newsletter quarter 2 - ca

WATOTO CHURCH AT WORK

WWW.WATOTO.COM

Continued to page 2

JUNE -2016 NEWSLETTER

BORN TO LEAD

“My name is Wendi Kuarsingh and I live in Winnipeg,

Manitoba. Helping people in need has always been a big

priority for me. God has placed that deeply in my heart.

I even met my husband while volunteering at our inner

city church helping our youth. So when I started making

and selling my own line of dolls I wanted to have a good

cause behind them!

When people buy a Felt Loved Felt doll (Facebook.

com/feltlovedfelt), $5 from each doll sale is donated to

Watoto. I find it comforting that when a doll finds a nice

new home, women and children across the globe will

also come one step closer to finding a community as

well as a place to call home.

About the dolls, each doll is nearly two feet long,

drawn out and then cut by hand making each piece

one of a kind. Each doll face is drawn and painted free

handed so no two faces are alike. Each doll is one of a

kind and unique in its own way, just like each and every

person Watoto helps.”

It is such a blessing to have people like Wendi use

their skills and abilities to give towards the Watoto

vision to provide quality care for vulnerable children

and to restore dignity to vulnerable women in Uganda.

If you have a creative idea about how to use your skills

and abilities to help further the vision of Watoto, please

contact our office at (toll free) 1.888.9.WATOTO or by

email at [email protected].

Continued from page 4

CREATIVELY INSPIRED FUNDRAISING FOR WATOTO

WE’RE MOVING! At the end of August 2016, our office in Victoria,

BC, which has been the home of Watoto Canada for

the past 10 years, will close its doors. Late last year

the Board of Directors made the decision to relocate

the office to southern Ontario. We are excited to

announce that in early September our new office will

open in Oakville, Ontario. Stay tuned for the exact

location in a future newsletter and on our website.

We look forward to having our supporters drop by

for a visit! Please keep us in your prayers as we make

this transition.

The Watoto Children’s Choir has just begun

preparation for their 2017 tour. You won’t want to

miss our brand new production that celebrates the

joy of salvation! To book a concert at your church,

please contact our Tour Coordinator, Celeste, by

email at [email protected] or visit our website

www.watoto.com.

BOOK THE CHOIR FOR 2017

Living Hope in 2008 and is now a teacher to the ladies.

“I was in a very poor state, living in a one room house.

One room was everything, the sitting room, bedroom,

bathroom and toilet. Since I came to Christ, He has done

a good work in me. I could not read the Bible or write

when I first came to Living Hope but now I am a teacher.

I am also a leader of my cell (small prayer group).” She

said.

A very energetic and cheerful Jane Nsangi was also

happy to share her testimony of how she was almost

buried alive because she was very sick and thought to

be dead, only to be saved by an unknown gentleman.

“People feared and ran from me. When I came to

Living Hope, I couldn’t even use my legs to push the

sewing machine pedal but now I own my own machine

and the lessons that I learned gave me hope and power.

The people that used to fear me now look at me in

amazement!”

Christine Mugabi then shared a powerful sermon,

which revolved around forgetting the past and not

dwelling on present circumstances but having faith in

God’s ability to turn everything around.

“You are not your situation. Widow is not your name.

Don’t look at your children as orphans, instead count

yourself blessed to raise God’s children. God’s word says

dare to start dreaming again. God wants to do a lot in

our lives. There is no age limit for you to learn new things

so dream big.” She said.

Angella Kimuli, the Production Coordinator at Living

Hope also reminded the women to keep testifying

wherever they go so that those around them will be

encouraged. She also encouraged the new ladies to fulfill

their purpose to finish the course because then they will

have even stronger testimonies.

“When things get hard, turn nowhere else but to

God. It’s after you remain steadfast that you can give a

testimony.” She said.

The women were then able to let loose and have some

fun competing in a number of activities that included

quizzes, push-ups, dancing and singing competitions.

Living Hope started in 2008 with 2,100 women. In 2013

and 2014, we had additional intakes of 500 women each

year. In a bid to reduce the number of vulnerable women

in Uganda, we continue to bring in women. This year

500 new women have come into the program! We hope

that through Living Hope, their lives and those of their

children will be transformed.

Julius is a 24-year-old pursuing a bachelor’s degree

in development studies at Uganda Christian University.

