Orphans Bring Hope to OZ

From slums to palaces, the remarkable African orphans who make up the Watoto Children’s Choir will come from over the rainbow to bring their energetic musical tribal beats when they embark on the land down under during their whirlwind tour down from May through to August 2009.

The angelic voices emanating from the choir, comprising of 18 children aged from eight to thirteen, belies their horrific start in life. Once living in the slums of Uganda, Africa, these children are now traveling the world as ambassadors for millions of Africa’s orphans who have suffered the loss of their parents due to HIV/AIDS, war, poverty and other disease. These little ones, now filled with joy and hope, have been given a second chance at life through the help of an organization known as the Watoto Child Care Ministries.

Birthed in 1994 by a couple from Canada called Gary & Marilyn Skinner, Watoto Childcare Ministries exists to teach and produce the next generation of Ugandan leaders and citizens. Some of the long term goals include providing familial life and shelter, education, medical care and spiritual guidance to those children left parentless as a result of war and disease. The Children’s Choir, to perform in several countries across the globe, consists of a few of these future leaders who have a heart to raise awareness of the devastation in their country and to enlist the participation of Aussies for the work Watoto has started.

The choir has performed in front of former US President George Bush at the White House, the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and even at Australia’s own Parliament House. In April 2009, the determined youngsters performed on the same Beijing streets as the Olympic gold winners of 2008. They then headed to Shanghai and Hong Kong before making their way to our beautiful Australia.

“Children who are selected to tour on a Watoto Choir get an opportunity of a lifetime as they get to share their story and the hope they now have. Being on tour helps the kids develop life skills and confidence to become the future leaders of their country that they inspire to be” says Mark Bradshaw, Watoto director for Australasia.

2009 is the first time that the Watoto Children’s choir has ever been to Beijing, and for all of the kids, the first time ever stepping foot out of Africa. Jackie Nalumansi, a 10 year old female in the choir, says that she’s excited to come to Australia. “I want Australians to know that I’m going to sing and dance with all my strength to show God’s love” says Nalumansi.

Fred Samula, 11 years old, says that he looks forward to seeing what Australian people eat, while his friend Bridget Mungriek, also 11 years old, wants to see the big buildings and friendly people in Australia.

According to 2007 UNAIDS/WHO*[i] of every 1,000 children in Uganda, 136 children will not live to see their 5th birthday.

Mr. Bradshaw claims that Watoto is different from other organizations in that their core goal is not to just rescue children from poverty and disease but to help them rise above it and become part of the new leadership required in their country in whatever field they inspire to become. In this, they can change their society by providing strong businesses and work ethics with integrity and strong moral standings.

“These children carry the message of hope they themselves experienced at Watoto. The people in Australia are privileged to watch this beautiful choir and to participate in the cause. Australians will be blown away by the best of African contemporary music as presented by the Watoto Children’s Choir” says Esther Agwang from Watoto’s, Ugandan office.

The Watoto Children’s Choir will be holding free concerts across Australia beginning in May in Perth. The schedule includes many smaller towns outside cities such as Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Darwin, Alice Springs, Tasmania, as well as in the major cities themselves. One of the highlights will be a combined performance with the Ernabella Children’s choir in Ernabella in June.

For full details of the choir’s schedule, or for more about the work of Watoto in Africa and to get involved, check out www.watoto.com.


[i] www.unaids.org