2018 IMPACT REPORT
WATOTO VILLAGES Overall, we cared for 3,710 children and infants during 2018. The majority of these children and babies were welcomed into a loving family in our homes on one of our three Watoto villages, while some of the children were part of our Watoto Neighbourhood initiative. In 2018, 384 Watoto homes provided a safe and loving environment for the mothers and children in our care. Each home received a weekly supply of fresh and bulk food, along with other supplies for their homes. Within our homes we had 402 Watoto mothers provide care to 3,035 children. The 3,035 children is inclusive of Watoto Neighbourhood children who live in the Watoto villages during school terms, as well as those who were resettled and transitioned during the year. We’re proud to have 715 alumni graduates, who have completed their university, college or technical training in various areas. And in 2018 alone, 120 young adults joined our communities as fully independent, productive citizens. We look forward to seeing what they’re able to achieve. Our Child Welfare team was able to trace back and find relatives for 239 of our children in 2018. The team continues to follow up on those they’ve been able to reunite with existing family, and we’re thrilled to be part of that process. We launched the Peer Leadership initiative in our villages, where 132 children were chosen by other children to be their peer leaders. This initiative helps greatly to mitigate behavioural challenges in our villages. Watoto hosted the annual district Day of the African Child celebrations in Watoto Bbira Village. It was a privilege to be part of this education as it continues to raise awareness and support for the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable child in Uganda.
EDUCATION In 2018, we provided education to: 1,904 primary school students 698 O-level secondary school students 133 A-level secondary school students 254 post-secondary vocational school students 230 tertiary and university students 78% of students are participating in at least one extra-curricular activity. 83 students graduated from vocational training, and 35 students completed and graduated university in 2018. One of our Watoto post-secondary students, Fred, completed his pilot training and was able to achieve his Private Pilot License (PPL). Fred will now go for further training to get a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL).
MEDICAL In 2018, there were 27,280 visits to our Watoto clinics by our mothers and children – a 20% reduction from the year before. Our medical team has worked consistently to provide nutrition and hygiene education in the villages. The medical team also focused on disease prevention, providing 1,338 immunizations and distributing close to 1,400 new mosquito nets to our mothers and children. These results are evidence of that. 28.2% of laboratory tests were confirmed in 2018 which promoted early detection and identification of diseases among our mothers and children. We continue to partner with international teams to provide medical outreaches to the surrounding communities and in rural areas. In 2018, through our outreaches, we treated 12,935 patients in the community, meeting the most pressing needs of the communities we reached. These outreaches were facilitated by four visiting medical teams - two from the US, one from Hong Kong and one from Australia. At a medical camp in Gulu 5,998 patients received free medical care, 700 dental extractions were conducted and 643 received other individuals received dental services. 1,834 referrals were made to partnering hospitals primarily due to several complicated cases which could not be handled at our clinics. One of these cases was for Sam, a child with a case of bladder exstrophy who was successfully operated on in Australia. Now, Sam no longer needs to use a catheter and is back in school. Another case was for Luke, a child with sensorineural challenge who was also operated on and received a cochlear transplant. Luke’s speech is now developing, and he’s loving navigating the world around him as he adjusts to sound. We also have a young adult who needs a bone marrow transplant. Screening of potential donors for the transplant were conducted. Two donors and a specialist doctor were identified.
BABY WATOTO Our Baby Watoto facilities located in Kampala and Gulu took care of 241 infants and toddlers providing for all their basic needs, and most importantly giving each of these little ones a loving home and a family. 87 babies were rescued and admitted in to Baby Watoto during 2018. With the help of our dedicated nannies, 31 infants graduated and transitioned into their new family in a Watoto village. 92.6% of the baby/family groupings met the standard baby grouping/family which enabled them bond with their caregivers. A quarterly average of 145 babies/infants were assessed for their development, and 101 met their development milestones, equaling 69.7%. Babies that were rescued premature in the previous quarter and of low weight (e.g. Evans 800gm and Bethany 1.2kg) have tremendously improved. Evan is now 5.4Kg and Bethany 4.4kgs. Major repair work & painting of the facilities were completed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all of our precious babies, toddlers, staff and volunteers.
WATOTO NEIGHBOURHOOD 921 vulnerable women were embraced and empowered through our Watoto Neighbourhood program. As we came along side these vulnerable women, we provided 2,017 women and their children with welfare support, and 29 women with rent support. On average, monthly we also provided 383 women medical support and 620 with food support. And 650 women in the community received a package of basic toiletries and home supplies to help meet their needs as they go through the program.
As a result of completing the program: 334 women in Watoto Neighbourhood reported an increase in their household income. 291 women who completed the program received start-up capital and 108 women registered as business owners. 152 of our Neighbourhood mothers were employed by Watoto in various areas of the ministry. 472 children of our Neighbourhood mothers were enrolled in schools where they are receiving a quality education through the help of Watoto sponsorships. A monthly average of 116 infants, children of Neighbourhood mothers in the program, were cared for at the Day Care Centre where they received early childhood development. UGX 1,547,912,767 ($555,695 CAD) was generated from the sustainable income activities of Watoto Neighbourhood in 2018.
KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL In 2018, 5,997 girls were kept in school through our “Keep a Girl in School” program, receiving discipleship and sanitary products. 999 girls completed their final exams in 2018 as a result of the sanitary products delivered by Watoto. We provided 46,928 sanitary pads and bars of soap, and 17,598 new panties last year. We also taught good health practices, along with godly sexual education to 12,193 girls and boys. 20 girls who had dropped out of school were encouraged and counselled by our team, and the girls returned to school. 264 boys and girls in two of the primary schools we partner with for “Keep a Girl in School” received dental care from the Hong Kong medical team.