At the end of the course he hopes to be a development

practitioner majoring in urban planning.

“I believe that the biggest hindrance to development is

poor monitoring and evaluation of projects in Uganda.

With the integrity and morals that have been instilled in

me, I know that I will be able to make the necessary reports

and thus ensure that work is done correctly and at the right

time, ” says Julius.

Besides wanting to make the city and nation better, Julius

has always had a passion for sports, often officiating soccer

matches on the Watoto villages. His love for sports has seen

him acquire several certificates in sports courses in pursuit

of becoming a professional soccer coach and referee.

“I have always admired Howard Webb and want to do

as good as he did when he was a referee and coach at

Manchester United. I believe that with great training I will

be able to acquire the necessary skill and knowledge to

become better. After University I dream of going for a

professional course in soccer management,” he says. Julius

Going to the zoo is a fun time for all ages, but especially

children. On 14 June, 24 toddlers took a trip to the Entebbe

zoo. Their eyes opened in amazement as/when saw

crocodiles, snakes, monkeys and many other animals that

they had only seen in their storybooks. A one baby Eliot

kept on calling out “crococodile” on seeing the crocodile.

“Going to the zoo is a learning experience. Coming

face to face with these incredible creatures is something

they will talk about for a long time. It is/was good to see

the excitement in their faces on recognising some of the

animals they had only seen in books,” said nanny Christine.

Little by little they made their baby steps around the

Zoo. They were reminded of their animal songs they had

been taught back at their Baby Watoto. They sang along,

calling out on given animals they set their eyes upon. The

zoo trip was also an opportunity for the children to have a

fun time and an educational opportunity outside the usual

at the Baby Watoto facility.

BABY WATOTO TRIP TO THE ZOO


A VISIT WATOTO JOURNEY

VILLAGE WIDE BLOOD SCREENING

A CALL FOR CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

The month of May was a rather busy but no doubt

a satisfying one for the medical team at the Watoto

Suubi and Bbira villages, as they carried out the much

neededvillage wide blood screening for all the children and

adults.

The teams tested the village population for diseases

including HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis along with other

essentials like blood pressure, weight and height.

At Suubi village alone, it took a devoted team of 10

doctors, 4 nurses, 9 clinic staff, 6 runners and 5 volunteers

from Michigan University to cover the entire population.

“I can’t emphasize how good this is. I am so thankful that

we have been able to carry out such an activity. It will make

our work much easier as we will know the people we are

Every twice a year the Living Hope ladies come together

to worship God and be encouraged by a mentor. Here the

ladies get to share their life stories and testimonies, the

word of God and also have some fun together. This time,

the ladies got together under the theme “Arise and Shine”

to celebrate those that have just recently completed the 2

year long course and welcome the newest intake of ladies

to the fold.

The sermon kicked off with testimonies from the

graduating ladies who were excited for a chance to share

their stories. Among these was Ritah Ganda, who joined

ARISE AND SHINE

Continued to page 5

Do you own a business or hold a leadership position in

a company? If so, you know that there are many different

“My name is Dawn Davis. For the past 4 years the

Watoto Children’s Choir has been performing at my

home church in Carleton Place, Ontario. In 2013 during

one of their visits I had the chance to talk with one of the

choir’s uncles and the topic of volunteering in Uganda

came up in conversation. I immediately took the time

to pray and found myself filling in all the paperwork to

become a volunteer during the Christmas holidays.

I arrived in Uganda in January 2015 with a 4 month

commitment at Baby Watoto and immediately fell in

love. It’s rather easy to fall in love with so many adorable

babies. But it was not just those sweet little ones; what

really makes Watoto and Uganda so unique are the

people. I’ve traveled to several countries over the years

and never have I experienced such a sense of love and

family as I do here! This place, Suubi Village in particular,

is not just a place where there are houses, nannies,

mothers, children and a church. This place is a home; it’s

my family.

After my 4 months serving with Baby Watoto I

extended my stay and transitioned to the Pastoral and

Discipleship (P & D) team in Suubi Village. My life since

being with the P & D team has changed so much. Not

only do I get to pour into the lives of the children and

teens in the village but they also have poured so much

into my own life. This is an exciting turn of events and I

am so excited for what God has in store for me here this

year!

Coming to Watoto has been a life changing

experience. Most often we come to volunteer to bless

treating because we now have proper records about their

health.” Said Norah Kwagala, one of the nurses working with

the team.

