor Library and Information Science

Bachelor Project Planning and Entrepreneurship

Bachelor Public Administration and Management

Bachelor Public Relations

Diploma Art and Design

Diploma Clinical Medicine

Diploma Hotel and Restaurant Management

Diploma Mass Communication

Diploma Nursing Science

Diploma Social Work and Social Administration

Diploma Theology

Tractor Operator

Vocational School Graduates 51

MEET POLLY A little girl who is full of life, 8-year-old Polly is going to have a big future. Abandoned as a newborn, Polly was brought to Watoto. Sponsors and partners ensured that we were able to provide her with the best start in life, and today, she has a family, education and friends from all over the world. Polly has sponsors from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and Scandinavia. She likes writing to them because she can tell them about all the things that God has done, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s able to say thank you! Thanks to the continued support of her sponsors Pollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had big opportunities, such as travelling to Australia in 2016 with the Watoto Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir, but she also has the everyday opportunities of a normal childhood. She can play games with her sisters, use the swings in the park and know that she is loved. Thank you for transforming the lives of children like Polly, so that they, in turn, can change their nation.

O V E R 19, 000 L E T T E R S H A V E BEEN RECEIVED BY SPONSORS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND IN T H E P A S T 18 M O N T H S .

2016 SPONSORSHIP TRIP In September 2016, we hosted a Sponsor Trip to Watoto, where sponsors from across Australia travelled together to meet their sponsor children for the first time and experience the impact of Watoto’s projects in Uganda. Judith was part of this group.

MEET JUDITH My first experience of Watoto was seeing the choir in Perth. I thought the choir was brilliant. Afterwards, I saw the children at the sponsorship table and in my heart, I strongly felt that I should become a sponsor. I specifically felt compelled to become a sponsor of Baby Watoto. This was the beginning of my sponsorship journey. I chose to also sponsor an individual child on my visit to Watoto in Uganda. Just being there made me want to do more. At a meal with one of the Watoto families, I connected with a lovely girl called Praise. I saw her at a BBQ the very next day and we sat side by side. I made a decision to sponsor her. Visiting Uganda changed my perspective on a lot of things. I love my nieces and nephews and often spoil them, but after going to Uganda I realised that I give them so much, yet there are children in Uganda who have very little. That Christmas, my nieces and nephews became part of my journey. Instead of gifts, they received a Watoto Child Sponsorship. It was really important to me that they were able to understand how other children live in other parts of the world. They have everything they could ever want or need and now they are able to experience what giving means. -Judith Haeusler

CHOIR The Watoto Children’s Choir has been touring internationally since 1994 to raise awareness for the plight of orphaned and vulnerable women and children in Africa and to share a message of hope and love found in Jesus Christ. In April 2015, we launched the new Watoto Children’s Choir production Oh What Love. This new production was a worship experience that celebrated the children’s relationship with God. Through a journey of their own experiences, the children, who were once orphans, demonstrate that God desires to be a loving father to all mankind. In the last 18 months c. 70,000 people had the opportunity to see Choir 72 and Choir 79 as they travelled around Australia, with a total of 195 performances held in churches,

communities and schools. These two choirs generated 1630 new sponsorships during this period. Everywhere they went people were touched and changed by experiencing and meeting our choir. Many of the host families commented that after their visit from members of the choir, they felt as though they had become “part of the Watoto family.” “Thank you for allowing me to be part of the Watoto family, even just for one night, love your energy, excitement and your love for Jesus.” – 2016 Anonymous Host Family “The whole experience has been exceptional and my three children were so excited to have them stay in our home with our family. Our lives are much more enriched from the experience.” – 2016 Anonymous Host Family

SARAH’S STORY At age four, Sebastian was diagnosed with autism, and for a long time, I hated autism and its effect on our family of two. Then I realised just how lucky I was… My son Sebastian was, and will always be one of the kindest souls I’ve known. He showed empathy and sincerely cared about every person in his life. Sebastian loved to be independent in the kitchen and made me breakfast on occasion, all by himself! He loved to build amazing things with LEGO and never ceased to amaze me with his creativity. He was a gift, and I am thankful I was chosen to be the mother of this amazing young man. He taught me to be strong, patient and resilient. I learned so much from him, and I’m happy with the person I’ve become because of my son. Sebastian passed away from an aneurysm at the age of eight, in June 2016. I was devastated. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a child. I started to attend church again for the first time in at least seventeen years. A month after Sebastian passed away, Watoto Children’s Choir performed at Door Of Hope. I felt honoured to attend, knowing that Seb would have loved every moment. He would have sung and danced! I’m sure he would have loved to have met the children of Choir 79. I bought the CD, Oh What Love! And, I have it playing in my car all the time! I feel as though my spirit has come alive since seeing the choir, and I am truly grateful to them [Choir 79] for helping me at the beginning of my journey towards a relationship with God. -Sarah

