Field Trip to the Watoto Foundation

Yesterday we went to visit Watoto Foundation, an organization that takes boys aged 13-16 off the streets, gives them a safe place to live, schooling, vocational training and eventually a job.

Each of us from the language center was given a personal tour of the grounds by one of the boys. They took us to see their classrooms, dormitories, vegetable gardens, livestock (including cattle, goats, rabbits and chickens), and work shops where they learn skills like carpentry, machine operating and computers.

My guide was Ita, a 16 year old who has been living at Watoto Foundation for 3 years. We actually managed to have a half-decent conversation in Kiswahili, but he did not want to share much about his former life. Duncan's guide was named Venance and had lived on the street for about a year before coming to Watoto. His parents died of AIDS. Venance wants to be a lawyer.

It was a very inspiring visit--Watoto Foundation has been operating successfully for about 6 years, all because one guy in the Netherlands had this idea one day...