watoto newsletter - au

WWW.WATOTO.COM | MARCH 2014 | ISSUE NO.1

WHAT WE DO ORPHANED CHILDREN | VULNERABLE WOMEN | COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

One Amazing God

T H E F U T U R E I S N O W

YOU ARE INVITED

This year, Watoto celebrates 30 years of God’s faithfulness in Uganda. From 1st to 8th June 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 Village says, “I have seen Watoto grow tremendously from 1 classroom block to over 10; from 4 clusters of 9 homes per cluster, to over 15 clusters; and from us doing only indoor games to outdoor facilities for

WATOTO BIG PARTY

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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 running a campaign called ’Man Up’, where we are challenging people to do something extraordinary to increase awareness and funding for Watoto. 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 US$5 million for Watoto. You too can join the challenge.

Either log on to www.ManUp4Watoto.com and support John, or start a challenge of your own. 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.

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Vocational Students Graduation

A HELPING HAND

INTRODUCING CHOIR 66!

SPONSORSHIP INCREASE

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 realise 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 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.

On 4th Dec 2013, 38 Watoto

students graduated from the

Vocational School at Watoto’s

Suubi Village. The ceremony

was filled with jubilation and

hope as the students celebrated

and couldn’t wait to start their

careers.

21-year-old Dodovico Nsereko,

who graduated as an electrical

installation engineer, believes

that choosing vocational studies

was the best decision he ever

“The practical lessons allowed

me to gain valuable skills that

helped me excel while I was a

student. I am excited about the

future,” says Dodovico.

He is currently working at one

of Watoto’s sustainability

projects as an electrical

installation engineer, where he is

convinced that he is gaining the

hands-on skills he needs to start

up his own business.

Watoto’s objective is to

rebuild the nation by raising

African leaders in every sector

of influence in society. We

want to celebrate empowered

graduates like Dodovico and

thank all our partners for their

contribution to this effort.

There are many children like

Dodovico, who need someone

to come alongside them to help

them pursue their dreams. Be

that support and encourage

others to do the same

www.watoto.com/sponsorship.

Win a trip to visit Watoto in Uganda!There’s nothing like

seeing for yourself how your sponsorship is changing the life of your sponsored child, mother or teacher, Baby Watoto or Living Hope. If you have ever considered visiting Watoto, the great news is that we are giving away a spot on the Trip of a Lifetime sponsorship team to one of our current sponsors!

Julie-Anne had the opportunity to visit Uganda and volunteer with Baby Watoto. She shared, “Baby Watoto is the most amazing place. When I first walked in the door, I remember being

completely blown away with how lovely the place was. Within a day, I was completely in love! These are the most beautiful babies that are just in need of something we can ALL give them... love. The nannies that take care of them every day do such a fabulous job and it’s easy to see this is more than just a job for them – they are changing the nation of Uganda, one baby at a time.”

While at Watoto, Julie-Anne had the privilege of being part of the rescue of one of our precious babies and, when she returned two years later, she

saw this baby, “walking and laughing, a loving little girl who has such a bright future ahead of her because of the incredible work of Watoto.”

Want your own Watoto experience? For information on how to join the Trip of a Lifetime, or win a spot on it,

Visit www.watoto.com/watototrip or email [email protected].

If you received a Watoto Passport in the post in January, now is a great time to check out the inside cover for how you can win a trip!

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/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.

“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

SPONSOR A WATOTO MOTHER THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Watoto is currently changing

the lives of nearly 3,000 children

in Uganda, East Africa. Amongst

them are the 22 gorgeous and

excited children currently in the last

stages of their training with Watoto

About mama Mary who she sponsors “what a beautiful, gentle woman.” Debbie Gadd#WATOTOTRIP

Children’s Choir 66. They will be

arriving in Australia in May and

travelling throughout Australia and

New Zealand for five months.

Among those children are Ivan,

Tranella and Simon who recently

shared with us why they love

Watoto. Their reasons were, “they

love me, they show me love, they

gave me a family.”

These children are the next

generation of Ugandan leaders

who will steward Africa’s resources

for the glory of God and for the

betterment of the people and YOU

have the opportunity to, not only

experience Choir 66 in concert, but

also meet these beautiful children

(and others!) and hear their stories.

Choir leader, Bryan Mwaka

recently shared with us about the

purpose of Choir 66. “The choir

hopes to raise more awareness

and support for the children here

in Africa who need a helping hand

to realise and achieve their dreams

but, above all, the choir would

love the people of Australia to

realise and see the love of Jesus

through the concert.” He also

shared that “the training is exciting

and energetic” and that he is

looking forward to “meeting and

connecting with people.”

As Choir 66 are busy training

in Uganda, we are busy here

in Australia preparing for their

arrival. Australian tour coordinator

Kerri-Ann shared that, “it’s always

exciting to see a tour come

together and to see where God

directs the Watoto Children’s Choir

to share their message.” In 2014,

we will be visiting the Northern

Territory for the first time since

2009 and we are so excited to

bring our newest performance

to this region! We will also be

travelling throughout Queensland,

New South Wales, Victoria and

South Australia along with the

North Island of New Zealand.

Our sponsorship department has

contacted each sponsor in these

regions who has a sponsor child

traveling with the choir and we are

excited for more people to meet

their sponsor child in Australia

this year. There are dates still

available in our 2014 tour to book

the choir so get in quick to ensure

you don’t miss out on this great

opportunity! To enquire about

hosting a performance contact

Kerri-Ann at [email protected]

or 07 32083500. Remember to

check out the tour schedule for

a performance near you at www.

watoto.com/the-choir/see-the-

choir.

We are believing for big things

for this tour and know that lives will

be transformed by the message

shared and we would love to

partner with you in bringing this

inspiring performance to your

community!

WIN A SPOT ON THE TRIP OF A LIFE TIME SPONSORSHIP TEAM HEADING TO UGANDA

VISITWWW.WATOTO.COM/

WATOTOTRIPFOR TERMS &

CONDITIONS AND MORE

INFORMATION

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