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UGANDA

Community Development Changing Lives

ABOUT UGANDA QUICK FACTS


Full name:
Uganda, ‘the Pearl of Africa’, has a population of more than 25 million and
showcases gorgeous African vistas and a relatively peaceful, prosperous society. Republic of Uganda
The scars remain though, from on of the most brutal regimes in Africa, known
for its military dictators, state-sponsored bloodshed and the enslaving of child Population:
soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army. 27.6 million (UN, 2005)

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.

Call to donate: 0800 800 777 or visit www.tearfund.org.nz


Community Development Changing Lives

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

TEAR Fund community development works by empowering poor communities to find


their own solutions to issues. This significantly reduces overheads by operating through
local staff. We work directly with the poorest allowing us to identify and address the root
causes of poverty not just the symptoms.

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.

How community development transforms


• Physical – meets targeted need such as health
• Social – unites and empowers
• Economic – often creates opportunities for income generation

Watoto – Hope in the Bulrushes


In the heart of Kampala, Uganda, the sound of pounding Watoto has purchased a long-abandoned medical clinic in the
hammers has been replaced by infants’ laughter. Through heart of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Following round-the-clock
TEAR Fund’s support the Watoto Babies’ Home has been renovation, the facility now boasts bedrooms, a health clinic,
completed. And now it has a name: The Bulrushes. a dining area, class rooms, a laundry and kitchen, staff housing,
play areas and a garden.
A reference to the location Moses was found, The Bulrushes
also infers the possibility of a child to alter the course of a Initially, The Bulrushes will house around 50 parentless infants.
nation. Moses was separated from his parents by the decree Upon reaching the age of two, these babies will be placed
of an Egyptian pharaoh – the rest is history. Hundreds of into a loving family within one of the Watoto children’s villages.
thousands of Ugandan children are separated from their Watoto envisions a day when, through The Bulrushes and
parents through poverty, AIDS and an ongoing conflict in the children’s villages, as many as 10,000 orphans will receive care
nation’s south – history is theirs for the taking. and a Christian education.

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

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