They are few and far between, and all are day schools. Orphans and impoverished children do better in a boarding school environment.  In most cases, without a sponsor, an orphaned or poor child does not receive an education.  At this time public secondary school does not exist.

Why do the sponsored children have to board at school?

There are several answers. First, many children’s homes are far away from schools. It can be a one or two hour walk each way to school.

Second, children who go home each night often do not return to school, especially if the family is poor or if only one parent is available; the family may want the child to help with other children or with farming, or they simply don’t have the time to bring them back to school.

Third, children perform better academically when living at school. They are on a regular routine, study is part of their day, and the environment encourages learning.

Finally, the children receive better nutrition at school than most would at home.

Is there anything else I can do to help?

Yes. Please look at the Other Needs page. There are many ideas available, large and small.

Can I visit my child?

Absolutely. In fact we are arranging a sponsor trip for March of 2013. This would also include trekking to see the gorillas. Watch this website – we hope to have preliminary costs and dates up by mid fall 2011 with deposits being taken in March 2012. If you wish to go sooner, we can put you in touch with our contact in Uganda who will make all the arrangements for you, pick you up at the airport, take you to Bwindi, to Watoto, and do everything else for you to make the trip as easy and as enjoyable as possible.

Will my child write me?

This is the hardest part of the sponsorship. There is no Internet available at Watoto or Comboni at this time, and although there is a cell tower in Bwindi, the Internet does not work half the time or more.

Remember, too, that English is not the native language, and although it is the national language, many primary school aged children have difficulty writing in English. We are trying to set up a program in which our liaison will work with students to write a little letter once or twice a year and to send updated photos.

But also the expectations as sponsors may not reflect the realities of a small village thousands of miles away. We are used to children who have busy, rich lives: after school activities, fascinating projects, events, sports, vacations, museums. At Watoto, a child’s life is very simple and very routine. There are no computer games – no computers, no movies, vacations, outings, video games, skiing, swimming or virtually any of the other things most children we know have in their lives. Unfortunately, for many of them, the only news that tends to occur in their lives is that another parent or relative has died.

Sometimes sponsors hope for lots of communication from their child. Our concern is to make sure each one of you gets at least a little each year. Only the older children can write, and can write in English, and what they have to write about to a sponsor is small, reflecting the quiet day-to-day quality of village and school life. Many have never even seen a photo of themselves. So while we know how important it is to get more communication to you, please understand that especially with the primary students, a new photo from time to time, perhaps a letter, may be all we can do. Part of our commitment to you is to keep as much information flowing to you as possible, especially through the newsletters.

Do the children get religious training? Did you pick Bishop Comboni for secondary school because it is Catholic?

Uganda is very much a Christian, and for the most part, Catholic country. In Bwindi there are Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical Churches. At Watoto, as in all schools, faith is an important focus, and bible studies are part of the curriculum. Children may, if they wish, attend evening fellowships and Sunday church services. Bishop Comboni was chosen for Watoto’s outstanding students solely on the basis of its academic standing as the district’s leading secondary school.

May I call you directly to ask questions?

To reach us by telephone, please call: Jim & Jan Tanis 928-204-1135 -or- Lorna Gladstone 312-316-7386