Living Hope - Gulu

Women and young girls are the most marginalised and wounded people in Uganda and so many have been left abandoned or widowed due to rebel armies and the HIV+ virus. The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) has left an oppressive and dark cloud over Northern Uganda. So many destitute women and countless orphans have been caught up in unimaginable horrors. It is hard to comprehend and difficult to understand that hundreds and thousands of women and children can be abducted by a rebel army and only a few short years ago.

'Living Hope' peanut butter

Some of the girls

Cheeky grin ... love that children are welcome alongside the working mums.

the sewing room...making merchandise....supporting women.

Uganda is a country so desperately needing hope, education, justice and dignity. The 'Living Hope' project is doing just that by transforming the lives of so many vulnerable women. 

Watoto is rescuing, raising and rebuilding a nation by making a difference in this region. Living Hope provides opportunity for local women to learn new skills and the women are better equipped to contribute purposefully to their society. A number of different products (like clothing, jewellery and peanut butter) are made on sight to help the project become self sustainable. The dark cloud is moving and bright rays of sunshine are filtering through and warming the earth once again. Life is blooming in this beautiful part of the world. It has already restored dignity and hope to so many women - an estimated 1200 women in Kampala and 900 women in Gulu.

Gulu Children's Village

Beautiful smiles

Beautiful children - always ready to smile.

Jumping rope with the children from Gulu

Children finding hope

Gulu in Northern Uganda has faced much heartache over the last few years but is finally finding peace. Since the rebel army (the LRA) have moved out of Uganda much has changed. Life is being restored. Peace has also brought a lot of help from the International community in terms of Non-Government Organisations like Watoto. These NGOs are helping the community in various ways by providing food, medical help and rehabilitation centres for formerly abducted children. The NGOs have also created many jobs, changing lives and making a difference.

Land to still be built on 

The village is in the process of being developed

Watoto Accommodation

Garden view

We were pleasantly surprised by the comfort provided at our guest home. The compound is small but comfortable with neatly manicured gardens and a security guard on duty at all times. Enormous gates keep us safe and well protected.

The staff are just beautiful and so hospitable. The rooms are airy, light and relaxing, with mosquito nets covering each bed. Our beds are made daily and the food is exceptional. We even have proper toilets, hot water (although only a trickle), cooked breakfasts and delicious dinners (pancakes for breakfast and lasagne, bolognese and fish n chips for dinner :). Outside the compound walls life is very different......so the contrasts are blatantly obvious. However the face of Uganda is slowly changing. I love what Watoto is doing in raising the next generation of Ugandan leaders to impact this nation. Lives are being transformed. It has been such a delightful experience.

Front entryway

Verandah for rest and relaxation

Bbira Children's Village

Entry to Bbira Children's Village

Kids just delighted to be holding hands!!!

Was lost for words and completely overwhelmed. I held hands with little people, who were so delighted to hang on to the Mzunga - 'white person'.

Mama Rosa - words of wisdom ... truly an amazing woman.

Inspired by humility, dignity and grace.

Signs of value and worth, it says "Build Self Confidence"

I was in awe! 
Loving the signs planted around the school
 inspiring hope, purpose and dignity.

Beautiful Anneliese ... the smile says it all.

A very happy day. 

Watoto Church

Watoto Church is a vibrant, colourful place with a sea of smiling faces. We had to line up to get in and had our bags checked prior to entry (bomb check). They have four campuses in Kampala alone and four morning services. There are also campuses in Subbi, Bbira and Gulu. The music felt just like being at home. Truly Amazing. We were welcomed with open arms. Located in the heart of Kampala and standing as a beacon of hope in Uganda, it is positioned well to influence and bring about change to Uganda's people. Love this thought by Gary Skinner " I have a dream that injustice will roll back like the morning sun."  I stood their feeling completely overwhelmed and grateful to be here. Thank you everyone who helped make this possible.

Bbira Children's Village

Playing games

The children are jumping for joy here ... Makes you smile.

Managers house

Village grounds

Our beautiful hosts for the traditional lunch 

We had such fun visiting a Watoto family in their little home. Each house mother cares for 8 children, of which some may be her own. We had a traditional lunch served and then we handed out supplies which were kindly donated by an Emirates staff member on route. She heard about what we were doing and handed me 6 bags of supplies (toys, crayons, books etc). We had lots of fun handing everything out. Loved the excitement and joy on the children's faces.

Later we took a walk around the village which is situated on 100 acres of land. The village is spectacular and the children are well cared for. The little ones love to hold your hand and their impish grins are filled with hope for the future, just adorable!

Preparing grasshoppers to eat!!

School grounds

Baby Watoto Jobs - Volunteering

 So, for all of you wondering what volunteering at baby Watoto looks like read on.

Go girls

Job 1 - Cleaning 30 cots, which means carrying them outside and scrubbing them down before a hose off. Busy busy!!!

Scrub away

 Job 2 - Playing and snack time before our outing.

Play Time

Job 3 - Walking 17 babies to the shops for an outing in strollers and back packs. 

Getting our bubbas ready for their walk

Too cute

Job 3 - Feeding Time ( Mashed pumkin and veges) 
 Mmm yum!

Hungry bubs

Then we hit the markets African style. Another fun day in Africa.

Baby Watoto - Subbi

Today we visited Subbi children's village. More cuddles and love shared around. We had the privilege of attending the senior students graduation ceremony (tears ... so very moving to see these orphans celebrating such a milestone in their lives). 

We had a tour of the village which is enormous, spread over a mountainside with spectacular views. Interesting thought - the teachers have their own accommodation provided for them with million dollar views. Love it!!

This hillside community is breathtaking and the Watoto model is exceptional. As an addition to the existing babies’ home in downtown Kampala, the new facility, in Mpigi district, has the capacity to care for up to 150 infants at any given time although there are only 30 bubs here at present. The building still has much work to be done with a soft fall play area planned in the near future. The needs here are still great and babies continue to need sponsorship. There are 4 babies to one mother or nanny. Feedtime and bathtime is chaotic but well organised and super effecient. So tired after our 2 hour drive home. It is so difficult to describe the sights, sounds and smells and pictures just don't do it all justice. Having the time of my life. My heart is filled with hope.

Babies home

cot room

Change area

Kitchen 

Cutie