36 Years of Watoto

CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF GOD’S GOODNESS

CELEBRATING 36 YEARS It’s hard to believe it’s been over 36 years since Watoto Church started on 22nd April, 1984, and 26 years since we sent out +1. Ăź./0 $%( .!*Äš/ $+%. %* Ä ÄŠÄŠÄ… * /0 .0! +1. +))1*%05 .! %*%0% 0%2!/Ä‹ Ćľ/ 3! (++' 'ÄŒ 3!Äš.! ) 6! 0 (( 0$ 0 + has done. We’ve literally seen tens of thousands of people transformed by the love of Jesus. Thousands of children have been rescued from a life of ruin, placed in a loving family, and raised to become future leaders. Thousands of women who yesterday thought they were nothing, today are living a life of dignity, and are able to look after themselves and their own families. !Äš2! !!* %* 1 ÄŒ +10$ 1 * &1/0 /$+.0 +" !%#$0 5! ./ *+3ÄŒ * 3!Äš2! /!!* 0$! !2 /0 0%*# !Ăť! 0/ +" %2%( 3 . +* 0$! region’s women and children. To help our hurting neighbours, in late 2018 we expanded our community care into Juba— launching Keep a Girl in School and Watoto Neighbourhood. As we embrace our vulnerable sisters with the love of Jesus and help meet their most critical needs, we strive to ensure none of them simply becomes a statistic. Our prayer is that we give each one a chance at a better future—a future full of promise.

While we’ve seen remarkable growth in over 36 years of faith-in-action, we believe that God will continue to help us reach )+.! +" 0$+/! 3$+ .! $1.0%*#ÄŒ / 3! .!) %* +))%00! 0+ ,100%*# ĆŤ$.%/0 Ăź./0 %* (( 3! +ÄŒ * .%*# "+. +1. +))1*%05Ä‹ We want to say a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the members of Watoto Church over the years. Your love inspires us. We also can’t forget to thank our precious friends and partners both locally and globally. We could never do what we do without you. You are a gift to Watoto and to the beautiful people we serve.

Ćľ ĆŤ ĆŤ At Watoto Church we’ve seen the love of Jesus Christ in action, transforming thousands of lives through our dynamic celebrations and small groups. It’s this love that compels us to embrace those hurting in our world. ! )!!0 +((! 0%2!(5 !2!.5 3!!'!* 3%0$ (+/! 0+ ăąČĀĀĀ ,!+,(! 0 Ä Äƒ %Ăť!.!*0 (+ 0%+*/ .+// # * * +10$ 1 *Ä‹ In addition we have over 2,500 small groups that do life together in various communities.

WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR A lot can happen in 26 years. In that time, we’ve sent over 100 choirs around the world as ambassadors for the most vulnerable in our country. From these choirs, we’ve seen our children grow and learn. We’ve also met thousands of people who’ve joined us in rescuing Africa’s future leaders. We think that’s something to celebrate Its important to remember where you started. Back in 1993, founders Gary and Marilyn Skinner took a step of faith to tell the Watoto story around the world, and today on almost every day of the year, the choir is performing somewhere in the world.

The choir serves many purposes.

It raises awareness about the work of Watoto globally.

It’s also leadership training for our children, providing a strong sense of responsibility while !4,!.%!* %*# %û!.!*0 1(01.!/ċ

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Our choirs have met Her Majesty, the Queen of England, performed "+. 0$! .!/% !*0 +" 0$! *%0!

States, participated in various national events and visited almost every major parliament in the world. The exposure our kids receive while on tour is second to none. The tours are a mix of concerts, academic study and playtime for the children. Yet, as remarkable as those moments have been, we cherish the times

$!* ,!+,(! /!! +1. $%( .!* ".+) # * Č 3%0$ 0$!%. $! .0/ $! (! * 0$!%. .! )/ .!/0+.! Č 3$!* 0$!5 /!! $+3 + $ / ,( ! 0$! "+.#+00!* * * +*! %* (+2%*# " )%(%!/ģ0$!5 *Ě0 $!(, 10 .! (%6! 0$ 0 0$%/ / )! + .!/ "+. 0$!) 0++ċ $%/ $ / (! 0+ 0$+1/ * / +" ,!+,(! 2%/%0%*# 0+0+ * %0%+* ((5 !4,!.%!* %*# 0$! ! 105 +" # * 0$.+1#$ 0+1.%/)ċ

WATOTO VILLAGES A child needs more than a house. A child needs a home, and a family. * +1. 2%(( #!/Č $%( .!* ü* )+0$!./ 0+ (+2! them, education to inspire them, healthcare to strengthen them, and their value and identity in Christ. In short, they have everything they need to grow up happy, healthy and full of purpose.

That’s how we’re raising Africa’s future leaders.

Overall, we’ve cared for over 5,000 children since we started. The majority of these children and babies were abandoned and rescued into a loving family in our homes on one of our three Watoto villages, while some of the children are part of our Watoto Neighbourhood initiative.

We’re committed to raising Africa’s future leaders and currently operate three villages %* # * č ǫ %. * 11 % %* ), ( Č *

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ĆŤĆľ In 2019, 67 Watoto young adults graduated from university, and we provided education to 2,919 learners in our primary schools, high schools and post-secondary vocational school.

We’ve seen remarkable results in our schools over the years, with some of our Watoto graduates going on to become lawyers, teachers, IT specialists, musicians, accountants and even a pilot. One of our post-secondary students completed his pilot training and was able to achieve his Private Pilot License (PPL) in 2018. We thank God for His goodness.

