Watoto is not an orphanage in the traditional sense. Real homes are built to cater for children who have lost their family or are vulnerable for many reasons. Each Watoto family consists of a mother who takes care of up to 8 children (2-years-old and above).

Infants between the ages of 0 to 2 years-old are taken care of at Baby Watoto.

The model is designed to meet, not only the physical needs of the child, but also to provide everything else they require to grow up healthy and whole with purpose and meaning.

Physical
Children are placed in homes where their physical needs of clothing, food and shelter are met. We purposefully create a family setting so that they will learn love and respect as they live with their mother and siblings. This allows them to grow up knowing a healthy, functional life.

Each child has their own bed and space to manage their belongings thereby building a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Education
An education prepares children for life by developing character and career. Watoto villages each contain a school for the education of the village children and those from the surrounding community. Our education is of a good standard and we work with parents and guardians to foster interaction with their children. Technical and vocational training is also provided for older children, whose gifting naturally gravitates towards these.

Health Care
Each village has a medical clinic not only for the use of the village children and adult community, but it is also available to the surrounding community. The onsite clinic meets the everyday healthcare needs of the village and community and regular missions from medical teams help take care of their special medical requirements during the year.

Social & Spiritual Development
Every Watoto village has a multipurpose centre, which is used to facilitate the local church for the village residents and people from the surrounding community. A Watoto Church pastor gives oversight to this ministry. These churches have home cell groups – smaller fellowships that meet once a week.

During the week, this centre is used to facilitated many extra-curricular activities, which help foster the psycho-social development of the children. Youth workers, operating under the social work umbrella, facilitate activities (interpersonally and in groups) which help the children deal with and overcome any trauma and brokenness from their past

For more information about the Watoto Model, please download the PDF here.