CELEBRATING CHRIST CARING FOR COMMUNITY
REACHING THE MOST VULNERABLE
Watoto is a family made up of people from all over the world who are working together to ensure the forgotten have a place to belong.
In 1984, in a time of civil war, our founders, Gary and Marilyn Skinner, planted a local church in Kampala, Uganda to speak hope and life to the nation. Since then, we’ve rescued thousands of orphaned and abandoned babies and children, placing them in loving families. We’ve equipped and empowered vulnerable women in our neighbourhoods. And we’ve sent over 100 children’s choirs across six continents.
As we come alongside the most vulnerable in Uganda and South Sudan, we work to give each child and woman a chance at a better future—a future full of promise.
Over the past four decades, the challenges facing Africa have changed, but our vision remains the same—Watoto is committed to celebrating Christ and caring for community.
WATOTO CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Watoto Children’s Choirs have traveled extensively since 1994 sharing a message of hope—not only for Africa’s most vulnerable children and women, but for each of us all around the world.
During that time, our choirs have met Her Majesty the Queen, performed for the President of the United States, and visited almost every major parliament in the world.
Yet, as remarkable as those moments have been, we cherish the times we’ve met ordinary people in their moment of pain and have been able to see firsthand how Jesus heals. As our children sing, dance, and share their stories, they have the privilege of telling people, “No matter what you’re going through, Jesus is our hope. Look at what he has done in my life.”
Other than visiting Africa yourself, what better way to learn about all the good work God is doing through Watoto than by meeting the children and hearing their stories of restoration and hope.
WATOTO VILLAGES
A Watoto village is a safe place where orphaned and vulnerable children can truly experience the love of a family.
We have three Watoto villages—Bbira, Laminadera, and Suubi— that have classrooms, medical clinics, churches, playgrounds, and homes for our children and mothers. In each house you’ll find a woman who has come to Watoto to be a mother to eight vulnerable children. Together they’re a family, and she’s raising them with love.
Our villages provide holistic care to over 3,000 children who receive everything they need to grow up healthy and whole— mothers to love them, food and healthcare to strengthen them, and education to inspire them as they grow up learning their value in Christ.
In short, they have everything they need to grow up and live a life of purpose. This is how we’re raising Africa’s future leaders.
BABY WATOTO
Baby Watoto rescues orphaned and abandoned babies aged 0-2 years old, often found in pit latrines, left at bus stops and churches, and even found by the side of the road. We provide the specialized care, nutrition, and love that these little ones need to give them the best possible start in life.
When they first come to Baby Watoto, they are welcomed into their new family and are loved and nurtured by a nanny who quickly becomes a mother to them. Each nanny cares for her family of four. These are her babies from the moment they arrive until they’re ready to move to their new Watoto home.
When a baby is ready to move to one of our Watoto villages, their nanny works closely with their new Watoto mother to ensure that the child feels comfortable and secure in their new family.
Our goal is to help our babies bond, develop, and thrive— knowing we’re raising Africa’s future pilots, lawyers, builders, and leaders.
WATOTO NEIGHBOURHOOD
At Watoto, part of caring for community means coming alongside vulnerable women in our neighbourhoods. The harsh reality is that millions of women in Africa have been left to bear the brunt of war, poverty, and disease. Uneducated and unemployable, they are left to suffer alone.
But together, we’re changing this. As we embrace these women with God’s love, they begin to understand their value and find hope and a purpose.
Through our Watoto Neighbourhood initiative, we provide vulnerable women with adult literacy classes, discipleship, business skills training, and job opportunities as we teach them their value in Christ.
We passionately believe that when we equip and empower women to care for themselves and their families, we transform communities and the nation.
KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL
Imagine not being able to afford feminine hygiene products, soap, or clean panties for your daughter—and imagine her future depended on it. Sadly, this is the reality for many in Africa. Girls drop out of school simply because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products or the basic fees to go to school.
Yet for these girls, education isn’t just important for a bright future, it’s critical to their survival. A lack of education leads to vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to unwanted pregnancy, human trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence, HIV, early marriage, and a life of no choices.
But we’re working to change this. Currently, we are partnering with local schools in Uganda and South Sudan to reduce the dropout rate by providing sanitary products, teaching girls their value in Christ, and igniting their passion for education.
With your support, we are keeping girls in school, educated, and empowered—giving them the bright future they deserve.
VISIT WATOTO
We’d love to invite you to come and visit us in Uganda to experience firsthand the work of Watoto on the ground. With guided tours of our villages, farms, Baby Watoto facilities, church, and neighbourhoods, this will be a memorable time to connect with our children, mothers, and staff.
Whether caring for our babies or working with our sustainability projects, every person and team who make the journey to Africa, and offer their skills and resources, are invaluable to the work we do.
Each person, church, group, or organization is responsible for raising the funds for the project they choose to participate in. Short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities are also available.
We absolutely could not do what we do without the love and support of our friends from around the world and look forward to seeing you in Uganda.
