WATOTO NEIGHBOURHOOD Embrace, Empower, Engage Meet Lucy Meet Jennifer Diana’s Story Mary’s Story

Grace, one of our mothers in the Neighbourhood Center, Gulu

EMBRACE, EMPOWER, ENGAGE

Africa’s greatest resource is her women, empowered.

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.

Because of our faithful partners, last year 893 vulnerable women were embraced and empowered through Watoto Neighbourhood as we came alongside them to find practical, sustainable solutions to meet their key needs.

We know that when a woman is vulnerable she needs to feel loved, accepted and cared for physically. So, we extended a “practical embrace” to 133 of our sisters in Juba, South Sudan assisting them with the basic essential items they lacked to help improve their quality of life.

We also provided adult literacy classes, discipleship, business skills training and job opportunities to our Neighbourhood Mothers in Kampala, Gulu and Juba. By helping these women develop and grow their life skills, not only are we equipping them to be able to provide for their families, but we’re restoring their dignity. We’re proud of our Neighbourhood Mothers as 336 have already completed their courses and will graduate this year.

Additionally, in Uganda 426 of the women who had previously completed their training received start-up capital and mentorship to help them set up a small business. By walking with the women after they’ve graduated, we help ensure they’re able to earn a living and take care of their families.

Lucy holding her daughter Faith

MEET LUCY

Lucy’s a beautiful woman who wants nothing more than to provide a good life for her daughter Faith and son Ronald. After the tragic death of her husband, Lucy struggled to make ends meet. Thankfully a neighbour introduced her to Watoto where she’s being equipped with skills and beginning to earn money to care for her family. Because of your partnership, we’re able to restore hope and dignity to women like Lucy.

MEET JENNIFER

At 11 years old, Jennifer was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army. After living in captivity for 10 years, she escaped only to return home and face rejection by her family. Jennifer heard about Watoto. Completing trauma rehabilitation and discipleship, she learned about the love of Jesus, enabling her to forgive. She was empowered with skills and became a leader in tailoring. Today, she trains other women who were just like her. Jennifer rejoices because her life is forever changed.

DIANA’S STORY

South Sudan’s decades of war have taken a toll on the nation—most notably on women like Diana.

At 23 years old, Diana’s struggling to raise her two children as a single mother. The father of the children left, leaving the grim possibility that the conflict has now taken his life.

Diana makes her home in a house patched together with iron sheets, providing only a meager shelter from the harsh elements. The two children struggle with their health in large part due to the hostile surroundings.

In the midst of hardship, an undeniable ray of hope shines. Recently, the President of South Sudan formalized a Peace Treaty and the country is looking forward to its promised potential.

Similarly, Diana is finding personal peace through knowing that Jesus loves her. She joined Watoto Neighbourhood this year and is starting to see not only her own potential, but also her ability to raise her children and change their future. She is choosing to believe in the power of tomorrow over the pain of yesterday.

We’re proud to come alongside Diana and thousands of women throughout Africa in similar situations. Together, we’re empowering them to grow into everything God has for these mothers and their children.

MARY’S STORY

Hai Malakal Cemetery or as locals refer to it, Konyo Konyo Cemetery, is about 3 miles (5.5 km) from the Juba International Airport. It’s a vast graveyard containing hundreds of graves from the past 80 years. Inside its decaying walls, there survives a community of displaced people struggling to build some sort of life among the dead. This is where Mary Wasyk and her children live.

Entering through the cemetery’s gates, there’s a surreal mix of tombs, makeshift homes and children. In some regards it feels like any community; people washing clothes, mothers nursing infants and little ones playing. It’s only when you look past the activity that you realize the children are actually playing on a headstone marking a forty year old grave.

A heaviness fills the air. Why would anyone live here? The answer is simple, where else can they go? Conflicts over land have been a point of contention for generations. A place devoted to death was one of the only unclaimed areas someone without influence, family or means of support could settle.

Mary embodies the struggle in this neighbourhood. Raised in a culture where educating a young girl was considered a waste of time, Mary’s best option for a future was as a bride. After getting married and having four children of her own, her husband was killed in a conflict with his brother. And here she stands—uneducated and alone, yet determined. There’s something deep within her soul; something you notice from the moment you meet her.

Watoto Neighbourhood recently welcomed Mary. It’s the beginning of a long road, but she’s already seeing a difference in her life. Mary’s learning to read, how to become a tailor and more importantly, she’s being embraced with love. Through job training and discipleship, she’s discovering healing, empowerment and a new dignity.

In a soft voice carrying an uncommon sincerity Mary shares, “I hope that one day I will start a business and change the way I live. I don’t want my children to end up like me.” Followed by a slight smile, it’s obvious she speaks the loudest with her silence. What Mary’s really saying is somewhere in her eyes, deep within her gaze—she’s looking off into the future, no longer seeing death around her.

Each morning she rises with the hope that today could be the last day trying to raise her children in a place like this. She does her best and works hard daily to give her children a chance at a better life.

Thanks to the love and support of people all over the world, we know Mary will soon have a new reality, providing for her children and becoming a leader in her community. This is the future we see for Mary and thousands of women like her. Thanks for always loving and giving our Neighbourhood Mothers and their children hope.