Build a Village

THE FACTS

At the 2005 COLOUR YOUR WORLD women's conference thecoloursisterhood's journey and partnership with Watoto began as several hundred women responded to the needs presented.  In 2007, our response as a sisterhood intensified as the vision was shared to see the war affected children of northern Uganda embraced as a part of this project.

At the 2008 conference we brought the good report that over $2 million had been raised. This is a growing testimony of what can be achieved when generous and caring women put their minds and hands to work.

As a growing Sisterhood, our intention is to provide and exemplify a united, cohesive and holistic SOLUTION to these needs.

WATOTO BACKGROUND

Marilyn and Gary Skinner have 30 years experience in Africa. They founded Watoto Child Care Ministries in 1992, in response to the AIDS crisis confronting East Africa.

Watoto created ‘child care villages’ placing eight children and one widow ‘mother’ in each home. The houses consist of three bedrooms, a kitchen, living area and bathroom with clean running water. Watoto children’s villages include clusters of these homes. Watoto villages provide holistic care to the children that live in these homes. They are built to become self-sustaining, with a primary and secondary school, a medical clinic, a church/community centre, an agricultural project supplying food, a clean water source and electrical power.

In response to the need in the north of Uganda, Watoto are in the process of building a ‘child village’ in GULU, which will run as a Watoto village but will specifically target  rescued and escaped war affected children. It is designed to provide physical, emotional, educational and spiritual care to some of Uganda’s most vulnerable children.

WATOTO BULRUSHES

Baby Watoto began 2 years ago with help from thecoloursisterhood and now cares for over 80 babies. These children are brought in from local hospitals, police stations and the local community. Found on rubbish dumps and pit latrines, they are nursed back to health and are cared for in a loving environment until they reach the age of four when they are placed in a Watoto home with seven other children. The key need that Bulrushes has are the ongoing costs of maintaining the home and the staff, as well as the supplies needed for 80 babies. You can choose to support the Baby Watoto by fundraising for the ongoing needs of the babies.