Having promptly divided the village into 5 sections, with

daily goals, the team was able to meet their daily goals and

have everyone tested. Among the last people to show up

for the exercise was Mama Nsubuga house 198, along with

her family.

“We were happy to come so that we can know how our

lives are faring. If anything is wrong we can have it treated

before it gets even worse. Thankfully the process hasn’t

been long as everyone is active at their role.” She said.

The different families were assigned to different doctors

by the Doctor in charge, Dr. Job Masaba. Despite being in

the middle of that, and making sure everything was running

smoothly, he was happy to share how proud of his team he

was.

“I think we have done well. 82% (1183 of 1435) of the Suubi

village population has been covered and yet we are still

working on the last section. This is also a very good statistic

because some of the children are not at the village right

now. Some are out for basketball and soccer games and will

be tested as soon as they are back,” Dr. Job explained.

Thank you medical team and thank you also to our

devoted sponsors for the life-changing support you give

towards the children and mothers at Watoto.

others but when you get here, how quickly you realize that

you are also being blessed. This country, these people,

have taught me so much. They have changed me. When

you allow yourself to also be moved you will be amazed

at how much you will grow as an individual and in your

walk with God. The love I have for this place is something I

wish everyone could experience. Take the time to consider

volunteering at Watoto and see for yourself just how much

your life is transformed by pouring into the lives of others!”

If you are interested in learning more about the many

different opportunities to volunteer at Watoto as an

individual or group, or to join a Watoto Global Team, please

contact our office by phone at (toll free) 1.888.9WATOTO

or email at [email protected].

charities you can partner with to make a positive impact

in the world. We would like to invite you to partner with

Watoto to change lives! Your partnership will directly

impact the lives of vulnerable women and children in

Uganda. We could not do what we do without our faithful

corporate and individual partners, donors, and sponsors.

Our desire is to increase our impact even further by

developing new partnerships!

There are a variety of ways to become a corporate

partner of Watoto. Some companies choose to make a

general monthly or annual donation or to donate towards a

specific project or need. Other companies choose to offer

employees the opportunity to donate to Watoto through

payroll deductions and to match donation funds, thereby

doubling the monthly amount that Watoto receives.

Sponsoring Baby Watoto or a child on behalf of

employees or clients is also a great option. Another

opportunity is for companies to raise funds and travel to

Uganda to use their skills and abilities to build a structure,

such as a home, assist in maintence projects, volunteer

at Baby Watoto or volunteer in another capacity. The

opportunities are endless! We are blessed by our current

corporate partners and are excited about new partnership

opportunities and the sizeable impact this growing support

will make in Uganda!

To discuss corporate partnership opportunities

with Watoto, please contact our office at (toll free)

1.888.9.WATOTO or by email at [email protected].

has seen the reward for his passion, at the university; he

has been appointed the Minister for Games and Sports.

“This came as a surprise for me. I did not think that

the Guild President knew I loved sports. I would officiate

games at the university. Little did I know that people

had noticed and would actually trust me with such a big

office,” he said.

Before being appointed Minister of Games and

Sports, Julius was President of all the university

class representatives and had also been contacted

about becoming the university Electoral Commission

Chairperson.

“I was appointed the Electoral Commission (EC)

Chairperson but I turned it down because I knew I

would not be effective. Shortly, I was contacted by the

Guild President and appointed Minister of Games and

Sports. I immediately knew that my turning down of the

EC position was God’s plan and not my own wisdom.

God knew that I would be more effective in the sports

department and gave it to me,” he gleefully adds.

Julius joined Watoto in 2003 after the loss of his

father in 2001. He left Rwanda for Uganda and stayed

with his paternal grandmother in Masaka. Julius still

vividly remembers the day he left for Watoto.

“It was on the 14th of April 2003. I remember this

day so well because it was birthday. I remember my

grandmother telling me that I was leaving home and

going to a better place. We were 5 children, we left

home with our belongings and were picked up from a

church,” he recalls.

“It wasn’t easy for me to adjust into Watoto. I came

to a place where people spoke a language I did not

understand. I was not good at English and only spoke

Rwandese and French. I also hated school but later

adjusted and started making friends.” He said.

