WWW.WATOTO.COM | ISSUE NO.3
SPECIAL NEEDS SPORTS GALA On July 11th, Watoto held its annual Sports Gala for children with special needs. The aim of the day is to provide a safe environment and platform for self expression through fun activities such as music and sports. This event allows us to partner with a number of other foundations and organisations in Uganda who are also caring
for children with both mental and physical special needs. “For other children, a sports day is a normal affair. This should be the same for children with special needs, however when I looked around there was nothing for them” says Florence Namaganda, founder of the Special Children’s Fund. The day kicked off with the children travelling to the venue
where the main festivities took place. The Watoto Children participated and competed in a number of games including bottle filling, ring dancing, chair dancing, reciting poems and karaoke. While the children played the Watoto mothers cheered them on with pride. Sarah Kaisoke, one of the mothers, happily shared the reason for
WHAT WE DO ORPHANED CHILDREN | VULNERABLE WOMEN | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
her excitement. “I love coming here. Seeing my children doing all this reminds me just how capable they are. I know they can do anything, they just need the opportunity”. The government’s support of Watoto’s cause was expressed by the deputy speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Jacob Oulanya, who was the day’s Continued on page 2
guest of honour. “After what I have seen today, the government is with you” he said. Beyond the day’s achievements, the Sports Gala has helped Watoto foster relationships and partnerships with similar organisations in Uganda. “ These Galas help us to network with like-minded organisations, share information
and get advice from one another” said Joel Kiisa who works as the occupational therapist for Watoto. To find out more about partnering with Watoto, please email australia@watoto.com.
BBIRA GIFT DISTRIBUTION “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9. August 1st was an exciting day in Watoto’s Bbira village, as gifts were given out to the children who have exhibited outstanding behaviour since the beginning of the year. The excitement and anticipation grew as the children gathered around their senior mothers to receive their rewards.
The assortment of gifts included clothes, notebooks, bags, lollies, dolls and games, all of which have been lovingly donated or financed by Watoto supporters around the world. 8-year-old Jasmine received a brand new “Winnie the Pooh” doll and a lovely pair of shorts. With a huge smile she said “I feel so good. I am going to play with my new toy on Saturdays and wear my shorts on Sunday
WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR We would like to thank everyone who made the 2015 Watoto Children’s Choir tour a success! Last month Choir 72 came to the end of their 6 month Australian tour and made the journey home to Uganda. The lives of the 18 children in the choir have been forever changed as they grew in confidence and their eyes were opened to the possibilities of the world around them. Not only that, the lives of their family and friends back home have also been impacted
thanks to the generosity of over 1,500 people who signed up for sponsorship. Thank you to every single person who hosted our team and loved them every step of the way. We couldn’t do this without you and we are incredibly grateful for your support. Let’s continue to keep these precious children in our prayers as they settle back home and as they grow into happy, healthy adults who will rebuild the great nation of Uganda!
GREAT OCEAN CHALLENGE 20 Registrations are now open for the 2016 Great Ocean Road Challenge! We invite you to join our team of passionate Watoto supporters from across the country and take part in a 3 day charity cycle along the scenic Great Ocean Road coastline. This event is open to everyone and caters to riders of all levels. Whether you’re keen to make a difference and just have a go, you’re an experienced rider, or you fall somewhere in between, this is for you! We have joined forces with
because it is church day.” 15-year-old Brian Kimbugwe received a board game and could hardly hide his joy. “I am so excited and thankful. I thank God and all our sponsors because now I have something that my friends and I can play with over the weekend” he said. The next gift distribution will be taking place in Watoto’s Suubi village as soon as there are enough funds in the gift pool. If you would like to make a contribution please visit www.watoto.com/donate.
N ROAD 016 the team at 25000 Spins to change the lives of orphaned children and vulnerable women in Uganda. Last year we raised over $20,000 towards the work of Watoto and this year we’re expecting to raise even more! Your contribution will make a real, tangible difference in someone’s life. To find out more, or to register, please email australia@watoto. com or call 07 3208 3500. We would love to hear from you and guarantee you will have the time of your life!
EMPOWERED ALLEN Before coming to Living Hope Allen Mumpe, a mother of six, spent most of her time in a garden planting sweet potatoes. She would then sell them at the market and collect leftovers for her family to have a meal for the day. “That is all we lived on. Every day I knelt under the scorching sun and on the damp soil with tears in my eyes and asked God to help me get out of the situation. I continued working even though my back ached ” she said. A friend who knew about Allen’s situation connected her to Living Hope and she joined our program in March last year. “I was very excited, the first thing I did was get on my knees and thank God” she said. After completing discipleship lessons, Allen joined our jewellery
department. She is one of 133 women in Kampala who received skills training at Living Hope this year, with many more waiting to be empowered. These skills open doors of opportunity for these mothers to provide a better future for their children. Before Living Hope, Allen slept at a church to save money. “That is in the past now. It gives me so much joy to have a good salary. Something that used to be a dream is now a reality. I can never express my sincere gratitude to God and Living Hope for making me feel valuable.” Living Hope is all about rebuilding communities by empowering mothers to be able to look after their children. It’s about giving families the resources to succeed. We are excited to be a part of Allen’s empowerment journey, and to see her leading her children to greater heights.
VISIT WATOTO
time with them and be immersed in their world. September 2016
Watoto Australia is excited to announce the details of our upcoming nationwide Visit Watoto teams travelling to Uganda. Each trip will be led by a Watoto Australia team member who will be your personal guide and give you an extensive overview of the work Watoto is doing. For more information on any of the following trips, please visit www.watoto.com/getinvolved.
Schoolies Team
Experience Watoto Specifically designed for Pastors and Businesses who are current or prospective Watoto partners. March 2016
Sponsorship Team A 2 week trip designed for all Watoto sponsors. You will have the life changing opportunity to meet your sponsored individual, spend
For the very first time Watoto Australia will be taking a group of schoolies to Uganda to celebrate the end of their schooling years! November 2016
Photography Team Experience Watoto in action and capture beautiful moments for
yourself. Led by a professional photographer and open to everyone. 2017
Living Hope Team We love our Living Hope ladies and we know you do too, so we are gathering a team to serve them and this wonderful project that is empowering women in Uganda. 2017
CONNECT WITH US Stay up-to-date with the latest information on Watoto by connecting with us online. Read stories of how God is working in the lives of the women and children of Watoto, see what the choirs are up to on the road and much more.
WATOTO CHURCH AT WORK
WWW.WATOTO.COM
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.