WWW.WATOTO.COM | MARCH 2014 | ISSUE NO.1
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YOU ARE INVITED
One Amazing God WATOTO BIG PARTY This year, Watoto celebrates 30 years of God’s faithfulness in Uganda. From June 1 to June 8, 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 Senior School in Watoto’s Bbira
WHAT WE DO ORPHANED CHILDREN | VULNERABLE WOMEN | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
Village says, “I have seen Watoto grow tremendously from one classroom block to over 10; from four clusters of nine homes per cluster, to over 15 clusters; and from us doing only indoor games to outdoor facilities for 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 launching an exciting challenge for people to do something extraordinary, which in turn will help raise awareness and funds for Watoto. This is your chance to make a difference and to share your passion for Watoto with others. Everyone’s challenge
will look different. 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 $5 million for Watoto. Tell us what your challenge will be. Log on to www.manup4watoto.com and start a challenge of your own,
or support John’s. 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 realize 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.
SPONSORSHIP INCREASE 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 a 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 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.
Vocational Students Graduation On December 4, 2013, 38
projects as an electrical
Watoto students graduated from
installation engineer, where he is
the Vocational School at Watoto’s
convinced that he is gaining the
Suubi Village. The ceremony was
hands-on skills he needs to start
filled with jubilation and hope
up his own business.
as the students celebrated and couldn’t wait to start their careers. 21-year-old Dodovico Nsereko,
Watoto’s objective is to rebuild the nation by raising African leaders in every sector of
who graduated as an electrical
influence in society. We want to
installation engineer, believes that
celebrate empowered graduates
choosing vocational studies was
like Dodovico and thank all our
the best decision he ever made.
partners for their contribution to
“The practical lessons allowed
this effort.
me to gain valuable skills that
There are many children like
helped me excel while I was a
Dodovico, who need someone
student. I am excited about the
to come alongside them to help
future,” says Dodovico.
them pursue their dreams. Be that
He is currently working at one of Watoto’s sustainability
support and encourage others to do the same www.watoto.com/sponsorship.
SPONSOR A WATOTO MOTHER THIS MOTHER’S DAY “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
WATOTO UGANDA PO Box 26366. Kampala Uganda Phone: +256 (0)414 697 003 Email: uganda@watoto.com