VISIT WATOTO We have seen over 260 individuals travel to Uganda from Australia and New Zealand in the last 18 months with each of them having their own story and life changing experience to share. We have also raised over $147,995 to fund development projects. When you visit Uganda you cannot help but come back changed. Many of our volunteers and teams that have travelled to visit Watoto and come home to say that they have left a piece of their heart there. It is often said that we are better together, and when individuals and teams travel to visit Uganda, it is this concept that comes alive. This happens when working with our building teams to help construct a dining hall in Bbira Village or with one of our Baby Watoto

volunteers helping our nannies prepare food for our babies in Suubi and Gulu. When we come together as a family with a common purpose we can achieve so much more. It is these seeds that are sown that have generational impact and demonstrate to our children and mothers that they are part of a global family who genuinely love and care for them. We are excited to see all that is ahead for Visit Watoto as we continue to partner with churches, businesses and individuals around the world, inviting them in to the global Watoto family.

COMING AS GUESTS. LEAVING AS FAMILY. We have seen and met some amazing people that have journeyed with us on the road to Uganda. It is often described that you arrive to visit Watoto as a guest and leave as family. One of those families that changed forever is the Higgins Family. Simon along with his wife Kari and their four children Emma (20), Lachlan (18), Chloe (14) and Ethan (10) travelled to Uganda in November 2016.

MEET THE HIGGINS Our family of six ventured to Uganda to spend time serving and learning with Watoto ministries in Kampala and Gulu. As a family we wanted to get closer to this wonderful ministry and experience first-hand the warmth, beauty and life of the Ugandan people. And what a full and life changing trip it was for us all! Over the course of a very full 8 days we visited Watoto villages and schools, experienced Baby Watoto, played games at kids camp in the rain and saw the beautiful Living Hope Ministry in action. We were uplifted by the colourful vibrant worship at Watoto Church, shared a delicious meal with a Watoto village family, served local schools as part of the Keep a Girl in School program and just for fun, we also went white water rafting on the Nile! Add to that the amazing sights and sounds of Ugandan city and country life and the warmth and hospitality of all that we met and we had a simply unforgettable family experience that we will treasure always. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” It was so good to dwell a while with our Watoto Ugandan brothers & sisters. - Simon Higgins

WE HAVE LEFT A PIECE OF OUR HEARTS THERE.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP Since April 2007, Watoto Australia has partnered with Global Development Group (GDG) on various humanitarian aid and development projects in Uganda. GDG are an Australian NGO approved by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to carry out quality humanitarian and development projects with approved partners and to provide aid to relieve poverty and deliver long-term solutions. Watoto’s projects with GDG include Watoto villages (Project J210) that provide holistic community development, including education and healthcare, and Living Hope (Project J416) that is a gender-equality-based holistic project for disadvantaged women that includes housing, medical support, employment and education for children - combined with vocational training and income generation. Donations over $2 to these projects (including child sponsorship) are tax deductible, and any excess funds received will support other approved project activities.* GDG takes responsibility for approved projects according to OAGDS guidelines, providing a governance role and assisting in the areas of planning, monitoring, reviewing and evaluation to help ensure that approved projects are carried out to Australian requirements. Since our collaboration with GDG in Australia and with Watoto Uganda, Watoto Australia has experienced relative growth in scope resulting in significant impact in the community of Uganda. The support offered to Watoto Australia and the training, advice and monitoring visits by the GDG team in Uganda each year have helped to build and strengthen the operational and managerial capacity of Watoto’s Australian and International staff and the focus on sustainable development activities. Furthermore, though our partnership with GDG, we also partner with organisations that donate to Watoto projects with them. More information on GDG’s projects with Watoto can be found here: www.gdg.org.au/Watoto

*Tax deductible receipts for gifts over $2 with a preference for any of these GDG-approved projects will be issued by the Watoto Australia Trust Account (ABN 83 176 101 461). Please note that no evangelistic, welfare or political activities are funded by these aid and development projects with GDG. Any excess funds received will support other approved project activities.

