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UGANDA

ABOUT UGANDAUganda, the Pearl of Africa, has a population of more than 25 million and

showcases gorgeous African vistas and a relatively peaceful, prosperous society.

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

soldiers in the Lords Resistance Army.

Under democratic rule since 1986, Uganda has been remarkably transformed

into one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Corruption, human-rights

abuses and the infection rate of HIV/AIDS have been dramatically reduced.

However poverty remains, especially as Uganda hasnt industrialized as planned.

The staggering number of child-headed households due to HIV/AIDS and waralso 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

be done. Ugandas youth and children are particularly vulnerable and need to be

protected as the nation continues to rebuild.

TEAR FUND IN UGANDA WATOTO

TEAR Fund has been partnering with Watoto Child Care Ministry since 2004.

Watotos 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, KampalaPentecostal Church (KPC), Watoto works to take orphaned children out

heartbreaking situations and place them in loving family environments.

The Watoto way is drawn from Gods 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 aReception/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

QUICK FACTSFull name:

Republic of Uganda

Population:27.6 million (UN, 2005)

Capital:Kampala

Area:241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)

Major languages:English (ofcial), Swahili, Ganda,

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, sh and sh products, tea,

tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame

GNI per capita:

US $280 (World Bank, 2006)

Community Development Changing Lives

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In the heart of Kampala, Uganda, the sound of pounding

hammers has been replaced by infants laughter. Through

TEAR Funds support the Watoto Babies Home has been

completed. And now it has a name: The Bulrushes.

A reference to the location Moses was found, The Bulrushes

also infers the possibility of a child to alter the course of a

nation. Moses was separated from his parents by the decree

of an Egyptian pharaoh the rest is history. Hundreds of

thousands of Ugandan children are separated from their

parents through pover ty, AIDS and an ongoing confict in the

nations south history is theirs for the taking.

Prior to the construction of The Bulrushes, our partner

Watoto accepted children into their programme between

the ages of 2 and 12. However, their vision had always been

to care for young orphans of all ages.

Watoto has purchased a long-abandoned medical clinic in the

heart of Kampala, Ugandas capital. Following round-the-clock

renovation, the facility now boasts bedrooms, a health clinic ,

a dining area, class rooms, a laundry and kitchen, staff housing,

play areas and a garden.

Initially, The Bulrushes will house around 50 parentless infants.

Upon reaching the age of two, these babies will be placed

into a loving family within one of the Watoto childrens villages.

Watoto envisions a day when, through The Bulrushes and

childrens villages, as many as 10,000 orphans will receive care

and a Christian education.

The total development of the child is of utmost importance,

explains Watoto project director Gary Skinner. We believe

that as the children are trained academically and spiritually,

they will enter society as productive citizens, equipped to

make a lasting impact on the future of Uganda.

WATOTO HOPE IN THE BULRUSHES

National Ofce:

PO Box 8315, Symonds St,

Auckland 1150

New Zealand

Freephone: 0800 800 777

Facsimile: (09) 629 1050

Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz

Website: www.tearfund.org.nz

CONTACTS:

PROJECT PROFILES

TEAR Fund community development works by empowering poor communities to fnd

their own solutions to issues. This signifcantly reduces overheads by operating through

local sta. We work directly with the poorest allowing us to identiy and address the root

causes o poverty not just the symptoms.

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations who carry out the work

themselves. Assistance is given regardless o belies.

Tear Fund takes an holistic approach to all o its projects which takes the local community

on a journey o transormation through improved physical, social and economic

circumstances, and oten 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

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Development Changing Lives