FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER
GREAT STRIDES In March, Watoto celebrated the graduation of 16 young adults from a number of universities all over Uganda. Among these, was the very first child rescued by Watoto in 1994. Found at only 18 months old, Jessica Namuli has grown into a strong and lovely 22-year-old. “When I tell my story, most people see it as a sad story. But for me, it was God’s first step to lifting me up. This graduation is not just a graduation to me. It shows me how far God has lifted me up and I’m so glad He used you” she shared during her speech. Jessica graduated from Makerere Business School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She got very emotional as she thanked founders, Gary and Marilyn Skinner, and everyone who has been a part of her journey at Watoto. “I can’t thank you enough” she said through her tears. “My entire life has been at Watoto. My mom, my friends, everyone I love is here. Everything I have, I got from Watoto. My first shoes, my first school, I owe it all to these people” she said. “I told my friends that the only way was to graduate and be the best there is. It’s the only way to show how grateful we are. This is the first of the steps we are taking to be the citizens you have raised us to be” she continued. Jessica’s Watoto mom and dad (Dad to mean a father figure from the church’s Father’s heart ministry) were right there with her, to revel in this major milestone. “When I came to Watoto, I knew she was the reason I had come. To me she was a seed child, full of so much potential. She still is and I can’t wait to see what else is in her future. Many people think that pain is a bad thing, but pain brings life to a story” said her dad and Head Master of ID Raymer Primary School, John Albert Emuna. A very proud Gary Skinner gave the fresh graduates a word of advice for their future. “Nothing
makes me more proud than to tell you that you have made my investment in Uganda worth it. Just as you have worked for this graduation, I want you to work even harder for the next steps. Sometimes the road gets rough, but the most successful people are those who learn to navigate the rough path.” Watoto Child Care has rescued more than 4,000 children since Jessica. This has all been possible because of your faithful support. Thank you for taking this journey with us.
Australia. Thank you all who contributed to this. “We have already completed two community training workshops in the gazebo. Over 150 people attended these” says Cynthia Muhumuza, Team Leader: Watoto Agriculture. This is a great step forward.
MEETING OF A LIFETIME
your sponsor child?” said Joan. Joan and Russell attended three performances and were able to meet with Stephanie on three separate occasions. “Things will be different now when we write to Stephanie, as we will be able to share and connect better with her now that we have met her personally. She is precious and we love her” Joan said. Joan and Russell have a dream of one day being able to meet Stephanie again; this time in Uganda.
TRAINING CENTRE AT LUBBE FARM
One of the strategic objectives for the sustainability department is to provide an educational environment for Watoto children and the communities around the farm. To facilitate this process more effectively, we saw the need to construct a training centre at the agricultural project, located at the Lubbe Farm. This centre consists of a dormitory for students and staff accommodation. The structure’s construction and the furnishing was funded by donors from UK, USA, Canada, and
One of the biggest annual highlights for staff in the Watoto Canada Sponsorship Department is contacting Canadian sponsors whose sponsored children will be coming to Canada as a part of the Watoto Children’s Choir! Russell and Joan Joynt have been sponsoring 7-year-old Stephanie Nakigozi for 5 years and they recently were informed that she would be coming to Canada as a part of the 2016 Watoto Children’s Choir. Ecstatic about the opportunity to meet Stephanie in person for the first time, they immediately made plans to visit her in Ontario this past January and February. “Meeting Stephanie was one of the most amazing and greatest experiences of our lives. What are the chances that you get to meet
COUNTRY DIRECTOR GREETING Hi! Lorne Hamlyn here. I am excited to have the honour and privilege to serve as the new Country Director of Watoto Canada beginning April 1, 2016! Born in Newfoundland as the youngest son of a pastor, ‘missions’ was always front and center in my life. After graduating from high school in Nova Scotia, I earned a Bachelor of Theology in Ontario in 1997. In 2000 I married my beautiful wife Krista; we now have two wonderful girls, Kylie, 8, and Kendyl, 4. Since graduating from Bible College, I have volunteered as an Assistant
Pastor, worked in a factory as an administrator, and more recently in management with Shell Canada in Alberta. Krista and I first learned of Watoto in 2003 when we joined a Visit Watoto build team. We saw the Watoto Children’s Choir for the first time in 2005 and I was hooked. I felt strongly that I needed to get involved. Krista and I spent the next two years leading Watoto Choirs in England, USA, and Canada. The following year I worked as the Visit Watoto Coordinator before moving on to other adventures. I always felt that I would once again be involved with Watoto, so when this door of opportunity opened, I knew it was God’s timing. I look forward to expanding the profile of this great ministry across Canada. I believe amazing things are ahead as we work to Rescue, Raise, and Rebuild by bringing God’s love to the vulnerable women and children of Africa!
WELCOME CHOIR 78 The Watoto Children’s Choir arrived in midJanuary to cold and snowy Ontario. They spent their first few days at Ignite Camp in Ameliaburgh, Ontario. Despite the cold temperatures, the sun was shining and the children were thrilled to experience snow for the first time! It didn’t take long to teach them about snowball fights - or in their terms, ‘shooting snow’. Our hosts at Ignite Camp even brought out their snowmobiles and gave everyone a ride - a true Canadian experience for our Africans! The Choir’s first concert was at Emmanuel Baptist Church in small town Bloomfield, Ontario. It was a huge success with a turnout of over 500 people! Next stop was Quebec where the Choir visited churches in Montreal and Lac Brome.
The next weekend was spent in Ottawa at Peace Tower Church where our recently retired Canadian Director, John Raymer, pastors. We then visited Calvary Pentecostal Church for our third year in a row! We were so blessed by Pastor Ivan and all the staff there. The Choir is now working their way towards the West Coast. Most of April and May will be spent in Alberta, with June in beautiful British Columbia. The choir will spend their last days of tour traveling across Vancouver Island, finishing up on July 10th. Select dates are still available in May & June 2016 for Alberta and BC! Don’t miss out on the final year of Oh, What Love! Bookings for 2017’s brand new production are also being taken and are filling up! Contact Abby at choir@watoto.ca for information. Thank you for your prayers for the choir as they continue to travel and share the love of Christ.
THANK YOU It is encouraging when young people have their parents to support their dreams. Solomon Kato, 22, is the son of Florence Byakatonda, one of the women who joined Living Hope this year. Solomon, now in his final year of high school, is proud to be among the privileged boys and girls who are able to acquire education every day. “I especially enjoy Fine Art because it is lively and engaging” says Solomon. He never gets tired of helping his fellow students with their art sketches, giving it his best. Solomon wants to be involved more in Music, Art and Hairdressing in the near future. “In Uganda we don’t have many male hairdressers. I think there should be a balance, and I believe men can do as fantastic a job as the women do” he says. When he is not at school, Solomon takes a 10 minute ride to Watoto Church where he spends his time listening to the band so that he can learn from them. ‘’Music is one of my passions. Every time I sing or play a tune, I really feel the presence of God. I have to keep on practicing so that I can join the vocal classes next year. This will be a big step to improving my singing skills’’ says Solomon. At home, Solomon finds joy in doing housework with the help of his 18-year-old sister Joan. “I realise that at times mom needs a break. It is our responsibility to make sure all the house work is done so that when she comes home, it is clean and sparkly.’’ Solomon greatly thanks Living Hope for enrolling his mom. She is a great woman, a pillar of the family who has done a lot to make sure they stand strong as a family. “I am proud of my mom for what she has made us. She is absolutely the best mom in the world” Solomon says, with a smile. We are very grateful for your support and love. To empower more women join us at livinghope@watoto.com
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