About Watoto

Here are more facts about Watoto:

  • Watoto means "the children" in Swahili.
  • Approximately 2.3 million children in Uganda have been orphaned; an estimated 1 million due to AIDS alone.
  • In 1992, Canadians Gary and Marilyn Skinner founded Watoto to address the Ugandan orphan crisis.
  • There are currently 3 Watoto Children’s Villages in Kampala, Uganda, providing quality care and education for over 1700 orphaned and abandoned children.
  • The construction of a new Watoto Children’s Village is scheduled to begin in January 2008. This village will provide quality care and education for war-affected children in Gulu, Northern Uganda.
  • Watoto uses a holistic childcare approach that addresses the academic, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the children.
  • Watoto villages are built to become self-sustaining. Each village consists of homes for the children, a school, a medical clinic, a community centre, and an agricultural project.
  • Each home accommodates 8 children and a house mother, providing a family environment for the children.
  • The first "Baby Watoto, The Bulrushes" opened its doors in January 2007. This home provides quality care and attention for orphaned and abandoned babies under the age of two.

Since 1994, 31 choirs have toured internationally, presenting Watoto’s vision and mission through music and dance. This has given 558 children the chance to tour with the Watoto Children’s Choir!

  • Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured Canada, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Asia, Uganda, South Africa, Israel and Brazil.
  • In 2007, the Watoto Children’s Choir had the privilege of performing for the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace and at CHOGM in Uganda.
  • In 2008, the Watoto Children’s Choir has performed at CIDA headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec as well as in the House of Commons in Ottawa. The choir has also had the privilege of performing for the Governor General and for Prime Minister Stephen Harper this year.

Funding for Watoto is made possible through offerings at the end of each performance as well as donations from individuals, businesses, churches, groups and communities.

  • The tours are funded by the sale of Watoto merchandise, including CDs, DVDs, T-shirts and African jewelry.
  • Individuals can support a child through Watoto for $35 CAD per month.

Watoto’s long term goals involve the following:

  1. Watoto Children’s Hospital
  2. Watoto Polytechnic Institute
  3. Large Scale Farming Project to promote self sustainability
  4. Watoto University
  5. 10,000 children being cared for in Watoto Children’s Villages by 2020

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