Message From Our Leaders
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..” —James 1:17a (NIV)
The vision for Watoto Ambassadors has been in place for many years. It’s thrilling to see it being implemented, especially in the US, where we sent our first Watoto Children’s Choir over two decades ago. You are very special to us. You’re a good and perfect gift, helping us reach the vulnerable women and children throughout Africa. Not only are you a member of our Watoto family, but you are now part of a team that will bring Watoto into its future. With your decision to be an ambassador, you will play an instrumental role in seeing the impact of Watoto spread to every corner of Africa. Thank you for your love, passion, and commitment to the mission of Watoto to raise the next generation of African leaders. In Christ,
Julius & Vernita Rwotlonyo Team Leaders, Watoto 2
Who We Are
Watoto is a family made up of people from all over the world who are working together to ensure the forgotten have a place to belong. In 1984, during a time of civil war, our founders Gary and Marilyn Skinner planted a local church in Kampala, Uganda to speak hope and life to the nation. Since then, we’ve rescued orphaned and abandoned children, placing them in loving families. We’ve come alongside vulnerable women, equipping them with skills and empowering them to be the mothers and leaders God has called them to be. And to help our hurting neighbours, we’ve extended our reach into South Sudan. Over the past 40 years, the challenges facing Africa have changed, but our goal remains the same. We come alongside the most vulnerable in our society, embracing them with the love of Jesus as we work to give each woman, child and baby a chance at a better future—a future full of promise.
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Welcome
Thank you for your support and commitment to Watoto through the years. We are beyond excited to welcome you on this new adventure as a Watoto Ambassador.
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Meet The Watoto US Team EUGENE STUTZMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WATOTO US OFFICE eugene@watoto.us
In 2005, Eugene and his wife joined a team to help build a Watoto village in Uganda. As a builder, he was intrigued by the idea. That visit was the first time he saw potential in Africa. Soon after, they joined Watoto as choir leaders. In 2008, Eugene stepped into the role of Executive Director for the US Office in Tampa, FL, excited to continue serving Watoto and hopeful for the future.
ANGELA MITCHELL WATOTO AMBASSADOR PROGRAM ADVISOR angela@watoto.us
In 2013, Angela & her family hosted five boys & two uncles from the choir, for the first time. God used this encounter to begin what would become a journey of healing in their family. Their son, Coleman, went to heaven just four months later. He was a junior & desired to go to Uganda following graduation. They have built a home in his honor in Watoto’s Laminadera village & God selected eight precious girls who are now their Watoto daughters. Nothing is wasted when our pain is surrendered to the Healer!
SHONDA WHITE WATOTO AMBASSADOR COORDINATOR shonda@watoto.us
Shonda is an educator who has served in full-time ministry for over thirty years. Her heart melted when she first saw the Watoto Children’s Choir in Texas. She knew she wanted to be a part of what God is doing through Watoto. Shonda joined the Watoto team in January 2021 as a childcare advocate and administrative coordinator, mobilizing others and engaging them in the work of Watoto.
ANTHONY WHITE DIRECTOR OF PARTNER RELATIONS anthony@watoto.us
Through a series of exciting & supernatural events, Anthony found himself face to face with Gary & James Skinner, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo & Roland Mitchell. It was obvious that God had orchestrated the meeting and a special bond was being forged. In November of 2019, Anthony visited Watoto Uganda and it became apparent that God was extending the privilege to serve within the Watoto family. In addition to his mentoring role and position as Director of Partner Relations, Anthony also serves in the development of Watoto South Sudan.
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Ambassador Qualities PASSIONATE
lways eager to share the A message of Jesus Christ and Watoto’s story of hope, transformation and empowerment
BELIEVER
committed follower of Jesus A Christ who believes fully in the vision of Watoto
REPRESENTATIVE
eady to share Watoto’s story R and their personal testimony of spiritual transformation as result of their experience with Watoto
ADVOCATE
E ndorses Watoto and the impact of reaching individuals and communities in Uganda through Watoto Church
DEDICATED
Deeply committed to praying
for God’s mission and His work through Watoto
INFORMED
Stays informed through quarterly
updates from US leadership
Uganda
and
CREATIVE
Thinks of ways to share about
the good work God is doing through Watoto while raising support.
