Choir hoping for help

Jane Emerick
A choir of Ugandan children who have lost parents to the AIDS epidemic raging across Africa will perform at Geelong Church this month.
Organisers said the singers of Watoto Children’s Choirs, all aged between four and 12, would perform an “energetic” fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African songs at Barrabool Hills Baptist Church on August 14.
Praised for their beautiful voices and enchanting stage presesence, the children also play a role in educating audiences about their plight as orphans and their involvement in Watoto Child Care Ministries.
Developed in 1992 by Canadian missionaries, the Watoto project aims to provide orphaned children with families, education and care.
The program has 1000 children living under its care in Uganda villages.
The choir is the main fundraiser for the child care program running under the banner of the Watoto project.
One of the organisers of the Geelong performance, Judy Van Dreven, said Concert of Hope would be a “noteworthy but entertaining experience”.
“It’s important to open your eyes to what is happening overseas,” Van Dreven said.
“These kids are orphans of AIDS and there are millions of them. But these kids absolutely radiate joy and it is inspirational.”
Van Dreven first saw the children performing last year at Geelong’s Salvation Army Church.
She joined forces with coorganiser Kate Jacoby to bring the group back for another performance.
Van Dreven said there choir’s performance would also present an opportunity to donate and learn about the orphanage in Uganda.
She said the colourful clothing and enthusiastic voices of the singers also made the choir popular with younger audiences.
“You think about where these kids come from and their backgrounds and what they have lived through and it’s a really good cause to support,” she said.
Watoto Children’s Choir’s Concert of Hope will run from 7pm at the Barrabool Hills Baptist Church.
Van Dreven said admission was free but the choir would accept donations.