If there’s one thing that unites us all, it’s that we all face obstacles in our lives and encounter things that challenge our inner strength.
The beauty of life is overcoming what we think we cannot. Our self-esteem grows and we find strength in ourselves that we never knew existed.
As we ushered in 2016, Watoto Child Care Ministries, an international organisation formed as a compassionate response to the cry of Africa’s millions of orphaned children, was in preparations of celebrating the graduation of 16, among whom was their very first child rescued in 1994.
Found at only 18 months old, Jessica Namuli is today reported to have grown into a strong and lovely young lady, graduating from Makerere Business School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
She detailed her account saying that her graduation was clear evidence of how far God has lifted her up, noting that her journey is not a story to be perceived as sad.
“When I tell my story, most people see it as a sad story. But for me, it was God’s first step to lifting me up. This graduation is not just a graduation to me. It shows me how far God has lifted me up,” she explained.
“I told my friends that the only way was to graduate and be the best there is. It’s the only way to show how grateful we are. This is the first of the steps we are taking to be the citizens you have raised us to be” Jessica further stated during the graduation celebrations, thanking Gary and Marilyn Skinner, the founders of Watoto Child Care Ministries.
When everyone was fleeing Uganda due to the war and terror in Milton Obote’s second regime, Gary and Marilyn Skinner, together with their three children came to Uganda with a hope of establishing an English-speaking church in downtown Kampala.
This way, Gary Skinner and his wife Marilyn, also founders of Watoto Church begun their journey.
“We felt God’s call to come to Uganda and establish an English-speaking church in down town Kampala. Then, I didn’t know much about Uganda. I began to investigate about it and we came in 1983,” said Gary in one recent media interview with Lydia Ainomugisha.
After picking Jessica, Gary and Marilyn Skinner obtained a care order from the police for every other child they brought under their care to ensure that it is legal. Once adopted, the children are placed in one of the 350 homes under the care of a mother who is supposed to be a widow, separated or a divorcee.
Today, the church has more than 23,000 people who attend one of the weekend services on Saturdays and Sundays. Watoto has 10 branches in Kampala, Gulu and Juba- South Sudan.
Arora Majugo, the executive director of Watoto Child Care Ministries, says the mission of the ministry is to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders by pursuing excellence in academics and practical skills, integrity in conduct and moral value.
cnakalungi@ugchristiannews.com – Courtesy Photo – Gary and Marilyn Skinner together with Jessica Namuli (central Position).
