Watoto

Watoto is a word in Swahili meaning "children." It is the plural form of mtoto, which means "child." The term is widely used in East Africa in everyday speech, education, and media, and it also appears as a proper noun in various organizations and groups.

As a proper noun, Watoto is best known as the name of Watoto Child Care Ministries, a Ugandan Christian humanitarian organization. The organization is organized under the umbrella of the Watoto Church and focuses on the welfare of vulnerable children. Its activities typically include care for orphans and other children in need, education and healthcare support, family-based care programs, and community development initiatives. The organization also runs the Watoto Village program, which provides long-term housing and support for children, and the Watoto Choir, an internationally touring group that performs music and dance to raise awareness and funds for child-focused projects.

Beyond the Ugandan organization, the word Watoto appears in other contexts as a brand or project name related to programs and organizations that focus on children. In Swahili-speaking regions and in contexts dealing with East African culture, the term remains a common linguistic reference to young people and child-related topics.