Watoto Newsletter - AU

WWW.WATOTO.COM | MARCH 2014 | ISSUE NO.1

T H E

F U T U R E

I S

N O W

YOU ARE INVITED

One Amazing God

WATOTO BIG PARTY This year, Watoto celebrates 30 years of God’s faithfulness in Uganda. From 1st to 8th June 2014, Gary and Marilyn Skinner will host a Big Party in Kampala to commemorate the occasion.

“We are having a big party because we want Jesus to

be famous for the good things He has done in Africa.

I am so thankful for all of the individuals, teams, churches and other groups around the world that have been involved in so many ways, helping us make all of this happen. God

bless you,” comments Gary Skinner, Watoto Founder.

Currently, Watoto cares for almost 3,000 children in three self-contained villages and three Baby Watoto facilities across Kampala and Gulu, Uganda.

George Akankwasa, one of the first students of Hope

WHAT WE DO ORPHANED CHILDREN | VULNERABLE WOMEN | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

Senior School in Watoto’s Bbira Village says, “I have seen Watoto grow tremendously from 1 classroom block to over 10; from 4 clusters of 9 homes per cluster, to over 15 clusters; and from us doing only indoor games to outdoor facilities for continued on pg. 2

continued from pg. 1 various activities. We need to celebrate and thank God for all He has done for us, and what He is still doing.”

In the lead up to the Big Party, we are running a campaign called ’Man Up’, where we are challenging people to do something extraordinary to increase awareness and funding for Watoto. Watoto friend, John Burns, from Relate Church Canada is pushing his physical and mental boundaries to run 200 holes of golf in 24 Hours.

He hopes to raise US$5 million for Watoto. You too can join the challenge.

Either log on to www.

ManUp4Watoto.com and support John, or start a challenge of your own. Every effort helps to transform the lives of vulnerable women and children in Africa.

For more information on how to be involved in the Big Party, please log onto www. watotochurch.com/bigparty.

A HELPING HAND In February, Living Hope community workers began interviewing women who were isolated, and struggling, both financially and emotionally. We hope to enlist 380 new ladies in the program this year. “ When I hear their stories, I realise how much they need to be in the program,” says Hannah Atim, a community worker.

Living Hope graduates like Monica, who are now community leaders, are helping us identify and enlist new women. In 2005 when Monica was pregnant she discovered that she was HIV positive. She used to make money by selling liquor, but this was not enough to support her five children. “Living Hope found me when I was not doing well.

I thought I was dumped and forgotten, but at Living Hope I found joy and hope. I found others who are like me, and people who love me,” she said.

Monica who works in our jewelry department is now one of Living Hope’s community leaders. She often visits other

HIV positive women to share her story, pray for them and remind them to look after themselves.

Living Hope empowers women so that they can walk alongside others who are in need of support. They learn that their stories have power to inspire others and to change lives. By helping women like Monica engage in their communities, we are able to infiltrate the most impoverished neighbourhoods and embrace others who are still in desperate need of help.

This year we have framed our program around three words that we feel capture our mission: Embrace, Empower and Engage. We embrace women by caring for their basic needs. We empower them by developing their life skills and we engage them with the community by helping them become successful businesswomen and pillars of influence.

Follow the progress at www. watoto.com/livinghope and encourage others to partner with us today.

Vocational Students Graduation On 4th Dec 2013, 38 Watoto

projects as an electrical

students graduated from the

installation engineer, where he is

Vocational School at Watoto’s

convinced that he is gaining the

Suubi Village. The ceremony

hands-on skills he needs to start

was filled with jubilation and

up his own business.

Watoto’s objective is to

hope as the students celebrated and couldn’t wait to start their

rebuild the nation by raising

careers.

African leaders in every sector

21-year-old Dodovico Nsereko,

of influence in society. We

who graduated as an electrical

want to celebrate empowered

installation engineer, believes

graduates like Dodovico and

that choosing vocational studies

thank all our partners for their

was the best decision he ever

contribution to this effort.

There are many children like

made.

“The practical lessons allowed

Dodovico, who need someone

me to gain valuable skills that

to come alongside them to help

helped me excel while I was a

them pursue their dreams. Be

student. I am excited about the

that support and encourage

future,” says Dodovico.

others to do the same

He is currently working at one

www.watoto.com/sponsorship.

of Watoto’s sustainability

Win a trip to visit Watoto in There’s nothing like seeing for yourself how your sponsorship is changing the life of your sponsored child, mother or teacher, Baby Watoto or Living Hope. If you have ever considered visiting Watoto, the great news is that we are giving away a spot on the Trip of a Lifetime sponsorship team to one of our current sponsors!

Julie-Anne had the opportunity to visit Uganda and volunteer with Baby Watoto. She shared, “Baby Watoto is the most amazing place. When I first walked in the door, I remember being

completely blown away with how lovely the place was.