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You are a key part to changing the world. The Bible says God loves you and not only are you saved through His grace, but you are created in Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Maybe you’re a teacher, a mechanic, a pastor or someone who likes to host dinner parties. God uniquely gifted you, so why not use your gifts and talents to help others? As a Watoto Ambassador, you get the opportunity to rally others and help spread the word about the work God is doing through Watoto. Be it through fundraising activities like skydiving, hosting events, or sharing stories of hope online, this is your chance to have a lasting impact as only you can. No matter what role you play, to us it’s much more than a particular project. It’s connecting with God’s family throughout the world to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and children in Uganda and South Sudan. And to us, you’re a hero. 9
Overview
Purpose of the Watoto Ambassadors
• To foster a community of committed volunteers across the US who are
empowered and encouraged to share their story, skills, and resources to support Watoto initiatives.
• To create opportunities for existing Watoto sponsors and donors to engage with Watoto projects on an ongoing basis. • To help exponentially increase Watoto’s impact in Uganda and throughout Africa by utilizing our collective skills and resources in a collaborative and innovative way.
Role of a Watoto Ambassador
• Represent Watoto in his or her church, city, and state, sharing the mission of Watoto and encouraging others to become engaged with Watoto. • Through collaboration with Watoto leadership and fellow ambassadors, utilizing his or her skills and resources a Watoto Ambassador proactively pursues ideas to increase engagement and connection to Watoto’s transformational work in Africa. • Is committed to serve as a Watoto Ambassador for two years.
Types of Ambassadors Focus Area Ambassador
Works directly with other ambassadors in their chosen focus area to achieve goals set in collaboration with Watoto US leadership.
Team Builder Ambassador
Engages active sponsors while fostering relationships with Watoto volunteers in their church, city, and state, recruiting them for events and projects as needed.
Marketplace Ambassador
Influences others in their spheres of occupation, commercial business, or social media to bring awareness to, and engagement with, the work God is doing at Watoto.
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Quarterly Meetings
Focus Area Ambassadors will meet once a quarter with the lead ambassador of their focus area, and once a year with Watoto leadership in Uganda via video conference.
The Goal of These Meetings
• Celebrate and share updates (progress, impact, and evaluation) on projects they are working on • Brainstorm ways to support existing and new initiatives within their focus area • Offer supportive resources to one another when and where possible • Encourage one another in their relationship with God and service to Watoto • Pray for Africa and Watoto’s transformational work
Engagement Opportunities Focus Areas
PASTORAL PARTNERSHIPS EDUCATION WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR MEDICAL WORSHIP ACADEMY SPORTS ACADEMY BABY WATOTO WATOTO NEIGHBOURHOOD KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL SUSTAINABILITY
Annual Gathering
Allowing Ambassadors to Connect and Grow
• Engage with the Watoto Leadership Team in Uganda and receive the most up-to-date information about what’s happening on the ground, including new initiatives and needs. • Brainstorm and collaborate to begin making plans for the year ahead during round table sessions to help meet the goals and objectives of Watoto’s priorities. • Share the testimony of Gods impact with fellow ambassadors and see the life transforming impact on communities in Uganda.
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Sponsorship Changes Lives
Jane
Rescued as a baby Dreams of being a doctor
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Watoto Sponsors ensure each child grows up knowing the love of Jesus while receiving food, clothing, education, and a family all their own.
Liam
Rescued as a baby Wants to be a policeman
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WAYS TO HELP
Raise Awareness Fundraise Sponsorship WATOTO.com 14
A Watoto village is a safe place where a child can truly experience the love of a family. Our villages provide homes, families and holistic care to over 3,000 children who receive everything they need to grow up healthy and whole—food, clothing, medical care, education, and most of all the love of a mother. Across our three villages—Suubi, Bbira, and Laminadera—our mothers have their hands full. Each home is made up of a Watoto mother who is raising eight orphaned and vulnerable children. Together, they’re a family. Since we first began, we’ve rescued and provided a home, an education, a family and a bright future to over 5,500 children—and each year our family here grows. This is made possible by the love and support of people throughout the world. Each of you are truly helping us raise Africa’s future leaders.
