Empowered Women Build a Stronger Community

Anna was uneducated, abandoned and full of anxiety. Then she received counselling, education and business skills training through project J416 Watoto Neighbourhood. Today, she’s overcome her fear. Anna is more than a leader who trains 40 women in her community, she is more than a tailor running her own business. She’s an empowered mother for her daughter Rebecca.

We believe Africa’s greatest resource is her women, empowered.

Global Development Group’s partnership with Watoto commenced in 2007, currently for projects J210 Watoto Village Project, Uganda and J416 Neighbourhood Development Program, Uganda and in South Sudan. These projects aim to bring hope and healing to vulnerable women and children.

Last year, we were able to restore dignity to 893 vulnerable women in Uganda and South Sudan through the neighbourhood empowerment program. Our Keep a Girl in School initiative saw 14,838 girls educated in 45 schools across northern Uganda and South Sudan. Baby Watoto cared for and loved 218 babies who had been abandoned or orphaned. The Village Project saw 3,618 children continue to be raised and given a bright future. The extensive sustainability program including 207 acres of agricultural development now supplies 50-60% of the fruit and vegetable needs of Watoto Villages in Kampala.

In January 2020, a GDG team of Josh Edwards, Kelley Chisholm and Jordan Brayley visited to conduct training and work with the senior management team to review and improve the Monitoring and Evaluation framework, outcome and impact evaluations and discuss sustainability.

The engagement from the Watoto team was excellent, with enthusiastic discussion in groups to apply the content. During our involvement with Watoto we have seen a change in the socioeconomic landscape in Uganda. In this time, our projects have increased community engagement and co-operation, positive steps towards integration and improved outcomes for beneficiaries.