Within a day, I was completely in love! These are the most beautiful babies that are just in need of something we can ALL give them... love. The nannies that take care of them every day do such a fabulous job and it’s easy to see this is more than just a job for them – they are changing the nation of Uganda, one baby at a time.”

While at Watoto, Julie-Anne had the privilege of being part of the rescue of one of our precious babies and, when she returned two years later, she

WIN A SPOT ON THE TRIP OF A LIFE TIME SPONSORSHIP TEAM HEADING TO UGANDA

VISIT WWW.WATOTO.COM/ WATOTOTRIP FOR TERMS & CONDITIONS AND MORE INFORMATION

About mama Mary who she sponsors “what a beautiful, gentle woman.” Debbie Gadd

#WATOTOTRIP

SPONSORSHIP INCREASE

SPONSOR A WATOTO MOTHER THIS MOTHER’S DAY Thank you to each and every sponsor who chose to share a portion of the increased costs of care by raising your support by $3/month to ensure that we can continue to provide quality, holistic care for our babies, children and mothers. We never initiate such changes lightly and

n Uganda! saw this baby, “walking and laughing, a loving little girl who has such a bright future ahead of her because of the incredible work of Watoto.”

Want your own Watoto experience? For information on how to join the Trip of a Lifetime, or win a spot on it, Visit www.watoto.com/ watototrip or email mediaau@ watoto.com.

If you received a Watoto Passport in the post in January, now is a great time to check out the inside cover for how you can win a trip!

appreciate your commitment and generosity. With your ongoing prayer and financial support, we are able to continue to move forward in the work that we do in Uganda. We cannot say “thank you” enough for your ongoing sponsorship support.

INTRODUCING CHOIR 66!

Watoto is currently changing the lives of nearly 3,000 children in Uganda, East Africa. Amongst

“I am proud to be a mother.

I have seen the blessing of the Lord and His power at work in my life. I am blessed,” mama Miriam Nakirya, a Watoto mother “I am humbled by my mother’s love and dedication to this ministry. I am what I am because of her loving guidance and direction.” Joseph Sebayiga www.watoto.com/sponsorship together and to see where God directs the Watoto Children’s Choir

also meet these beautiful children

to share their message.” In 2014,

(and others!) and hear their stories.

we will be visiting the Northern

Choir leader, Bryan Mwaka

Territory for the first time since

them are the 22 gorgeous and

recently shared with us about the

2009 and we are so excited to

excited children currently in the last

purpose of Choir 66. “The choir

bring our newest performance

stages of their training with Watoto

hopes to raise more awareness

to this region! We will also be travelling throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia along with the North Island of New Zealand.

Our sponsorship department has contacted each sponsor in these regions who has a sponsor child traveling with the choir and we are excited for more people to meet their sponsor child in Australia this year. There are dates still available in our 2014 tour to book the choir so get in quick to ensure

Children’s Choir 66. They will be

and support for the children here

you don’t miss out on this great

arriving in Australia in May and

in Africa who need a helping hand

opportunity! To enquire about

travelling throughout Australia and

to realise and achieve their dreams

hosting a performance contact

New Zealand for five months.

but, above all, the choir would

Kerri-Ann at choirau@watoto.com

love the people of Australia to

or 07 32083500. Remember to

Tranella and Simon who recently

realise and see the love of Jesus

check out the tour schedule for

shared with us why they love

through the concert.” He also

a performance near you at www.

Watoto. Their reasons were, “they

shared that “the training is exciting

watoto.com/the-choir/see-the-

love me, they show me love, they

and energetic” and that he is

choir.

gave me a family.”

looking forward to “meeting and

Among those children are Ivan,

These children are the next generation of Ugandan leaders

connecting with people.”

As Choir 66 are busy training

We are believing for big things for this tour and know that lives will be transformed by the message

who will steward Africa’s resources

in Uganda, we are busy here

shared and we would love to

for the glory of God and for the

in Australia preparing for their

partner with you in bringing this

betterment of the people and YOU

arrival. Australian tour coordinator

inspiring performance to your

have the opportunity to, not only

Kerri-Ann shared that, “it’s always

community!

experience Choir 66 in concert, but

exciting to see a tour come

JOIN THE WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR AT THE ANNUAL WATOTO DINNER & CONCERT FUNDRAISING GALA

MELBOURNE 17TH JUNE 2014

SYDNEY 26TH JUNE 2014

VE RESER AT SE YOUR !

NOW

WATOTO AUSTRALIA PO BOX 782 SPRINGWOOD, QLD 4127 (07) 3208 3500 AUSTRALIA@WATOTO.COM

Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993), a DFAT approved NGO, is proud to be a partner of Watoto Child Care Ministries Australia and responsible for aid & development projects J210, J329, J416 according to DFAT guidelines.