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We rescue Uganda’s most vulnerable babies, providing them with a loving family and a future full of hope. Many babies in Uganda are orphaned or abandoned, often found at bus stops, churches, hospitals, and even found by the side of the road—and we thank God that together we can change their stories. Whether babies come to us with serious medical conditions, or just need lots of cuddles, clean diapers, and warm milk, we make sure they receive the medical care, nutrition, and love they desperately need to help give them the best possible start in life. Regardless of how they come to us, we provide the love and care each little one needs to grow up healthy and whole.
W AT OT O. CO M
Our goal is to help our babies bond, develop, and thrive—knowing we’re raising Africa’s future pilots, lawyers, builders, and leaders.
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WAYS TO HELP
Raise Awareness Fundraise Sponsorship WATOTO.com
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WAYS TO HELP
Raise Awareness Fundraise Sponsorship WATOTO.com
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Africa’s greatest empowered.
resource
is
her
women,
The harsh reality is that many women throughout Uganda and South Sudan have been left to bear the brunt of war, poverty and disease. Millions of our sisters have been abandoned and robbed of all dignity. Uneducated and unemployable, they are left to suffer alone. But together, we’re changing this by providing adult literacy classes, discipleship, business skills training and job opportunities. As we embrace these women with the love of Jesus and empower them with skills, they find hope and purpose. We passionately believe that when a woman is empowered, she can reach her full potential and her whole family is transformed.
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South Sudan At Watoto, we have faith in Jesus. Yet we ask ourselves, what good is our faith if our brothers and sisters lack food or clothes and we do nothing? In Juba, South Sudan the need is staggering. Over the past 40 years, we’ve seen God use our faith-inaction in Uganda to accomplish more than we could have ever imagined. We know that He can do the same in Juba. We believe South Sudan’s future will be brighter than its past, because of what we do today.
“With eyes of faith I see a miracle unfolding before me—where women and children will have their stories transformed. Mothers will raise up a generation who know the Lord and will transform the nation for His glory.” -Vernita Rwotlonyo, Watoto Neighbourhood
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Keep A Girl In School
Every girl matters and every girl has the right to stay in school. For girls like Joyce (pictured here), education isn’t just important for a brighter future, it’s critical to their survival. Yet, girls often drop out of school simply because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products. A lack of education leads to vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to unwanted pregnancy, human trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence, HIV, early marriage, and a life of no choices. Together, we can change this.
Education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. When girls are kept in school, they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who transform their neighbourhoods and nations. Currently, we’re working alongside local schools in Uganda and South Sudan to reduce the dropout rate by providing sanitary products, teaching girls their value in Christ, and igniting their passion for education. We’re also teaching young boys to respect and protect their female classmates and reminding girls that they matter, and their bodies are their own. With your help, we can keep girls in school, educated and empowered—and we can change their future.
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We go into the hardest of places, sharing the love of Jesus and providing opportunities for education while empowering the most vulnerable. As we move forward, we will undoubtedly continue to do God’s work in Uganda while expanding our reach in South Sudan and other places throughout Africa that are crying out for help. Today, millions of mothers in Uganda and South Sudan struggle to feed their children. These mothers and children are not the problem, they are the solution. Empowering vulnerable women with the love of Jesus, and providing trauma counseling, discipleship and job training will not only change their lives, but their children’s lives and future generations to come. We will continue to ensure children receive medical care, regular meals, and the opportunity to attend school. We believe every child deserves the hope of tomorrow. We see their potential as future leaders to change their communities and help rebuild their nation with the love of Jesus. We know this is possible because we’ve seen it happen every day for the past 40 years in Uganda. Let’s not simply look at the situation and hope it gets better, let’s act and make a difference.
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At Watoto, we’ve seen the love of Christ in action, transforming thousands of lives. It’s this love that compels us to embrace those hurting around us. Let’s work together in reaching our communities, building up our neighbours, and bringing the lost home. 23
Watoto USA 13617 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33613 (813) 948 4343 USA@WATOTO.com
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