Our vocational schools are providing relevant skills for our children including tailoring, hairdressing, catering, building, )! $ *% ( * !(! 0.% ( /'%((/Ä‹ ! .! (/+ %* 0$! ,.+ !// +" /0 .0%*# * Ćľ#.% 1(01. ( ĆŤ+((!#! %* *+.0$!.* # * Ä‹ %0$ 0$! %0%+* +" ,+.0/ Ćľ !)5 * +./$%, Ćľ !)5ÄŒ +1. $%( .!* .! (! .*%*# 0+ Ăź* .! 0%2! /+(10%+*/ 0+#!0$!. through sports, art and music. Be it passing the ball so a teammate can score, or writing a piece of music, they’re discovering that whatever their role in life, everyone matters.

MEDICAL In 2019, there were almost 19,000 visits to our Watoto clinics by the mothers and children in our Watoto villages and the surrounding community.

Our medical team has worked consistently to provide nutrition and hygiene education in our villages.

The medical team also focused on disease prevention, ,.+2% %*# Ä‚ÄŒÄ…Ä‰Ä %))1*%6 0%+*/ * %/0.% 10%*# (+/! 0+ 1,182 new mosquito nets to our mothers and children.

These results are evidence of that.

Along with friends from around the world, we were able to reach out to more than 5,800 people in Awer * Ćľ)1.1 %/0.% 0/ %* *+.0$!.* # * ÄŒ +%*# /,! % ( medical outreaches.

BABY WATOTO ÇŤ 5 0+0+ .!/ 1!/ # * Äš/ )+/0 21(*!. (! (%00(! +*!/ÄŒ #%2%*# 0$!) (+2%*# $+)! * " )%(5ÄŒ .%#$0 3$!* 0$!5 *!! %0 the most. To date, we’ve provided care for close to 1,500 babies at our facilities in Kampala and Gulu.

Each baby is welcomed with open arms. $!5Ě.! #%2!* /,! % (%6! )! % ( .!Č *10.%0%+* * ! % 0! * **5Č 3$+ -1% '(5 ! +)!/ )+0$!. 0+ 0$!)ċ $!/! .! her babies from the moment they arrive, until they’re ready to transition into their new family in a Watoto village. Our goal is to help our babies bond, develop and thrive—knowing we’re raising Africa’s future pilots, lawyers, builders and leaders.

ƾ Ǎ Africa’s greatest resource is her women, empowered.

The harsh reality is that many of these ladies have been left to bear the brunt of war, poverty and disease. Millions of our /%/0!./ $ 2! !!* * +*! * .+ ! +" (( %#*%05Ä‹ *! 1 0! * 1*!),(+5 (!ÄŒ 0$!5 .! (!"0 0+ /1Ăť!. (+*!Ä‹ At Watoto, we’re changing this by coming alongside vulnerable women in our neighbourhoods and providing them with adult literacy classes, discipleship, business skills training, job opportunities and an education for their children. To date, we’ve empowered close to 4,500 women and provided education opportunities for 593 of their children. Ćľ/ 3! !) . ! 0$!) 3%0$ + Äš/ (+2!ÄŒ 0$!5 Ăź* $+,! * ,1.,+/!Ä‹ ! , //%+* 0!(5 !(%!2! 0$ 0 3$!* 3! !),+3!. women to care for their own families, we transform communities and the nation.

Women like Anna.

Anna was uneducated, abandoned and full of anxiety. Then she received counseling, education and business skills training through Watoto Neighbourhood and discovered a faith in Jesus.

Today, she’s overcome her fear. She’s more than a leader who trains 40 women in her community. More than a tailor running her own business. She’s an empowered mother for her daughter Rebecca. And Anna is healed.

KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL For many girls in Africa, education isn’t just important for a brighter future, it is critical to their survival. A lack of education leads to vulnerability. Vulnerability translates to unwanted pregnancy, sexual abuse, domestic violence, HIV, early marriage, $1) * 0. Ăž '%*# * *+ $+% !/Ä‹ ÇŤ! 1/! +" 5+1. +*0%*1! (+2! * /1,,+.0ÄŒ 3! $ 2! !!* 3+.'%*# (+*#/% ! (+ ( / $++(/ %* *+.0$!.* # * * +10$ Sudan to reduce the dropout rate among adolescent girls by providing sanitary products, igniting their passion for education * %*/,%.%*# 0$!) 0+ ! +)! 3+)!* +" ,1.,+/! * %*Ă˝1!* !Ä‹ In 2019, we worked with 45 schools to keep 11,560 girls in school, providing them with sanitary products and discipleship. We also taught good health practices, along with godly sexual education to the girls and boys in these schools.

In all of this, Watoto remains a church who celebrates Christ and cares for community. As we continue to reach out to the hurting around us, we also ensure that we wisely steward the resources entrusted to us by having clear accountability /0.1 01.!/ÄŒ "+((+3%*# #+2!.*)!*0 .!#1( 0%+*/ * ) %*0 %*%*# %*0!.* 0%+* ( /0 * . / +" Ăź* * % ( +1*0 %(%05Ä‹ ! ,. %/!

God for over 36 years of His faithfulness. +. )+.! %*"+.) 0%+* +10 0$! 3+.' +" 0+0+ %* # * * +10$ 1 *Č #+ 0+ 3 0+0+ $1. $ċ +)ċ

WATOTO UGANDA (HEAD OFFICE) Watoto Church Building Street 73 Kampala Road Po Box 26366. Kampala Uganda +256 (0)778208159 Uganda@watoto.Com