HISTORY
In the 1990’s, when ecotourism began in Bwindi, Ignatius Byamugisha, a local leader, noticed that children seemed to
be coming out of nowhere to beg from tourists. Concerned both about the children and the affect on tourism, he rapidly investigated.
What he discovered began a journey that led to the founding of the Bwindi Orphans Development Centre (BODEC) and of the Watoto Primary School.
The children were orphans; they had lost parents to HIV/AIDS, whether from death or from desertion by a single parent overwhelmed by the stresses of poverty. They had been invisible, sleeping in bushes, in back yards, hiding and alone. Some had a caretaker, but all too often, one who did not deserve that title. Most had no food, no one to care for them, no hope. Ignatius immediately took five children into his own home. He and others then formed the Bwindi Orphans Group (which eventually became BODEC) to provide help for the children, with foster homes (and training for foster parents). and cultural programs – as well as a safe environment.
In the 1990’s, when ecotourism began in Bwindi, Ignatius Byamugisha, a local leader, noticed that children seemed to
What he discovered began a journey that led to the founding of the Bwindi Orphans Development Centre (BODEC) and of the Watoto Primary School.
The children were orphans; they had lost parents to HIV/AIDS, whether from death or from desertion by a single parent overwhelmed by the stresses of poverty. They had been invisible, sleeping in bushes, in back yards, hiding and alone. Some had a caretaker, but all too often, one who did not deserve that title. Most had no food, no one to care for them, no hope. Ignatius immediately took five children into his own home. He and others then formed the Bwindi Orphans Group (which eventually became BODEC) to provide help for the children, with foster homes (and training for foster parents). and cultural programs – as well as a safe environment.
He talked to tourists to find sponsors to help support the work. Over time, a Theater was built, the children learned how to make crafts to earn a little money of their own and, finally, under the auspices of BODEC, Watoto Primary School was started.
TODAY
Watoto has approximately 400 students attending nursery school through P.7. Half are day students whose parents pay tuition. For the most part, these students go home to families who care for them, though even many day students come from families struggling to feed their children and to put them in this high quality school.
Half are boarders. Priority is given first to “double” orphans who have lost both
Either way, the children are imperiled, and school often becomes a far away dream.
The third group of children Watoto tries to care for is those from two-parent, but impoverished homes.
The school receives no government assistance.
The school receives no government assistance.
In 2010, Watoto proudly graduated its first class with honors –receiving some of the best national exam results in the district. The children are healthy, happy and glowing. The food is plentiful and nutritious. The care is palpable. The academic results significant. |
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