Dear Friend, I want to personally say a heartfelt thank you for the support you have given to Watoto this past financial year. All funds given to Watoto Australia have ensured that the most vulnerable women and children in Uganda continue to be rescued and raised as responsible leaders so that this beautiful nation continues to be rebuilt. We are thankful for your prayers, generosity and passion to come alongside us in seeing our vision become a reality. As the end of this financial year approaches, we encourage you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Watoto. Every dollar of your donation (no matter how large or small) will help us continue our work in Uganda and we will continue to be great stewards of the funds entrusted to us. Please find below a letter from Watoto founders Gary and Marilyn Skinner, highlighting Watoto’s greatest needs. Thank you again for your support. Luke Willey Country Director Watoto Child Care Ministries Australia & New Zealand
Under a cloudless Ugandan sky, a 17-year-old boy stands up from his field of maize and stretches his back. He wipes the sweat from his forehead and smiles as he surveys his blossoming crop. A few years before, this teenager was a child soldier, abducted from his home and forced to fight in a war he didn’t understand. Today, he is part of the Watoto family and his future is blossoming alongside his crop. For more than 30 years, Watoto Church has been able to minister to tens of thousands of Ugandans, bringing them to Jesus Christ and transforming their lives. Jesus passionately loves every person, and He is the solution to the fundamental problems in Africa. His example defines our mission to RESCUE, RAISE and REBUILD. Watoto Child Care Ministries provides a safe, loving family for almost 3,000 children. It’s an environment that promotes spiritual growth, brings physical and psychological healing, develops academic and practical skills and enhances the wellbeing of the most vulnerable. Over 800 babies have been rescued from dire circumstances, some found in outdoor toilets, banana plantations, on trash heaps - literally left as human refuse. Now they’re healthy and thriving either at Baby Watoto or in a Watoto village. We have already seen 154 orphans grow from children to adults, complete their schooling, go on to tertiary
Equipment $599,000
Child Development $644,000
studies or vocational training, and live productive lives as contributing members of society. This is our goal. This is our passion. This is how we change a nation. Additionally, Living Hope is restoring dignity to the lives of thousands of vulnerable women who have been abused and left with no resources. These women are now caring for their own children, running their own businesses and have become pillars of hope in their community. By God’s grace, Watoto is raising transformational leaders who will impact every sphere of society positively, reforming Uganda and serving as a model for the rest of Africa. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our partners, so thank you for your continued support. God has been faithful to Watoto through three decades and, over the years, we’ve managed to sustain growth and drastically improve the lives of our children. However, the global economic downturn has resulted in significant cutbacks in financial support. Our commitment to our children is for life. To ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality of holistic care, we ask that you, our generous partners, consider providing financial support in the following key areas of need:
Computer Equipment $80,000
Replacement Vehicles $453,000
Maintenance & Operations $402,000