Please note: To ensure the safety of our children and adhere to our child protection policy, all visitors to Watoto are required to go through an approval process.
WATOTO 360° DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM
Our Watoto 360° discipleship program is a chance for young adults to learn, grow, and fully experience all that Watoto has to offer.
As part of Watoto 360°, young adults will travel to Africa and learn both in a classroom setting, as well as practical ministry. And they’ll get the opportunity to serve within our church, villages, and come alongside us as we extend our reach into the community.
Watoto 360° is designed to help young adults grow in their spiritual walk with God, and we believe it will make a lasting impact on their life and the lives of the people they’ll meet.
If you’re a young adult, it’s a great way to connect with some cool people from around the world and have your faith stretched in ways you’ve never imagined possible.
SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
Our Watoto farms are key to keeping our families healthy. They provide fresh vegetables, fruit, and eggs for our villages, as well as goat’s milk for our babies at Baby Watoto. By producing wholesome food for our mothers and children, we’re reducing expenses on food and healthcare.
Our farms not only feed our families, but they also strengthen the community by providing jobs, as well as hands-on training for our children. Here, some of our young adults and graduates get the opportunity to learn and gain firsthand experience.
Our goal is to train and empower people as we facilitate community transformation. We believe that together, we have a bright, sustainable future.
PARTNER WITH US
We’re going to continue to go into the hardest of places sharing the love of Jesus, providing medical care and education, and raising future leaders. We’d like to invite you to join with us.
We partner with individuals, teams, and organizations to provide love, hope, and a bright future to vulnerable children and women.
We value every partner and love the opportunity to connect with people in unique and meaningful ways. Anyone is welcome to partner with us and use whatever is in their hands to help us transform our communities and nation.
We invite you to consider partnering through:
• Corporate Engagement
• Employer Matching Gifts
• Church Partnership
• School Partnership
• Individual or Team Fundraising
• Individual Donations
• Endowment or Stock Gifts
SPONSOR A LIFE
Sponsors play a vital role in the work we’re doing in Africa and make a lasting impact in the precious lives we’re reaching together.
When you sponsor, you help us rescue vulnerable children and women and ensure they receive the love and care every person deserves.
Watoto provides opportunities to sponsor children, mothers, and babies. Our goal is not only to meet their physical needs, but to give them everything they need to become healthy, whole, and live a life of purpose. Your sponsorship helps provide food, clothing, medical care, an education, and a safe place to call home where they are surrounded by the love of Jesus.
To become a sponsor, simply scan the QR code or fill out the form on the following page and submit it to our office. Sign up today to make a lasting difference in someone’s life.
SCAN TO SPONSOR
WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
You are critical to everything we’re doing in Africa and your partnership will make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and women. Thank you for loving Watoto.
YOUR DETAILS (Please print clearly)
First Name . Last Name
Address
City State Zip
Home Phone Cell Phone
Church or Organization (If applicable)
Please do not add me to the Watoto mailing list
SPONSOR
Child
Watoto Mother
Baby Watoto
Neighbourhood Mother
$40/month
$40/month
$40/month
$40/month
$480/year
$480/year
$480/year
$480/year
I would like to upgrade to Sponsorship Plus to help cover the cost of children who have not yet been sponsored.
$10/month
$120/year
I would prefer to sponsor Boy Girl Either OR write your chosen individual’s name
DONATE
I would like to make a financial donation to Watoto.
$ One Time Gift
$ Monthly Recurring Gift
PAYMENT DETAILS
DIRECT DEBIT FROM CHECKING ACCOUNT (PREFERRED METHOD)
NOTE: Direct Debit is Watoto’s preferred method of payment. This reduces Watoto’s administration costs substantially. You can change or adjust your donations any time by contacting our Watoto USA office.
Amount $ /month
I authorize Watoto to charge my account each month on the (circle one):
1 st 8 th 16 th 23 rd
Signature
Please include a check as your first payment. Direct debit can be set up using the information on your check.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
Sponsorship: Monthly ($40/month) Annually ($480/year)
Donation: Amount $ One Time Gift Monthly Recurring Gift
I authorize Watoto to charge my account each month on the (circle one):
1 st 8 th 16 th 23 rd
Name on Credit Card
Credit Card Number
Exp Date / CVV Number (on back of card)
Signature
CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO “WATOTO”
Sponsorship: Quarterly ($120/quarter) Annually ($480/year)
One Time Gift: Amount $
FIND OUT MORE
PARTNERSHIP – I would like more information on how to partner with Watoto
CHOIR – I would like more information about hosting the Watoto Children’s Choir FUNDRAISING – I would like more information about raising support for Watoto VISIT WATOTO – I would like more information about traveling to Uganda to visit Watoto
For more information please visit watoto.com or contact us at Watoto USA Call: (813) 948-4343 or Email: usa@watoto.com
A COPY OF THE WATOTO CHILD CARE MINISTRY, INC. CH20871 OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
