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.
Vocational Students Graduation On December 4, 2013, 38
projects as an electrical
Watoto students graduated
installation engineer, where he is
from the Vocational School
convinced that he is gaining the
at Watoto’s Suubi Village.
hands-on skills he needs to start
The ceremony was filled with
up his own business.
jubilation and hope as the
Watoto’s objective is to
students celebrated and couldn’t
rebuild the nation by raising
wait to start their careers.
African leaders in every sector of
21-year-old Dodovico Nsereko,
influence in society. We want to
who graduated as an electrical
celebrate empowered graduates
installation engineer, believes that
like Dodovico and thank all our
A HELPING HAND
choosing vocational studies was
partners for their contribution to
the best decision he ever made.
this effort.
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
me to gain valuable skills that
Dodovico, who need someone
helped me excel while I was a
to come alongside them to help
student. I am excited about the
them pursue their dreams. Be
future,” says Dodovico.
that support and encourage
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.
“The practical lessons allowed
He is currently working at one of Watoto’s sustainability
There are many children like
others to do the same www.watoto.com/sponsorship.
We Can Change A Story
CHILDREN’S CURRICULUM AND PIGGY BANK F
Inspire the hearts of children with our new, easy-to-use, multi-media Watoto children’s curriculum called “We Can Change A Story!” Children in grades K-5 will love exploring the country of Uganda through video, animal sounds and coloring sheets. Most importantly, they’ll learn about God’s heart for the orphan. They’ll also learn about
how God can use them to help change the outcome of an orphaned child’s story. Children will have the opportunity to color and assemble their very own piggy banks and collect coins or dollars for Watoto. Piggy bank kits are provided free-of-cost. At the end of the fundraiser Watoto will send your class a set of stickers for a
Bedtime Prayers for Watoto
Bed Time Prayers for Watoto My children attend Lamb of
became “mommy, please take me
last year we missed the Watoto
to Austin to see Watoto.”
Children’s Choir. After that show,
Though I was stressed about
my daughter’s teacher played the
having to drive the 174 miles to
music in her class and everyday
and from Austin with the girls,
my 4-year-old daughter, Ava,
I didn’t care because this was
would come from school singing
important to the three of us.
Beautiful Africa. She kept asking
FUNDRAISER
Watoto. Then her nightly request
God school but unfortunately
As the choir performed Ava
me to get the music but since
jumped up in the isle and started
I had no idea of what she was
dancing in sync with the Watoto
talking about, I asked her teacher
choir. She had watched several
who told me about “Watoto:
of the videos on YouTube and
Beautiful Africa.” This prompted
had learned the Watoto children’s
me to download the album off
choir dance routines. I purchased
iTunes.
quite a few items after the show
Every night before Ava went to
in support but my goal is to do
bed after she said her prayers,she
more. I read the children’s book
would say, “mommy, please take
at night to my daughters Ava and
me to Africa to see Watoto.”
Ayanna at bedtime. Ava’s night
After weeks of Ava asking me to
time prayers have consisted of a
take her to Africa to see Watoto
prayer for the children of Watoto
and with the music and the
every night since we left the
story behind it drawing me in,
show.
I searched the Watoto website for when they would be close to Houston again and found the
Watoto, I’m glad my girls look up to you; you’re the true heroes.
Lystra McCoy
closest was Austin. I told Ava we would be going to Austin to see
job well done! An excellent tool for vacation Bible school, children’s ministry departments and schools! To download the curriculum and order your kit visit www. watotoandyou.com/getinvolved “An excellent tool for vacation Bible school, children’s ministry departments and schools!”
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.
Third Grader Hears God’s Call to Help At the age of nine, Rhodes Jackson learned about Watoto and the Gulu Children’s Village from his aunt and uncle who had just returned from a mission trip to Watoto. “Rhodes was particularly struck by the fact that his aunt and uncle had mentioned that the medical clinic was lacking clinic beds and that some patients had to be examined sitting up in chairs. Rhodes was also blown away by the photo of the library that had very few books,” said his mom Melanie. Being the determined and tender-hearted little boy that Rhodes is, he decided he wouldn’t let small things like age or money get in the way of meeting those needs! He decided he would raise the money to purchase books and beds through “the Books and Beds” fundraiser! With the help of his parents, Rhodes reached out to a number of people in different ways. In just six weeks, Rhodes had surpassed his fundraising goal and so was able to channel the rest of the funds towards purchasing Truvada, an important drug for children with Hepatitis B. “We truly believe his little heart was called to raise funds for this very project at this very time,” said Melanie. Watoto is so thankful for Rhodes and his loving heart. We pray other children will be inspired by Rhodes to know that God can also use them to make a difference.
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 USA PO BOX 1320 LUTZ, FLORIDA 33548-1320