Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Under democratic rule since 1986, Uganda has been remarkably transformed Capital:
into one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Corruption, human-rights
Kampala
abuses and the infection rate of HIV/AIDS have been dramatically reduced.
However poverty remains, especially as Uganda hasn’t industrialized as planned.
Area:
The staggering number of child-headed households due to HIV/AIDS and war 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)
also breed poverty and hardship. While there is much to be praised about
Uganda as a burgeoning and much-needed success story, there is still much to Major languages:
be done. Uganda’s youth and children are particularly vulnerable and need to be English (official), Swahili, Ganda,
protected as the nation continues to rebuild. various Bantu languages
Major religion:
Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy:
46 years (men), 47 years (women)
(UN)
Monetary unit:
1 Ugandan shilling = 100 cents
Main exports:
Coffee, fish and fish products, tea,
tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame
TEAR FUND IN UGANDA – WATOTO
GNI per capita:
TEAR Fund has been partnering with Watoto Child Care Ministry since 2004. US $280 (World Bank, 2006)
Watoto’s vision of raising future Ugandan leaders through claiming precious lives
of children back from poverty and war is as inspiring as it is effective. Founded
in 1994 by Pastors Gary & Marilyn Skinner through their church, Kampala
Pentecostal Church (KPC), Watoto works to take orphaned children out
heartbreaking situations and place them in loving family environments.
The Watoto way is drawn from God’s own design for adoption into His family.
Each house in the three Watoto villages is a home for 8 orphaned children and
a house mother. Together they become a family for life. With schools, town halls,
medical clinics and a centre for looking after abandoned and orphaned babies,
Watoto ministers holistically. They currently care for over 1,700 children.
Watoto is primarily based in Kampala, and is now branching out into Gulu,
Northern Uganda. As 19 years of LRA-led war comes to an end thousands
of child soldiers are being freed. Tormented by their experiences and rejected
by the community, these children need a place to heal. Watoto will create a
‘Reception/Rehabilitation Centre’ to restore these precious children, and then
repatriate them back into the community.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations who carry out the work
themselves. Assistance is given regardless of beliefs.
Tear Fund takes an holistic approach to all of its projects which takes the local community
on a journey of transformation through improved physical, social and economic
circumstances, and often on an individual level, spiritual change.
Prior to the construction of The Bulrushes, our partner “The total development of the child is of utmost importance,”
Watoto accepted children into their programme between explains Watoto project director Gary Skinner. “We believe
the ages of 2 and 12. However, their vision had always been that as the children are trained academically and spiritually,
to care for young orphans of all ages. they will enter society as productive citizens, equipped to
make a lasting impact on the future of Uganda.”
CONTACTS:
National Office: Freephone: 0800 800 777
PO Box 8315, Symonds St, Facsimile: (09) 629 1050
Auckland 1150 Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz
New Zealand Website: www.tearfund.org.nz PROJECT PROFILES