Watoto News - AU

WWW.WATOTO.COM | ISSUE NO.2

SERVICE ABOVE SELF Richard Manya is a Watoto graduate. “Ever since I was a child, I wanted to join the army for the love of my country. I was late for the recruitment at the time of my graduation, so I decided to still serve by joining the police force. I love what I am doing,’’ he says. Richard joined Uganda’s Police Force in April 2014 after graduating

with a Bachelors Degree in Law. He has already been placed in charge of a police post in one of the districts.

Richard joined Watoto in June 2000 after losing his mother to HIV/AIDS and being abandoned by his father. Members of the local community notified the authorities of his situation but

they failed to find any relatives.

Watoto was then contacted and soon Richard was brought into a loving home.

This year was historic as we celebrate the tertiary level graduation of the students who were pioneers at Watoto’s I.D Raymer Primary School.

Over 25 students graduated with honours from a variety of universities and tertiary institutions. “You are a

WHAT WE DO ORPHANED CHILDREN | VULNERABLE WOMEN | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

fulfillment of a dream that God put in our hearts 20 years ago, a dream to rescue and raise vulnerable children,” said Marilyn Skinner to the graduates.

None of this would have been possible without your faithful support. Please encourage others to do the same through child sponsorship at www. watoto.com/sponsorship.

JOYS OF UNITY In April 2015, Watoto’s Hope Junior School 1 and I.D Raymer Primary School came together at Watoto’s Suubi Village to participate in their first ever music, dance and drama competition. Split between the different school colours, red, yellow, blue and green, the pupils participated in different activities such as poetry, acting and public speaking.

“It is a healthy challenge and allows the students to explore and express their gifts and

talents,’’ said Education Team Leader, Dorcas Kibirige.

The green team emerged as the overall best performers of the day, unrivaled in almost all categories. As anticipated, they broke out in jubilation after their victory announcement.

“This is the first of many music, dance and drama competitions so work hard and keep practicing!” encouraged Mr. Ivan Muwaya, Watoto Head Teacher.

WE WANT TO MEET YOU! In lieu of Watoto Australia hosting a corporate gala this year, our team will be traveling across the East Coast of Australia and we would love the opportunity to meet with you!

Not only do we have exciting updates we want to share, but we would love to hear your ideas on how we can partner together to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders!

Many of our supporters partner with Watoto through sponsorship but there are many other ways that individuals, businesses and companies can get involved.

This could be through prayer, spreading the word about Watoto amongst friends and colleagues, organising a team of professionals to train our students, teachers, mothers, doctors and farmers, investing in sustainability projects, initiating a matched giving program in your workplace and more.

Email us at australia@watoto.com to express interest in meeting with our team in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, or for general information on other ways that we can partner together to make a difference in Africa.

WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR Choir 72 are having a wonderful time in Australia!

The team have now been in Australia for three months and have spent time in QLD, NSW, ACT and VIC, delighting audiences with their all new production ‘Oh, What Love’. Not only are people been blessed with the message the new songs carry, but we have seen over 500 children and mothers sponsored through the kind generosity of people who have attended our concerts.

Last month, Nema (9) had the opportunity to

meet her Australian sponsors for the very first time. The Robson family have sponsored Nema for 3 years and built a beautiful friendship through the exchange of letters. It is such a blessing for a child to meet those who have committed to investing in their life, and just as amazing for the sponsors to see that their investment is making a real difference in the life of a child.

To find out where you can see the Watoto Children’s Choir live in concert, visit www.watoto.com.

HATCHING A FUTURE In a small room carpeted with coffee husks, Juliet Namujanga rears over 100 local chickens.

She provides them with food and water and in return they provide her with enough eggs to run a profitable business. Juliet says she loves her work because she is able to sustain her family even though she is a widow. ‘’I can now save money for my family through the bank which is something I never thought I could achieve,” says Juliet.

As a ministry of Watoto Church, Living Hope embodies the core value of excellence. Taking the example of Proverbs 31, the ladies learn to be diligent through the educational program, which covers discipleship, business and practical skills training. After a few months, they are given the opportunity to put their newfound knowledge and skills into practice. It’s not always easy, but many women like Juliet are thriving in small business set-ups.

In one day Juliet is able to sell four trays of eggs to shops and neighbours. She says this business has taught her to work well with people and that genuine friendship and humility are key to establishing a client base.

Juliet plans to expand her business by building more rooms and housing more chickens, as eggs are always in demand. Through her business ventures, Juliet has learned not to allow anything to discourage her. “I’m very thankful for everything I learned during my time of training at Living Hope.

Now I’m able to provide for myself and my family.

That is what I always wanted to be - a strong, independent woman,’’ she says.

More than 214 women from the 2014 intake recently completed their discipleship and business training. In the next few months we will be empowering them with a practical skill that they can use to build their own small business.

To help Living Hope empower more women, email us at australia@watoto.com.

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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, J416 according to DFAT guidelines.