However, adjusting to his Watoto house was made

easier because the lady Julius came to Watoto with

turned out to be the housemother he would have in the

village!

Watoto is geared towards raising credible future

leaders who will change their nation and the world

at large. With the help of sponsors, this goal is being

realized through children like Julius and many more.

Going to the zoo is a fun time for all ages, but especially

children. On 14 June, 24 toddlers took a trip to the Entebbe

zoo. Their eyes opened in amazement as/when saw

crocodiles, snakes, monkeys and many other animals that

they had only seen in their storybooks. A one baby Eliot

kept on calling out “crococodile” on seeing the crocodile.

“Going to the zoo is a learning experience. Coming

face to face with these incredible creatures is something

they will talk about for a long time. It is/was good to see

the excitement in their faces on recognising some of the

animals they had only seen in books,” said nanny Christine.

Little by little they made their baby steps around the

Zoo. They were reminded of their animal songs they had

been taught back at their Baby Watoto. They sang along,

calling out on given animals they set their eyes upon. The

zoo trip was also an opportunity for the children to have a

fun time and an educational opportunity outside the usual

at the Baby Watoto facility.

BABY WATOTO TRIP TO THE ZOO


A VISIT WATOTO JOURNEY

VILLAGE WIDE BLOOD SCREENING

A CALL FOR CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

The month of May was a rather busy but no doubt

a satisfying one for the medical team at the Watoto

Suubi and Bbira villages, as they carried out the much

neededvillage wide blood screening for all the children and

adults.

The teams tested the village population for diseases

including HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis along with other

essentials like blood pressure, weight and height.

At Suubi village alone, it took a devoted team of 10

doctors, 4 nurses, 9 clinic staff, 6 runners and 5 volunteers

from Michigan University to cover the entire population.

“I can’t emphasize how good this is. I am so thankful that

we have been able to carry out such an activity. It will make

our work much easier as we will know the people we are

Every twice a year the Living Hope ladies come together

to worship God and be encouraged by a mentor. Here the

ladies get to share their life stories and testimonies, the

word of God and also have some fun together. This time,

the ladies got together under the theme “Arise and Shine”

to celebrate those that have just recently completed the 2

year long course and welcome the newest intake of ladies

to the fold.

The sermon kicked off with testimonies from the

graduating ladies who were excited for a chance to share

their stories. Among these was Ritah Ganda, who joined

ARISE AND SHINE

Continued to page 5

Do you own a business or hold a leadership position in

a company? If so, you know that there are many different

“My name is Dawn Davis. For the past 4 years the

Watoto Children’s Choir has been performing at my

home church in Carleton Place, Ontario. In 2013 during

one of their visits I had the chance to talk with one of the

choir’s uncles and the topic of volunteering in Uganda

came up in conversation. I immediately took the time

to pray and found myself filling in all the paperwork to

become a volunteer during the Christmas holidays.

I arrived in Uganda in January 2015 with a 4 month

commitment at Baby Watoto and immediately fell in

love. It’s rather easy to fall in love with so many adorable

babies. But it was not just those sweet little ones; what

really makes Watoto and Uganda so unique are the

people. I’ve traveled to several countries over the years

and never have I experienced such a sense of love and

family as I do here! This place, Suubi Village in particular,

is not just a place where there are houses, nannies,

mothers, children and a church. This place is a home; it’s

my family.

After my 4 months serving with Baby Watoto I

extended my stay and transitioned to the Pastoral and

Discipleship (P & D) team in Suubi Village. My life since

being with the P & D team has changed so much. Not

only do I get to pour into the lives of the children and

teens in the village but they also have poured so much

into my own life. This is an exciting turn of events and I

am so excited for what God has in store for me here this

year!

Coming to Watoto has been a life changing

experience. Most often we come to volunteer to bless

treating because we now have proper records about their

health.” Said Norah Kwagala, one of the nurses working with

the team.

Having promptly divided the village into 5 sections, with

daily goals, the team was able to meet their daily goals and

have everyone tested. Among the last people to show up

for the exercise was Mama Nsubuga house 198, along with

her family.

“We were happy to come so that we can know how our

lives are faring. If anything is wrong we can have it treated

before it gets even worse. Thankfully the process hasn’t

been long as everyone is active at their role.” She said.

The different families were assigned to different doctors

by the Doctor in charge, Dr. Job Masaba. Despite being in

the middle of that, and making sure everything was running

smoothly, he was happy to share how proud of his team he

was.

