African Children's Choir

The African Children's Choir paid a return visit to our Kirk on Saturday 21st August 2010.

Pictures of the concert may be seen by clicking this link

The Choir have blessed and couraged many churches in the U.K. and had many successful concerts over the years. The children are a real blessing to all those who meet them.

The choir began in 1984, each year bringing new children from very difficult backgrounds from all over East and West Africa. They have toured the world bringing their unique message of hope and healing in the face of adversity, spreading the love of Christ and all the while raising funds for the children back home in Africa.

Money raised by the choir through donations has helped to establish and support schools in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan & South Africa. Approximately 6000 children are being educated through these donations and many more have received food and medical aid. Many members of the first Choirs have obtained their degrees and are working as professionals and leaders in Africa. This year’s touring Choir will be from Uganda & Kenya.

While the Choir are with us approximately 26 children and 9 staff will need accommodation, usually with families in the church. (It is fine for 3 children to share 1 double bed.) with a separate bedroom/sofa bed for the chaperone. The Choir will be with us for one night and we are seeking offers of accommodation from families within our congregation. If you are able to act as a host please give your name to the session clerk as soon as possible. Host families will also need to be able to transport four people with their luggage to and from the church.

More details about the Choir and its activities are detailed below:

THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR

The African Children's Choir is composed of African children, aged 7 to 10 years old. Many have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. They represent all the children of a continent and they demonstrate the potential of African children to become strong leaders for a better future in their land.

WHAT IS THEIR CONCERT LIKE?

The children melt the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles and delightful African tunes, accompanied by ethnic instrumentation. The programme features well-loved children's songs, hand clapping, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes. Nearly every performance is concluded with a thunderous standing ovation. A marvellous by-product of ths concert is the inspiration the music brings to virtually every listener. In spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, the children are radiant with hope, musically gifted and wonderfully entertaining.

WHERE HAVE THEY PERFORMED?

Over the past twenty years, the children have appeared in thousands of concerts around the world, including concerts at the Pentagon and the United Nations. They have been featured on popular television and radio broadcasts such as "GMTVand "Blue Peter". The Choir has had the privilege of performing at the Royal Albert Hall, London as part of the BBC Proms series. More recently they performed at the Commonwealth Observance Day in the presence of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey. Already on this tour they have met the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese at her residence in Dublin and with the First Minister, Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Stormont Castle, Belfast.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TOUR?

The primary goal of the Choir is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in Africa and to raise funds for continued development and support of the African Children's Choir Programmes. The Choir's International educational endeavour provides unique training for the children. Once Choir members have completed a concert tour, they will return to their homelands with the tools necessary for bettering their future.

AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR EFFORTS ACROSS AFRICA

The African Children's Choir through Music for Life is currently providing support for over 6,700 children in Africa.

Our relief and development programmes are carried out in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The following is a summary of our current programmes supported and administered by Music for Life.

Uganda:

Makindye Choir Training Academy, The Music for Life Primary School, Eden Literacy School, Bugalobi Literacy School, Fields of Life Literacy School, Fields of Life Primary School, Bweyogerere Primary School, The African Outreach Academy, and the Luwero Clinic

Sudan:

Primary Schools in Kajo Keji, Bright Star Academy Secondary School, Liwolo Secondary School, Christian Teacher's Training College, mobile health clinic, Skills Training Centre, Relief Shipments and Leadership Training Seminars conducted by visiting International teams.

Kenya:

Sponsorship of Choir children in Primary and Secondary schools and Music for Life camps, counselling and seminars.

Rwanda:

Sponsorship of Choir children in Primary and Secondary schools, Sponsorship of the Gisimba Central Orphanage, Music for Life camps, counselling and seminars.

Nigeria:

Sponsorship of children in the King's Kids Academy and secondary schools. Counselling, camps and seminars are conducted for Choir children.

Ghana:

Sponsorship of children at The Living Stones Primary School and secondary schools. Counselling, camps and seminars are conducted for Choir children.

South Africa:

Music for Life Junior Academy. Music for Life Centres, community outreach centres in local townships in the Nkomazi region proving relief and development care and after school programmes.

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