DONATION SNAPSHOT $ 4 , 730,2 60 FUNDS TO WATOTO AUSTRALIA

$ 90,2 72 FUNDS DIRECT TO GDG

$4 ,8 2 0,5 32 TOTAL FUNDS TO UGANDA

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GDG DONORS:

RICH HART FOUNDATION

WATOTO AUSTRALIA FINANCIALS J U L Y 2015- D E C E M B E R 2016

Designated donations are received on an ongoing basis, and while we endeavour to transfer as much as we are able to Uganda each financial year, some are held in Australia until the commencement of a designated project. At times, the receipt of funds, and transfer of funds may span more than one financial year resulting in a perceived deficit in the financials.

WATOTO CHILD CARE MINISTRIES AND CONTROLLED ENTITIES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE F O R T H E E I G H T E E N M O N T H P E R I O D E N D E D 31 D E C E M B E R 20 1 6

TOTAL

2016 Company

Trust

2015 TOTAL

6,426,507

1,086,320

5,340,187

4,087,755

- Monetary

- Non-Monetary

- DFAT (ex-AusAID)

- Other Australian

REVENUE Donations and gifts

Bequests and Legacies Grants

- Other Overseas

Investment Income

7,600

7,540

20,307

348,675

1,158,655

310,652

6,782,782

2,252,515

5,340,247

4,418,714

4,730,260

32,536

4,697,724

3,234,199

1,169,122

1,127,862

851,240

707,151

891,242

691,518

461,670

253,424

7,252,294

2,513,310

5,548,964

4,886,292

Other Income Revenue from International Political or Religious Adherence Promotion Programs TOTAL REVENUE EXPENSES

International Aid and Development Programs Expenditure International Projects - Funds to international programs - Program support costs Community education Fundraising costs - Public - Government, multilateral and private Accountability and Administration Non-Monetary Expenditure Total International Aid and Development Programs Expenditure

International Political or Religious Adherence Promotion Programs Expenditure

Domestic Programs Expenditure

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURE

7,252,294

2,513,310

$(469,512) $(260,795)

5,548,964

4,886,292

$(208,717) $(467,578)

WATOTO CHILD CARE MINISTRIES AND CONTROLLED ENTITIES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F O R T H E E I G H T E E N M O N T H P E R I O D E N D E D 31 D E C E M B E R 20 1 6

WATOTO CHILD CARE MINISTRIES AND CONTROLLED ENTITIES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F O R T H E E I G H T E E N M O N T H P E R I O D E N D E D 31 D E C E M B E R 20 1 6 TOTAL

2016 Company

Trust

2015 TOTAL

Depreciation and write-back of non-current assets

14,899

8,674

Auditor Remuneration - audit services

12,500

8,500

609,499

113,082

496,417

1,064,631

543

533

1,609

$610,042

$113,615

12,578

NOTE 2 - SURPLUS/DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR Surplus/Deficit from ordinary activities has been determined after: a) Expenses

NOTE 3 - CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash at bank Cash on hand

$496,427 $1,066,240

NOTE 4 - TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Trade and other receivables Prepayments

6,277

18,688

31,749

$31,266

$38,026

$33,244

$87,700

139,121

108,265

(89,097)

(90,915)

50,024

17350

95,515

66,949

(49,375)

(32,658)

46,140

34,291

234,636

175,214

(138,472)

(123,573)

$69,164

$51,641

NOTE 5 - INVENTORIES Stock on hand NOTE 6 - PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT Plant and equipment Less: Accumulated Depreciation

Motor Vehicles Less: Accumulated Depreciation

Total - Property, Plant and Equipment Less: Accumulated Depreciation

TOTAL

2016 Company

Trust

2015 TOTAL

27,197

42,873

2,626

$27,197

$45,499

$24,716

$10,599

$19,168

$23,757

$27,290

$21,895

NOTE 7 - TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current Trade creditor and accruals Income in advance

NOTE 8 - BORROWINGS

Current Loans Payable

Non-current Loans Payable NOTE 9 - PROVISIONS

Current Provisions for employee benefits

Non-Current Provisions for employee benefits NOTE 10 - EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD The Directors are not aware of any other matters or circumstances not otherwise dealt with in the Directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Report or Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 that has significantly or may significantly affect the operations of the company, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the company in subsequent financial years.

WATOTO AUSTRALIA PO BOX 782 SPRINGWOOD, QLD 4127 07 3806 0311 AUSTRALIA@WATOTO.COM

@watotoaustralia