“I think we have done well. 82% (1183 of 1435) of the Suubi

village population has been covered and yet we are still

working on the last section. This is also a very good statistic

because some of the children are not at the village right

now. Some are out for basketball and soccer games and will

be tested as soon as they are back,” Dr. Job explained.

Thank you medical team and thank you also to our

devoted sponsors for the life-changing support you give

towards the children and mothers at Watoto.

others but when you get here, how quickly you realize that

you are also being blessed. This country, these people,

have taught me so much. They have changed me. When

you allow yourself to also be moved you will be amazed

at how much you will grow as an individual and in your

walk with God. The love I have for this place is something I

wish everyone could experience. Take the time to consider

volunteering at Watoto and see for yourself just how much

your life is transformed by pouring into the lives of others!”

If you are interested in learning more about the many

different opportunities to volunteer at Watoto as an

individual or group, or to join a Watoto Global Team, please

contact our office by phone at (toll free) 1.888.9WATOTO

or email at [email protected].

charities you can partner with to make a positive impact

in the world. We would like to invite you to partner with

Watoto to change lives! Your partnership will directly

impact the lives of vulnerable women and children in

Uganda. We could not do what we do without our faithful

corporate and individual partners, donors, and sponsors.

Our desire is to increase our impact even further by

developing new partnerships!

There are a variety of ways to become a corporate

partner of Watoto. Some companies choose to make a

general monthly or annual donation or to donate towards a

specific project or need. Other companies choose to offer

employees the opportunity to donate to Watoto through

payroll deductions and to match donation funds, thereby

doubling the monthly amount that Watoto receives.

Sponsoring Baby Watoto or a child on behalf of

employees or clients is also a great option. Another

opportunity is for companies to raise funds and travel to

Uganda to use their skills and abilities to build a structure,

such as a home, assist in maintence projects, volunteer

at Baby Watoto or volunteer in another capacity. The

opportunities are endless! We are blessed by our current

corporate partners and are excited about new partnership

opportunities and the sizeable impact this growing support

will make in Uganda!

To discuss corporate partnership opportunities

with Watoto, please contact our office at (toll free)

1.888.9.WATOTO or by email at [email protected].

has seen the reward for his passion, at the university; he

has been appointed the Minister for Games and Sports.

“This came as a surprise for me. I did not think that

the Guild President knew I loved sports. I would officiate

games at the university. Little did I know that people

had noticed and would actually trust me with such a big

office,” he said.

Before being appointed Minister of Games and

Sports, Julius was President of all the university

class representatives and had also been contacted

about becoming the university Electoral Commission

Chairperson.

“I was appointed the Electoral Commission (EC)

Chairperson but I turned it down because I knew I

would not be effective. Shortly, I was contacted by the

Guild President and appointed Minister of Games and

Sports. I immediately knew that my turning down of the

EC position was God’s plan and not my own wisdom.

God knew that I would be more effective in the sports

department and gave it to me,” he gleefully adds.

Julius joined Watoto in 2003 after the loss of his

father in 2001. He left Rwanda for Uganda and stayed

with his paternal grandmother in Masaka. Julius still

vividly remembers the day he left for Watoto.

“It was on the 14th of April 2003. I remember this

day so well because it was birthday. I remember my

grandmother telling me that I was leaving home and

going to a better place. We were 5 children, we left

home with our belongings and were picked up from a

church,” he recalls.

“It wasn’t easy for me to adjust into Watoto. I came

to a place where people spoke a language I did not

understand. I was not good at English and only spoke

Rwandese and French. I also hated school but later

adjusted and started making friends.” He said.

However, adjusting to his Watoto house was made

easier because the lady Julius came to Watoto with

turned out to be the housemother he would have in the

village!

Watoto is geared towards raising credible future

leaders who will change their nation and the world

at large. With the help of sponsors, this goal is being

realized through children like Julius and many more.


WWW.WATOTO.COM

Continued to page 2


BORN TO LEAD







cause behind them!

































this transition.







www.watoto.com.









said.










amazement!”




















































WWW.WATOTO.COM

Continued to page 2


BORN TO LEAD







cause behind them!

































this transition.







www.watoto.com.









said.










amazement!”



















































newsletter quarter 2 - ca

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